Lymphoma Part 3: Digging my own grave with my fork and spoon!
Daisy, 42 years old, was diagnosed with peripheral T-cell lymphoma, Stage 2. She underwent 6 cycles of chemotherapy. Six months after the completion of her treatment, the lymphoma relapsed and Daisy was asked to undergo more treatment — 4 cycles of high dose chemotherapy followed by an autologous transplant (BMT — bone marrow transplant).
Daisy felt that she would not survive the BMT procedure. But without BMT Daisy was given the impression that she would also die — within four months. By December she would be gone! Daisy was in a dilemma and came to seek our help. She was started on herbs and was told to take care of her diet.
In October 2013 — after two months of the herbs — Daisy shared her anxiety, fear, frustrations and wishful hope! Watch this video.
Lymph nodes grew bigger after 2 months on herbs. Oncologist did not show any concern — Go and continue taking your herbs!
Two months on our CA Care Therapy, Daisy came back to us. She was full of anxiety and fear. She just went to see her oncologist and was told that the swollen lymph nodes had grown bigger. Since she did not proceed with the BMT, her oncologist was not interested to talk further with her and instead cynically asked her to go ahead and take the herbs.
Daisy did a blood test and an ultrasound.
White Cell count | 1.71 Low |
Lymphocyte | 0.44 L |
Red blood count | 3.55 L |
Platelets | 160 |
LDH | 254 High |
USG on 30 September 2013 indicated:
- Bilateral enlarged cervical nodes … the largest at the left submandibula measuring 1.7 x 0.7 cm and at the left posterior triangle, 1.4 x 0.5 cm.
- Enlarged axillary nodes seen bilaterally. The largest node is seen at the left axilla measuring 1.9 x 2.3 cm and 1.8 x 2.2 cm.
- A hypoechoiec nodule seen within the subcutaneous plane at the left posterior scapular region measuring 1.5 x 0.6 cm.
For the above consultation, the total bill came to RM 774.00 made up of the following:
- Lab test RM 202.00
- Ultrasound examination RM 480.00
- X-ray RM 42.00
- Consultation (oncologist) RM 50.00
Like most patients who come and see us, they like to go for a scan after taking our herbs for a month or two! That is unrealistic! Our herbs are not magic bullets. Healing takes time.
The results showed the lumps had gone bigger! We told Daisy, You are just asking for unnecessary problem!
Daisy: What if the lumps grow bigger and bigger?
Chris: Yes, that is always the concern of patients … and of course ours too. But what can we do? Is there another alternative?
No! Daisy said she would not go for any chemo, radiotherapy or surgery. She would like to stick on with our herbs.
We told Daisy — we wish we could cure her or promise her a cure but we know we would be dishonest if we do that.
Promising false assurance is cruel and sinful! We would not be able to ensure any positive outcome even though we have helped so many lymphoma patients before.
The only advice we could give is: Don’t panic, relax. This implies patients need to believe and trust.
Good thing is, Daisy seemed to trust us. She knew what it was like to undergo chemotherapy. The fact that she survived the 6 cycles of chemo earlier was already fortunate. Then, she was told that her CHOP chemotherapy would give her a 80 percent chance of cure. But this is not true! Barely 6 months after the completion of her chemo, the lymphoma recurred. Where is that 80 percent chance?
After the relapse, the oncologist offered BMT and said the cure rate would be 50 to 60 percent but the procedure would be more drastic, invasive and expensive — RM 100,000.
Daisy had lost confidence with medical treatment. Probably this was the driving force that made her come to seek our help. She said she would rather “gamble” her life with our herbs.
Are you getting worse after taking the herbs? You wouldn’t die in December!
Even though the lumps had grown in sizes, Daisy did not feel any worse. Actually she was doing fine … except for the knowledge that the lumps were getting bigger! Daisy was given the impression that without BMT she would only have 4 months to live. So by December she would be gone! No, during our discussion in October 2013, Daisy did not show any sign that she was about to die. We told Daisy: You are not going to die in December!
(Daisy continued to get well and is still alive after 2 years. Most of the lumps that made her worry so much earlier on had almost disappeared!) Question: What if she were to undergo the Bone Marrow Transplant?
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