Living Opiate Free

After 20 years of doctor inflicted addiction, I am attempting to use Medical Marijuana and other natural remedies to treat my acute pain, arthritis, Hashimoto's and Kidney Disease as well as a few lesser ailments and several food allergies. I am a skeptic, documenting my successes and failures here.

[for20tofreedom]

Got some really bad news today. _ Maybe it isn't though. Maybe it's for the best. Right now I'm just gonna breath a little and think about last night's dinner of grilled chicken and smoked corn followed by some Do Si Doe indica from @naturesmedicines.fh of which I think I will have some right now. _ BTW - It is day 65 and I'm good. _ #420tofreedom #opioidfree #lifewithoutpainpills #chronicpain #disabled #kidneydisease #hashimotos #psoriaticarthritis #thc #cbd #mmj #medicalmarijuana #patient #advocate #rso #medicated #selfmotivated #upfrombelow (at Mesa, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/420tofreedom/p/BurXwP2h5OA/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1bhs51w4c4z89

[for20tofreedom]

Fountain by @naturesmedicines.fh is literally just a few minutes away and worth the drive on it's own but if you are there.... _ #fountainhills #fountain #naturesmedicinesfountainhills #420tofreedom #photography #arizonasky #samsung #note8 #nofilter (at Fountain Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuVCxUHB-9Y/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1hjk3mob010g

[for20tofreedom]

My photography teacher in San Diego always encouraged multiple views. On average I shoot at least 3-4 different perspectives and narrow down 10 to sometimes 40 pictures to just the 1 or so I post. These were my second choices for the trip to @naturesmedicines.fh, tough choice but lighting on the other post is better and aside from cropping, I do not use any filters or otherwise manipulate these photos. #420tofreedom #2ndchoice #photography #nofilter #samsung #note8 #bigsmooth #shatter #veteransmemorial #fountainhills https://www.instagram.com/p/BuVCN10B5x5/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=h40hb3nl77op

[for20tofreedom]

Still feeling weak, been a rough week but I did catch the fountain by the Veteran's Memorial a couple of days ago when I visited @naturesmedicines.fh to pick up some S-Oil and this handy new banger so I can have more of this Big Smooth Shatter I got a week or two ago, before getting sickity sick sick. #420tofreedom #opioidfree #lifewithoutpainpills #chronicpain #kidneydisease #hashimotos #psoriaticarthritis #disabled #thc #cbd #mmj #medicalmarijuana #patient #advocate #rso #medicated #selfmotivated #upfrombelow #veteransmemorial #fountainhills #fountain #photography #arizonasky #samsung #note8 (at Nature's Medicines, Fountain Hills) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuU-00Xhyz4/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=pabs6m5z32np

[for20tofreedom]

Still feeling weak, been a rough week but I did catch the fountain by the Veteran's Memorial a couple of days ago when I visited @naturesmedicines.fh to pick up some S-Oil and this handy new banger so I can have more of this Big Smooth Shatter I got a week or two ago, before getting sickity sick sick. #420tofreedom #opioidfree #lifewithoutpainpills #chronicpain #kidneydisease #hashimotos #psoriaticarthritis #disabled #thc #cbd #mmj #medicalmarijuana #patient #advocate #rso #medicated #selfmotivated #upfrombelow #veteransmemorial #fountainhills #fountain #photography #arizonasky #samsung #note8 (at Nature's Medicines, Fountain Hills) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuU-UuHBtnC/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=mgfektxmr8mv

[for20tofreedom]

This mornings solo dose experiment was completely unintentional. I ran out of the RSO yesterday and have been unable to smoke flower since getting sick, even the crumble I had yesterday was a little too much for my lungs. _ This Select Revive Lemon CBD pen from @select_cbd got me up and moving this morning without a cough. Took about 8-9 times of inhaling for 6 seconds and holding it in for 10-15 seconds but after about 20-25 minutes there was enough relief for me to get up and start some stretches. _ Funny thing is that when I went to @the_mint_az in Mesa to pick up a RSO this morning, Select had a rep there, still had the pen in my pocket, just used it before leaving home, and he hooked me up with all this cool stuff. Thank you guys for the good products and the gifts. The battery and case are super cool. #420tofreedom #opioidfree #lifewithoutpainpills #chronicpain #kidneydisease #hashimotos #psoriaticarthritis #thc #cbd #medicalmarijuana #mmj #arizona #research #takecontrol #medicated #solodose #experiment #doesthcwork #doescbdwork #vapepen #battery #case https://www.instagram.com/p/BuJ6vmiA2jj/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=11cg4zc12e3m0

