Chemotherapy

Advocates and opponents of medical marijuana voiced their opinions Wednesday at a Planning Commission hearing on a proposed ordinance that would legalize dispensaries in Laguna Beach. The commission hearing was a review of a draft ordinance ordered by the City Council, comporting with a state law passed in 1996 that exempts “qualified users” and lawful suppliers from criminal prosecution. The ordinance, if adopted, would put Laguna Beach in the minority of cities in surrounding areas.

Julie Pendleton thought she was just being cautious when she went to the doctor in July 2010. The Laguna Beach resident thought the abdominal pain she was feeling could indicate appendicitis. After getting a CAT scan, the doctor revealed something much worse: a tumor. This weekend, Pendleton, 66, will be honored as the queen of the 10th annual Relay for Life at El Morro Elementary School. The former speech therapist was diagnosed with ovarian cancer last year. She said she couldn't imagine how a 4- by 6-inch tumor had made its way into her abdominal area without her knowledge.

Mary A. Castillo The Orange County district attorney's office dropped two felony charges of cultivation and possession for sale of marijuana against Ross Embry of Laguna Beach. "Based on the information we have, we felt that in the interests of justice not to proceed," said Susan Schroeder, spokeswoman for the district attorney's office. Embry was exonerated last Friday after his court-appointed attorney presented two letters from doctors. "It's a great relief, and I'm glad that it happened that way," Embry said during an interview at Laguna Health Club.

After learning that March is Myeloma Awareness Month, Mayor Kelly Boyd — who was diagnosed in February with multiple myeloma — moved quickly to include Laguna Beach. Boyd presented a proclamation to Myeloma Foundation representative Thomas Swick at the March 5 council meeting urging residents to join him in participating in activities that support myeloma education and the funding of research programs to find a cure. "Thank you for this proclamation that raises public awareness about this incurable disease," Swick said.

Diane Walcott Watson of Laguna Beach became an ordained minister in Science of Mind on Nov. 2. Science of Mind is a spiritual practice of recognition of and unification with a divine source, drawing on all the abundance and prosperity in the universe. Watson is founder of Laguna Beach’s Center for Global Peace and Prosperity. Seventeen Science of Mind ministers from greater Southern California attended the ordination, emceed by Caroline Reynolds, author of “Spiritual Fitness.

Pink wasn't Burnetta Tate's color -- until she survived breast cancer. Tate plans to support other cancer patients and survivors by running in the Race for the Cure in Newport Beach on September 25. And she will run with a pink shirt designating her as a survivor. Tate moved to Laguna Beach in 2000 after being promoted to vice president of marketing and sales operations at Verizon Wireless. She had everything going for her in life and didn't expect anything to go wrong.

I'm cancer-free. At least that's what my last "tumor marker" test showed after a few weeks of intensive treatment with radiation and chemotherapy. The test result caused my oncologist to smile — a rare sight. Call me a skeptic, but I wanted to know more about the test and its veracity. The radiation doctors (three or four of whom I saw during my 5.5 weeks of daily treatments) had told me several times that this test, called CA 19-9, is considered accurate only if a prior test has shown an elevated level.

A family “Angels Among Us” fundraiser Sunday will raise funds for 3-year-old Christofer Krajec, who has an inoperable brain tumor. The event will be from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Clubs on Laguna Canyon Road. “I hope a lot of people come to the event, and it will be a great day,” said Christofer’s mother, Anna. She is a former kindergarten teacher at Anneliese’s Schools who has stayed home with her son to care for him. The event will feature music, kids’ activities, art projects; food and wine; and a silent auction.

About 30 years ago as a U.S. Air Force medic working in intensive care units, I saw my share of illness and death. Even though I eventually got out of medicine, I have noticed many changes since then: •The way we do basic CPR has changed dramatically. •Once-sacred medicines have been outlawed. •Cardiac surgery is now almost an outpatient procedure. But one thing that hasn't changed is the near holy war between East and West. Shaman versus scientists. Herbalists versus pharmaceutical companies.

The message about protecting yourself from West Nile virus seems to be this: Use DEET and watch for any symptoms. Somehow those instructions never seem to satisfy. DEET? Really? Didn't they outlaw that? Or was that DDT? In fact, that was DDT. DEET has been deemed safe by the Environmental Protection Agency. According to the EPA, as long as consumers follow label directions and take proper precaution DEET won't hurt them. But users do have to take care.

Advocates and opponents of medical marijuana voiced their opinions Wednesday at a Planning Commission hearing on a proposed ordinance that would legalize dispensaries in Laguna Beach. The commission hearing was a review of a draft ordinance ordered by the City Council, comporting with a state law passed in 1996 that exempts “qualified users” and lawful suppliers from criminal prosecution. The ordinance, if adopted, would put Laguna Beach in the minority of cities in surrounding areas.