Linda (not her real name) was 57 years old when she had altered bowel habits. There was blood in her stools. She consulted a GP in her hometown who eventually told her to see a specialist in a hospital.
Linda eventually ended up in a well known Hospital A in Kuala Lumpur, where she received her initial treatment.
- DIAGNOSIS
1a) A colonoscopy was done. The doctor was unable to get the scope to pass beyond the tumour.
1b) A biopsy confirmed rectal cancer – moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma.
1c) A PET scan indicated that the cancer had spread to the uterine wall, lymph nodes and probably lung.
- CHEMO-RADIATION BEFORE SURGERY
Linda underwent concurrent chemo-radiotherapy. The aim of this treatment is to shrink the tumour before surgery is carried out.
Linda received 25 cycles of radiation and at the same time took TS-One everyday for one month while undergoing radiotherapy.
Outcome. Bravo! Good results. As expected, the tumour shrunk.
- SURGERY
Linda underwent a surgery to remove the tumour. The procedure is known as Hartmann’s procedure plus TAHBSO) at Hospital A.
Histopathology indicated 7 out of 11 nodes removed were infected with cancer.
Lianda was fitted with a colostomy bag which she has to wear for the rest of her life.
- CHEMOTHERAPY AFTER SURGERY AT HOSPITAL A
4a. Chemo Round 1: Linda received 4 cycles of chemotherapy using Xelox regimen (Xeloda + oxaliplatin).
Outcome: Unfortunately, the treatment failed.
4b. Chemo Round 2: The chemo drugs used were changed. Linda received 9 cycles of Avastn + Xeliri regimen (Xeloda + irinotecan).
Outcome: Good chance – there is hope! Let’s chase the rainbow.
Wait .. not so fast!
Unfortunately, this good news did not last long. Barely 4 months later, PET scan showed disease progress. This second round of chemo post-surgery also failed.
- WHAT TO DO NEXT?
The oncologist in Hospital A said do more chemo! The family had lost confidence with the doctors in Hospital A. Linda was moved to Hospital B, an equally famous hospital in Kuala Lumpur, for further treatment.
- SECOND SURGERY AT HOSPITAL B
Linda underwent a second surgery in Hospital B. This involved the removal of the vaginal stump and small intestine (jejunum and ileum).
Histopathology report confirmed a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. Two lymph nodes were examined and were found to be infected with cancer.
- MORE CHEMOTHERAPY AT HOSPITAL B
Linda received 1 cycle of chemotherapy at Hospital B. The drug used were: Avastin + oxaliplatin.
Bad news: Linda suffered severe side effects of chemotherapy and was reluctant to proceed further.
- CA Care
It was at this end game that I received an email from Linda’s daughter asking for help. The daughter wanted to try our herbs instead of continuing with chemotherapy. Unfortunately, Linda was not able to drink (or tolerate) our herbal teas.
CANCER STORY 
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