Why I Would Not Go For Surgery

This is a story of Steve, a friend (and patient). Steve was from UK but was living in Bangkok for many years. It is indeed sad that Steve died after having an operation for his swollen cheek.

My wife and I first met Steve sometime in 2009 in Bangkok when we were there to “repair” our teeth! Steve came to meet us – seeking our advice with regard to his prostate cancer.

Steve was diagnosed with prostate cancer in June 2007 and had undergone Intermittent Triple Androgen Blockage Therapy for one year using Zoladex, Casodex and Avodart. Later he switched to Proscar. He took Vitamin D3, probiotics, Multi-vitamin, Saw Palmetto, Beta-sitostrol, Grape fruit pectin and Ashitaba liquid. He also followed Budwig Protocol. Later he took a certain medication from America. A detailed story of Steve and his prostate cancer is found in Chapter 8 of our book – Prostate Cancer Healed Naturally.

Steve wrote:

• I did continue over the years with a mainly vegetarian diet (no meat and only very occasionally chicken, no milk) and a small “maintenance dose” of a few drops of cannabis oil before bedtime.

14 June 2022: Some 13 years later, I got an email from Steve again. He wrote:

• About 6 weeks ago I woke up one morning to find a lump on my cheek causing a mild headache and sore throat. After a few weeks of increasingly strong antibiotics I had a needle biopsy of the lump. Today they told me the sample tested positive for malignant cells and suspected malignant parotid (salivary gland) carcinoma.

• An MRI “reveals multiple lobulated mass abutting superficial lobe of right parotid gland (causing pressure effect to the gland) and right group II-IV cervical region. It is measured up to 1.9 x 2.3 x 2.4 cm abutting parotid gland and 0.8 x 1.4 x 1.3 cm at right group II cervical regions.”

• They suggested surgery to remove the lump in my cheek.

• I have told them that at my age (76) I do not want invasive surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.

• I’m not sure about the wisdom of removing the tumor. It might make matters worse and spread cancer cells around.

• I’m not sure if it would make much difference if the tumor was aggressive or not. Either way I don’t want to do any of the usual treatments.

• On the other hand, the doc said if the tumor was contained in the mass then removing it could possibly be a cure.

• But in the MRI report quoted above, I’m not sure if there are more than one tumor. If so, what is the point of removing one of the tumors?

• So I would like to ask your opinion on whether removing the lump is a good idea or not, and if you think that your herbs might be able to control the cancer.

• I do intend to carry on the veg diet, together with some supplements like Vitamin D3, C, and Zinc. Also, with a larger dose of THC cannabis oil.

Thanks for any comments you may like to make.

15 June 2022 at 4:01 Steve wrote again:

• Since there are multiple masses, I don’t see what removing the obvious one on the cheek will achieve.

• Sure, they can tell what stage the cancer is and whether it’s aggressive or not. My question is: So what, one way or the other?

• In addition, the surgery is liable to weaken me further. And then there’s the possibility the surgery may have undesirable results, if they cut the nerve for example. The more I think about it, the more I come to the conclusion NOT to remove the main lump.

My reply, 16 June 2022:

• I totally agree with your take on not going for surgery and possibly chemo later. It does not make sense at all. I also believe such treatments could lead to more problems – not solving the problem.

• What other options do you have? I have little experience with the salivary gland cancer that you have. This is because it is a rare cancer here. So I cannot say my herbs could solve your problems.

• So before we jump into what I am doing here, let me share with you that there are also alternative cancer clinics in Bangkok. Perhaps you may want to check your backyard first! Do you want to try and talk to them and see what they can offer you?

• I have made internet search and found the following … I also know that some Malaysians have gone to Bangkok for treatment. I shall reserve my comments about them, but for the sake of exploring other alternatives why not talk to them?

• By alerting you to these clinics, at least my conscience is clear — we shall try our best and you make the decision.

Hello Chris,

• I am aware of the alternative cancer clinics in Bangkok. I also know that these clinics provide hope for some people, but I don’t know the effectiveness of their treatments, and they are not cheap. They would certainly provide a more compassionate environment. Some people think the more money thrown at a problem the better, but I don’t agree.

• I’m fairly well up on the various alternative cancer treatments. Therefore, there is no need to doubt having  a clear conscience about what you think is best for me, whether that includes herbs or not.

• I am the type of “difficult” person who always makes my own decisions, and blame it on myself when things go wrong ! You are making suggestions, not recommendations.