[for20tofreedom]

General Tso's rice (secret recipe) with Chicken Broccoli Étouffée - Wheat Free - made with onions, bell pepper, celery, carrots, chicken & broccoli (seasonings sea salt, pepper, garlic, Louisiana hot sauce, chili powder, cumin, turmeric and black strap molasses) homemade bone broth & corn starch. Total prep & cook time 45 minutes _ Best thing on a cold night with a cold. Had a bowl and went straight to bed. Mmmm. Zzzz. #420tofreedom #opioidfree #lifewithoutpainpills #chronicpain #disabled #kidneydisease #hashimotos #psoriaticarthritis #healthybody #healthymind #chicken #broccoli #ettoufee #generaltso #rice #cbd #thc #medicalmarijuana #mmj #arizona #research #takecontrol #medicated (at Mesa, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuI1f-aATwh/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=i5bx3z0i0m07

[for20tofreedom]

Been having Deja Vu a lot the last few days but today has been like the movie Groundhog Day. It's like being in a haze but as things are happening or right before they do, I see them happening in my head. _ Very strange day. #420tofreedom #opioidfree #groundhogday #dejavu #day48 (at Mesa, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuAV8ZYg1vk/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1wb3ry2dbnibr

[for20tofreedom]

What an unexpected day. My daughter turns 16 today (my oldest and youngest together in this picture). I haven't proof read or looked over the poem below, too many emotions today. I'll edit it later. Watching Bohemian Rhapsody with her in a minute. _ My little bit Turning sixteen Who would have thunk it? Time can be so mean. Your first appearance, in my sleep, Said "Be prepared, You will not like who you see... Let go and make a difference. Your rage is just pain, learn to hear it, So you can heal and be free." Many years of appearances in dreams but it started the day you were born, in my arms to NICU, begging you to breath Letting go, although my heart was torn. To forget all that meant the world before your mom opened the door, Started with a beautiful, baby girl. that showed me how to love 3 more. Your smile and squeal As you threw all my change "Ten Cents!" with abandoned zeal Poker night will never be the same It was just yesterday, "The sssslowers were on the sssslore" "chances" you'd say Then smiled for "just one more" From "pep'mints" and Dora in my big blue chair To art on everything from walls to the van With a personality is as colorful as your hair You showed me how to be a real man. Happy Birthday my sweet sixteen girl. #420tofreedom #whyiamfree #mymotivation #lovebeingadad #luckiestdadintheworld #sweet16 (at Mesa, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt7SkCZAE8u/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1fawg7jhuc3v7

[for20tofreedom]

Wanting to go for a drive today.... Perhaps I'll have time for a trip out to one of my favorite places this afternoon. See if my lil road crew wants to go for lunch. #420tofreedom #drive #lightningbeforethunder #clearmyhead https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt6PfpKgSP5/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=kt1kofeex1ad

[for20tofreedom]

Homemade green chili chicken & rice soup. _ Perfect for a rainy day, perfect for feeling better when sick. Perfect. _ This is how I say I love you to my family. I love cooking for them, miss my restaurant and with all the food allergies in my house, I wind up cooking at home a lot more these days. _ This was 3 days in the making; with homemade chicken bone broth, onion, garlic, celery, carrots corn, homemade pinto beans, black beans, green chilies & poached chicken. #420tofreedom #chickenandrice #soup #madefromscratch #freshisbest #healthybody #healthymind #opioidfree #lifewithoutpainpills #chronicpain #disabled #kidneydisease #hashimotos #psoriaticarthritis #thc #cbd #mmj #medicalmarijuana #patient https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt47SVrA1XJ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ceu114ln7w2k

[for20tofreedom]

