Breast Cancer Went Wild After Surgery, Chemo-Radiotherapy. E-Therapy Helped Relieve Her Pains

Posted on 06/04/2013 by CA Care

Eva (not real name) was 33 years old when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent surgery at a hospital in Hong Kong in June 2009.

The histopathology reports indicated the following:

1. Left breast mass at 1 o’clock – excision

Diagnosis: Fibroadenosis, Fibroadenoma.

Right breast mass at 1 o’clock, lumpectomy.

Diagnosis: Infiltrative ductal carcinoma, grade 2. No sentinel lymph node metastasis (0/14).

Tumour size: 1.1 + 0.6 cm.

Resection margins clear.

Positive for estrogen and progesterone receptors, highly proliferative activity. Negative for c-erbB-2 oncoprotein.

2. Right breast lump at 3 o’clock, lumpectomy

Diagnosis: Fibroadenoma.

After surgery, Eva received 6 cycles of chemotherapy – 3 cycles using FEC (5FU + epirubicin + cyclophosphamide) and 3 cycles of Taxol. This was done in Hong Kong. She received 30 radiation treatments in Macau. There was no further medication after this.

A follow-up mammogram in 2011 showed everything was clear.

In 2012 (i.e. some 3 years later) Eva started to have back pain. MRI in December 2012 showed some spots in her lumbar.

In January 2013, a PET / CT scan showed extensive bony metastasis. She was prescribed Tamoxifen and Xeloda and pain killers.

After taking Xeloda she was not able to sit down or walk. She had to be hospitalized for a week and given painkiller injection. She was discharged and had to use the wheelchair.

At the end of February 2013, Eva decided to return to her home in Indonesia.

In late March 2013, she consulted an oncologist in Penang. She was told to undergo chemotherapy again using Carboplatin. She has to take an oral drug, Navelbine. She has to undergo six cycles of this treatment and each cycle would cost RM 7,000. In addition she needs a monthly injection of bisphosphonate for her bone. This would cost an addition RM 1,700 per month.

Can the treatment cure her? The oncologist said: Not sure!

Eva refused further medical treatment. Eva and her mother (who also has cancer) came to seek our help on 21 March 2013. She presented severe pain and was unable to sleep at night. Her movements were very restricted.

Her CA 15.3 results over the years showed an increase from 12.7 to 246.1

*Date*	*CA 15.3*
21 October 2011	12.7
29 August 2012	36.8
5 November 2012	80.1
23 January 2013	246.1

The following are the results of her PET/CT dated 16 January 2013.

There is no hypermetabolic lesion noted in the residual right breast.
There are multiple hypermetabolic lymph nodes seen over the right internal mammary region, right superior mediastinum, right supraclavicular fossa and lever V of right neck.
No hypermetabolic node found in bilateral axillary regions, left supraclavicular fossa or left neck.
The left breast shows normal FDG uptake.
Hypermetabolic nodule noted in the right pectoralis major at the level of 1^st anterior rib.
There is physiologic uptake of brown fat in bilateral lower necks.
Physiological FDG uptake seen in the brain parenchyma.

Extensive bony metastasis

Multiple hypermetabolic deposits are present in:
1. bilateral pariental bones and left occipital bone,
2. Right sphenoid body
3. Clivus,
4. Left submandibular ramus,
5. Sternum,
6. Left scapula,
7. Right upper humerus,
8. Right 4^th and 5^th ribs,
9. Left 3^rd and 10 ribs,
10. Bilateral iliac bone,
11. Left ischium,
12. Bilateral pubis,
13. Lesser trochanter of right femur,
14. Left femoral neck,
15. Extensive involvement of spinal column from cervical spines to sacrum.

The CT images show:

Lytic destruction at the corresponding area,
And soft tissue mass in some of the lisions.
Focal hypermetabolic mass protruding into the spinal canal and compressing the dura sac, including right lateral aspects of C3 level, anterior aspect of T9 and T10 levels, anterior and right lateral aspect of T11 level as well as left anterior aspects of T12 level.

PET / CT scan showed the cancer had spread to some 29 locations in her body as below

E-Therapy at CA Care

We really felt sorry for Eva seeing her in such severe pain. We decided that Eva should try the e-therapy right away and requested her to postpone her return home. She needed to stay in Penang for an additional 5 days. And here is her story.

