chemotherapy – Page 5

NPC: Chemo — 80 percent cure! No thanks. Mom died after 5 cycles of chemotherapy

Ju (not real name) is 36 years old. Her problem started with severe headaches. Then both sides of her neck became swollen, making it difficult for her to turn her head. She had to take painkiller everyday.

Ju consulted an ENT specialist in a private hospital. She was told that she had either NPC (nose cancer) or lymphoma. Whatever it was, Ju was asked to undergo six cycles of chemotherapy. She would probably have to undergo radiotherapy as well. The doctor told Ju that with the treatments she would have a 80 percent chance of cure. Ju promptly rejected medical treatment and came to seek our help.

Gist of our conversation.

Chris: What did they want you to do?

Ju: Chemo (6 times) and radiation (did not ask how many times).

C: Did you ask if chemo and radiation are going to cure you?

J: Eighty percent chance of cure.

C: Eighty percent?

J: Yes.

C: What happen if you don’t do the treatment?

J: May be die la! No, I did not ask.

C: Do you believe that success rate is 80 percent?

J: No!

C: Why don’t you believe the doctor?

J: Because of bad past experience. My mother also had chemotherapy for her lymphoma. She was 63 years old then. She was supposed to do 6 cycles of chemo but she died after finishing 5 cycles.

C: She died?

J: Yes.

C: Where did she do the chemo?

J: In Penang (the same oncologist that Ju went to). That was 5 years ago, in 2010.

C: So you know that chemo does not cure cancer but can also kill.

J: She was bald.

C: She had 5 cycles and that means about 5 months of treatment.

J: Yes. Each cycles cost IDR 5 million.

C: So for 5 cycles it cost IDR 25 million. Money gone, mother also died. I understand. It is very hard for me to push you to go for chemotherapy. It is difficult. You are still young — 36 years old. And now they tell you to go for 6 cycles of chemo.

J: No, I don’t want chemo. That’s why I am here.

Comments

In the internet chat room, one doctor wrote:

I was a cancer chemotherapy specialist doctor for twenty years.I treated thousands of people with various combination chemotherapy regimens. I don’t think I killed any of them with the treatment – though over two thousand died from their cancers.

I am going to ask the same question that I asked Ju: Do you believe what this “great” cancer doctor said?

One reader wrote this.

Nobody can or will give you any guarantees with chemotherapy.Why do think it will most likely kill you? What evidence are you basing this on? … Some people conclude that the treatment is worse than the disease, and myths about people being killed by chemo bolster this belief. It isn’t always effective. But in those cases it is the cancer, not the treatment, that kills the patient – they have died in spite of treatment, not because of it.

So now, the logic is …. it is the cancer that kills you, not the poisonous chemo! That is what they want you to believe. Another good selling point.

Read what some other people said:

Mediastinal Germ Cell Tumour: Nonosrugery, Chemotherapy and Hyperthermia Failed to Cure Him

Ali (not real name) is 24 years old. This is his story.

In November 2011, Ali noticed “floating” veins in his chest. His face was swollen. He was admitted to a private hospital. A CT scan showed a mass in his chest. A biopsy confirmed a mediastinal germ cell tumour.

Ali subsequently undergo 4 cycles of chemotherapy using BEP regimen (Bleomycin + Etoposide + Cisplatin).

His AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) decreased following the treatment. In spite of that, the surgeon was unable to operate on Ali because the tumour was found to grow around his heart. Instead of surgery, Ali had to do 30 sessions of radiotherapy. Unfortunately, radiotherapy did not help much.

In March 2014, Ali went to London to undergo a nanosurgery. According to the English doctor, this procedure would help Ali. Indeed after the surgery, the AFP decreased, but later the AFP increased again.

Ali returned to Malaysia and underwent another 4 cycles of chemotherapy using TIP (paclitaxel + ifofamide + cisplatin). TIP regimen is a second-line salvage chemotherapy for patients post-BEP. His AFP decreased after TIP but the size of the tumour remained the same — 4.3 cm. The tumour size before any treatment was about 8 cm.

Ali consulted another oncologist. Since nothing much could be done, the doctor recommended that Ali go to Germany for hyperthermia + chemotherapy treatments. Ali stayed in Germany for about a month undergoing that treatment which cost about RM 80,000.

Ali returned to Malaysia and continued with the hyperthermia and high dose chemo. He had been on this treatment for almost a year now. His AFP decreased but the size of the tumour stubbornly remained the same.

Ali again started with another round of chemotherapy using Avastin + Gemzar + Taxol and Oxaliplatin. This treatment made Ali real sick. He needed a blood transfusion. In addition, he started to cough out blood. His AFP shot up to 24,591, as on 5 February 2015.

A PET scan on 6 February 2015 indicated:

extensive malignant lesions present in the left lung, less in the right lung.
several metastases present in the bones.
a large nodule about 4.5 cm in the right lobe of his liver and a few small ones.
a lesion about 4.0 cm in the parietal region of his brain.

In March 2015, Ali and his parents came to seek our opinion.

I felt empathy sitting in front of this young man listening to his sad story. I admitted that there is nothing much I could do. It would be wrong to believe that our herbs could solve his problem. Even more so, after all that modern medicine could offer had failed.

In writing this story, I am reminded of what Drs. Jerome Groopman and Pamela Hartzband wrote in their book, Your Medical Mind about the many types of patient’s mindset.

