Jim (not his real name) is a 29-year-old Indonesia. He is an engineer – a graduate of one of Australia’s prestigious universities. He and his wife, Grace (not her real name) came to seek our help. Let me briefly relate to you his story.
Some time in January 2019, Jim went out with friends for a drinking session. He vomited blood. Later, he passed out blood in his stools. Jim has a history of gastric ulcer.
Jim went to a private hospital in Melaka and did an endoscopy and CT scan. The result showed:
- Enlarged liver with multiple solid nodules in both lobes. The largest in the right lobe is about 6 x 6 cm.
- There is an enlarged perigastric node about 2 cm.
Jim went to Hospital A in Singapore for a second opinion where an endoscopy was again done followed by a PET scan and a biopsy. The results showed:
- The 1.8 x 1.3 cm lesion in the gastric fundus, represent the known primary neuroendocrine neoplasm.
- Pericoeliac and paracaval lymph nodes are likely nodal metastases.
- Numerous lesions in the liver, representing metastases. The largest lesion is approximately 6.8 x 5.9
- There a several 0.2 to 0.4 cm nodules in both lungs. Lung metastasis remain a consideration.
After being told that he had neuroendocrine cancer, Jim and his family decided to go to Koh Samui, Thailand to undergo a 11-day detox program. This cost him SGD5,000.
On his return from Koh Samui, Jim decided to seek further treatment in Hospital B in Singapore. On 12 February 2019, he did a PET gallium dotatate scan – an imaging procedure specially for neuroendocrine cancer.
Note: A small amount of a radioactive drug called Dotatate is given by injection before the PET scan. Dotatate attaches to neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and shows up on the PET image as bright spots.
Below are the results:
On 13 February 2019, Jim was started on chemotherapy. The drugs used were: Cisplatin + Etoposite. In addition, he was also given Denosunab, an injection for his bone.
(Note: Denosumab (trade names Prolia and Xgeva) is a human monoclonal antibody for the treatment of osteoporosis, treatment-induced bone loss, metastases to bone, and giant cell tumor of bone).
Jim continued to receive another shot of chemo with Cisplatin + Etoposite. But for the third shot, the drugs were changed to Irinotecan + Temodal.
(Note: Temozolomide or Temodal is used to treat brain tumour – glioblastoma multiforme or recurrent anaplastic astrocytoma. It is sometimes used to treat bone cancer that has come back. This drug is usually used with irinotecan).
So from the third to eighth chemo, Jim received Irinotecan + Temodal.
Together with chemo, Jim also received Neulastim Booster.
(Note: Neulastim Injection is used for boost production of white blood cells, to help with fever due to low WBC in patients undergoing chemotherapy).
After the seventh chemo Jim’s started to have problems. He developed skin rashes, intially under his arm and parts of the body.
On 29 June 2019, Jim received his first shot of hormone injection called Lanreotide Autogel. Thiis cost SGD4,000 each injection and he had this twice.
(Note: Lanreotide lowers many substances in the body such as insulin and glucagon (involved in regulating blood sugar), growth hormone, and chemicals that affect digestion. It is used to treat acromegaly (increased level of growth hormone), carcinoid syndrome and a certain type of pancreatic or digestive tract tumor that may spread to other parts of the body).
(Note: Carinoid syndrome – signs and symptoms of carcinoid tumors in the digestive tract include: Abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and inability to pass stool due to intestinal blockage (bowel obstruction), rectal bleeding, rectal pain and redness or a feeling of warmth in your face and neck (skin flushing).
After the eighth chemo Jim started to have more rashes. They spread throughout the body from head to toes and hands.
On 12 July 2019, Jim was give another type of hormone injected called Sandostatin.
(Note: Sandostatin is given to control symptoms such as diarrhea or flushing in patients with tumors such as carcinoid, pancreatic islet cell tumors, gastrinoma, or vasoactive intestinal peptide-secreting tumors.It is also used to treat acromegaly, when the body produces too much growth hormone, and the hands, feet, face or head grow too large).
