Pancreatic Cancer: Can Chemo Cure You? or Can the Treatment Kill You or Bankrupt You?

SH is a 62-year-old Singaporean. Many years ago, his father had lung cancer. He underwent chemotherapy and according to SH’s wife, “it was very fast, within a year he died. He had chemo.”

Fast forward to early 2018. SH had difficulty moving his bowels which led to pains in the abdomen and loss of appetite. The problem persisted for some six months.

Sometime in June 2018, SH went to a government hospital and did a colonoscopy. There were some polyps. USG showed “air bubbles” in the intestine. Nothing was done and SH was asked to go home. Not satisfied, SH went to a “well known” private hospital (in Singapore). A CT scan was done, followed by a biopsy.

SH was told he had pancreatic cancer, Stage 3. The cancer might have spread to the small intestine.

On 1 July 2018, SH sent me an email:

Dear Dr. Chris,

I am SH from Singapore I want to check with you how can I come and consult you in Penang?

I have done a CT scan and found to have “abdomen/pelvis: mass in neck of pancreas, encroaching the portal vein causing portal obstruction with cavermosum formation. Also abutting hepatic artery and SMA”.

May I know how to make an appointment to see you? I look forward to your reply.

My reply: Go and see the doctors first and find out what they can do for you.

Dear Dr. CHRIS,

Thank you for your advice. I will discuss with my doctor first. I understand that he recommends chemo followed by surgery. I will come back to you once I have gone through the treatments and assess my health condition.

From 11 July 2018 to 9 July 2019, SH underwent chemotherapy. This was done at the clinic of a “famous Singapore oncologist”.

In total, SH received 11 cycles of chemotherapy using the drugs, Gemcitabine + Abraxane. This is the standard recipe used to treat advanced pancreatic cancer.

This treatment was stopped after 11 cycles because, according to SH, the treatment was not effective. For this treatment alone, SH spent about SGD100,000.

In November 2018, SH underwent treatment with HIFU – high frequency focused ultrasound.

Then from end of July 2019 to end of August 2019, SH received 28 cycles of radiotherapy. This treatment cost him SGD20,000.

On Jan 19, 2019, I received this email from SH.

Dear Dr. Chris Teo,

I am SH from Singapore. I contacted you in July 2018. You asked me to see my oncologist first. I did that. I would like to visit you to seek alternative herbal treatment. I have completed 13 chemo sessions for treatment of my pancreatic cancer. Please advise how to make appointment to see you?

On Nov 4, 2019 SH again wrote:

Dear Chris Teo,

Can I come to see you in November (date to be confirmed)? My chemo treatment is not working for me. I will not hold you responsible. I am desperate to seek alternative treatment. Can you agree to see me? Thanks.

When SH came to seek our help in November 2019, he said he had learned from his father’s bitter experience about chemotherapy. From the beginning he was not happy to undergo chemotherapy but he had no choice. In the end, he decided to give up chemotherapy because of the severe side effects.

Did chemo and radiation treatments cure his cancer?

Take a look at the CA19.9 values during the course of his treatments:

SH was scheduled for a third cycle of chemo in mid-November 2019 but he decided to give up further medical treatment.

In fact SH was told that if he was to continue with chemotherapy, the drugs to be used would be changed to: 5-FU +irinotecan or 5-FU + irinotecan + oxaliplatin.

Alternatively, SH could opt for targeted therapy using Olaprarib.

If you check the internet, Olaprarib is a drug used to treat ovarian and breast cancer!!!!!!!

How much does Olaparib cost? In the US, the cost of Olaparib (internet information) is estimated to be USD3,000 per month!

SH’s blood test results on 5 November 2019 is a follows:

RBC	3.14 low
HGB	9.3 low
Platelet	86 low
eGFR	More than 60 high
Alk phos	55
AST	32
ALT	24
GGT	50

Below are the results of the PET scan done on 1 October 2019 (top row) compared to the one done on 15 July 2019 (bottom row). It is obvious that his cancer did not go away in spite of the treatments given.

My Comments

One question I asked SH (and his wife). Before you undergo the chemotherapy, did you ever ask the oncologist if the treatment is going to cure you? Yes, they asked that question. And the answer was, “No, cannot cure. It is just to prolong life or to promote quality of life.”

Is that what patients want — no cure but prolong life? Ask these questions — prolong life for how long? And at what cost in terms of suffering or money?

What about chemo promoting quality of life? Someone must be joking! SH said, “spend money is okay” but it is the suffering that he could not endure.

At the end of it all, ask yourself, Is it worth it? I can’t answer that question – only the patient who suffered the consequences would know better.

I always tell patients, understand that the decrease of tumor markers (in this case CA19.9) is meaningless! But many patients don’t want to understand this. To them if the tumor marker comes down, it means the treatment is effective! So patients like to go for blood test or do a CT scan soon after each or a few shots of treatment. Some even do the most crazy thing — doing a PET scan every month!

Let us look at SH’s case.

On 5 July 2018 before chemo, SH’s CA19.9 was at 5,248. That was high! Okay, after a shot of chemo, his CA19.9 went down to 1,658. Hooray, the chemo worked! That was what SH thought and it was probably what his oncologist also thought and wanted SH to believe — the chemo was very effective!

So go for more and more chemo — good, isn’t it?

By 28 February 2019, SH’s CA19.9 went down to its lowest level, at 206. Wonderful achievement.

But was that really wonderful? Don’t be fooled. If you have enough experience or if you are observant enough, know that this decrease of tumour marker may not last. It could be just an illusion; a temporary relief and a good start to make patients excited and spend their money. But it may not last. I have seen enough cases like this happen.

See, from the lowest CA19.9 level of 206 in February 2019, SH’s CA19.9 started to increase again. By July 2019 it went up to 500 – 600. That was just within five months.

It was at this point that the doctor told SH that the Gemcitabine + Abraxane concoction did not work anymore!

SH needed to be given another “magic” concoction of Oxaliplatin + 5-FU (or + irinotecan).

By October and November 2019, even with the new concoction, SH’s CA19.9 shot up to 4,329.

Remember before SH was started on chemo in July 2018, his CA19.9 was at 5,2438. After spending more than SGD120K for the treatment, he was back to square one — that was just 15 months later.

SH suffered severe side effects. In spite of not seeing meaning benefit, the oncologist would not want to give up yet. If SH had already developed a phobia for the needle, he can go for a “high sounding name treatment called Targeted Therapy”. This is to take an oral drug called Olaprarib. This is the first time I have heard of this drug. So I goggled to find out more about this. I learned that this drug costs a bomb — USD3,000 per month in the US?!? I have no idea how much this cost here.

But what is most bewildering about this drug is that it is meant for ovarian or breast cancer!!!! Has someone forgotten that SH has pancreatic cancer? That being the case, how good can this new drug be for SH?

So let’s go back to the title of this post — Can chemo cure you? Can the treatment kill you? or Can the treatment bankrupt you? I would not be able to answer that question. Patients, you answer that question!

Kanker pankreas: Tak mau opersai dan kemoterapi. Setelah tujuh tahu sehat-sehat saja. Sesungguhnya mukjizat.

Seorang pria berusia 35 tahun datang ke CA Care pada suatu pagi di bulan November 2018.

Kata-kata pertamanya adalah: Pak Baktia mengirimi Anda salamnya. Saya keponakannya.

Chris: Keponakannya! Bagaimana keadaan Baktiar sekarang?

Keponakan: Menang sangat sehat. Lebih sehat dari saya.

C: Luar biasa. Ketika pertama kali Pak Baktiar datang ke sini, kulitnya gelap, seluruh tubuhnya gatal. Dia benar-benar beruntung dan diberkati. Mungkin suatu hari saya akan pergi ke Aceh dan mengunjunginya.

Apa yang begitu istimewa dari pasien ini?

TUJUH TAHUN LALU BAKTIA DATANG KE CA CARE

Baktia, 56 tahun, didiagnosis menderita kanker kepala pankreas dan proses uncinate dengan penyumbatan saluran empedu.

Dia menolak operasi tetapi menjalani ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography). Tiga stent (selang) plastik dipasang untuk membantu aliran empedu.

Setelah ERCP, Bak menolak kemoterapi. Dia datang ke CA Care pada 10 April 2011.

Berikut adalah masalahnya pada hari itu.

Gatal di seluruh tubuh
Kulitnya gelap
Tidak ada nafsu makan
Demam
Tidak bisa tidur
Diare
Air kecing kuning

Bak menjalani e-Terapi. Setelah satu sesi e-Terapi, gatal berkurang. Setelah dua sesi, rasa gatalnya berkurang hingga 50 persen. Setelah empat sesi, rasa gatalnya hilang.

Bak demam. Setelah minum segelas teh Appetite & Fever, demamnya lansung hilang!

Dia pulang ke Aceh.

Bak harus kembali ke dokter bedahnya setiap enam bulan untuk mengganti stent plastik itu.

Pada 5 Oktober 2011, Bak mengatakan sejak mengkonsumsi herbal pada April 2011, kesehatannya membaik.

Dia merasa lebih nyaman, tidurnya lebih baik dan dia merasa lebih bertenaga.

Sebelumnya dia harus bangun empat hingga lima kali semalam untuk buang air kecil. Setelah minum teh A-Kid-6, frekuensi buang air kecilnya berkurang menjadi hanya satu kali semalam.

Tes darah yang dilakukan pada 5 Oktober 2011 menunjukkan GGT, AST dan CA 19,9 semakin baik (Tabel, Kolom 3).

EMPAT TAHUN KEMUDIAN

Januari 2015: hampir empat tahun kemudian, istri Bak datang ke pusat kami. Pertanyaan pertama kami padanya adalah, Bagaimana kabar Bak? Apakah dia baik-baik saja?