Naturalism vs Technology

Some are naturalism orientated believing that the body can often heal itself if given the proper environment, harnessing the mind-body connection and supplementing with herbs, vitamins, and other natural products.
On the opposite end of the this spectrum is the technology orientated believing that cutting-edge research yielding new medications and innovative procedures holds the answers.

Maximal vs Minimal Treatment

Some people are profoundly proactive about their health, believing that more is usually better.
In contrast, those with a minimalist mind-set aim to avoid treatment if at all possible, and if not possible, they try to use the fewest medications at the lowest possible doses or to select the most conservative surgery or procedure. Minimalists hold to the notion that “less is more.

Believers vs Doubters

Believers approach their options with the sense that there is a successful solution for their problem somewhere.
Doubters approach all treatment options with profound skepticism. They are deeply risk-averse, acutely aware of the potential side effects and limitations of drugs and procedures.

If patients come to see us hoping to find some kind of magic bullet, then it would be most disappointing to know that we have none. We try to help you the best we know how but we need your commitment to help yourself first. You need to have the right kind of mindset first.

It was indeed sad to note that he had submitted to the last round of chemo with Avastin + Gemzar + Taxol and Oxaliplatin., resulting him to cough out blood. One wonder, what did you expect to get from such treatment when earlier treatment did not work? Then, the bleeding. What caused this?

Click this link: http://www.avastin.com/patient. Most serious side effects: GI perforation: A hole that develops in your stomach or intestine. Symptoms include pain in your abdomen, nausea, vomiting, constipation, or fever. Wounds that don’t heal: A cut made during surgery can be slow to heal or may not fully heal. Avastin should not be used for at least 28 days before or after surgery and until surgical wounds are fully healed. Serious bleeding: This includes vomiting or coughing up blood; bleeding in the stomach, brain, or spinal cord; nosebleeds; and vaginal bleeding. If you recently coughed up blood or had serious bleeding, be sure to tell your doctor.

BY DOCUMENTING THIS STORY IT IS OUR HOPE THAT YOU OR YOUR LOVED ONES CAN LEARN SOMETHING MORE THAN JUST “GOING TO THE DOCTOR OR HEALER” TO SEEK TREATMENT.

Breast Cancer: Surgery, Chemo, Radiation and Tamoxifen Did Not Cure Them

Three ladies, one after another, came to seek our help in early March 2015. All of them had breast cancer. They had undergone medical treatments. And now they needed help because modern medicine did not cure them. By writing their stories, perhaps others may learn some lessons?

Patient No: 1. Mary (not real name) is 52 years old. She is a medical doctor. Her hair was thick, straight black. Actually it was a wig.

In September 2011 (47 years old then) Mary was diagnosed with breast cancer — an invasive ductal carcinoma. The tumour was 3.5 cm in size. She underwent a mastectomy. Eight of 12 lymph nodes were involved. It was a triple negative (negative for estrogen, progesterone and Her2) cancer, Stage 3A (pT2N2Mo).

Mary had 8 cycles of chemotherapy using Doxorubicin and Paxus (Paclitaxel). In addition, she received 25 sessions of radiotherapy. May was well.

Two years later, December 2013, the cancer recurred. There were many nodules, 0.3 to 8 cm in diameter, in the previously cancerous breast. There was a 1.5 cm node at the arm pit.

Mary again had 6 cycles of chemotherapy using Taxol and Gamzar. Unfortunately this second chemo treatment did not cure her! The cancer came back again.

Mary received another 6 cycles of chemotherapy using cisplatin. The treatment was completed sometime in February 2015.

In March, came to see us with one of our patients (who had refused chemotherapy for her cancer and now doing well).

Patient No: 2. The next day, Sally, a 59-year-old lady, came to seek our help. She had left breast cancer 6 years ago and had a mastectomy. She declined chemotherapy and radiotherapy. She took Tamoxifen for 5 years. Actually, Sally came to see us earlier and was started on the herbs for a while and then “disappeared”.

Sally said she saw her doctor every six months for routine checkup. Everything was okay, until 11 March 2015 when a CT scan showed the cancer had recurred.

There was an enhancing left axillary lymphadenopathy seen measuring 10.8 x 18.9 x 13.4 cm.
There were several ill-defined hypodense lesions seen in the left lobe of the liver measuring about 10 mm.

Blood test on 10 March 2015 indicated CEA = 14.8 (H) and CA 15.3 = 173.6 (H).

The doctor asked Sally to go for chemotherapy to be followed by removal of the tumour in her liver by surgery.

Sally declined further medical treatment and came to ask for herbs.

Patient No:3. The next day, 44-year-old Amy (not real name) came to our centre. She did not look good at all.

Sometime in March 2011, Amy had a small lump in her left breast. A mastectomy was done. It was a Stage 2 breast cancer. This was followed by 6 cycles of chemotherapy and 30 sessions of radiotherapy. Amy took Tamoxifen for 2 years.

Barely two years later, December 2012, the cancer spread to her liver. Amy had 6 cycles of chemotherapy again. In addition, she received 15 radiation treatments to her liver.

Amy took 10 cycles of oral Xeloda (one cycle means 2 weeks of Xeloda with one week rest). Her CA 15.3 which was 4,000 plus started to decline to 900. But the cancer did not go away.