In summary after 2 days on the e-therapy, Eva had less pain and was able to sit up and watch the television for 2 hours. This is something she could not do before. She had to lie down in bed most of the time. With the e-therapy she could sit, walk and move around without much difficulty. We told Eva to come back to Penang for the e-therapy again if her problems recurred.

Breast Cancer: When a so-called “cure” was not a cure

Posted on 12/05/2012 by CA Care

Acknowledgement: MT granted us her permission to use these videos without having to mask her face.

MT (S-127) is a 44-year old female from Batam, Indonesia. In August 2005, she found a thumb-sized lump in her right breast. She went to a hospital in Melaka, Malaysia for medical treatment. MT underwent a mastectomy followed by 6 cycles of chemotherapy and 30 radiation treatments. Then she was prescribed Tamoxifen, which she took for 5 years.

MT was told by her doctors that her breast cancer was at an early stage and that she had a 90 percent chance of complete cure with the treatments that she had undergone. MT believed her doctor and did exactly as what was told. Each year she came back to her doctor in Melaka for routine checkup. At every visit she was told that she was fine.

After 5 years, MT was told to stop Tamoxifen because she was already cured. MT spent a total of about 60 million rupiahs for her medical treatment.

Barely a year later, in April 2011, MT started to have pains in her tail bone and shoulder blade. She ignored the problem and did not go back to see her doctor. Then she started to take “jamu” (Indonesian herbal). The pains did not go away but rather became more intense. Then her legs started to hurt as well. She became breathless and was unable to walk far. She became tired easily when walking.

On 27 February 2012, MT returned to her doctor in Melaka. Examination indicated a lump in her chest bone and another lump in her head (see pictures).

Medical reports on 27 February 2012 are as follows:

Mammography: There are 2 round left axillary nodes seen ? reactive node ? metastasis ?

Ultrasound: There is mild to moderate left hydronephrosis.

Chest: Density of the right mid-zone with adjacent crowded ribs due to ? fracture or pleural base mass. There is blunting of right costophrenic angle possible of mild effusion or pleural thickening. Left lung is clear.

Blood test:

EST	118 H
WBC	7.3
RBC	3.6 L
Platelet count	521 H
Total protein	88 H
Albumin	31 L
Globulin	57 H
AG ratio	0.5 L
ALT	12
AST	17
ALP	79
GGT	39
Rhematoid factor	51.6 H
AFP	2.7
CEA	59.8 H
CA 19.9	109 H
CA 15.3	166 H
CA 125	75.8 H

MT asked her doctor why the cancer recurred when she was told earlier that she had been cured. The doctor replied, “ I do not know why. But don’t blame yourself. It is your fate. Also the recurrence has nothing to do with what you eat. It is just your fate.”

MT was asked to perform a PET scan but she refused. Instead, on 9 March 2012, she came to Penang to seek our help. She presented as follows:

She had pains in both the left and right thigh.
She had pains in the lumbar region or back bone around the pelvis.
Sometimes there were pulling pains in her head.
She was constipated. She moved her bowels once every 2 to 4 days.
She lacked energy and was easily tired if working or walking some distance.

She was prescribed Capsule A, Breast M, Bone, Lung 1 and Lung 2 and C-tea.

After Two Months on CA Care Therapy

About two months on the herbs, 6 May 2012, MT came back to see us again. Her health had improved. The Pain Tea had helped her. There was no more pain after taking the Pain Tea but after she stopped taking the Pain Tea, the pain came back. Since MT was staying in Penang for a week, we decided to put MT on the e-Therapy for her pains.

After three days on the e-Therapy all her pains were almost gone. Click this link, to know how MT benefited from the e-Therapy.

Comments

There are many lessons we can learn from this case. The doctor told MT: “You are cured after 5 years. I do not know why you have a recurrence. It is your fate. The recurrence has nothing to do with what you eat.”

1. It is not true to say or believe that if you survive 5 years you are totally cured of your cancer. Passing the 5-year mark is no magic at all. There is no science in that number “5”. The reality is you have to survive 25 years to be able to say that you are cured of your cancer. Patients can’t wait that long to hear such good news. So someone, somehow “cooked” up that number of 5 from nowhere so as to make patients happy. Listen to what Dr Susan Love said – and remember, she is one of the world’s most outstanding breast cancer doctor!

