Recovering In Santa Barbara: Olivia Newton-John Says “Cannabis For All”

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"I had moments where I was concerned I may not walk again."

Olivia Newton-John has been speaking very candidly about taking some downtime here at home in Santa Barbara, California to heal. “I’m so lucky that I’ve been through this three times and I’m still here. I’m living with it,” said Newton-John recently, “Every day is a gift, particularly now.” After rumors of her ill health began circulating online not too long ago, Newton-John was forced to set the record straight – posting a video to her social media accounts to refute the claims she was at death’s door. Newton-John reveals she looks at death as a long way away. “When you’re given a cancer diagnosis or a scary illness diagnosis, you are suddenly given a possibility of a time limit,” she said, “If you believe the statistics, you’re going to make them happen. If somebody tells you, ‘you have six months to live, very possibly you will – because you believe that.” Olivia Newton-John was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992. After a partial mastectomy, chemotherapy, and breast reconstruction, she beat her cancer. But after almost two decades of good health, her cancer reappeared in 2013 and she quietly began treatment for the second time. In May 2017, Newton-John and her family were delivered the heartbreaking news that her cancer had reappeared for the third time. “I believe and I dream that we will see an end to cancer in my lifetime” Olivia Newton-John spreads her message of the importance of wellness and how the wellness programs at her hospital can encourage positivism and strength in patients treating and living with cancer. In a very recent video, she states “you can be a victim, or you can be a winner,” within an NBC interview.

Joining other outspoken celebrities, Actress Olivia Newton-John called out to the Australian government and to all other nations to make the cannabis plants’ intensive healing properties accessible to patients. “Make it available to everyone,” she told news sources as she fights her own battle against cancer. “This time last year I was flat on my back in the Centre (the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Center)” the 71-year-old told the large crowd that gathered for her annual walk and research run in Melbourne on October 6th. “This year, through treatment and medicinal cannabis, I am feeling fantastic,” she said, “I hope to be able to soon offer [medical cannabis] to everyone – that’s my dream,” she continued. This is the third time Newton-John has been diagnosed with breast cancer since 1992. After quite a bit of work in talks with the Australian government, there’s been a breakthrough in Canberra. With this movement, over 10,000 Australians will have access to medical cannabis – but Newton-John doesn’t think this is enough. The federal government announced $3 million for clinical trials on cannabis for cancer pain among other health issues.

Newton-John, who’s been extremely public about her cannabis use during her cancer treatments, said she is ‘frustrated’ at the fact only 11,000 people will have access to the valued plant’s medicine there. ‘They’ve discovered it hasn’t caused all the problems that people are afraid of,’ she told journalists at the annual Wellness Walk and Research Run in Melbourne, “People need to let go of that old hippie thing [about the drug]”. In other commentary Olivia has been extremely blunt in how quick and effective cannabis is for her cancer-related pain, “‘It was instant. I felt a big change in my mobility and pain relief. It got me off morphine, which is a huge deal.” The Australian government has had its woes in listening to the needs of its citizens – but Newton-John believes she may have played a part in changing that. Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt says there’s a lack of well-designed clinical studies looking at medicinal cannabis. He added the government is committed to ensuring a safe and quality supply of the drug, but only when it is prescribed by a medical professional. From all appearances, it does indeed seem that the influential former pop-culture star had an influence on Australia as news reports of legalization in Canberra poured in surrounding the annual walk and run event. Olivia also spoke about her health battle during an appearance at a cancer research conference in Melbourne last month. The famous Grease actress was in discussion with Professor Grant McArthur at the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Research Conference as the government was on the verge of legalization of the plant – which goes into effect in January 2020. On the conference’s Twitter page, Olivia was quoted as saying “The ultimate goal is to heal people from cancer. We are lucky with our ability to access great treatments in Australia.”

It’s been heavily reported that Olivia Newton-John has had to wind back her once fast-paced and busy lifestyle of performing and is instead of spending her very precious time with family and friends at home in Santa Barbara, California. “My body stopped me in my tracks and said… you can’t move. Now you’re going to have to look at everything and decide what you want to do,” she told reporters, “I’m loving being at home and supporting John… I have things going on but not live performances, so it’s a really lovely time.”

Cannabis came into the picture in May 2017 when Newton-John and her family were told that her cancer had resurfaced for the third time. Newton-John is treating her illness with what’s known as integrative medicine – a combination of conventional and alternative therapies – including Amazonian herbs and cannabis grown for her by her husband John Easterling. She gives credit to medicinal marijuana for being a key constituent of her ongoing intensive treatment – as it’s assisting her with sleep, anxiety, and pain management. Although she’s never gone into intricate detail of her protocol, sources very near me have disclosed it’s a whole plant extract and not any single cannabinoid being used in her plant-based alternative medicine therapy – and without a doubt, her husband has an incredible amount of knowledge on herbal remedies that extend far beyond cannabis alone.

Cannabis is truly an awesome medicine and as a cancer survivor Olivia’s story and her journey ring several bells and brings up many memories that aren’t too distant in the past and are somewhat scary, to say the least. The fight for survival often includes selfless acts that tend to wear us out as patients that are advocating for the rights of other patients. It’s an honor to write about Olivia Newton-John knowing she’s nestled up in the hills behind our home – and fighting to keep cancer at bay just like many others are – just like we have in our home. The battle to stay in remission isn’t one that’s rare and Newton-John has experienced this for decades now. She gives people like me hope and gives the world an open eye towards a plant that’s been defamed and minimized by governments that oppose nature and push for healthcare treatments that can have devastating side effects. While Newton-John uses cannabinoid medicine to treat pain and other ‘side effects others are utilizing it as their entire fight against cancer. For some, including myself, this treatment works but the fear of loss of remission or recurrence is very real regardless of the type of therapy given. Olivia’s past 2 bouts both came with recurrences showing that western medicine has its flaws far beyond that of a plant.