A CT scan in May 2014 showed more nodules in her liver (pictures below). The cancer had also spread to her bone. Amy received bonefos injection for her bone metastasis.

In January 2015, Amy developed ascites (fluid in the abdomen). She went for tapping twice to remove the fluid – once in January and once in March. On 28 February 2015, her CA 15.3 was at 958.8. The day before we met Amy, we received this e-mail.

Good afternoon Dr Chris,
Saya dari Jakarta. Adik saya didiagnosa sakit kanker hati sekunder. Perutnya membesar setiap hari,isinya cairan. Dan dia merasakan sangat nyeri di dada. Malam ini kami terbang ke Penang. Apakah masih ada kesempatan untuk konsultasi dengan anda hari Jumat? We are really need your help.

(I am from Jakarta. My sister was diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer. Everyday her stomach swelled and is filled with fluid. She had pains in her chest. Tonight we are flying to Penang. Do I have a chance to consult with you on Friday (tomorrow)? We really need your help.)

Comments

If the 3 stories above are not good enough, let me share with you 3 more stories to make it half a dozen!

Patient No 4. About the same time I was writing this article, I received this e-mail below.

Hello Dr Chris,

…. I would like to update you and seek and advise from you with regards to my mum’s health report recently.

My mum’s cancer marker has apparently gone up quite a bit recently and the doc said that there are tumours growing quite rapidly in her body. That explains why the cancer marker is high.

The doc asked if my mum has been taking any other medication that is causing interference with his. And he immediately changed my mum’s medication from tamoxifen to Exemestane Aromasin 25mg per tab and he is trying to see if the new medication can help control her tumour growth.

How is this new medication different from tamoxifen? The nurse warned my mum about all the side effects. My sis advised my mum to stop taking your herbs and see if there is any improvement with the western medication alone cos she also believes that there could be that possibility of your herbs clashing with the oncologist’s prescription.

I personally is against the idea of my mum stopping your herbs temporarily.

Doc mentioned since last year that cancer has spread to her bones and there are tumours found around her chest outside her lungs and other parts of her body too. He said it was a good thing that it didn’t spread to her organs.

I’m a little worried that my mum will eventually feel the adverse side effects of her new medication if she continues with it and not take your herbs. I’m really concerned.

Anyways, no matter what the doctor said and her deteriorating condition, my mum is still in high spirits and her appetite is well and she still goes to church and play mahjong with her friends regularly like a healthy person. Her strong belief in God keeps her in good spirits too. Do you think it’s time to bring her to come see you soon and it’s time to re-evaluate her herbs? God bless.

(Note: This patient had breast cancer. She underwent a mastectomy followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In addition she took Tamoxifen. To play safe, she also took our herbs. Both medical treatments and herbs did not physically cure her … her cancer spread. However, “emotionally” she seemed alright and could live a normal life).

Patient No 5. Earlier we have posted this story in our website, Breast Cancer: Do this chemo – 100 percent cure! You believe that? June (not real name), a 32-year-old, was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a mastectomy. She was asked to go for chemotherapy: 4 cycles of andriamycin + cyclophosphamide, 12 cycles of Taxol, one year of Herception plus taking oral Tamoxifen for 10 years!

The total costs of the above treatment (excluding Tamoxifen) is approximately SGD 120,000, which is about RM 300,000.

The oncologist told June that if she did not do this recommended treatment, her cancer will recur within the next 2 to 3 years. The cancer will be all over the body and she will die! But if June were to undergo chemotherapy as suggested by the oncologist she will achieve a 100 percent cure!

We asked June if she believed what her oncologist told her. June replied, “No, because I have done my homework. I know that cancer cannot be cured.”

We leave it to you to draw your own conclusion about “professional experts”. Are they after your money or your cancer? Do they tell you the whole truth or do they behave like what Dr. Mendelsohn had warned us:

Patient No 6. This story is also posted in our website, Breast Cancer: When a so-called “cure” was not a cure In this case, due to a thumb-sized lump, MT had a mastectomy followed by 6 cycles of chemotherapy and 30 radiation treatments. She took Tamoxifen for 5 years.

MT was told by her doctor that her breast cancer was at an early stage and that she had a 90 percent chance of complete cure with the treatments that she had undergone. MT believed her doctor and did exactly as what was told. Each year she came back to her doctor for routine checkup. At every visit she was told that she was fine.

After 5 years, MT was told to stop Tamoxifen because she was already cured.

But barely a year later, in April 2011, MT started to have pains in her tail bone and shoulder blade. Then her legs started to hurt as well. She became breathless and was unable to walk far. MT returned to her doctor and was told that her cancer had recurred in her bone and lung.

MT asked her doctor why the cancer recurred. The doctor’s answer, “ I do not know why. But don’t blame yourself. It is your fate. Also the recurrence has nothing to do with what you eat. It is just your fate.”

The recurrence was just due to her luck? It is like saying “Up-There Someone” was running a casino. The destiny of mankind down-here was determined by the rolling of a dice. It seems more acceptable for the educated to promote this theory than admitting that “scientific medicine” had failed her.