2. The current state of affair is that we don’t know why people get cancer and we also don’t know why patients suffer recurrences. I tend to believe that the problem lies in not wanting to really “know the problem” and not asking the right question. If you don’t search at the “right place” you can’t find the answer!

3. Medicine is supposed to be scientific and to say that your recurrence is due to fate is tragic, probably fueled by ignorance or could not care less attitude. If indeed it is due to our karma or fate, then why must MT spend all the money to undergo chemotherapy, radiotherapy and take Tamoxifen (for 5 years)? It is not cheap and it is not fun!

4. Where does that leave cancer patients with? They are left high and dry after all the supposedly scientific medical treatments have failed them. They become hopeless, disempowered and frustrated. But don’t be disheartened, my experience shows that cancer patients can do something to reduce that risk of recurrence. Change your diet and lifestyle, exercise and have a positive attitude about life. If you do that you can life longer! You are not as hopeless as doctors tell you. Many others can do it, why can’t you if you are prepared to change. But the problem is with patients who are not prepared to listen and change!

Breast Cancer: Surgery and Hormonal Therapy Did Not Cure Her

Posted on 28/02/2012 by CA Care

SH (H785) is a 67-year-old lady. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 1998. A left mastectomy was performed. The histopathology report of 13 January 1998 indicated two malignant nodes. No residual tumour in her breast. Axillary fat and lymph nodes were free of tumour.

No chemotherapy or radiotherapy was indicated. But SH was put on Tamoxifen. She took this drug for 6 years.

SH said she was well all these years and her progress was monitored by her doctor. About 10 years later, in early 2009, SH developed shortness of breath. She could not lift her left arm. She was tired and lost her appetite. A chest X-ray indicated large left pleural effusion. SH had the fluid in her lung tapped out. A CT scan on 7 January 2009 indicated several subcentimeter nodules in her left lung. The lymph nodes in the left axilla and aortopulmonary window were enlarged. Impression: left pulmonary and pleural metastasis.

SH sought a second opinion from another oncologist at a university hospital. Another CT scan was performed and it also confirmed a metastatic breast cancer with left pleural effusion with small benign liver cysts.

A bone scan done on 29 January 2009 indicated multiple skeletal metastases in the sternum and two ribs on the left side.

SH was prescribed Arimidex – another oral chemo-drug for breast cancer. She was on this drug for 2 years.

In August 2011 SH developed shortness of breath again. A CT scan on 4 August 2011 confirmed presence of mild left pleural effusion. Fluid was tapped out of her lung again.

The doctor told SH that Arimidex did not work for her. She was prescribed yet another oral drug – Aromasin. SH was on this drug for about 3 months now. At the same time SH received Zometa injection (for her bone) every 6 weeks. Each Zometa injection cost RM 1,200.

A bone scan done on 18 March 2011 indicated “sclerotic bone metastases in manubrium showing activity.” SH was told that if Aromasin did not work for her, she would have to undergo intravenous chemotherapy.

The following are her CA 15.3 readings throughout the years.

Date	CA 15.3
17 January 2009	149.0
4 March 2009	230.0
8 July 2009	30.0
Year 2010 fluctuating values under 30.0
26 April 2011	51.0
22 June 2011	66.0
4 August 2011	67.4
27 October 2011	164.5
24 November 2011	227.0
23 December 2011	231.7
31 January 2012	477.0

SH and her family came to seek our help on 5 February 2012.

Below is her AcuGraph reading on 5 February 2012 which indicated a rather unbalanced internal energy.

Comments

Why did you take tamoxifen? To prevent recurrence, so you are told. Some patients are also often told this – if you survive 5 years, you are cured of your cancer! What a great lie. Did tamoxifen cure cancer in this case? It must have since his patient had survived for 5 years. That, “medically” is defined as a cure. But, you never ask – what if she does not take tamoxifen? She may also survive 5 years! Anyway the cancer came back after 10 years. This time it struck the lungs and the bones. Where then is the so called cure?