Last night I had a dream You were all over me Wrapped up and in between Hugs so right, I couldn't breath But I dared not move, do not disturb, that would be mean. My eyes fell open anyway This dream, was indeed, not real, not my day. I shrugged and rolled over to see you roll the other way Wondering how did we get to this place? Where passion has no roots to bring flowers to our days? I still live for those moments that never stay Live for that love that I hope will come back my way Content to lay here, my love, a few inches feels like a million miles away. #420tofreedom #opioidfree #lifewithoutpainpills #chronicpain #ptsd #kidneydisease #hashimotos #psoriaticarthritis #disabled #thc #cbd #mmj #medicalmarijuana #patient #advocate #rso #medicated #selfmotivated #valentinesday #poem #writing #art #music #love (at Mesa, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt4OOB8AA5r/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=oqnqy6bqdesd

[for20tofreedom]

Religion and its impact on our lives and history has always fascinated me. The story of today's namesake is no different. How do we derive a somewhat one-sided misogynistic holiday of the most abused 4 letter word ever from a story of a man being killed for trying to convert another man into a religion that he and the killer claims healed the killer's daughter? Story actually sounds familiar of our societies stance on medical marijuana. #420tofreedom #valentinesday #quitabusingtheLword #imnotterriblyunfondofyou (at Mesa, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt3373GgBob/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1i9ia6yk63229

[for20tofreedom]

When one of your favorite places likes your post....... 🤟 #420tofreedom #naturesmedicinesfountainhills (at Nature's Medicines, Fountain Hills) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt2NYshAx5L/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1kdcznomufby

[for20tofreedom]

I've never been golfing but always liked the movie Bagger Vance; it's a good movie, big name actors etc but it is one scene where a young boy ask Matt Damon's character "How drunk is drunk enough?" So he tells the boy to have a seat and explains drinking.... " You see every drink of liquor you take kills a thousand brain cells. Now that doesn't much matter 'cos we got billions more. And first the sadness cells die so you smile real big. And then the quiet cells go so you just say everything real loud for no reason at all. That'ok, that's ok because the stupid cells go next, so everything you say is real smart. And finally, come the memory cells. These are tough sons of bitches to kill." This is the best way I could ever describe dealing with PTSD and the issues with pain that lead to addiction. The last 44 days have been a physical and emotional struggle; I have handled it far from gracefully. Experiencing every feeling and emotion from wanting to fly to wanting to die. Still haven't taken any pain pills. #420tofreedom #opioidfree #lifewithoutpainpills #chronicpain #disabled #kidneydisease #hashimotos #psoriaticarthritis #thc #cbd #mmj #medicalmarijuana #patient #advocate #rso #medicated (at Mesa, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt0MohhAf3w/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ks6w095sr7kd

[for20tofreedom]

Picked up this 75mg Rasta Mellow Rice Crispy edible by Canna Confections yesterday. Very tasty, heavy on the cannabis flavor but not unpleasant. This is nice because you can get a good dose with a small bite. #420tofreedom #opioidfree #day43 #arizona #research #takecontrol #medicated #indica #sativa #hybrid #concentrates #shatter #acutepain #chronicpain #kidneydisease #hashimotos #psoriaticarthritis #disabled #thc #cbd #mmj #medicalmarijuana #patient #advocate #rso (at Mesa, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtyrDIEgg3L/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=4fv3ottodquv

[for20tofreedom]

I hate to be a quitter but this little experiment of mine is too expensive. I thought about writing a book about the process of transitioning from opioids and chemical drugs to mmj and all natural remedies. Even started my own experiment more focused on the pain relief aspect of medical marijuana. The RSO is a game changer and with the lifestyle changes, I've had the best health I've had in years but it's too expensive to be practical for people on disability. A lot of what I experienced since getting my MMJ card kind of seemed like an inside joke of sorts and now I see why my medical doctors don't take it seriously. Weed should be legal, if for no other reason than not making people have to lie to get it legally. That seriously takes away from the people who are looking for legitimate alternatives to things like opioids. #420tofreedom #opioidfree #42days (at Mesa, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/Btv7zvrFL-K/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=154cq5fn597sw