But here are some rare, honest but blunt opinions which you may wish to ponder on:

Let us end by reflecting on what one of the world’s greatest minds has got to say:

Metastatic Rhabdomyosarcoma: Surgery, Radiation and Chemotherapy Did NOT Cure Her

Tia is a 56-year-old lady from Indonesia. Sometime in October 2013, she felt a lump in her right groin. Tia underwent an operation to remove the mass. The doctor said it was a tumour (did not mention the word cancer!). Nevertheless, Tia was asked to undergo chemotherapy and was referred to a cancer hospital in Jakarta. However, the family decided that Tia come to Penang insted, for further treatment.

CT scan 5 March 2014

Irregular soft tissue lesion at right inguinal region which could represent sarcoma.
Well-defined soft tissue at right lower lobe adjacent to the right heart border.
Ill-defined hypodense lesions seen at segment 6, 7 and 8 of liver.
Multiple small mesentary lymph nodes at right iliac fossa.
Small uterine fibroid.

In a private hospital in Penang, Tia underwent a second operation since the doctor said the first surgery did not remove all the mass. After surgery, Tia had 30 sessions of radiotherapy and 6 cycles of chemotherapy, given as 12 injections.

Unfortunately the CT scan revealed that chemotherapy was not effective. Tia received another 3 more cycles of chemotherapy. Again, the treatment was not effective.

Date	Chemo drugs
22 April 2014	Intaxel + Gemita
29 April 2014
13 May 2014
20 May 2014
11 June 2014
11 June 2014
16 June 2014
30 June 2014
21 July 2014	Andriamycin + Ifosfamide Mesna
11 August 2014
18 August 2014
10 Sep. 2014
11 Sept. 2014
7 October 2014
8 October 2014

The cancer had spread to her lung and liver.

CT scan 8 July 2014

Multiple nodes at both lungs fields which could represent metastatic lung disease.
Bilateral nodular goiters.
Ill-defined hypodense masses seen at the liver, which would represent metastatic disease.
Subcutaneos nodule seen at the right lumbar region and adjacent to right iliac crest, which could represent metastatic nodules.

Impression: Metastatic lung nodules demonstrate progressive increase in size. The metabolic liver lesion is significantly large in size.

The oncologist told Tia to “Go home and wait. Come back again in February 2015 for routine checkup.” Unfortunately by December 2014, Tia developed severe pains in her abdomen.

A CT scan on 6 December 2014 in Indonesia indicated: “Progresive mass metastase pada hepar dan nodul pada paru kiri.” (Progression of liver metastasis in both liver and lung). The largest nodule in the liver was 16. x 9.7 cm.

In January 2015, Tia and her husband came to seek our help. They have decided to give up further medical treatment.

Listen to her story.

Video 1: Surgery, radiation and chemo did not cure.

Video 2: She came to CA Care after all medical treatments failed.

Here is the gist of our conversation that day.

Chris: You did two surgeries – before the surgery, did you ever ask if this is going to cure you?

Patient: My hope was to get a cure.

C: Everyone who comes to us also want to a cure. That is normal – expected. But my question is, did you ever ask the doctor if surgery can cure your cancer? Did you ask that question?

P: No, I did not ask. From my understanding if I undergo the surgery, I would be cured!

C: This assumption is not correct!

P: Yes, now it seems it is not correct!

C: You also had chemo – spent a lot of money on that – did you ever ask if chemotherapy was going to cure your cancer?

P: No, I did not ask.

C: See, these are two important questions I often tell patients to ask their doctors before undergoing such treatments. Now, if you were told that these treatments would not cure you, would you go through all these?

P: We have to “berusaha” (meaning, try our best).

C: Okay, “berusaha” or trying your best. Did you ever ask if by trying your best, what is the chance of you getting good result? If the chance is zero (like now) would you have gone through all these?

P: No. But doctor would not want to say such a thing. They say, let’s try and see.

C: Who ask you to come and see us?

P: Sari told me about CA Care four months ago.

C: You knew about us four months ago but did not come and see us. Why wait until now?

P: I had not completed my medical treatment yet.

C: So I now understand. You have done all the medical treatments and failed. They gave up and you come here. Yes, I understand. There are some patients who come after they have spent all their money – no more money to pay their medical bills – then they come to us!

You cancer has spread all over and went to the liver and lung. What do you expect me to do for you? Cure you? That’s impossible.

P: No, just to reduce my difficulties and hopefully also prolong my life a bit. But more important now is to lessen my burden – pain – that I am experiencing now.

C: I understand, but please don’t expect me to cure you! My experience – no human being on earth can cure your cancer. But if you ask me to help you a bit, may be that is possible. And to prolong life? That is only possible with God, I cannot promise you that.

Health is your responsibility. They don’t teach you how to become well. Go home and eat anything you like – that’s wrong. You have to take care of your diet. Please read these books, Food and Cancer and Healthy Cooking. These can help you. Remember, cancer patients just cannot eat anything they like.

The herbs I am prescribing you are not nice to take – they are bitter and have awful smell. You need to boil them and then drink.

Also after taking the herbs, you may experience “healing crisis” – you may have more pain, diarrhea, etc. Meaning you may feel worse off. Don’t worry, continue taking the herbs and hopefully these will go away after a week or two.

Take the herbs for a month or two. If you don’t get better then you stop taking the herbs. Go and find someone to help you.

Next posting: What you need to know about Rhabdomyosaaracoma

Metastatic Colon-Liver-Lung Cancer: Surgery, Chemo, etc., But Where is the cure?