• So Dr. Chris, feel free to offer your honest opinions about the best course of action. Just say what you think Chris. What would you do?

17 June 2022 at 2.14 p.m. Steve wrote:

• Dr. Chris – I had an appointment today with the ENT specialist at the local government hospital. I asked what treatment (if any) the young lady doc would recommend. The conversation went something like this . . .

Me: Before you give me your opinion, may I please describe my journey with prostate cancer – [from diagnosis of “high risk” prostate cancer 15-years ago, declining ALL docs recommendations for surgery/radiation/chemo, to pursue alternative cancer therapies instead, the MRI 5-years ago could not find cancer, and how everyone else I know who followed the docs advice are now dead].

Doc: That’s remarkable.

Me: So you see, I don’t have much faith in surgery/radiation/chemo, but I want your opinion as to the best way forward.

Doc: I understand, it’s up to you. [typical Thai response, so I pressed further].

Me: The MRI scan shows multiple cancer masses, so what is the point of removing the lump on the cheek?

Doc: It may make you look better without the bump. But there is a danger of damaging the nerve which can cause problems.

Me: Never mind what I look like, that’s not a major concern. What I would like is your honest opinion on the recommended treatment. At my age (76) there is no point in treatment which extends life for a few months. But never mind what I think – what is your opinion?

Doc: I understand but it’s a personal choice for you to decide.

Me: Well, my choice is not to go the surgery/radiation/chemo route, but to try with a low carb vegetarian diet plus cannabis oil.

• We then discussed pain relief at end of life, which she certainly understood but was non-committal, probably for legal reasons.

• So Chris, what I would like to know from you is whether you think your herbs might possibly help. No guarantees I know. But I’m willing to give it a go to see if there is any improvement. But I will continue with THC cannabis oil (if I can get it) + veg diet + Amygdalin (low dose).

• Sorry to take up your time with this, but at least you know that I will keep you fully informed about developments, if I’m capable of doing so. Cheers, Steve

My reply 17 June 2022:

• Okay – we have gone through for a bit about what to do. I must say frankly and sincerely, DO WHAT YOU THINK IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO that makes you happy.

• Yes, your reasons for being skeptical about surgery and follow-up chemo is justified. I did not know how horrible surgery could be until I saw one more time these pictures in the article I sent you. 

https://cancercaremalaysia.com/category/salivary-parotid-gland-cancer/

So settled — these are the options you may wish to consider:

• ONE: You continue to do what you are doing now. Take whatever supplements you are taking and follow whatever diet you are now following. I would not comment on them because I have NO firsthand experience about them.

• Hope things will turn out to be the way it is — no discomforts or deterioration. Live a happy life and don’t think so much because the road ahead that you are going to take may be just as dangerous. 

• In Thailand now you can grow cannabis. May be you can spend time doing that. In Malaysia they “cut your head off”  if you do that.

• TWO: You can try our herbs for a month and see if you like them, at the same time you can still continue with what you are doing as in ONE

• Try first but if you think that the herbs are not helping you — there is no reason to continue taking them! 

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER TAKING THE HERBS

• Know first that your cancer is a rare one so I cannot say much whether you can benefit from the herbs or not. However, from my experiences in dealing with thousands of other cases I can say the following may happen:

• The lump in the neck may grow bigger after taking the herbs. I am sorry this is not what we want, but what can we do? 

• In dealing with tumuor in the uterus I always warn my patients that after a month or two on herbs, the tumour will grow in size first. Scan shows it grows bigger!!! Then gradually with time the size starts to shrink. That is normal and expected. I learned this years ago when one young lady had a fibroid in her uterus!

• But in your case, if the size of the lump grows bigger it is scary!!!!! What is going on? So can you accept that possibility? If you persist it may grow bigger or smaller? I don’t know.

• The lump remains as it is — not big and not small. Well, at least you can learn to live with it as long as it does not cause any harm.

• With time — I don’t expect any time soon — the lump gets smaller. I have no experience with parotid tumour but the swelling in the neck due to lymphoma DID shrink in some patients. 

• Examples: One young law student. The lump around his neck disappeared after 8 months (sorry, not in one or 2 months … eight months!). Another patient, Siew Low had 3 small lumps in his neck after 1 year of failed chemo. The lumps disappeared after THREE years. An Indonesian lady had a hard lump on her cheek after 6 or 8 rounds of failed chemo. After 2 to 3 years on herbs the lump was gone.

So you see, for lymphoma I have lots of hope and confidence.

So pick your choice. That is my honest assessment of the situation. Take care, Chris