Reflect on the quotations below:

Second-Line Treatment: Arimidex

Arimidex (anastrozole) is indicated for the treatment of advanced breast cancer with disease progression following tamoxifen therapy.

Side Effects: Patients receiving Arimidex had a mean decrease in both lumbar spine and total hip bone mineral density. Patients should be informed that Arimidex lowers the level of estrogen. This may lead to a loss of the mineral content of bones, which might decrease bone strength. A possible consequence of decreased mineral content of bones is an increase in the risk of fractures. Arimidex may also cause heart disease.

Effectiveness:

Pooled Efficacy Results of Second-line Treatment

Source: http://www.rxlist.com/arimidex-drug/clinical-pharmacology.htm

Final results of the Arimidex, tamoxifen, alone or in combination (ATAC) trial, presented at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium and published simultaneously in The Lancet, found that, compared with tamoxifen, anastrozole (Arimidex) improved disease-free survival by 13% and increased time to recurrence by 21% ,however, there was no statistically significant improvement in breast cancer survival or overall survival. (Note: be skeptical when reading figures like such percentages – they could be manipulated to bring out only the positive message.)

Some researchers questioned whether use of Arimidex was justified in light of its higher cost ($6.56 per day for Arimidex versus $1.33 per day for generic tamoxifen) and lack of a demonstrated survival benefit (Source: Journal National Cancer Inst (2005)97 (2): 86-87)

There are 197 comments by women taking Arimidix (as of 27 February 2012) in the website below: http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drugreview-4511-arimidex+oral.aspx?drugid=4511&drugname=arimidex+oral

Below are some examples.

Comment 1: Have not had bothersome side effects from this med so far, but am experiencing hair thinning. Some aches in a hip and knee, lack of sex drive, minor hot flashes …So far this med has not bothered me.

Comment 2: I am 63 and found I had breast cancer at 60. Had lumpectomy, 6 chemos over 7 months (carboplatin, docetaxol, nausea med, Herceptin IV’s, and a Neurlasta shot), followed by 8 more IV’s of Herceptin over 8 months, along with 31 radiation treatments, at last one 1miligram Arimidex I’m to take for 5 years daily. My complaint is that I was completely bald all over…I had started daily Arimidex about June 2010. A month ago, I was looking at some old pics made in May2011, and it started to hit me that my hair was thicker with more coverage than NOW (Jan. 2012). It was heartbreaking, it was becoming thinner and patchier on top front where you want it the most. I accidentally happened on a site, read that 40 or more women sharing this experience, and most believed it was the Arimidex. I tried Femara for 2 mo. with no improvement. I have aches and pains and feel “aged from the inside out” … I might just drop the Arimidex, take no “cancer” pill, and pray it won’t come back.

Comment 3: Taking this med for approx. 2 months. Extreme lower back pain 2 weeks after started, brushed it off. At this point just using my arms is very painful. My shoulders are in extreme pain. Talked to oncologist nurse and am changing to another but as of today I just want to cry I am sick of all this pain. Did not have any of this before!! I am in no way a baby, and can handle pain but even I have reached my limits. Hope this helps someone else who is experiencing the same issues with this drug.

Comment 4: I used this drug for 3 years and 4 months thinking I was doing fine on it. Suddenly I felt like my crotch was on fire. It took another 2 months of doctor appointments and medical procedures before I had a doctor that made the connection. Vaginal dryness given as a side effect is a huge under-statement. I’ve been free of this drug for 10 weeks and on estrogen cream for 4 weeks and am still miserable.

Comment 5: Constipation, depression, lack of motivation, muscle weakness One plus sleeping 6 hours a night instead of 5.

Comment 6: I thought I had it made …no symptoms except a little weight gain… Now my thumb is locking up and I had no idea it was from the Rx until reading the other reviews. I am achy after sitting for a short time and have really sharp pain in the back of my hand sometimes when I pick something up, even a cup of coffee.

Second-Line Treatment: Aromasin

Aromasin (exemestane) is indicated for the treatment of advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women whose disease has progressed following tamoxifen therapy.