Istri: Bersyukur. Sekarang bisa bawa mobil sendiri.

C: Sebelum jumpa saya, bisa bawa mobil?

I: Tidak, saya yang bawanya.

C: Jadi, dia sehat sekarang?

I: Ya, sehat.

C: Apakah dia kembali jumpa dokternya?

I: Tidak perlu mengganti selang itu lagi. Dulu setiap enam bulan, kita perlu tukar selang baru. Jadi kami melakukan ini dua kali setahun.

Pada Agustus 2014, dokter mengatakan tidak perlu memasang stent baru lagi. Jika dia sakit kuning, segera kembali ke rumah sakit.

C: Selama bertahun-tahun, dokter pernah sarankan untuk melakukan kemoterapi?

I: Saya telah memberi tahu dokter bahwa suami saya sedang mengkonsumsi herbal. Saya bertanya kepada dokter apakah ini baik-baik saja. Dia menjawab, “Saya tidak tahu” dan dia hanya tersenyum. Dokter tahu bahwa suami saya mengkonsumsi obat herbal Anda.

Untuk lebih lanjut:

https://cancercaremalaysia.com/2011/11/04/pancreatic-cancer-severe-itch-disappeared-and-health-improved-after-herbs-and-the-e-therapy/

https://cancercaremalaysia.com/2015/02/05/pancreatic-cancer-no-chemo-only-on-herbs-still-fine-after-4-years/

Pancreatic cancer: Declined surgery and chemo. Seven years on and doing just great! Indeed a miracle.

A 35-year-old man came into our centre one morning in November 2018. His first words were: Pak Baktia sent you his salam (greetings). I am his nephew.

Chris: His nephew! How is Baktiar doing?

Nephew: He is doing very well. In fact he is much healthier me.

C: Amazing. When he first came here, his skin was dark, his whole body was itchy. He is really lucky and blessed. Perhaps one day I shall go to Aceh and visit him.

What is so special about this patient?

Seven Years Ago Baktia came to CA Care for Help

Baktia, 56 years old, was diagnosed with cancer of the pancreatic head and uncinate process with distal CBD (biliary duct) obstruction.

He declined surgery but underwent ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography). Three plastic stents (tube) were installed to help with the flow of the bile.

After the ERCP, Bak refused chemotherapy. He came to seek our help on 10 April 2011.

He presented with the following:

Severe itch throughout the whole body
His skin was dark
No appetite
Fever
Unable to sleep
Diarrhoea
Yellow urine

Bak was put on the e-Therapy. After one session of the e-Therapy, the itch was reduced. After two sessions, his itch was reduced by 50 percent. After four sessions his itch was totally gone.

Bak had fever. After taking a glass of Appetite & Fever tea, his fever was resolved.

He went home to Aceh.

Bak had to return to his surgeon every six months to change the plastic stent (tube).

On 5 October 2011, Bak said since taking the herbs in April 2011, his health had improved. He felt more comfortable, his sleep was better and he felt more energetic.

Previously he had to wake up four to five times a night to urinate. After taking the A-Kid-6 tea his urination frequency has reduced to only once a night.

A blood test done on 5 October 2011 showed improvements in his GGT, AST and CA 19.9 (Table, Column 3).

FOUR YEARS LATER

January 2015: almost four years later, Bak’s wife came to our centre. Our first question to her was, How is Bak doing now? Is he okay?

Wife: Thanks be to God. He can drive around, everywhere.

C: Before he came here, was he able to drive?

W: No, I was the one driving.

C: So, he is healthy now?

W: Yes, healthy.

C: Has he gone back to see his doctor?

W: Yes. The stent had been removed and there was no need to replace it anymore.

C: How many times did he need to change the stent?

W: Every six months, we need to change a new stent. So we did this twice a year. In August 2014, the doctor said no need to put in a new stent anymore. If he is jaundiced, then come back to the hospital immediately.

C: All these years, didn’t the doctor push him to do chemo?

W: I told the doctor that my husband was on herbs. I asked the doctor if this was okay. He replied, “I don’t know” and he just smiled. The doctor knew that my husband was taking your herbs. I told him.

For more: https://cancercaremalaysia.com/2011/11/04/pancreatic-cancer-severe-itch-disappeared-and-health-improved-after-herbs-and-the-e-therapy/

https://cancercaremalaysia.com/2015/02/05/pancreatic-cancer-no-chemo-only-on-herbs-still-fine-after-4-years/

Pain gone, Slept well, Went shopping

Part 3: Four days on CA Care Therapy

22 July 2017: Dear Mr. Chris kh Teo,

Hi there, My name is M and I have pancreatic cancer with metastasis to the liver and lung. I found your web site while I’m searching for alternative medication for my cancer. I’m a Filipino but residing here in Australia. I am interested to try your herbal medicine. I want to know how could I get it.

Do I need to come there in Malaysia or can you ship your herbal medicine here in Australia. Or can I see you personally so that you could discuss to me all the information that I need to know. If I need to come there in Malaysia can you book me an appointment as soon as possible. Is there any fees do we need to pay and how much does it cost to buy your herbal medicine

Hope you can give me more information about your herbal medicine and hope to see you soon.

Reply: There is NO cure for such cancer —- I am not sure if you even travel with such condition … the best is for you to send someone to come and see me …. that someone must know your health condition ….then I can give the herbs …. Chris

Dear Dr. Chris Teo,

I am able to travel to see you. I’m still in good condition as of now. I will travel with my husband. Is there any specific day and time that I can visit you? Please I really want to see you.

Reply: Are you from Sydney / Melb / Perth? My concern is the air travel — too taxing. But if you want to come — I am okay. Monday to Friday at about 11 am ….. go to my website www.CancerCareMalaysia.com and click what to do next . You get all the details.

I need to see all medical reports and scans …. and then please read this.

Some important points for you to know before you see me

NO CURE FOR CANCER

a) Most patient who come here, have already undergone medical treatments – surgery, radiation or chemo. Do these cure you?

b) If you come here expecting me to cure you, know that I too cannot cure your cancer. From my experience, NO one on earth can cure any cancer. After some years cancer comes back again!

c) But if you want me to help you – to give you another option, to have a better quality of life — may be it is possible. But it all depends on you. Because your health is your responsibility. Are you willing to help yourself? Are you willing to change your lifestyle, your diet, etc.?

2. OUR HERBS ARE BAD-TASTING, AND HAVE AWFUL SMELL

a) Besides the bad taste and smell.

b) You need to boil the herbs a few times a day — that’s a lot of work!

c) You need to take two, three or four types of teas each day.

3. YOU MUST TAKE CARE OF YOUR DIET – YOU CANNOT EAT ANYTHING YOU LIKE

a) You cannot eat anything that walks – meaning, no meat, no egg, no milk, etc.

b) Don’t take sugar (sugar is food for cancer).

c) Don’t eat oily or fried food, table salt.

4. TRY OUR THERAPY FOR TWO TO FOUR WEEKS

a) May be the first 2 weeks on our therapy, you may suffer more pain, more tired, etc. That’s healing crisis. Don’t stop. Hopefully after 3 to 4 weeks you may feel better.

b) If after a month on our therapy you still don’t feel better — the herbs are not helping you in anyway — then stop following our therapy. Please ask someone else to help you.

c) If you feel better, continue with our therapy.

If you are still on chemo or radiotherapy (or are planning to do chemo or radiotherapy), or are taking other treatments elsewhere, go ahead and continue with these treatments first, do not take our herbs yet.

Good morning Dr. Teo. I am from Perth. Me and my husband would love to travel to see you. We will try to get flight the soonest as possible maybe this week or early next week. I just have one question do we need to stay there while I’m taking your medication or can we go back to Australia and bring the medication here.

Thank you very much may God Bless You always.

Reply: Just see me for an hour or two … you can take the herbs home and start taking them at home ….. so one or two days in Penang is good enough.

Pain gone, Slept well, Went shopping

Our advice

Update

Mei’s pain was gone and she became a “normal” person — can eat, can sleep, etc. just after a day in Penang! Is this a placebo effect?

After returning home to Australia, Mei wrote: Thank God… I’ve been drinking the tea for 5 days now so far I don’t have any problem I don’t have any pain. I’m still in good condition. Thank you very for your concern.

Cancer of the pancreas-liver-lung: Surgery and chemo failed. She came to CA Care

Mei (not real name) is 53-year-old lady who flew to Penang with her husband from Australia. They were desperately in need of help. According to her doctors, Mei would not live long — it is a month to month case and Mei would probably not survive to celebrate Christmas 2017 (5 more months!).

Mei’s problem started in March 2016, when she had problem swallowing food or even water. Both her hands and legs itch. Her GP did a blood test and found her liver function enzymes were elevated. This could be due to obstructive jaundice. She was then referred to a specialist.

CT and MRI showed tumour in the head of the pancreas. In early April 2016, Mei underwent a Whipples resection in which part of the pancreas, intestine, bile duct, gallbladder, omentum and 8 lymph nodes were removed.

After the surgery, Mei received 6 cycles of chemotherapy.

Chris: Did you ask if the chemo was going to cure you? There is no clear cut answer to this question. According to Mei, she was given the impression that everything would be okay after completing the chemo.

Did you suffer from the chemo? Yes. Listen to our conversation. It was 5 months of hell.

Unfortunately too, after the fifth chemo, Mei was told that the cancer had spread to her liver. There were “innumerable foci throughout all segments of the liver.” Mei was also told that there was a spot in her lung.

Mei had to undergo more chemo. Mei received 4 more cycles of chemo. On two occasions she had to be hospitalized due to breathing difficulties. She decided to give up chemotherapy.

