Michelle Mangione, Medical Cannabis Patient
With multiple-disease diagnoses and well-wishes from a doctor who handed her a standard-issue pamphlet for the terminally ill and told her she had three months to live, Michelle Mangione of Orange County, CA had every typical reason to give up. But there is nothing “typical” about this woman, her positive outlook, and her recovery. With a drive to not just survive but to thrive, she started baking her own goods with Medical Cannabis…and the rest, as they say, is history!
What medical condition have you been struggling with?
I’d always been very active and fit, but I started gaining weight for no apparent reason. I literally woke up one day with a big, distended belly. My face was getting bloated. I had headaches that would last for a month and extremely high blood pressure. I had no strength and could barely get out of bed—literally exhausted.
I went to a series of doctors and over the course of it all was also diagnosed with a tumor on my Pituitary Gland, spots on my brain, and Stage 4 Liver Cancer…with three months to live.
Finally, I got a series of diagnoses. I was diagnosed with a tumor on my Adrenal Gland three years ago. That was the first step. I went to a series of doctors and over the course of it all was also diagnosed with a tumor on my Pituitary Gland, spots on my brain, and Stage 4 Liver Cancer…with three months to live. The overall diagnosis was Cushings Disease, which is directly linked to high cortisol and the Pituitary tumor.
How long have you been experiencing your medical condition?
I feel like my health started changing about eleven years ago. But it was nothing acute for a long time. It was just a steady weight gain and decline in my overall energy and well-being.
What do you believe caused this medical condition?
A lot of it was hereditary, I’m sure. I lost my mother at the same age I was when I was diagnosed in 2012. I was determined not to succumb to these illnesses.
What medications/treatments have you been taking that was prescribed to you by your doctor?
I wanted to do everything naturally, but because of the hormonal imbalance, I did have to have surgeries to remove the adrenal tumor in 2012 and pituitary tumors in late 2014 and early 2015. None of them were cancerous, thankfully. I then had to go on a thyroid supplement because my thyroid was simply not functioning. At that point I started all the testing that revealed the other aspects of my illnesses. The doctor also put me on anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs because I was having extreme panic attacks and anxiety issues. Zoloft gave me horrible nosebleeds and other symptoms.
And when it came to my own health and my own life or death, I just knew I would find a natural way to heal.
When the liver cancer diagnosis came, though—along with “you have three months to live”—that’s when I really just had a sense of calm. I told the doctor that no…I was going to live. I can’t really explain it. I’m just very intuitive. I can look at another person and tell if they’re sick. And when it came to my own health and my own life or death, I just knew I would find a natural way to heal. He said, “No, you have cancer; it’s irreversible at this stage.” I told him no; even if it was there, it would soon be gone. I truly did have excellent doctors and they got me on a transplant list at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles, just to be safe.
What type of alternative medicine have you tried aside from your doctor’s recommendation?
I wanted nothing to do with the traditional meds, not to mention a transplant, so I started doing my research on Cannabis and asking questions of everyone I possibly could! I love to bake—and people love my goodies, so I decided to start baking with Medical Marijuana. I had a friend with cancer who got incredible relief from my baked goods, so I started trying them myself.
I prayed a lot. I focused on positive energy and surrounded myself with supportive people. And I ate my Cannabis foods. I was on a mission to heal.
How long have you been using the alternative medicine?
I’ve been eating my Medical Cannabis foods since I was diagnosed three years ago.
How have you felt since you started using the alternative medicine?
I feel amazing! Eating my baked goods eliminates my panic attacks and reduces my pain by leaps and bounds. I’m no longer on the traditional meds for panic/anxiety/depression. I have my life back, and it feels so great! I have an amazing fiancé now. Life is good.
The most amazing thing, though, is that I was right. Three months after I was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer and started eating Medical Marijuana foods, I was completely cancer free!
The most amazing thing, though, is that I was right. Three months after I was diagnosed with terminal liver cancer and started eating Medical Marijuana foods, I was completely cancer free! The cancer was gone. My doctors were astounded. There is literally no medical explanation for my healing and how quickly it happened.
One of the most important and most rewarding things that’s come from all of this is being able to give back. When I left the hospital knowing I was cancer-free, I knew I wanted to give back. I eventually made my passion my business and started High Heals Kitchen to help other people discover and get access to the healing power in THC and CBDs found in Medical Marijuana. High Heals Kitchen provides a gourmet alternative to patients who want hand-crafted cookies, granolas, chocolates and candies. Branching off from this business, I want to come up with a line of healing foods for animals, as well. I have a huge heart for animals, too, and know that they can benefit from this medicine just as people do.
Do you think you will continue with using alternative medicine?
I can’t imagine my life without it! It’s not just my medicine; it’s my lifestyle. The same way I went looking for a cure, I went looking for an opportunity. I found it in Medical Marijuana: the opportunity to heal myself, help others find health and healing, and create a thriving business with a positive mission.
What is your message to the CannaEffect community?
You truly can affect your own life and your own healing. Positive thoughts and the natural goodness of the Cannabis plant can turn your life around. Don’t let anyone tell you your health and your quality of life is out of your own hands.
If you have a message for Michelle, please feel free to comment or share her story!
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