There are 99 comments from patients taking Aromasin http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drugreview-17966-Aromasin+Oral.aspx?drugid=17966&drugname=Aromasin+Oral. The following are some examples:

Comment 1: I have been on this medicine for 4 1/2 years. The past few months have been the worst. Every joint in my body hurts, night sweats and sleepless nights. It takes all I have to get out of bed in the morning.

Comment 2: Shortly after starting the drug (04/2010), I developed a cough, which I still have. Had a dose of sinus infection, sore throat, worse coughing just before Christmas. Chose to let my immunity fight it off instead of antibiotics. Took 3-4 weeks to get over it, but I did it on my own. Still have the cough. Tried arimidex first-made my hands, feet and face swell. Satisfied with aromasin except for cough.

Comment 3: I had a forced menopause after the 2nd cycle of chemo for my stage 2A BC. Never taking tamoxifen, was prescribed Femara for 2 months and then switched over to Aromasin following the chemo and radiation therapies. It has been 6 months since taking Femara and Aromasin. First experienced severe back and knee pains then had hand surgery for my Carpel Tunnel syndrome and now the pains has extended to all bones and joints, mostly in my hands and wrists. Memory loss and attention deficit is getting obvious. Hot flashes and insomnia is concerned. Without having daily walk and exercise and Melatonin Plus for sleep support, I would be miserable with all the side effects from the drugs.

Comment 4: After 20 days on arimidex I was suicidal, had severe bone pain, severe insomnia. I switched to aromasin and have found it easier to tolerate if I take meds for the side effects. I take ambien to sleep, percocet for pain, wellbutrin for depression. It’s either treat the side effects or I have a 70% chance of cancer recurrence. I will give it six months because sometimes the side effects do get better and I don’t want to die at age 63. But there does come a point when quality of life wins out – however short it may be.

Comment 5: Have had major side affects with it. Tried Arimadex first, then was prescribed this one; a little more manageable, but still have trouble. Joint pain, sweats, muscle cramps and renaud’s syndrome.

Comment 6: I was prescribed aromasin by my doctor after the other 2 AIs had adverse side effects. I took it for 3 yrs and 3 months. I could not tolerate the lack of quality of life.

Breast Cancer: Herbs and e-Therapy Restored Her Wellbeing After 106 Times of Radiation Treatments Part 7: My Journey of Ignorance

Posted on 30/10/2011 by CA Care

Acknowledgment: Permission to use this video without having to hide her identity is granted by the patient.

1. I found a small lump in my breast in 2003. I ignored it. In 2009, the lump grew bigger and I felt it while lying down. I went to see a doctor who told me to do a biopsy. I declined. I did not want to do chemo or radiation.

2. Why did you go and see the doctor then? Le: Just to know if the lump was cancerous or not!

3. The doctor confirmed it was a cancer. I declined medical treatment and opted for supplements and alternative therapies instead.

4. I took “something.” I did not what the concoction was. This cost me six million rupiah per month. The tumour grew bigger.

5. After taking the concoction, the tumour grew bigger – didn’t you realize that you were not on the correct path? Le: No, I never thought of that!

6. I didn’t know where else to go. I bought all kinds of products to take. One supplement that I took for a year cost me 700,000 rupiahs per day – each gulp of this supplement cost 700,000 rupiah.

7. The tumour grew bigger and eventually burst.

8. I had no choice. I agreed to go for radiotherapy.

9. After the radiation the tumour shrunk. But four months later another tumour recurred at the collarbone. It was a small lump and then grew bigger until I had a very big lump around my neck.

10. Why did you wait for it to grow so big before going for another round of radiation? Le: I was hoping by taking the supplements the lump would shrink.

11. Since the lump grew bigger and bigger when you were taking the supplements, why did you continue taking them – even when they didn’t seem to help? Le: I just continued taking them. I waited and waited until the lump grew bigger and bigger.

12. Then I went for more radiation (in total I had 106 radiation treatments). Later they radiated my ovaries for six times.

13. Before the completion of all my radiation treatments, another lump recurred in my abdomen.

14. While undergoing the radiotherapy, I was asked to take Tamoxifen. Ten days on Tamoxifen my wrists swelled and I could not bend my fingers. After a month on Tamoxifen I could not walk.