The oncologist and Mei’s husband came to a compromise — Mei would go on a “drug holiday” for 2 months and then resume chemo again. When the 2 months were up, Mei told the oncologist she would not want to continue with her chemotherapy any more. The oncologist said he hoped Mei could make it to December.

Comments

Many people have written about chemotherapy and its devastating effects on patients. Reflect on these quotations.

For more go to Part 2.

Pancreatic-Liver Cancer: Declined Surgery, On Herbs only! Amazing Healing

LT is a 66-year-old Indonesian male. In December 2015 he had pains in his stomach and started to vomit. He consulted a specialist in Medan and was told it was a pancreas problem. He was given medication but his problem did not go away.

In March 2016, he had stomach discomfort again and was hospitalised. The doctor said there was a tumour in his pancreas. LT was told to consult specialist in Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. The doctor in Medan was not able to handle such a case.

LT went to a university hospital in Kuala Lumpur. He was told to undergo an operation. The doctor told LT. With the operation there would be a 95 percent chance of berhasil (implying, cure? good result? success?). The family was not impressed and declined surgery.

LT went to consult a doctor in a university hospital in Taiwan, as he has a daughter living there.

A CT scan on 11 May 2016 indicated the following:

There is a 2.5 x 2.7 x 5.1 cm tumour in the pancreatic head and uncinate process.
Dilation of pancreatic duct is noted.
Liver metastasis (3.6 cm) in the S8 of liver.

The doctor said the only option is surgery but he would not be able to know if the cancer can be removed or not. If he were to open him up and found many more tumours in the pancreas or liver, then we would just close him up and would not proceed further.

Faced with such uncertainty, LT declined further medical treatment. A family member searched the internet and found CA Care. The decided to come and consult us.

The following is the gist of our conversation that morning.

Daughter: We brought him to a hospital in Medan. The doctor said his pancreas was swollen and prescribed some medications. The problem went away. But in March 2016, his stomach was uncomfortable again. He vomited. MRI indicated a tumour in his pancreas. The doctor recommended that we either go to Kuala Lumpur or Singapore for further treatment.

So we brought him to Kuala Lumpur. The doctor suggested surgery and told us that this would give a 95 percent result (berhasil).

Chris: Wah, 95 percent result — do you know what the doctor meant by 95 percent result. Sure, when you cut out you will surely get some results. But does that mean it is a cure?

D: My father was frightened and he refused the operation. So he went to Taiwan for further consultation.

C: Why Taiwan?

D: We have a family member there. And we were told that the doctor in Taiwan is good at treating cancer. The Taiwan doctor also suggested surgery.

C: You went to Kuala Lumpur, the doctor asked you to operate and said you have a 95 result. Now, the Taiwan doctor also asked you to operate.

D: But the Taiwan doctor said he could not guarantee the result. He did not give us any assurance or guarantee. He said he would open up and see. If the cancer has already spread to many places then he would not proceed further. He would just close it back.

C: So you did not go ahead with the operation in Taiwan?

D: Yes, and we flew right back to see you here.

Son: I found CA Care in the net and told her about it.

C: Let me tell you sincerely and honestly. I cannot cure your cancer. From my experience, if you have brain, pancreas, lung or liver cancer, it is better that you do not operate. Surgery may give more problems and make you miserable. That’s my experience.

Patient: From the pancreas the cancer had already spread to the liver.

C: Yes, that’s even worse. And most of the time, that can happen because the pancreas is just situated next to the liver (see diagram below).

C: Did you ask if removing the tumour in the pancreas can cure you? But on the other hand, if you don’t operate and you take my herbs, this is not going to cure you either.

So, you need to make your own decision — what you want to do now?

P: I want to try your herbs.

C: Even if you take my herbs, you need to know that this is not going to cure you! I want to be honest with you. I cannot cure you. And from what I see, no one on earth can cure cancer either.

But even if there is no cure, it is okay if you can live a life without any suffering — can eat, can sleep and no pain — we must be thankful for these?

After all human beings will have to die one day. So don’t fear death.

Whether your life is going to be longer or shorter, all depends on you and your diet. You may be told to eat anything you like. But I say no!

D: Yes, the doctors told us to eat anything we like. What you want to eat, just eat!

C: Yes, eat what you like and you die sooner. My advice is, Take care of your diet!

About One Year Later

LT’s daughter and son, came to report her father’s progress.

The following is the gist of our conversation that morning.

Chris: (Trying to recall) Oh, it has been a year since you came to see me and started to take the herbs. How is your father doing?

Daughter: Baik, baik (doing good!).

C: Before taking the herbs, was he okay?

D: No, he was in pain.

C: Now, after the herbs, he can eat, can sleep, no pain, can work? Is that so? Okay?

D: Yes.

C: So he has no more problems now? Before taking the herbs, was he able to do all these?

Son: No, he always slept all day long.

D: He could not eat, and would vomit.

S: Drink also vomit.

C: Previously, he walked with difficulty — now okay? Before he had fever?

D: Now okay and no more fever. He has good appetite.

C: Did he keep to his good diet?

D: Yes.

C: Is he okay now — can work in the house?

D: Ya, can help take care of his grandchild.

C: When he first came, he had pancreatic cancer that had spread to his liver. A real difficult problem. Normally patient like that would die within six months or so. And before he dies, he would suffer — painful.

Now, it is already one year since he first came here. And he is doing fine. I did not expect this to happen. I did not believe that he could live a normal life like you said.

It has been a year. Okay, let’s aim for another year of good health. Let’s see what happen next year!

This is indeed unbelievable. It’s God’s blessing — I can’t say more!

Now, we need to maintain this good health. We cannot cure his cancer but he can live a good normal life — what else can we do?

We have to be careful. Do what is right that makes him well. Don’t change your “good healthy” ways. Never, never, ever do things that’s not right.

I am really in awe. I cannot understand or explain this healing. If you ask me earlier …. No, I would have said to you that he would not be able to survive that long. Who would believe this kind of story? Indeed difficult to believe. But remember, do not do anything that is not right. Very good. It’s God blessing.

Recurrent Pancreatic Cancer Metastatised to the Bone and Lung

GG was 77 years old when she had problems with her pancreas in November 2007. MRI indicated that she probably had an intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm. In her medical report the doctor wrote: This lesion has malignant potential and should be treated accordingly. GG underwent a distal pancreatectomy in December 2007 in Mt. Elisabeth, Singapore. After the surgery no further medical treatment was indicated.

Nine years later, in 2016, GG started to cough, had fevers, nausea and vomiting.

An ultrasound on 3 May 2016 in Kuala Lumpur showed a solid mass lesion in the region of the body to tail of the pancreas measuring 28 x 33 x 67 mm … suggestive of recurrence. There were multiple cysts in her liver and solid nodules of unknown nature in the neck of the gallbladder. Further examination showed metastasis to the lung and bone.

Her CA 19.9 was at 234 and CEA was at 5.3.

GG is now 85 years old. It was at this point that we received an e-mail from her daughter-in-law.

Dear Dr. Chris Teo,

My name is L and my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004 and was taking Breast M and Capsules as prescribed by you. She continued with your prescriptions without having major complications i.e., no pain and suffering until she passed away in 2011 due to high fever. We are extremely happy because she did not suffer much and managed to live for another 7 years.

Recently my mother-in-law did an ultra sound and x-ray as she was not feeling well. The results showed her pancreas having cysts and lung having numerous nodules. According to the doctors, cancer is almost positive unless biopsy is done to confirm. She had done surgery to remove part of her pancreas about 10 years ago due to the growth (non-cancerous). She appears to be healthy now with some minor coughing but complained of some phlegm. As she is of advance age i.e. 85, we wish to seek your advice on the best possible treatment for her. Family members are not agreeable to chemotherapy and radiation.

I attached below the medical reports, blood test and results of ultra sound and x-ray for your reference. I am hoping to receive your feedback soon as we are from Kuala Terengganu and are prepared to take her to Penang to consult you if possible. Thank you.

GG was prescribed herbs.

Dear Dr Chris Teo,

My mother-in-law started to take Capsule A-D, M Tea, Bon, Pancrea, Live P, Lun about two days ago. Each time after about 2 hours of consuming the herbs, she started vomiting the herbs. On the first night of taking the herbs, the phlegm and cough reduced significantly but vomited about 2 hours later. She doesn’t have good appetite now, always belching and feels weak. We seek your opinion whether to continue with the herbs or to reduce the types and amount. Hoping for your answer soon.

Reply: I expect that. She will have to suffer for the next 1 to 2 weeks to get better. Continue taking the herbs.

Dr. Chris Teo,

Thank you very much for the herbs prescribed to my mother-in-law. I noted that her condition now has improved tremendously … I would like to continue with the herbs. At present, she sometimes feel uncomfortable at her of stomach after taking pain killer. She has been taking pain killer because her outer thigh has been nagging her for more than 20 years. Actually, the pain is due to the disc fracture at the spine as informed by the doctors. I don’t know whether the pain is caused by her spine problem or other reasons. I would like to substitute the pain killers with your herbal remedy.

The son of GG called to say that GG was better. She had more energy and now can sit up. Before she had to lie down.

Comments

We are glad that at least when patients (or doctors) give up medical treatment for advanced cancer, there is still something that we can do to help — to make patients’ quality of life better.

GG is already 85 years old. Do you think subjecting her to chemotherapy or radiation make sense?

Reflect on this story written by Dr. Ken Murray.

Not too long ago, a man came to our centre on behalf of his 71-year-old father who was in a critical condition in the hospital. His father was semi-unconscious, couldn’t even open his mouth to eat or drink and had to be tube-fed. Looking at his medical condition — lung cancer that spread to his brain — we suggested that it would be better to do nothing than to try heroic acts. A biopsy was done followed by radiation. The question is: What is the purpose — what do you expect to achieve?

