There are people who wrestle life the best - from the first moment to the last. Bernhard is one of those. Prostate cancer for 26 years, now metastatic, pain, weight loss, weakness and exhaustion. And yet he is not a bit tired of life: "I have two wonderful daughters with whom I would like to be with a few more years," says the 85-year-old.
He hardly speaks of suffering, all the more of the joy: of memories of his late wife, of his holiday house in Grindelwald and his rollator, which he has had since his last rehab. This is easier, the built-in seat enables pleasant waiting at the supermarket checkout, a great thing that he should have acquired long ago.
"If you don't want to make life difficult for yourself, you have to stay positive," says the senior. The awareness that life is over at some point is important. He just tries to accept fate and get out of everything. Nevertheless, he never just let things come to himself: "My parents already said: In the best possible way, assure you in order to get the best treatment in illness."
Cannabis as a supplement
This open and at the same time forward -looking attitude towards life may have led Bernhard Cannabis as an alternative treatment option for his pain. After his diagnosis, he got advice from the best professors and trusted their assessments. He rejected an operation for tumor removal because it would have resulted in an artificial intestinal exit. He exhausted the other conventional medical treatment options. "No more is possible," he says, "apart from an elaborate personalized gene treatment that is too cumbersome for me today."
The pain has become stronger over the years. When Bernhard came across a program for the medical application of cannabis five years ago by the television program through the television program, hope flared up to get the pain under control. He deepened into research and found a pharmacy in the Emmental, which has a department for cannabis applications. As the first pharmacy throughout Switzerland, which - approved and monitored by the federal government - attached cannabis, processed and sold, was able to convince the interested senior.
He receives the recipe from the pain clinic in Basel. The remedy contains both THC and CBD, and it can dose it himself. He is enthusiastic about the effect: «Sleep improved significantly and the pain has decreased. My appetite was stimulated, I have more energy and feel lively. » He is confident that he can continue to control his stronger pain. You just get the dose - he has no side effects, and he has never felt a intoxication.
Cope with everyday life
Cannabis no longer helps the once passionate golfer and tennis player. But he can enjoy what remains for him: "I still like to eat and drink good things." He prepares breakfast for himself, with the other meals the Spitex has recently been providing him. He used to cook, but the walking aids became too cumbersome: "Until I was finished cooking, I was so exhausted that I couldn't eat anymore." Whenever possible, he does all the activities necessary in everyday life.
His spirit, on the other hand, is unchanged, he likes to deal with his exciting family tree: his mother was of Jewish origin, his father, manufacturer and expropriated by the Nazis. Together, the couple had to rebuild the existence for the family of seven. "We came to boarding school so that both could work fully," says Bernhard. «They chose a very good one. I like to remember this time. » After graduating from high school, he completed a KV apprenticeship. From his studies in business administration, he remained friendships that he still maintains today.
Family holds together
A highlight in his life was the encounter with his later wife in Vienna: "Love hit like a flash, after half a year we got married." When they settled in Switzerland, Bernhard became self -employed and built up a company with 20 employees and up to 100 home workers to produce exclusive Christmas tree decorations. Since his retirement in 1998, he spent a lot of time with his family, especially during sports with his wife. How important the family is to him becomes clear when he talks about the death of his wife. «My daughters looked after me very much in the mourning and I am. We survived that well. "
His wife had wished that their ashes might be scattered at the holiday home in Grindelwald, where the family had spent beautiful times. So the bereaved had a small fountain and a stonement with a view of the owner north wall. Since his wife died in the year of her cedar wedding, i.e. in the 49th year of marriage, Bernhard also had a cedar built next to the site. Today he is pleased that lynxes, birds and many other animals are now visiting the small paradise. "Later I want to find my last rest there."
In order to enjoy his life until then despite all restrictions, he is dependent on cannabis therapy. However, this is expensive and the insurance company rejects the coverage of costs. The effect that goes far beyond pain relief and appetite stipulation has been scientifically proven: “This must also be made possible. Therefore, with his request, he will "also approach the upper batches" in order to at least get a partial takeover. He advises other patients who are interested in therapy to contact the Association Medcan: "You get addresses of serious pharmacies who sell safe products."