15. I had to use the wheelchair and my husband had to carry me.

16. My good friend from Makassar called. She told me my body could not take the radiation anymore. I should stop the treatment. But where do I go? I have tried all the alternatives and failed. My friend to me, “Go to Chris Teo. You can check him out on the internet.”

17. Let me ask you this question – if you were to start all over again from 2009 when you felt the lump in your breast – what would you have done? Le: I would come to see you. I would not want to go for medical treatments.

18. When you had that small lump, you went to see the doctor but why did you not want him to do something for you? Le: I went to see a “sinseh”. He told me I had this disease because of my sins. What kind of “sinseh” was that?

19. What I wanted to know is, do you know that if you have a cancerous lump in your breast, the best option is to have it removed by the doctor? Le: If I were to have met you then, it is most likely that I would follow your advice and have the lump removed. Because after that I can take the herbs, okay – that I would agree. But I don’t want to go for chemotherapy or radiotherapy after the surgery. Unfortunately, I did not know about you then.

It is with sadness to learn that Le had to be hospitalized after her return to Surabaya because the cancer had spread to her liver. She died on 6 January 2012

Read her full story:

Part 1: Well Being Restored After Two Days on Herbs and e-Therapy

Part 2: Alternative Therapies – My Twenty-One-Million-Rupiah Per Month Treatment

Part 3: Why I Declined Chemotherapy / Medical Treatments

Part 4: Radiation Helped but Did Not Cure, Tamoxifen Disastrous

Part 5: My Dreams and Near Death Experience

Part 6: My Four Days of Healing at CA Care

Part 7: My Journey of Ignorance

Breast Cancer: Herbs and e-Therapy Restored Her Wellbeing After 106 Times of Radiation Treatments Part 4: Radiation Helped but Did Not Cure, Tamoxifen Disastrous

Posted on 29/10/2011 by CA Care

Acknowledgment: Permission to use this video without having to hide her identity is granted by the patient.

This is a bitter-sweet story of Le, a 37-year-old female from Indonesia. She came to us on 14 October 2011 after having been diagnosed with breast cancer that had probably spread to her lungs. She had undergone 106 radiation treatments besides taking a variety of supplements. She presented with aches and pains throughout her body, especially the joints. She could not bend her fingers. She could not sleep well and she had coughs.

You did radiotherapy – how many times of radiation did they give you? Le: One hundred and six.

Are you sure? Is that correct? Le: Sure, correct. I received 25 treatments on my left breast (a), then another 25 times below my collarbone (b). Another lump appeared on my right breast and I again had 25 treatments for my right breast (c). Then they radiated my ovaries – that was done for six times. The cancer spread again to my left breast and I again had 25 treatments (d). Actually I have just completed the 106^th treatment a few days ago. Then I came here.

You got one treatment a day, so this means you have been going to the hospitals for at least 106 times then? Le: Yes.

Do you want some more radiation? Le: Oh no. I don’t want anymore. That is why I came here. Every time I went for radiation, I prayed, “O god please help me to stop this radiation treatment”.

While undergoing radiation, you were told to take Tamoxifen? Le: Yes, before they radiated my right breast. Husband: About three months ago, around August 2011.

So in August 2011, you started taking Tamoxifen and at the same time had radiation? Le: Yes and ten days after taking Tamoxifen my left wrist swelled. It was a soft swelling – not hard. Then my right wrist also swelled. This was bigger than the one on my left wrist. I had pain when I bent my wrists.

Did you ask the doctor why this swelling? Le: The doctor said the cancer had spread to my wrists. Husband: No, the doctor said the cancer had spread to all her bones.

And you still continued to take the Tamoxifen? Le: Yes. Then within a month, I lost my strength. Husband: The swellings in her wrists were “hot”. Le: Every joint in my body felt “hot”. After a month of taking Tamoxifen I was not able to walk.

You couldn’t walk? Le: Yes, I could not walk (demonstrate her physical disability).

Before you took the Tamoxifen, were you able to walk? Le: Okay, no problem. I could exercise and do the “Thian Kung”. Husband: After taking Tamoxifen, she could not walk.

Then what did you do? Le: I took supplements and drank coconut water. The situation improved.

Did you become normal again physically? Le: No, not until I came here (CA Care Penang). After I took your herbs and did the e-Therapy, I can now stand up straight. Before this I could not do this.