Liver Cirrhosis (& problems with the pancreas?): Two Years On, Still Doing Fine

SS (s-406) is a 61-year-old Indonesian. Sometime in 2011, he had to be hospitalized. Something was wrong. Fluid accumulated in his abdomen and this had to be tapped out. In 2012, he landed in the hospital again, twice. In February 2013, he again had to go into the hospital to have fluid tapped out of his abdomen.

In July 2013, SS came to seek our help. Since then, he need not go to the hospital anymore!

What was wrong with SS?

An utrasound on 16 May 2013 showed a 8.9 x 6.6 cm mass in his pancreas. And he had fatty liver.

A follow-up CT scan the next day showed liver cirrhosis with:

ascites (accumulation of fluid –usually serous fluid which is a pale yellow and clear fluid — in the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity. Ascitic fluid can have many sources such asliver disease, cancers, congestive heart failure, or kidney failure).
cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder).
cholangitis (infection of the biliary tract with the potential to cause significant morbidity and mortality), and
pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).

The report said: tidak terlihat nodul /massa atau lesi fokal (no nodule or mass seen).

So, how can we make out of this case with two conflicting imaging reports?

SS was prescribed herbs for his liver and pancreas and was told to keep to a healthy diet.

Listen to the video clips below.

April 2014: Almost a year on CA Care Therapy, SS said he was far better off than before!

September 2015: According to his niece, SS is doing find fine up to this day. Since on CA Care Therapy he need not have to go back to the hospital anymore. SS had just came back from a holiday in Bali. Chris: Thank God for this!

Pancreatic Cancer: No chemo, only on herbs. Still fine after 4 years

In 2011, we documented the story of Bak, Pancreatic Cancer: Severe Itch Disappeared and Health Improved After Herbs and the e-Therapy.

Briefly this was what happened:

Bak was told he had a tumour in his bile duct in 2011.
CT scan in April indicated a pancreatic head and uncinate process carcinoma with common biliary duct obstruction.
Bak was asked to undergo an operation. He refused. However he consented to do an ERCP – endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (a specialized technique to clear off the bile duct obstruction).
After the ERCP, Bak was asked to undergo chemotherapy. He promptly refused.
Immediately after being discharged from the hospital, Bak came to seek our help and was started on herbs.
Bak had to return to Penang every 6 months to change the plastic stent (tube) that the doctor inserted.
Surprisingly Bak recovered and was well after taking the herbs. His doctor who once “pushed” him to do chemotherapy had stopped asking Bak to consider chemo since his recovery was so good. Bak told the doctor that he was on our herbs. The doctor just smiled.

To our surprise, in January 2015 – i.e. almost 4 years later, Bak’s wife came to our centre. Our first question to her was, How is Bak doing now? Is he okay?

Listen to what she told us.

Chris: How is he (your husband) doing now? Good and healthy?

Wife: Thanks be to God. He can drive around, everywhere.

C: Before he came here, was he able to drive?

W: No, I was the one driving.

C: So, he is healthy, really healthy?

W: Yes, healthy.

C: Has he gone back to see his doctor?

W: Yes. The stent has been removed and there was no need to replace it anymore.

C: How many times did he change the stent?

W: Every 6 months, change a new stent. So twice a year.

C: And it has been 4 years now. Amazing. Thank God indeed for this blessing. Okay, when was his last visit to the doctor to remove the stent?

W: August 2014. The doctor said no need to put in a new stent. If he is jaundiced, then we need to come back to the hospital immediately.

C: All these years, didn’t the doctor ask him to do chemo?

W: We told the doctor that he (my husband) was on herbs. I asked the doctor if this was okay. He replied, “I don’t know” and he just smiled. The doctor know that my husband was taking your herbs.

C: Generally such cancer (pancreas) is very difficult. Indeed this is a miracle. Since the removal of the stent (ca. 5 months ago) did he encounter any problem?

W: No problem. He is healthy.

C: Very good indeed. Praise God for this.

Pancreatic Cancer: Is There Another Option?

Pancreatic Cancer is one of the deadliest cancer, killing 95 percent or more of it’s victims within five year of diagnosis. Dr. Martin Scurr wrote in an article: Why MOST doctors like me would rather DIE than endure the pain of treatment we inflict on others for terminal diseases: Insider smashes medicine’s big taboo, in the Daily Mail, UK, 14 February 2012.:

… having illnesses such as advanced pancreatic cancer means there’s only a tiny chance of survival.
But most people — patients and their relatives — have hugely unrealistic expectations about what modern medicine can do to help those with life-threatening illnesses.
With pancreatic cancer, for example, which is often diagnosed late, the average length of time between diagnosis and death is usually less than six months.
If I had the disease, I would not attempt any of the treatments for it, such as chemotherapy, because it can be gruelling and misery-making, and the success rate is extremely low. I would rather have painkilling palliative care, which can do great things in helping to make you feel comfortable while you are dying.

Is There Another Option? Yes, there is but you need to understand your responsibility, your commitment and your reality. There are two stories for you to ponder on.

Story 1: Pancreatic cancer – declined medical treatment – lived for over three years

Chai was 39 years old when he was diagnosed with carcinoma of the pancreatic head on 16 September 1999. MRI done in Singapore on 21 September 1999 indicated an irregular mass in the head of the pancreas measuring 4.4 x 5.7 x 4 cm. The doctors gave Chai three months to live.

Chai declined further medical intervention and opted for herbs.

On 30 May 2003,Chai’s sister told us that Chai had died in April 2003, ten days before his forty-third birthday. He complained of pains in the chest a week prior to his death but he ignored the symptoms. His sister also told us that Chai put on weight since he started taking herbs. He was doing very well and went around telling his friends that he did not have cancer any more. Unfortunately, being a vibrant young man, Chai did not follow our dietary advice. He ate whatever he liked. On top of that, he also smoked and drank liquor. He paid for his misadventure dearly. For example, on 3 January 2001, his sister informed us that Chai had pains in the abdomen and was hospitalised. His face was swollen and he was severely jaundiced.

Comments

A terminal case of pancreatic cancer with a prognosis of only three months to live survived for more than three years without any medical treatment but by just taking herbs. This is indeed an amazing healing.

No medical intervention means no costly medical bills to settle, no suffering and an ability to lead a normal life. This is a great blessing indeed. We could not have asked for more.

I am reminded of what Claude Bernard wrote in 1865:

A physician who tries a remedy and cures his patients, is inclined to believe that the cure is due to his treatment. But the first thing to ask them is whether they have tried doing nothing, i.e., not treating other patients, for how can they otherwise know whether the remedy or nature cured them?

Story 2: Healing of Pancreatic Cancer Turned Rotten

This is a letter we received from Ms. Koreena Mabalot Locke (use of real name with permission), on 27 February 2003.

Dear Dr. Teo,

I am writing to thank you for all the help your organization and herbs have given to me and my father. My father, Conrado Mabalot, who is from the Philippines, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in mid-2002. The tumour was very large, 18 x 13.4 x 2.4 cm and was pressing on all the other internal organs. The doctor in Baguio City, Philippines said it was inoperable and wouldn’t suggest further chemo as he is already old.

(In our conversation: Koreena said that the doctor did an open and close operation. He fitted a by-pass tube which hangs out of the stomach. The doctor also told her mother that the patient has only 3 to 6 months to live and said: Whatever he wants to eat, just give him. Sounds like a desperate advice!).

I came to know about CA CARE through two of your books that were lent to me by a pharmacist friend. At that time she advised me that your methods were rather radical if compared to the medical profession. Your use of the rodent tuber as part of your herbal remedy was not really accepted.

My husband urged me to contact you after reading your books. As the prognosis given by the Philippines doctors was 3 to 6 months to live, my husband said that there could be no harm in trying something radical. So I sent you a fax, to the number that was printed in the books. I got a reply that directed me to Khadijah and Johan and I then turned to them for further help.

We sent your herbs to the Philippines and then a month later we visited him at his home in Agoo, La Union, Philippines. (This was perhaps the last time that I would be able to see my father alive, so we made this special trip to the Philippines, since the doctor said he is to die very soon). I explained the method of brewing the tea and how to consume it. Of course, all these were explained to me by your very helpful group in Subang. We kept sending a monthly batch of herbs and capsules regularly.

(After taking the herbs: Rotten-minced-meat-like tissues flowed out through the tube. It was very smelly. The colour was very dark brown. This rotten tissue kept flowing out of the tube for a few weeks).

My father’s recovery has been, if I may use the word, MIRACULOUS. After two months on the herbs he began to eat and put on weight. He gained his strength in leaps and bounds. At the end of the fourth month, my mother and relatives told me that he was stronger than he was a year ago. In January 2003, my father had gone for his check up (ultra sound scanning). As my mother explained, the doctors themselves could not believe the result. There was absolutely no sign of the tumour or growth. I was jumping with joy. I must confess that before the ultra-sound scan, we were just happy that my father was feeling good, but to be told by the astonished doctors that they could not find anything wrong with him, well, that was simply astounding.

All family members of anyone that is diagnosed with the big C cannot but feel helpless. Even with the conventional therapies given by the hospitals, total recovery is never assured. After reporting to you personally the diagnosis of my father’s latest check up, I realized that even you did not want to admit that the cure is 100%. … I wish to thank everyone at CA CARE at Subang – Khadijah, Johan and Patrick and most especially you, Dr. Teo, for the help and understanding that was shown to me and my family in my time of need.

Thank you very very much. KML

Medical History

Name: Conrado Wania Mabalot Male, Age: 68 Address: La Union, Philippines.

First week of June 2002: Experienced pain around abdomen, Pain killer was prescribed. Mid-June 2002, ultrasound revealed a mass around pancreas. Doctor said it started from the tail.