On 12 Septermber 2019, Jim decided to give up medical treatment and he and wife Grace flew to Penang seeking our help.
Take a quick look at the time line Grace prepared for this article.
| 1 | 4 &5 Sep-17 | Endoscopy | Melaka Hospital |
| 2 | 10-Jan-19 | Gastric pain, cold sweat, throw out blood & black stool | |
| 3 | 19-Jan-19 | CT Scan, Blood test, Endoscopy & Biopsy | Melaka Hospital |
| 4 | 23-Jan-19 | Re-do Endoscopy & Biopsy | Singapore Hospital |
| 5 | 23-Jan-19 | PET Scan | Singapore Hospital |
| 6 | 29-Jan-19 | Positive Biopsy report | Singapore Hospital |
| 7 | 29-Jan-19 | Detox program for 11 days | Resort, Koh Samui |
| 8 | 8-Feb-19 | Consult to Dr. X for another Singapore Hospital | Singapore Hospital B |
| 9 | 12-Feb-19 | PET Gallium Dotatate Scan ( special for Neuroendocrine ) | S’pore Hospital B |
| 10 | 13-Feb-19 | 1st Chemo (Cisplatin & Etoposite) 3 days/cycle + Neulastim Booster | S’pore Hospital B |
| 11 | 13-Feb-19 | 1st Bone Injection Denosumab (xgeva) | |
| 12 | 5-Mar-19 | 2nd Chemo (Cisplatin & Etoposite) 3 days/cycle + Neulastim Booster | |
| 13 | 26-Mar-19 | 3rd Chemo (Irinotecan & Temodal) 5days/cycle + Neulastim Booster | |
| 14 | 27-Mar-19 | Insert Port a cath | Surgery Centre, SG |
| 15 | 1-Apr-19 | Hydration 1day | S’pore Hospital B |
| 16 | 12-Apr-19 | Hydration 2 days & Albumin IV | S’pore Hospital B |
| 17 | 15-Apr-19 | 4th Chemo (Irinotecan & Temodal) 5days/cycle + Neulastim Booster | |
| 18 | 17-Apr-19 | Start taking herb 2x a day | Herbalist Singapore |
| 19 | 6-May-19 | 5th Chemo (Irinotecan & Temodal) 5days/cycle + Neulastim Booster | S’pore Hospital B |
| 20 | 20-May-19 | Hydration 1 days 1 L | Hospital in Melbourne |
| 21 | 27-May-19 | 6th Chemo (Irinotecan & Temodal) 5days/cycle + Neulastim Booster | S’pore Hospital B |
| 22 | 17-Jun-19 | 7th Chemo (Irinotecan & Temodal) 5days/cycle + Neulastim Booster | |
| 23 | 26-Jun-19 | Skin rashes started come out at under arm & body side | |
| 24 | 29-Jun-19 | 1st Hormone Injection Lanreotide Autogel (1 month dose 1 syringe) | S’pore Hospital B |
| 25 | 29-Jun-19 | Hydration 1day | S’pore Hospital B |
| 26 | 2-Jul-19 | Albumin IV 4 days | S’pore Hospital B |
| 27 | 3-Jul-19 | Kidney USG | S’pore Hospital B |
| 28 | 8-Jul-19 | 8th Chemo (Irinotecan & Temodal) 5days/cycle + Neulastim Booster | S’pore Hospital B |
| 29 | 8-Jul-19 | Hydration & Albumin IV 5 days | S’pore Hospital B |
| 30 | 12-Jul-19 | Rashes spread to head , toes, palm hands | |
| 31 | 12-Jul-19 | 3days Hormone Injection Sandostatin ( 3x injections daily ) | S’pore Hospital B |
| 32 | 16-Jul-19 | Hydration 2 days | S’pore Hospital B |
| 33 | 29-Jul-19 | Hydration & Albumin 3 days | S’pore Hospital B |
| 34 | 30-Jul-19 | 1st Consult Dermatology Dr. Y | S’pore Hospital B |
| 35 | 31-Jul-19 | 2nd Bone Injection Denosumab (xgeva) | S’pore Hospital B |
| 37 | 31-Jul-19 | 2nd Hormone Injection Lanreotide Autogel (1 month dose 1 syringe) | S’pore Hospital B |
| 37 | 12-Aug-19 | Very tired, almost black out, skin getting worse, water retention | |
| 38 | 20-Aug | 2nd Consult Dermatology Dr Y | S’pore Hospital B |
| 39 | 21-Aug | Hydration & Albumin 3 days | S’pore Hospital B |
| 40 | 2-Sep | Hydration & Albumin 4 days | S’pore Hospital B |