LK is a 52-year-old male. His problem started in January 2014 when he had problems moving his bowels. Later, LK was told that he had cancerous tumour in his colon which blocked the passage of his stools.

LK underwent surgery. This cost him RM 19,000. After surgery he had six cycles of chemotherapy. Each treatment cost him RM 3,000 plus. LK and his family members, did not know what chemo-drugs were used. However, LK know that he was also on oral Xeloda.

Although LK was scheduled for eight cycles of chemotherapy, the oncologist stopped the treatment after the sixth cycle because the treatment was not effective. Then the oncologist offered LK two options:

Continue with more chemotherapy using new drug regimen.
Or no more chemotherapy and go home!

The following are details of his medical records.

Histopathology report dated 18 June 2014

Cancer of rectum, lower 1/3, left lobe liver nodule, biopsy taken.

Interpretation:

a) Poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with extensive infiltration into perirectal fat, pT3 tumour.
b) Lymphatic and vascular channel invasion found.
c) Six of 14 nodes involved by tumour.
d) Liver nodule – metastatic adenocarcinoma confirmed.

PET scan dated 10 July 2014

There is an FDG avid left paraaortic nodal metastasis.
There are multiple FDG avid liver metastasis.
There are multiple non-FDG avid lung nodules seen in both lungs which may represent garnulomata or early lung metastases.

Blood Test Results

Date	Platelets	CA 19.9	GGT	AST	ALT
8 August 2014	199	2,101	43	14	17
30 Aug 2014	151	740	47	18	18
20 Sept. 2014	117	775	47	26	25
9 Oct 2014	78	660	51	38	35
7 Nov 2014	86	n/a	64	42	35
6 Dec 2014	93	10,922	99	45	41

Note: With more chemo – the platelets diminished, CA 19.9 initially decreased but eventually increased 10 times the initial value. Liver function parameters (GGT,AST, ALT) increased.

CT scan on 11 December 2014

Liver nodules are larger and more in number compared with previously. Three largest nodules are 2.7×2.5 cm and 2.7×2.4cm in the right lobe and 2.7×2.2cm in the left lobe.

Lung nodules are seen in both lung fields and the largest is 1×1 cm. The rest all tiny nodules.

Rectum and colon wall at the anastomotic site appear thickened.

Impression

Recurrent ca. colon.
Worsening liver metastasis.
Lung metastasis.

Comments

Based on the results above, the cancer had spread to the liver, lymph nodes and also the lung. This is a Stage 4 cancer that cannot be cured. But was the patient told about this?

The chemo treatment initially caused the CA 19.9 to decrease from 2101 to 740 and eventually to 660. As I have pointed out earlier this drop of the tumour marker is MEANINGLESS. In October, the CA 19.9 was 660 but with more chemotherapy the CA19.9 increased to 10,922 in December.

The blood test results also confirmed that with more chemotherapy the platelets dropped from 199 to 93. The liver function parameters – GGT, AST, ATL, deteriorated.

Eventually a CT scan in December 2014 confirmed that LK suffered recurrence of colon cancer. His liver metastasis worsened.

The game was up! The oncologist suggested “new bullets” probably more expensive as well. The patient declined and lost confidence in his doctor and came to seek our help.

I told the patient and his family, “I am not god and I cannot cure your cancer.” And I am telling this to all patients as well. There is no cure for cancer — you just move from treatment to treatment. And after spending you life’s saving you die.

Reflect on these quotations

Benefit of chemotherapy for colon cancer revised from 3% to 4% and then 40%

PY is a 57-yer old male. He passed out blood in his stools. Unfortunately the doctor told PY there was nothing to worry about. “You look healthier than I am” the doctor assured PY. But it was not to be. A colonoscopy on 19 May 2014, indicated cancer of the rectum.

PY underwent a laparoscopic surgery. The histopathology report of 28 August 2014 confirmed a “moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, T3No, Duke B” of rectal and sigmoid colon.

Initially the surgeon told PY that since it was a Stage 2 cancer follow up chemotherapy was optional. It was up to PY if he wanted to undergo the treatment or not. However, later the surgeon came to another conclusion – PY needed chemotherapy after all.

Listen to this video conversation.

Quotations for you to ponder

Surgery & Chemotherapy for Colon Cancer Failed. Go home, no more medicine

KL is a 60-year old female. She felt tired and was told that she was anemic. However, a colonoscopy done on 25 March 2014 indicated tumours in her ascending colon.

KL immediately underwent an operation. The operation cost RM 20,000. Unfortunately on the third day after the operation, KL suffered severe bleeding. The doctor told the family it was a Stage 4 cancer since it had spread to the liver.

About a month after the surgery, KL was started on chemotherapy. Each cycle of chemo cost about RM4,000. After receiving a total of 6 cycles (oxaliplatin + oral Xeloda) the oncologist stopped the treatment because it was not effective.

The oncologist offered KL two options:

Continue with more chemotherapy but using a combination of more expensive drugs – Avastin + Erbitux. This cost more than RM10,000 per cycle.
Go home. There is no more medicine!

Details Of KL’s Medical Records.

CT scan of 27 August 2014: Known case of CA ascending colon, post operation and post chemotherapy.

Impression

CA ascending colon with multiple lever metastases. The metastatic lesion in the left lobe of the liver is larger in size associated with progressive dilatation of the left intrahepatic bile duct.
A small stable nodule in the lower lobe of right lung.

Blood Test Results

Date	CEA	Alk. phosphotase	ALT	GGT	AST
27 Aug 2014	980.2	194	49	437	71
31 Oct 2014	1,914.0	141	21	214	39

Comments

KL and her family came to seek our help. She presented with loss of appetite and swelling of the abdomen and both legs. She lacked strength to walk or to stand up. The video below showed her condition that day.

This is what KL’s husband said: “What the doctor said caused us to panic. We followed what the doctor wanted us to do. Money spent but she (the patient) became weak.”

This is a tragic case. Many questions need to be asked:

Why was KL only told that the cancer had spread to her liver after her colon operation? Why not before the operation?
Would it not be prudent or even the norm of medical practice, to check if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body before any surgery is done?
If the cancer has spread extensively, it is sensible to go ahead with the surgery? Chemo?
Why was there severe bleeding 3 days after the surgery?
After 6 cycles of chemo, KL was told that the treatment did not work. With all the experiences (giving chemo to patients over the years), does the oncologist not realize that chemo rarely (if at all) works for patients?

Reflect on the quotations below:

Breast Cancer: Do this chemo – 100 percent cure! You believe that?

June (not real name) is a 32-year-old lady. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and had undergo a mastectomy. Histopathology report indicated the tumour was 37 mm in size. No evidence of malignancy seen on the 9 sentinel lymph nodes. The tumour is positive for estrogen and progesterone receptors and HER2.

June was asked to undergo chemotherapy with the following:

1. Four cycles of AC – andriamycin + cyclophosphamide.

2. Twelve cycles of Taxol.

3. One year on Herceptin.

4. Followed by oral drug, Tamoxifen for ten years!

The total costs of the above treatment (excluding Tamoxifen) is approximately SGD 120,000, which is about RM 300,000.

The oncologist told June that if she did not undergo this treatment her cancer will recur within the next 2 to 3 years. The cancer will be all over the body and she will die! But if June were to undergo chemotherapy as suggested by the oncologist she will be cured – a hundred percent!

I asked June if she believe what her oncologist told her. June replied, “No, because I have done my homework. I know that cancer cannot be cured.”

June came to seek our help on 13 June 2014. She decided to take herbs instead of chemotherapy.

Comments

In the USA, about 39,620 women were estimated to die in 2013 from breast cancer. That means:

108 women were said to die of breast cancer each day.
5 women died of breast cancer per hour.
Every 13 minutes one woman in the US died of breast cancer.

Think hard. If the above “recipe” given by this American oncologist practising in Singapore is really true, why must so many women in the US die of breast cancer each year?

I feel sad to hear such a story. In an earlier posting, RP was told that if she undergoes chemotherapy for her breast cancer she would have a 70 percent chance of cure. In this case, June was told that she would have a 100 percent chance of cure after her RM300,000-chemo-treatment.

Do you believe the oncologist? June did not believe her doctor! Please reflect on the following.

Breast cancer is the number one problem we encounter at CA Care. If you are unfortunate enough to be diagnosed with breast cancer, I suggest that you read these two books to know more about another side of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Do chemotherapy, you have a 70 percent chance of cure for your breast cancer! You believe that?

RP is a 44-year-old Indonesia lady. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and had undergone a left mastectomy with axillary clearance. Three out of 5 sentinel lymph nodes were infected with cancer. It was a stage 2A cancer.

RP as asked to undergo 8 cycles of chemotherapy. Each cycle of 5-FU, Cyclophosphamide and Epirubicin cost RM3,000. After receiving 3 cycles of chemo, RP was asked to install a chemo-port because her blood vessel was unable to take in the drug. RP also suffered severe bleeding during her menses. She came to seek our help on 13 June 2014.

Chris: Before you did the chemo, did you ever ask if chemo was going to cure you.

RP: The oncologist said chemo can give a 70 percent cure!

C: What happen to the 30 percent?

RP: I did not ask!

C: Did you ask if you belong to the 70 percent cure group or do you belong to the 30 percent failure group?

RP: He told me it is not a 50:50 percent case. I have a 70 percent chance!

Comment

Let me not give my own views about chemotherapy. Reflect on the following:

Chemotherapy for Sarcoma: He died after 8 months

In an earlier posting, I related the story of a 16-year-old son of Pak X. He had soft tissue sarcoma and went for treatment in China. His leg was amputated and he received chemo. These treatments did not cure him. The cancer spread to his lung and he died (2 years after his diagnosis).

Pak X related the story of another 16-year old boy who had soft tissue sarcoma like this son. He had chemotherapy and died within 8 months.

Listen to what Pak X said:

Pak X: Living in front of my house was a boy of 16 years old. He was also diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma – exactly like my son. His father came to ask me for advice. His father asked: “What treatment did your son had?” I told him: “I have failed, no result. I have made a mistake. Please don’t ask me about my son’s treatment because I did not succeed. I have made a mistake.”

Chris: No. Don’t blame yourself. Tell me, when did this happen?

P: About 4 years ago.

C: What happened to this boy? Did he go for chemo?

Daughter: He went to Singapore and had chemotherapy.

P: He died after 8 months.

C: Only 8 months.

P: My son died after 2 years of treatment (in China). In a way, I have more success. I felt grateful because for the herbal treatment (in Beijing). So now in my head, I always believe in herbs.

C: Again, this boy you told me about was your neighbour? He stayed just in front of your house?

Daughter: Yes.

C: And he did chemo in Singapore and he died 8 months later?

P: It started as a small green-pea size lump. A month later it grew into corn-size. Two to three months later it became marble-size. Every day he cried in pain.

C: I understand. This is a similar story of sarcoma.

Colon Cancer: Oncologists said,” Try chemo.” But one doctor said, “If he is my relative, I won’t put him through the torture.”

TS (E211) is a 58-yer-old gentleman. On 28 January 2013 he went to see a doctor for abdominal pain, distention and bleeding. His CEA was normal, at 2.5 but his liver enzymes were elevated: AST = 45, ALT = 29 (normal), Alkaline phosphatase = 137 and GGT = 79. His white blood cell count was at 12.9 (high).

A CT scan indicated an irregular mass at the rectosigmoid region measuring about 6.1 cm in length. It caused narrowing of its lumen. “Features are suggestive with carcinoma rectum with local infiltration and liver metastases.”

Rectum tumour biopsy confirmed infiltrating moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma.

TS underwent surgery on 31 January 2013. Due to the cancer infiltrating the small bowel with perforation and intra-loop abscess, TS was fitted with an temporary ileostomy bag.

TS was referred to an oncologist and was prescribed oral drug, Xeloda plus Leucovorin. TS completed two cycles of these without problem. However, after the third cycle, he started to feel the side effects. He had rashes and dry itchy skin. He became tired, had muscle pains and problems with the taste buds.

By the fourth cycle (i.e., in early July 2013) the muscle pains became worse and he was not able to walk. The doctor advised to take a longer break before going for the next cycle. TS decide to stop the drugs.

On 1 August 2013, TS had shortness of breath during the early morning and was rushed to the hospital. He was said to have a heart attack. He responded well to the emergency treatment in the ICU.

On 2 August 2013, a chest X-ray indicated left lung pneumonia and TS was treated with antibiotics. CT scan of the thorax suggested lung metastases.

From 4 to 7 August 2013, TS’s condition worsened day by day. He was short of breath and needed oxygen all day. His mental alertness was sharply reduced, drifting in and out of sleep most of the time. He had no appetite and felt weak and drowsy. Three doctors attended to him. Two doctors suggested TS undergo chemotherapy but another specialist whispered to TS’s wife, “If he is my relative, I won’t put him through the torture.” Since the family had bad experience with the Xeloda, they decided to give up chemotherapy.

On 8 to 9 August 2013, TS was still on antibiotics and these were the most critical 2 days. His breathing became very difficult and he was not able to eat. His condition deteriorated drastically and the family were expecting the worse. The pastor came to give the last rites. According to the wife, “He was almost gone”.

From 10 to 12 August 2013, by the grace of God, TS’s condition improved and he was discharged from the hospital since there was not the doctor could do after declining chemotherapy. TS was brought home in an ambulance to “rest” .

At home, TS was under the care of Hospice. The Hospice doctor was told that the family wanted to try herbal therapy. The doctor was understanding enough and said, “It is your choice. You can try but I don’t think it will work.”

20 September 2013. TS his wife and daughter came to CA Care, Penang.

Listen and watch the videos below carefully.

On 29 April 2014, TS wrote:
1. My skin peeled off months ago and new skin have grown at least 6 months ago.
2. I am now experiencing pain when I stand up. When walking my legs feel heavy.
3. I feel numb from stomach area downwards.
4. The Hospice doctor told me my nerves are damaged as a side effect from previous oral chemo Xeloda.

I will plan to visit you asap. God bless.

On 1 May 2014, TS wrote again:

I am now into the 8th month of taking your herbs and capsules. Eat ok, sleep ok, bowel movement now 2-3 times a day. When I came back from the hospital last August my weight was 45kg. Now it is almost 49kg. So there is improvement except for the numbness and pain in my soles when I walk.
Comments:

Before undergoing any treatment, patients should always ask yourself or your doctors!

1. What are the side effects of the Xeloda?

The most common side effects are:

diarrhea,

nausea,

vomiting,

sores in the mouth and throat (stomatitis),

stomach area pain (abdominal pain),

upset stomach,

constipation,

loss of appetite,

and too much water loss from the body (dehydration).

Other common side effects are:

hand-and-foot syndrome (palms of the hands or soles of the feet tingle, become numb, painful, swollen or red);

rash;

dry, itchy or discolored skin;

nail problems;

hair loss;

tiredness;

weakness;

dizziness;

headache;

fever;

pain (including chest, back, joint and muscle pain);

trouble sleeping;

and taste problems.

Patients could have more side effects related to their heart. The cardiotoxicity observed with Xeloda includes:

myocardial infarction/ischemia,

angina,

dysrhythmias,

cardiac arrest,

cardiac failure,

sudden death,

electrocardiographic changes,

and cardiomyopathy.

With the above list of side effects, nobody can tell you what you may end up with if you swallow Xeloda. It’s a matter of your luck – you strike gold or misfortune. So that much about the so-called scientifically proven medicine.

Ask these questions.

1. In August, TS had a “heart attack” after completing 3 cycles of Xeloda a month before that. What triggered that “heart attack”? Cardiotoxicity mentioned above? Was TS warned about this before taking the drug? Or does everyone assume Xeloda is perfectly safe since the doctors prescribe it? This heart episode almost killed TS.

2. When you are told you have cancer, we understand that you are desperate. You don’t know what else to do. You need help – but don’t you think it is wise not to add oil immediately to the burning fire? Don’t you want to hold on for a while so that you can read a bit more rather than blindly follow advice – to be seen to do something immediately?

3. One amusing account is what the “open-minded, understanding” Hospice doctor said. He did not object to herbal therapy, but he weight in and said, “It is your choice. I don’t think it will work, but you can try.” A fair statement. From the view of medical science, herbs are just hocus pocus, unproven snake oil, bla, bla.

But looking at it realistically, for this case and many other cases documented in this website, did TS ever get worse by taking the herbs and NOT doing chemo? If herbs can do what the chemo cannot do, why go for chemo then?

Watch the videos again.

Can you learn something from this case? Or are you still wanting to stick to your biased view that herbs are not effective and unproven? Do you want to still say, “I don’t think it will work”?

Three Options for Chemotherapy After Mastectomy

Mastectomy, RM 12.000

Must undergo chemotherapy. Offered three options:

Option 1: 17 cycles, one year

4 cycles @ RM 2.000 = RM 8,000

4 cycles @ RM 4.000 = RM 16.000

9 cycles @ RM 11.000 = RM 99.000

Total cost RM 123,000

Option 2: Six cycles of chemo @ RM 7.000 to RM8.000

Total cost RM 45.000

Option 3: Six cycles of chemo @ RM 3.000 – RM 4.000

Total cost RM 20.000

Can chemo cure?

Option 1: Out of 10 patients, 6 were cured.

Option 2: Out of 10 patients, 5 were cured.

Option 3: Out of 10 patients, 4 were cured.

Was this patient told the REAL truth?

Consider these cases below:

Patient 1: Went to China for treatment – 125 radio-iodine seeds, 8 cycles chemotherapy, 9 injections of stem cell. Total cost RM 300.000.

Result: Cancer spread to her bones, liver and lungs.

Patient 2. Went to China for treatment – radiotherapy, 6 injections of stem cell, 1 cycle of chemo, Tamoxifen and 6 cycles of Xeloda.

Result: Cancer spread to her bone and liver.

Quotations:

There is no cure for metastatic breast cancer. It never goes away. You just move from treatment to treatment ~ Amy Soscia who died after fighting breast cancer for 13 years.

The overall contribution of …chemotherapy to 5-year survival in adults was estimated tobe 2.3 percent in Australia and 2.1 percent in the USA ~ Morgan, Ward & Barton. Clinical Oncology 16:549-560.

Leukemia: Chemotherapy – RM100,000 – Failed

May 2013, bloated stomach – diagnosed as gastric problem.

Gastric drugs did not cure.

Had consulted 7 doctors.

Consulted specialist in a hospital in Jakarta. Diagnosed as leukemia.

Came to Penang, Malaysia – bone marrow biopsy, confirmed Leukemia – AML.

Had chemotherapy – 6 cycles, from June 2013 until February 2014.

Costs almost RM 100,000.

Blood tests on February 11, 2014, fine.

Follow up after 3 months, May 6, 2014, Recurrence, extremely low platelets, only 4.

The doctor said chemo again, try 2 cycles first. Need to pay RM 50,000.

Before undergoing chemotherapy did you ever ask the doctor these questions:

1. Can chemotherapy cure you?

2. What is the total cost of the chemo treatment?

3. How long would you have to undergo chemotherapy?

Breast Cancer: Why I Refused Chemotherapy: Mother died after surgery and chemo

• Diagnosed with breast cancer

• Undergone mastectomy, costing Rupiah 30 plus million.

• Doctor asked to do chemo – I refused.

• My mother had ovarian cancer, Stage 3B. She had surgery and chemothrapy.

• Prior chemotherapy, she was well.

• After chemo cancer recurred, lumps grow again.

• Doctor recommended surgery and chemo again.

• Mother was too weak and declined medical treatment.

• She died within a year.

Tag: chemotherapy

NPC: Chemo — 80 percent cure! No thanks. Mom died after 5 cycles of chemotherapy

Mediastinal Germ Cell Tumour: Nonosrugery, Chemotherapy and Hyperthermia Failed to Cure Him

Breast Cancer: Surgery, Chemo, Radiation and Tamoxifen Did Not Cure Them

Metastatic Rhabdomyosarcoma: Surgery, Radiation and Chemotherapy Did NOT Cure Her

Metastatic Colon-Liver-Lung Cancer: Surgery, Chemo, etc., But Where is the cure?

Benefit of chemotherapy for colon cancer revised from 3% to 4% and then 40%

Surgery & Chemotherapy for Colon Cancer Failed. Go home, no more medicine

Breast Cancer: Do this chemo – 100 percent cure! You believe that?

Do chemotherapy, you have a 70 percent chance of cure for your breast cancer! You believe that?

Chemotherapy for Sarcoma: He died after 8 months

Sarcoma: Son died after leg amputation and chemotherapy

Colon Cancer: Oncologists said,” Try chemo.” But one doctor said, “If he is my relative, I won’t put him through the torture.”

Three Options for Chemotherapy After Mastectomy

Leukemia: Chemotherapy – RM100,000 – Failed

Breast Cancer: Why I Refused Chemotherapy: Mother died after surgery and chemo