Late June 2002: Specialist advised CT scan which confirmed growth in pancreas and advised surgery to remove it. Prior admittance to GH, test indicated enlargement of the heart.

CT scan report dated June 26, 2002:CT scan of the upper abdomen … reveals a 18 x 13.4 x 2.4 cm mixed density irregularly enhancing mass with loculations in the left hemiabdomen involving the pancreas and stomach. Impression: pancreatic carcinoma infiltrating the stomach.

Upper Abdominal CT scan dated July 2, 2002: Re-evaluation of outside upper abdominal CT scan taken June 26, 2002 shows the following significant findings: Large mixed isodense and hypodense mass lesion … the mass intimately related to the tail and distal body of the pancreas. Contiguous body of the pancreas is also enlarged.The mass is extragastric with the mass encroaching the greater curvature of the stomach and displacing it medially, the transverse colon is also compressed posteriorly. Nodule component of the mass impinges and extends into the lumen of the distal body of the stomach. The mass measures 12.4 x 13.4 cm in its widest diameter, its height is 18 cm. Findings are consistent with pancreatic body and tail neoplasm.

9 July 2002: During surgery, growth was found to be too advanced and clinging to the other organs. Doctors could not remove the growth.

16 July 2002: Discharged from hospital, not given any medication.

Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center: Summary and Discharges, dated July 16, 2002

Impression: Pancreatic CA Important treatment: laparotomy, gastrojejunostomy, placement of drain, biopsy.Final diagnosis: Pancreatic CA Remarks: May go home.

18th July 2002: Started to take spirulina at the same time came to CA Care, Subang Jaya.

Koreena wrote again in reply to our clarification:

His condition before taking herbs:
a. He slept so little , 2 to 3 hours and then got up.

b. He could walk a few steps only because he felt tired. Then he would sit down and most of the time he was lying down.

c. He couldn’t eat much; maybe 2 – 4 tablespoons of food then would stop because he felt something blocking every time he tried to eat.

His condition after taking herbs:
a. He started to eat more and then he gained weight.

b. His skin colour changed, in fact, even better than two years ago.

c. His can even work, repair aircons, fridge, etc.

d. He can sleep in any position.

After the ultrasound in January 2003, the doctors couldn’t find anything wrong with him and everybody couldn’t believe what had happened. Even the doctor who did the surgery couldn’t figure out what happened. Then, for the first time my mother told my father that he had pancreas cancer, Stage 4 and that the doctor told her that he got only 3 to 6 months to live!

Now my father is home and is doing all the work that he used to do. He is still taking all the herbs, spirulina and an iron vitamin.

Ultrasound report dated January 27, 2003: The liver is not enlarged with smooth borders. The intrahepatic bile ducts and vessels are undilated. The gallbladder is not enlarged. The spleen is normal. The pancreas is not enlarged. The head measures 1.6 cm, the body measures 1.05 cm, the tail measuring 1.65 cm. with smooth borders and homogenous parenchymal echopattern. Impression: normal liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys and urinary bladder.

Healing Turned Rotten

It was 8 p.m., Friday 26 March 2004 when I got a call from Koreena. She told me that her father’s pancreatic cancer had recurred sometimes in December 2003. (Note: He started taking herbs in July 2002).

This relapse did not surprise me at all, for we knew that he had stopped taking the herbs after he became well and after the doctor certified via an ultrasound finding that the cancer was gone! Bravo – he was cured and he went back to his old ways – old lifestyle and took in all the bad food all over again.

The doctor told the family that his condition this time was worse than the previous time – it would be lucky if he could last till his next birthday; that was in May.

Comments

This case is one of the best results we ever had with pancreatic cancer. But unfortunately it turned rotten rather fast. However, if we view this case positively, it was not bad at all. The patient survived one and a half years! The doctor gave him only 3 to 6 months to live when he was diagnosed with this late stage cancer.

It is indeed frustrating. Human beings don’t learn. I have been telling all cancer patients this: Never ever think that your cancer is cured. It can come back. Do not be complacent. You must not go back to your old lifestyle and start taking those rubbish food again. This kind of message often always never gets into their heads. The moment a test or scan shows that the cancer is gone or is under control, they forget everything that I told them. I told Koreena this: God has given one chance and her father did not wake up to this call. He took this blessing for granted. I don’t know if there is going to be another chance. I have many more frustrating stories like this.

In my work, I take comfort in this prayer (by Reinhold Niebuhr): O God, grant me the courage to change the things I can, change, the serenity to accept the things I cannot, and the wisdom to know the difference. Your will be done!

I realize that it is impossible to change human beings. They need to change themselves.

A Desperate Grandson Searching for Help for Grandpa’s Pancreatic Cancer

Let me reproduce our email exchanges with one grandson who is desperately in need of help. His emails are reproduced as it is, with no editing done.

8 July 2012: i have problem my grrand father diagnosis got pancreas cancer stadium 4 and have spread at liver we have pat ct mri and all and the result my grand father proven got that cancer. now my grandfather at china but here is still the same china doctor talk pancreas cancer there is no medicine. i have read http://cacare.com/indonesia/component/option,com_easyfaq/task,view/id,212/Itemid,108/ there was a way about pancreas cancer. so doctor can help my grand father? you have phone or messenger so we can talk easly. thx

Reply: No … I cannot help people so far away …there is no cure for pancreatic cancer. Chris

no problem about far we willl go to your hospital if there was a way about pancreatic cancer.no cure? so why http://cacare.com/indonesia/component/option,com_easyfaq/task,view/id,212/Itemid,108/ can be heal? sorry doctor im really need the medicine about pancreas cancer there was a away? you have phone number or messenger so we can talk?

Reply: No body can cure pancreatic cancer, that is my experience. Chris

9 July 2012: what do you mean no cure ? at your blog cacare.com the testimonial about pancreas cancer can be heal ? http://cacare.com/indonesia/component/option,com_easyfaq/task,view/id,212/Itemid,108/ that is ? LIE ?

Reply: Read this story, Computer Genius, Steve Jobs Died of Pancreatic Cancer – cancer patients can learn from is experience. Click this link and learn for yourself: https://cancercaremalaysia.com/category/pancreatic-cancer/ Anyway, I don’t treat people via internet or just by writing emails. Come and see me if you think I can help you.

yes i know steve jobs died of pancrearit cancer. yes i know you cant treatmen by internet or mailing but i need your suggestion about my grand father heal i read your blog there filiphine person can be heal by you on this link http://cacare.com/indonesia/component/option,com_easyfaq/task,view/id,212/Itemid,108/ so, can you help my grandfather too just that i want to ask doctor

Reply: You can learn from these stories: Miraculous Healing of Pancreatic Cancer turned Rotten

yes i have learn its about herbal, about medicine you give so you can help my grandpa?
if yes i will go Penang from guang zhou tommorow or day after really i neeed medicine to heal my grandpa

Reply: I only see patients on Friday at 3 pm to 5 pm or Sunday at 7 pm to 9 pm. The whole of July I am not free on other days. I cannot cure your grandfather so don’t say that I am cheating you if he dies or do not benefit from my herbs. Or that you are wasting your time or money. There is no cure for pancreatic cancer. That is why Steve Jobs died — he has all the money in the world. He can go to any doctors in the world…but he still died. I must see all the medical reports and scan. No use coming without such data. Chris

10 July 2012: but i dont know about the testimonial , the patient can heal by your herbs? but now you say no medicine about the pancreatic cancer. please doctor give me the true answer i very need that

Reply: I have herbs for pancreatic but they cannot cure —- healing and cure are not the same. Cure means the disease goes away and disappears. That is what you want, I cannot do that. Chris

Comments

Let me relate a case I encountered many years ago.

Peter was a very rich, 59-year-old man from Hong Kong. On 28 June 1999, he was diagnosed with cancer at the head of his pancreas. Subsequently he underwent a pancreatico-duodenectomy. This procedure is also known as Whipple procedure. The surgeon would remove the distal half of the stomach, the gall bladder, cystic duct, the common bile duct, the head of the pancreas, duodenum, proximal jejunum, and regional lymph nodes. You would probably end up with a Mercedes Benz scar in your abdomen after the surgery.

After the surgery, he underwent the following treatments:

August 1999 to September 1999: Peter underwent concurrent chemotherapy with 5-FU and radiotherapy.

14 October 1999: The doctor said there was no solid evidence that the treatment would help.

19 October 1999 to 14 March 2000: Peter had finished a total of 13 cycles of chemotherapy. The drug used was Gemzar. He suffered neutropenia, i.e., low white blood count. The initial Gemzar dosage used was 1400 mg. This was then reduced to 1260 mg, 1000 mg and subsequently settled at 800 mg.

28 June 2000: His CA 19.9 started to rise from 4.67 to 41.3, indicating occult recurrence.

8 September 2000 to 12 February 2001: Chemotherapy using Gemzar was again started. A total of 13 cycles were given until 12 February 2001. The dosages used ranged from 1000 mg, 1400 mg to 1760 mg.

19 February 2001: The result was disappointing. His CA 19.9 shot up to 473.

26 February 2001: Peter underwent chemotherapy again. This time with Gemzar at 1780 mg plus Xeloda, an oral chemo-drug often used for breast and bone cancers. He was on Xeloda for 10 days.

26 March 2001: It was Gemzar plus Xeloda for 14 days.

25 May 2001: Peter had completed 20 cycles of chemotherapy with Gemzar.

28 June 2001: His CA 19.9 was at 586. Peter developed SVCO (superior vena cava obstruction). A CT scan showed the obstruction was due to the mediastinal nodes.

3 July 2001 to 15 August 2001: Peter underwent radiotherapy to take care of the SVCO.

9 October 2001: His CA 19.9 was at 558. Peter decided to take a break and came to find treatment in Malaysia. He again underwent chemotherapy in a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur.