| 41 | 9-Sep | 3rd Consult Dermatology Dr Y, Steroid Injection | S’pore Hospital B |
| 42 | 11-Sep | Did IgG Food Sensitivity test | Diagnostic, Singapore |
| 43 | 12-Sep | Consult with Dr Chris Teo, taking herb | CA Care Penang |
| 44 | 19-Sep | Consult Dr Z for blood test | Melaka Hospital |
| 45 | 3-Oct | Shingles Infections | Skin Clinic Melaka |
| 46 | 7-Oct | 2nd consult with Dr Chris Teo | CA Care Penang |
| 47 | 16-Oct | Low Albumin, IV 100ml a day x 3days | Melaka Hospital |
Was Jim cured by those highly scientific, up-to-date medical treatment in Singapore?
You make your own conclusion after seeing the photos below. By the way, for all the adventure in Singapore Jim spent no less than SGD100,000 (that is 0.3 million ringgit).
Feb 2019 before chemotherapy ——– Feb 2019 to Sept 2019, after chemo and hormone injection. SGD 100,000 gone. Ended up bald, severe skin peeling, severe diarrhoea, swollen feet, etc. Worth it?
Jim said the severe peeling of the skin was indeed a very painful experience. His skin peeled and peeled for about 10 to 13 times. It addition, he suffered severe diarrhoea – about 20 times a day to the extent that he said he virtually fell “asleep” in the toilet. Jim will share his experience in the next posting.
Let us look at the results of his PET scan.
Comparison of scan results: 29 July 2019 (top row) vs 12 February 2019 (bottom row)
Comparison of scan results: 29 July 2019 (left row) vs 12 February 2019 (right row)
Something wrong with the bones? Scan on 29 July 2019 (left column) seemed to be more serious than scan done on 12 Feb 2019 (right).
Did the cancer go away after all the treatments?
Again, ask this question: From the above, do you see any improvement? And what had scientific, modern medicine done to him? Study what the reports carefully and you will know the answers.
My comments
Most patients who come to see us are like Jim and Grace. They have come to the end of the road as far as medical treatments are concerned. Where else can they go to for help? Yet the medical world sees alternative medicine as hocus pocus. They call people like me snake oil peddlers!
When I first saw Jim in such a pathetic condition, I was really upset. Here is a young man being subjected to such torturous treatments in the name of “science.” But deep in my heart, there was a feeling that I would be able to help him — no, not to cure him but to help and make his life a lit bit better.
Each morning, as I prepare to come to the centre to see patients, my prayer to God, the Almighty Healer is always this — God show me your way. Teach me what I have to do to help people in need. This is what I call asking for God’s blessing for whatever happens after that!
In the next posting I shall present you videos of our conversation. You will learn about the traumatic experience that Jim went through.
I prescribed Jim some herbs and was very concern if the herbs would help him or not. Below are some of the emails for you to evaluate.
Sun, Sep 15, 2019: Hi Dr Chris,
Currently Jim’s face & toes got water retention due to lack of albumin. This has happened 5 to 6 times already since the past 4 months. This water retention is followed by tiredness, swollen & not feeling well.
