Living Beyond a Prognosis

The phrase “living with a brain tumor” carries with it a weight that few can fully comprehend. For many, such a diagnosis comes with an overwhelming sense of fear, uncertainty, and the sudden shift of every future plan. In Cannabis Health Radio Episode 379, we are introduced to Steve Allgood — a man who was told he had 18 months to live after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain stem tumor.

This prognosis arrived just two days before his wedding. Instead of giving in to despair, Steve chose to continue with his plans, marry his partner, and step into a life defined not by fear, but by intention. Five years later, Steve is not only alive, but also the father of two young children, navigating life’s challenges with remarkable courage.

His story is one of resilience — not in the sense of defeating or conquering an illness, but in learning to live fully, meaningfully, and with presence. Along the way, he turned to cannabis oil as a plant-based ally to support his body, and more recently to psilocybin mushrooms as a way to process the profound mental and emotional weight of his diagnosis.

In reflecting on his experience, we find a deeper conversation emerging: What does it mean to live with uncertainty? How can plant medicine serve as a companion in that journey? And what role does mindset, ritual, and community play in supporting a meaningful life when the future feels fragile?

 

Steve’s Story: From Diagnosis to Daily Life

Steve’s diagnosis was not just a medical event; it was a life rupture. To be told you have only months to live — and that there is no surgical or medical path forward — is a moment that can redefine everything you believe about yourself and the world. For Steve, that moment arrived at the intersection of love and fear, on the cusp of marriage and family.

Rather than delay his wedding, he chose to continue with his plans. In doing so, he placed love, partnership, and commitment at the center of his life, even as uncertainty loomed. This choice became a defining act of resilience: to choose presence and celebration in a time when despair could have taken over.

Over the years that followed, Steve and his wife welcomed two children. Parenting under the shadow of a life-limiting prognosis is both a blessing and a profound emotional challenge. Yet Steve’s story demonstrates how daily choices, small acts of courage, and a willingness to embrace plant-based support can create stability where there might otherwise be chaos.

 

Cannabis Oil as a Companion

One of the core elements in Steve’s journey has been the use of cannabis oil. He describes how this plant-based preparation became part of his life not as a miracle cure, but as a steady companion. For many individuals, cannabis oil is traditionally used to support the body’s natural balance, provide comfort, and create a sense of ease during challenging times.

Cannabis interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system — a complex network of receptors that help regulate mood, sleep, immune balance, and perception of discomfort. While science is still evolving, many find that cannabis oil provides a grounding influence that supports resilience and daily function.

In Steve’s case, cannabis oil became a way of living with his tumor — not in opposition to it, but in relationship with it. His tumor remains stable, allowing him to focus less on the countdown of time and more on the lived experience of each day.

At Swan Apothecary, we honor the role of cannabis and other plants as gentle allies in difficult journeys. While we do not frame these plants as cures, we acknowledge their ability to support balance, presence, and resilience in ways that are deeply meaningful.

 

Psilocybin and the Inner Journey

More recently, Steve turned to psilocybin, often known as “magic mushrooms,” to help process the immense psychological burden of living with a brain tumor. While cannabis supported his physical balance, psilocybin opened the door to emotional and spiritual exploration.

Psilocybin has been studied in modern clinical settings for its potential to reduce fear of death, ease existential anxiety, and create a sense of interconnectedness. Many traditional cultures have long recognized mushrooms as teachers — guiding individuals toward acceptance, perspective, and inner peace.

For Steve, the use of psilocybin was less about escaping his reality and more about learning how to live within it. The medicine offered him a way to sit with the uncertainty, to process grief, and to find meaning in a life where the future is never guaranteed.

This integration of plant medicine into daily life illustrates a larger truth: healing is not always about eradication or cure. Sometimes, it is about cultivating a way of being that allows us to carry what feels unbearable with grace.

 

The Psychology of Living with a Brain Tumor

Beyond the physical realities, Steve’s story invites us to reflect on the psychological and emotional aspects of living with a brain tumor. For many, such a diagnosis brings waves of anxiety, depression, or hopelessness. The fear of mortality can overshadow daily joy, making it difficult to stay present.

Yet resilience emerges not in denial, but in the ability to hold both fear and gratitude together. For Steve, becoming a father, choosing to celebrate milestones, and integrating plant-based practices all became pathways to psychological strength.

Plant medicine can serve as a bridge in this process — not as a replacement for therapy or medical care, but as a tool that supports emotional regulation, calm, and connection. For example, adaptogens such as ashwagandha or reishi mushroom are often used to support stress resilience and balance. Incorporating these into daily rituals can provide steady grounding for those navigating uncertainty.

For readers interested in exploring these kinds of supportive plants, Swan Apothecary offers adaptogenic blends designed to align with the body’s natural rhythms. Each formulation is vegan, kosher, cruelty-free, and crafted in the USA, free from dyes or fillers.

 

Ritual, Routine, and Meaning

A critical theme in Steve’s story is the power of ritual. Plant medicine is most effective when integrated into daily routines, when it becomes part of the way we live rather than a one-time intervention. For Steve, cannabis oil and psilocybin were not just substances, but components of a larger intentional practice.

Ritual brings structure and meaning to uncertainty. It creates moments of calm, connection, and grounding. Whether it is taking a daily tincture, brewing a calming herbal tea, or simply pausing for breath and gratitude, these practices remind us that healing is as much about how we live as it is about what we take.

At Swan Apothecary, we believe that supporting wellness through ritual and routine allows individuals to cultivate resilience over time. The products and guidance we offer are designed not just for short-term relief, but for integration into a lifestyle of presence and care.

 

Lessons from Steve’s Journey

Steve’s story does not offer simple solutions or guarantees. Instead, it offers lessons:

• Life is still worth celebrating even when the future is uncertain.

• Plant medicine can be a companion, not a cure — supporting balance, comfort, and resilience.

• Mindset and ritual matter as much as any physical support.

• Community and connection provide strength in times of vulnerability.

By listening to his experience, we are reminded that healing is not a destination but a practice. Living with a brain tumor, or any life-altering diagnosis, requires courage — not just the courage to survive, but the courage to live with intention.

🎧 Hear Steve’s full story on Cannabis Health Radio here: https://cannabishealthradio.com/podcast/episode-379-given-18-months-to-live-with-an-inoperable-brain-tumor5-years-ago 

 

Steve’s journey, as shared in Cannabis Health Radio Episode 379, is a profound reminder that resilience is not about eliminating struggle, but about living meaningfully within it. His choice to embrace plant-based support, to find psychological balance through psilocybin, and to root himself in love and family shows us the depth of human strength.

At Swan Apothecary, we stand alongside those who seek support during life’s most challenging journeys. Our formulations are consciously crafted, vegan, kosher, cruelty-free, and free from unnecessary fillers — designed to support the body’s natural balance with compassion and care.

If you are navigating your own path and would like to explore plant medicine more deeply, we invite you to:

• Schedule a consultation with Robin to receive personalized guidance,

• Explore our adaptogenic blends,

• Or continue learning through our library of educational articles.

Your story is unique. Your healing journey is valid. And you deserve support that honors both tradition and modern insight.