4 March 2002: It was at this point that I met Peter in Kuala Lumpur. He was indeed a jovial man. During our conversation Peter joked that he had told his doctors that with the amount of chemo-drugs being pumped into him, he would die of the drugs rather than the cancer. Indeed, Peter could qualify for a listing in the Guinness Book of Record for having the capacity to endure more than 50 cycles of chemotherapy and numerous radiation treatments and still remained alive.

25 March 2002: Peter underwent chemotherapy again. This time the drugs used were CPT-11 plus oxaliplatin. He suffered intense abdominal pains, nausea and vomiting.

18 May 2002: The doctor confirmed that Peter had suffered metastasis to the bones. Peter underwent 10 times of radiation treatment to the spine and 10 times to the two lumps found on the left neck.

23 May 2002: Peter was admitted to the hospital because of fluid in his lungs. Tapping of lung fluid was done.

20 June 2002: Peter was hospitalized again due to fluid in the lungs. His wife said he was giving up.

1 July 2002: Peter died in a hospital in Kuala Lumpur. He was then still on chemotherapy. I was told that Peter’s brother, who is a medical doctor , flew in from London to be at his bedside when he died.

Comments

This is indeed a classical example of how a war against cancer is being carried out. I am reminded of what John Robbins (in Reclaiming Our Health) wrote:

Very often, the effort to “destroy the enemy” at all costs ends up counterproductive.
Chemotherapy practitioners do not want to think that the weapons they employ to kill cancer cells are of little or no use to their patients. They want to believe they are helping people.

When we take a closer look at what were used as weapons for this war, I cannot help coming to a conclusion that Peter was made a subject of experimentation. The initial drug used was 5-FU. Since it was not effective, Gemzar was used instead. The dosage of Gemzar used was initially high and was subsequently lowered. This showed that the oncologist was not really sure of what was best for Peter. Since Gemzar by itself did not do any good, the oncologist added Xeloda to the recipe. Even that, it did not work. Then back in Kuala Lumpur, Gemzar and Xeloda were abandoned – why not try something more powerful? So, Peter was given CPT-11 and oxaliplatin.

Dr. Andrew Weil, a Harvard-trained medical doctor (in Health and Healing) wrote:

There is a never ending struggle … Patients are sucked into the same way of thinking … Finding themselves more and more dependent on the system giving one treatment after another.

In the course of the treatment, Peter suffered SVCO (superior vena cava obstruction) and he had to have radiotherapy to alleviate this problem. The superior vena cava is the main vein which drains blood from the head, neck and arms into the heart. It lies in the upper part of the chest. Unfortunately, this vein was blocked in Peter’s case. Why was this so?

When the war was about to be over, Peter had bone cancer and his lungs were filled with fluid. Could this represent the ultimate and fatal side-effects of the aggressive treatments he was subjected to earlier?

After three years, the battlefield was quiet. Death prevailed. Peter found peace in death. It was a medical failure – perhaps from the very start failure was apparent, if we care to objectively evaluate it.

Dr. Jerome Groopman, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School (in Second Opinions) related his experience with what he thought as medicine being omniscience – doctors having all the answers. This is what he wrote:

I wanted an immediate remedy and stubbornly believed I knew what was best. After all, my medical training had been as a student at Columbia, an intern and resident at the Massachusetts General Hospital, and a fellow at UCLA (University of California at Los Angeles). Waiting patiently for nature to heal me seemed passive and paltry.

I finally realised that my desperate belief in a perfect solution was a fantasy.

I also realised that it was up to me, in part, to try to rebuild myself …

But what is the “best” hospital or the “best” doctor? … specialist touted as at the top in his field, based at a prestigious medical center … this distinguished doctor proved far from the best …

Let me conclude this article by quoting what Dr. Martin Scurr wrote in an article: Why MOST doctors like me would rather DIE than endure the pain of treatment we inflict on others for terminal diseases: Insider smashes medicine’s big taboo, in the Daily Mail, UK, 14 February 2012.

Should I discover tomorrow that I have advanced, life-threatening cancer, I won’t go rushing to the doctors for a heavily invasive course of medical treatment. No, I will shut up my London surgery, head to my home in Norfolk, stock up on gin and tonic and have a jolly good time until I meet my end.

Like most doctors, I understand that much of the care we offer patients who have serious, life-threatening illnesses is ultimately futile.

Worse, it can involve many months of gruelling treatments that might possibly extend the length of one’s life, but do nothing for its quality.

Part 1: An Encounter With An Oncologist – A Great Disappointment

Corinna is a 51-year-old Singaporean lady banker. On 5 May 2012 she was diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas. From the pancreatic tail the cancer has also spread to her liver and also the posterior aspect of her stomach. Her blood test results on 6 May 2012 are as below.

Alkaline Phosphatase	168 H
AST	49 H
ALT	29
GGT	174 H
Alpha-fetoprotein	2.7
CEA	1770.7 H
CA 125	2172.7 H
CA 19.9	48660.7 H

The surgeon who did the biopsy told Corinna that medical treatment would not be able to cure her. Nevertheless she was asked to seek further opinion from an oncologist.

Listen to what Corinna told us about her experience with her oncologist.

Acknowledgement: Thank you for your permission to share this story without having to hide your real identity.

Chris: You went to see the oncologist. What did he do?

Corinna: He said, “Oh, you stay in Sea View. What are you working as? I am a forex trader (in a bank). Do you buy health insurance? Yes, I did.

C: What has all these got to do …?

Husband: That is the Singapore way of thinking.

Sister: He talked nonsense. He called me and my (other) sister “ke-po” (busybody). Five of us went to see him. There were Corinna, husband and daughter. He said, “What about these two “ke-po.” He referred to me and my other sister as ke-pos. So angry!

C: You know, when you come and see me, I would want you to bring along all your whole family members. This is because I want to explain to everybody. You (the patient) will not be able to understand me – as far as your head is concerned it is all blank! Someone else around you is the one who will be able to pick up what I say. You (patient) listen to me but nothing gets into your head. So bringing others along is not “ke-po”.

Cor: He asked me to lie down. Checked here and checked there. He saw the scans. He put on his computer and showed four patients. One was a miracle case – he survived 6 years with no sign of cancer coming back. He said there are 3 types of people that he treated. The one type is completely cured. The second type is in remission and the third type is just wasting his time. He is suggesting that I am type that is wasting his time. He said, “I can’t cure you.” But he asked me to go back and think and decide. He then said, “I can start you on chemo. Chemo is every week, for 8 times. (My husband) asked about the side effects. He replied, “Nothing.”

H: He said to us, “If you go for chemo, you must eat a lot of meat. And we will be generous with the painkiller.

C: Why did he ask you to take a lot of meat?

S: Because to build up the strength.

Cor: I was a bit shocked.

C: Why were shocked?

Cor: Because he said there is no more cure of me. Second, they way he talked to me, more or less indicated that I am the one who is wasting his time.

C: Ya, there is no cure. It is fair to say that. You have been told this earlier (by the surgeon who did the biopsy). But the point is, the impression he gave to you was that …

Cor: I am wasting his time.

C: But he has already collected SGD700 from you anyway! You are wasting my time if you don’t pay me anything and I sit down the whole day talking to you! (Now, I know how much I have missed out every day! For whole day and whole night I talk for free!). So, all these took up 10 to15 minutes already and the results were that: He cannot cure you. Go eat a lot of meat, and I f you are in pain take a lot of painkiller. If you think that you want to do chemo – you can come back and the bank will pay for you.

C: Were you happy after seeing him?

Cor: No, I was totally lost. He said there is no cure for me. I know there is no cure but at least I may be able to extend my life a bit longer.

C: When you went to see him you were full of hope?

Cor: Yes.

C: When you came out of his office, zero hope? Why in the first place did you go and see him?

Cor: My staff said he was good and told me that she knows his wife very well.

C: What difference does it make if she knows the wife very well?

Cor: I thought he was the best oncologist …

Si: If I can understand Corinna here. He is famous … bla, bla. So Corinna thought that it is better for her to go and see him first. She didn’t know what was going on. She was lost. At least she could find some hope.

C: You were full of hope but you end up with nothing after meeting him. Do you want to go and see another oncologist?

Cor: I am very confused.

C: Fair enough. You have seen an oncologist. You now know what he can do for you. Let me ask you – what is in your mind now? What is it that you want?

Cor: To be able to extend my life a bit longer.

Comments

If you only have 10 to 15 minutes with your oncologist – and have to pay SGD 700 for that – you probably need to be more organized before meeting him – so as to get the most of his valuable time. Unfortunately, what you want from your oncologist differ greatly from what your oncologist wants from you! In that precious 15 minutes that you have with him, I can see a clash of interest and concern!

As a desperate person, you go to your doctor to find “hope” and encouragement. You want to know what he is going to do to help you. These are questions you need to ask your oncologist: Can you cure me with your treatment? What are the chances of success (what ever that means!)? What are the side effects of the proposed treatment? How much would all these cost? You don’t have to ask the last question if you are loaded! See if he can answer these questions to your satisfaction. Take time to evaluate what he said – there is no rush into doing something that you may regret later. From the way I see it, it would take more than 15 minutes for a compassionate doctor to answer these important concerns that you have!

I believe it is important that the facts are stated clearly and truthfully. Call a spade a spade. If there is no cure, admit that there is no cure. But present this reality with compassion!

Patients go to their doctors wanting only to hear the good news – any else never get into their heads. It is therefore important that you bring along your friends or concerned family members who can help take note of what the oncologist is saying to you. Often as patients, you only hear what you want to hear! So, who tagged along with patients are not “busy bodies” – far from it doc! They go there out of love and concern for their loved one who is sick.