Doctor at SG will give Albumin IV usually 2 bottles for 5 days. But it will become low again after 1-2 weeks & he need another albumin again. Which is not helping at all.
Last time you said you have herb for swollen face & toes. Please advice what herb to overcome this? Please advice.
Sat, Sep 21, 2019: Dear dr chris,
The past few days, 10 minutes after drinking the herb, Jim will need to go to the toilet. One day he can pass motion for around 7 times. Do you mind if we send you picture of the poop?
Lately, he is also feeling a bit tired. Is it the side effect of the herb? Should we be worried about it?
Also, we just started on Edema today. Will let you know how it goes in the next few days.
Tue, Oct 1: Hi Dr,
Thank you for your reply. After taking Lower Edema for 10 days until today, his leg still swollen, but not getting worse. And he still pee 6-7x a day (last time when his leg swollen he only pee 2-3x a day. Means all liquid intake become water retention. During that time we have no choice & did Albumin IV 10bottles 5 days in a row, then slowly his albumin level going up & he starting to pee 7- 8x per day & his water retention gone. But It will recurrence every 2 weeks time which make us worried.
Do you think this swelling due to his liver not good or what else?
The first 2 weeks he feels tired, skin still worse, sometimes nausea, & more bowl movements more than 5x. Every time he drink herbs, 10 mins later confirm go toilet.
But now after taking herbs for 3 weeks time, he is much better now. The skin, the energy, mood are better and can go out to do some activity which we are very happy to see his condition now.
Now only his leg swollen & still having lack of leg power (since few months ago).
He took the herbs regularly & diets following your cook book. Totally no meats except fish sometimes.
Please advice on this current condition.
Mon, Oct 21: Dear Dr Chris,
I compiled Jim’s medical record since his first symptom until now.
– Medical Timeline (excel)
– All scans & Endoscopy
– Each month blood test
– Histopathology report
– Photos of his peeled skin
We are very happy if you can help us look through these file for your further analysis. His current conditions is much better after taking your herb, and we are very happy & thank you and auntie for your kind help.
Tue, Oct 22, 2019 : Dear Dr,
Thank you for your kind reply. He feels good, can do some activities & he continues using the machine also. Overall the energy is good can go out around 5 hrs a day.
Thank you for your help.
Wed, Oct 23, 2019: Dear Dr,
We are the one should thank you because you help us through this struggling time. We are fine with the pictures, sharing with others.
Thu, Oct 24, 2019: Hi Dr Chris,
After reading the story you wrote, I felt happy because now we are on the right track. After chemo so many side effect & no improvement. We were really down at that time and luckily we came to see you. Hopefully this story will help others patients too. We really appreciate your kindness & help.
Thank you Dr Chris!
He is doing quite well now, but I understand he can’t over do. So we trying to manage it.
- Now no more diarrhea problem. Only during 3rd to 8th chemo (Irinotecan side effect), diarrhea 15-20x a day (even after atrophine injection 1-2x a day). After stop chemo no more. Currently 4-5x a day. Not painful.
- His last Albumin IV on 16 Oct for 3 days. After that blood test shown still border line 33 L (range 35-50). But last 4 days we soaked his toes on warm water + Epsom salt. It’s help reduce the swelling. Now looks normal already. Hopefully will stay normal because it happened so many times already & no solution until now.
- Now, skin no more peeling off, only dry in some area (near lips, thigh). After taking herb about 2 weeks his skin does not peel off anymore.
- He can sleep well now, no more melatonin / sleeping pill this past one month until now.
- His shingles is gone, leaving scars only.
AFTER TAKING THE HERBS
Let me conclude by asking you to reflect seriously these words of advice:
Acknowledgment: Thank you Grace (not her real name) for your help in providing us with all the pictures and medical reports to enable us to write this story.
CANCER STORY 
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