But the oncologist is not interested in your concerns. His initial queries are – where you live, where you work or do you have a health insurance to take care of his hefty bills. Some patients told me some really sad stories. One lady was told by her oncologist, “Ask your husband to go and rob the bank, if you don’t have the money to pay me.” A son of a patient was told, “Go home and sell your house and come back and pay me.” Sadly, these patients have been undergoing chemo after chemo without success. In spite of that they are asked to do more chemos.

Without hesitation most oncologists that you consult with tell you to go for chemo. But does that cure? That is not their main concern! Does it hurt? Not much – that is what most will tell you. And they assure you that lots of pain killer will be able to take care of that problem.

What is going to happen to you after the chemo? Well, do first and find out later! There is no need to downplay the side effects of chemotherapy. Undergoing chemo is not like going on a honeymoon trip. The devastating side effects are real and can even kill.

Diet is the most “frustrating” topic when it comes to cancer. Your oncologist tells you to eat anything you like – food has nothing to do with your cancer! You believe that? At CA Care we tell you to take care of your diet! Click this link to see the many articles that we are written of this subject: http://ejtcm.com/category/dietnutrition/ Decide for yourself what you want to do with yourself!

Read what other have to say below:

Her full story:

Part 1: An Encounter with an Oncologist – A great disappointment

Part 2: Conversation with Chris Teo in Penang

Part 3: She found Hope in CA Care

Pancreatic Cancer: Chemotherapy, Cryotherapy, Immunotherapy and Radioactive Seeding Could Not Cure Her. What if she did nothing?

Han (S121) was a70-year old lady from Indonesia. Some time in June 2011, she went for a medical checkup in her hometown before a planed holiday trip to Korea. Unfortunate her CEA was high – at 25.0. The doctor did a CT scan and found that Han had a cancerous pancreas.

Han went to Singapore for further management. A blood test done on 7 July 2011 showed elevated liver function enzymes. Her tumour markers – CEA, CA 125 and CA 19.9 were also high.

Alkaline phosphatase	228 High
AST / SGOT	50 High
ALT ‘ SGPT	67 High
GGT	209 High
CEA	19.6 High
CA 125	141.5 High
CA 19.9	Recorded as >100 + (actual value 236,000)

PET scan done on 8 June 2011 showed:

A 9 x 6.2 x 7.2 cm mass with irregular margins at the upper abdomen. This represents a FDG avid tumour arising from the pancreas.
Multiple foci mesentery / peritoneum ranging from 1 to 2.5 cm.
Mild ascites.
Hydronephrosis at left kidney.
Liver with multiple foci of FDG ranging from subcentimetre to 36 cm, the largest being at Segment 6.
Lymphadenopathy with possible left supraclavicular spread.

Han subsequently underwent a total of 10 cycles of chemotherapy, 6 of which were with Gemzar + Taxol + Avastin. Each treatment cost S$7,000. Han was told that chemotherapy would not cure her – only prolongation of her life by 6 months to a year. Without chemo she would only have 4 months.

Since the treatment in Singapore could not cure her, Han went to China for more treatments in October 2011. She underwent the following treatments in China.

A CT guided cryotherapy for her liver metastases.
Immunotherapy.
Iodin-125 seed implantation – a total of 80 seeds were implanted.
Chemotherapy with Gemzar and Cisplatin.

The first visit to China was for 3 weeks. The subsequent visits were shorter. In total Han went to China five times. Her last visit was in February 2012. Her CA 19.9 on 11 February 2011 was written as > 1000 (note: earlier in Singapore >100 means 236,000. So > 1000 could be any number. Her CEA was at 387.6. In fact, the doctors in China did not think that Han need to come back to their hospital again for further treatment. The doctor said Han probably had only three more months to live.

On 23 February 2012, we received this e-mail.

Hi Dr. Chris, Good afternoon.

My name is Alu from Jakarta, Indonesia. I was introduced to you by Mr.HM from Indonesia. Dr. Chris, my mom has pancreatic cancer (diagnosed last year June 2011). She already got chemotherapy treatment in Singapore from June until October 2011. In November 2011, she went to a hospital in China to undergo Cryosurgery, Nano Chemo. She already received several times of nano chemo treatment in China.

Last week, she went to do a PET/CT scan in China and found out that the cancer has metastasied to her colon and liver.

The doctor did cryoablation for her liver cancer but for the other tumor cancer, it can’t. So they planted Iodine-125 seeds. But today, the doctor said that probably my mom has only three months to live.

So our family is looking for alternative treatment and we’re told about your treatment in Penang. Dr. Chris, could you please advise what to do next? Should we bring our mom to Penang to see you? She’s still in good condition. Can walk, can eat, etc. She is now 70 years old.

Btw, my mom’s condition now is still OK. The last condition of my mom, her stomach was a bit bloating. So the doctors in China released the fluid from her stomach through a tube (from stomach) into a bag. The fluid color is a bit brown (old yellow). The doctor said it is probably due to liver problem (?). Thank you Dr. Chris.

Han and her family came to seek our help on 2 March 2012.

Her PET scan results were as follows:

Han was prescribed herbs and the only message we could impart to Han was that we would try our best to help her. There was far too much damage for us to handle. Anyway, We prescribed herbs for her to try.

On 29 April 2012, we received this e-mail.

Dear Dr. Chris,

My mum has finally ended her sufferings in fighting pancreatic cancer. On Thursday morning 4.10 am, Apr 26, 2012 she passed away in a very peaceful way. All our family member were around her, praying with her, singing a hymn and read Bible together. She has been laid in bed for around ten days – almost no energy to do any activity. During those ten days, I was beside her and we talked much about the Bible. She’s ready to go to her Creator …. Thank you for all your kind support during my mum’s heavy days.

We appreciate your kindness during those days. Regards.

Comments

There is an important lesson we can learn from this case. For those with serious cancer, such as pancreas, the options are extremely limited. I can only say this. If you do something – go for whatever medical treatments you can find –chances is that you will die. If you opt to do nothing – or go for alternative medicine – you also die. I am sorry I cannot offer you comforting words. If I try to paint a more optimistic scenerio than this, I am cheating you and I am also cheating myself.

Han was told by the oncologist in Singapore, before the treatment, that chemotherapy would not cure her – only prolongation of her life by 6 months to a year. Without chemo she would only have 4 months. The reality was Han survived 10 months even with the best of treatments. The family has spent probably no less than US$ 100,000 for all the treatments in Singapore and China. In addition, she had to endure the side effects of the treatments. When Han was here, I asked her and her family members – Would you rather die in 4 months peacefully or try medical treatments to prolong your life for 6 to 12 months? And with that suffer all the side effects besides spending all the money? The answer was they wanted to try medical treatments in spite of all the odds.

Everyone should respect that decision. By doing that everyone involved would be satisfied, “I have done my best to fight the disease.”

Some of you reading this article would not like what I wrote. You want to win – or at least have a chance to try. I understand that. I cannot tell those who go to the casinos that it is futile trying to earn easy money that way!

Over the years, I have come across cases of pancreatic cancer and all of them don’t survive long no matter whatever medical treatment they undergo. For some examples: https://cancercaremalaysia.com/category/pancreatic-cancer/

Sometimes I would like to pose this question: What happens if the patient opted to do nothing invasive? Meaning just take herbs, change lifestyle and diet? Can she/he live longer and without suffering? Nobody can answer that. It is entirely for the patient and her/his family to decide.

Let me end by quoting what some experts have got to say.

The three slides below are quoted from How Doctors Die by Dr. Ken Murray, M.D.

Dr. Murray is a retired family medical physician who had a private practice of general medicine in Studio City, California for about 25 years, until his retirement in 2006. He also held a Clinical Assistant Professorship in Family Medicine at the University of Southern California.

Pancreatic Cancer: Fool’s Paradise: More Money or Your Life

Tony was a 49-year old male. A CT scan of the abdomen done in November 2002 indicated mild dilatation of the biliary tree and pancreatic duct, likely due to a peri-ampullary neoplasm.

Tony went to Singapore and underwent an operation on 15 November 2002. A part of his stomach, duodenum, proximal jejunum, head of the pancreas and gall bladder were removed.

The histopathology report indicated moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma at the ampulla of Vater with ulceration of the duodenal papilla. After the surgery, the doctor told Tony that everything was removed clean. It was all clear. The operation was very successful. This made Tony very confident when he came home to Penang.

On 3 January 2003, Tony came to see us and was started on the herbs. On 14 January 2003, he went back to Singapore again for a review. A CT scan of the abdomen showed no evidence of local recurrence or metastases.

As a base line for monitoring his progress, I requested that Tony carried out blood tests regularly. The first test was done on 8 January 2003, five days after he first started to take the herbs and thereafter every three months. The results are as follows:

Parameter	8Jan03	10Mar03	6Jun03	2Nov03
ESR	40 H	40 H	30 H	49 H
RBC	4.5	4.7	4.2 L	4.2 L
Haemoglobin	12.5 L	13.0	13.4	12.9 L
Alk phosphate	97	107	106	186 H
AST	31	37	27	56 H
ALT	36	42	34	58 H
GGT	21	24	52 H	171 H
CA 19.9	3.1	1.8	1.0	417.4 H

The results for the first six months after taking herbs had been most encouraging. In fact we would say Tony’s condition improved with time. Then a bomb shell fell on 2 November 2003. Tony, his wife and sister-in-law came and presented the results of his blood test (see column 4) and wanted to know why everything suddenly had become bad. Can anybody explain that? I often tell cancer patients: I am not god and I do not know everything. Worse still, I cannot fix everything when things go wrong! You have to pay the penalty for what wrong you have done!

I drew the graph below on a piece of paper:

This was what I told Tony, point by point:

a) Engineers (and Tony was one of them) were taught that 2 + 2 = 4. Take x buckets of sand, y bucket of pebbles and z kilos of cement, they can make a building according to the engineer’s specification. Unfortunately, this thinking does not necessary work in biology – when you are dealing with the science of life. Good blood test result does mean cure. It does not mean there is no cancer!

b) Look at the graph. In January, March and June, the CA 19.9 was almost zero. But from June to November, the value had shot up to 417. Why? How could this happen? I asked Tony: Can you tell why? You are a professional. An educated man.

c) We all can agree that the graph does not tell a lie. Honestly, tell me, what you did differently in July, August, September and October? I did not know what you did, so I cannot guess. Tell me honestly what happened in those months.

Reluctantly, Tony told me that in August 2003, he moved his job position from Penang to Kuala Lumpur because he has just won a project. In January to July he lived in his home in Penang with his family. His wife took care of him and kept an eye on his diet. In August he had to live in a hotel in Kuala Lumpur and needless to say, he was living on hotel food. Although he did not tell me, I came to know that he also traveled to some countries in Europe on business trips. All this happened after August 2003. And in November – barely three months after that, we could see the damage done.

Many cancer patients told me that it takes about two to three months after their misbehaviourbefore they suffered serious relapse.

As much as we would like to help, there was nothing much that we could do for Tony. The last time I saw him was on 2 November 2003. Tony died in March 2004.

Comments: I am often faced such situations – patients coming to me and asked why their condition had deteriorated. My standard question is: What “sin” have you committed? Go back and think about what you had done – what you ate and what you did that you were not supposed to do – the answer is there. There is no need to pretend or try to play innocent.

For the record, let me tell you my impression about this patient.

This is a man who kept everything close to his chest. He would not tell you anything unless you pry it out of him. Even when he came for consultation with me, his favourite remark was:My doctor said there was no more cancer. He had taken it all out and I am now clean. Sadly, Tony was lulled and was living in a fool’s paradise.

The feeling I got after talking with him was that I did not expect him to keep to his diet. I don’t believe that he was totally committed to his healing. He wanted healing on his own terms.

Again, I say, we at CA Care are here to help you only. Your healing is yours to seek and achieve. To those who truly need our help, we say this: Live and don’t give up hope. There is a choice and there is an option. There is a hope. But if you want healing on your own terms and refuse to learn and change, then there is nothing much anyone can do to help you.

Pancreatic Cancer: Severe Pains and Died After PET Scan

Yoke (not real name, H-469) was a 54-year-old female. Sometime in October 2010, she had on and off pains in her abdomen. Later, the pains extended to her lumbar region. The pains deprived her of sleep. Yoke went to a private hospital for a checkup. Ultrasound, CT scan and blood tests were carried out.

Blood test showed CEA = 38.3 (high); CA 19.9 = 40,003.44 (high); Total bilirubin = 4.6 (low) and GGT = 72 (high).

Ultrasound done on 22 November 2010 showed: “hypoechoic lesion in the pancreatic body … measuring 5.8 x 4.4 x 2.6 cm. There are multiple, well-defined hypoechoic nodules in the liver – the largest seen in the right hepatic lobe, measuring 2.5 cm. Impression: pancreatic body hypoechoic mass is likely a neoplastic lesion with metastases in the liver.”

For confirmation, a CT scan was performed the next day, 23 November 2010. The report indicated: “hypodense mass on the body / tail of the pancreas – measuring approximately 6 x 3 cm. The second hypodense nodule … is also seen more distally in the pancreatic tail. There are a number of hypodense lesions in the liver – the largest lesions are in segment 8, measuring 2.5 cm each. Other lesions are in the caudate lobe, segment 7 and segment 5.

Impression: Carcinoma of the body and tail of pancreas with infiltration of the splenic vein, encasement of the roots of the portal vein and multiple hepatic metastases.

Surgery was not indicated in this case, since the cancer had already spread to her liver. The only option left was to undergo chemotherapy. Yoke was told that she needed to receive seven weekly cycles of chemotherapy. With such treatment, Yoke was told there would be a sixty percent chance of suppressing the cancer (whatever that means?). The oncologist also said that the smaller tumours would not spread after the chemo-treatment.

Yoke refused chemotherapy. She came to seek our help on 20 November 2010. She presented with the following:

Pain in the abdomen and lumbar region. She had to take the painkiller, Tramadol.
Unable to sleep if there were pains.
A bit tired.

She was prescribed Capsule A and B, LL-tea, Liver 1 and Liver 2 teas, Pancreas 1 and Pancreas 2 teas, and Pain Tea.

A week on the herbs: Yoke felt more “cheng sin” (more energetic). Her sleep improved. In the first four days taking the herbs, Yoke suffered the healing crisis. She had intense pains. But the pains gradually subsided and by the fifth day the pains were gone.

Two weeks on the herbs, 10 December 2010: Yoke informed us that she had totally stopped taking the Tramadol prescribed her doctor. She did not have any more pains but she continued taking the Pain Tea. Her sleep was good. Her appetite improved.

Three weeks on the herbs, 17 December 2010: Yoke stopped taking the Pain Tea. And she did not suffer any pain. She said she was always felt hungry after taking the herbs. Our answer to this “problem” – go ahead and eat!

Yoke appeared to be doing well with the herbs. She was then busy making arrangements for her daughter’s wedding. We did not get to see much of Yoke for some months even though we knew that she still continued taking our herbs.

About six months later, May 2011: Yoke came to our centre and she was in severe pains. Why and what had happened?

Yoke said her friend encouraged her to go for a PET scan in order to know what was going on inside her. After all she had been doing well. So Yoke went for a whole body PET/CT scan without seeking our advice. This procedure cost her RM 4,662.

Immediately after the procedure, Yoke suffered severe pains in her abdomen and lumbar region. It was back to the same old problem again.

Let Yoke explain what had gone wrong.

Our conversation

Chris: You went to do a PET scan?

Yoke: Yes and the doctor asked me to eat meat for two days. I was told not to eat rice, fruits, juices and vegetables. I must eat only meat, egg, mushroom and porridge. I was asked to eat these for two days before I went for the scan.

Did he tell you why you need to do that?

So that the pictures would come out clearer.

Did you suffer after taking all these food?

Yes after I took meat, I started to have pains – more pains.

How much did you have to pay?

I put in RM 5,000 and I got back RM 338 (so the cost of her PET scan was RM4,662). If I knew all these, I would not have gone for the scan. They asked me to eat meat for two days – damn it!

But why did you go and do it in the first place>

I have a group of cancer friends. They too went for PET scan. They told me CT scan is not clear and PET scan is clearer – you will know if the cancer is active or not.

So, you follow their advice?

Yes, I was real dumb and went for it.

There is no” meaning” for you to do that!

As you had said. I had pains after that and they could not “repair” me. I had more pains and I was also not able to sleep. More problems for me.

Daughter: They said the cancer had spread to the liver.

Yes, we already knew that anyway. And they asked you to take meat?

That was why the cancer became more active.

They Asked Me to Go for Chemotherapy

They asked me to go for chemo. But the doctor said this was not going to cure me – only maintain. The doctor also said only 25 percent of patients who had chemo lived for two years. So I asked what happened to the remaining 75 percent – “went off”? When the cancer recurs, I would need to do more chemo. No, no – I told the doctor I do not want any chemo. When I told him that, he ignored me – not interested to talk to me anymore.

Let me ask you this – let’s assume that you have two years to live with chemo, and you only have one year if you take herbs. Why one would you choose?

I want to take herbs. May be I might just die sooner with the chemo. I told the doctor, “I might just die while undergoing chemotherapy.” He said, “No, no such thing. I would give you the drug bit by bit.” But I did not want to hear from him anymore.

She Died Soon Afterwards

After the PET scan, Yoke had pains and these got worse by the day. She was unable to sleep or walk by herself, and became weaker. Her stomach was bloated and she was in severe pain. Finally she died not long afterwards.

Information about PET scan from the Internet

X-ray, CT scan and MRI show the anatomy and structure of the organs examined. In contrast, PET scan reveals the metabolic activity and function of the organs. So, X-ray. CT and MRI scans assess the size and shape of different organs in the body. They do not assess function. While a PET scan looks at the body or organ function.
When we go for an X-ray, x-rays are generated from a machine and these rays go through our body and an image is formed on a film. In PET scan a radioactive material, called a radiopharmaceutical or radiotracer, is injected into our bloodstream. The commonly used radiotracer is fluorodexoyglucose (FDG). This is a glucose molecule which has been tagged with a small amount of radioactive element. The radioactive glucose is taken up by cancer cells. Tissues that are active accumulate a large amount of the radiotracer and they show up as “hot spots.” Thus, hot spots indicate high level of chemical or metabolic activity. Less intense areas, or “cold spots,” indicating a smaller concentration of radiotracer and less chemical activity.

PET scan is now considered a new technology. It helps doctors to locate the presence of cancer/infection anywhere in the body. Because cancers are multiplying and require energy for growth, PET scan is designed to detect any mass that is growing fast. The PET scan can also detect the spread of cancer in other parts of the body.

Do you learn any lesson from Yoke’s story?

Yoke learnt her lesson the hard way. Unfortunately it was too late. But can you learn any lesson from Yoke’s experience?

Ask these questions:

The doctor asked Yoke to eat meat, eggs, etc., so that the “picture” will come out clear and nice? Do you know the reason for this after reading the information above? Was he not trying to “wake up the sleeping cancer cells” to make good pictures? It is good for him but this caused more harm to the patient.
What is the “useful” purpose of doing the PET scan anyway – in this case?
To have supportive friends is great but some can lead you to your doom. So before you embark on something, read first. If you cannot read – ask those who really know!

Reflect on the quotations below: