Tag: chemotherapy

Meaningless Shrinking of Tumour by Chemotherapy

YHC (H856) is a 68-year-old man. In November 2011, he had a swelling in his right collar bone region. A biopsy was done and the doctor suspected it was cancer. YHC went to another hospital for a second opinion. A CT scan of his brain and neck was performed on 14 December 2011. The results indicated:

  • Normal examination of brain.
  • Right supraglottic soft tissue (upper part of the larynx, the area above the vocal cords) prominence raises the possibility of a tumour.
  • Bilateral supraclavicular and superior mediastinal nodes are in keeping with metastatic nodes. The largest seen on the left measuring 3.5 cm.

YHC underwent chemotherapy. The first cycle of chemo almost “knocked” him off. The side effects came six days after the treatment. He had to be hospitalised because of fevers, vomiting and diarrhea. Because of this the oncologist reduced the dosage of the subsequent chemo. So YHC went through the second to sixth cycles of chemo without any problem. However, after the sixth chemo, YHC had to be hospitalized again due to pneumonia. He was in the ICU for a week and this treatment alone cost him RM 30,000.

 

 

Study the results below.

CT scan on 27 January 2012

Comparison made with previous CT dated 14 December 2011,

  1. The prominence of the right supraglottic soft tissue is reduced when compared with the previous scan.
  2. Bilateral supraclavicular enlarged nodes are partially regressed.
  3. A small pericardial effusion is present.
  4. There are confluent nodes in the mediastinum which compress the superior vena cava. There are also confluent right hilar nodes. The approximate size of the confluent nodes is 6.4 x 4.8 x 3.7 cm.
  5. There is mild thickening of the gastroesophageal wall.

CT scan on 5 March 2012

  1. There is further regression of prominent right supraglottic soft tissue.
  2. Bilateral supraclavicular modes are still present.
  3. The anterior mediastinal soft tissue mass due to confluent nodes is smaller, measuring 4.2 x 3.4 x 3.3 cm. It still compresses the superior vena cava. Confluent right hilar nodes also appear smaller. There are discrete nodes overlying the aortic arch which are also slightly reduced in size.
  4. There is a new finding of bilateral pleural effusion, larger on the right, associated with right lung basal ateletasis. There is also partial collapse-consolidation of the right upper lobe.

CT scan on 28 March 2012

  1. The mediastinal mass of confluent nodes has increased in size. The paratracheal component of the mass is 5.0 x 3.5 x 5.4 cm severely compressing the superior vena cava.
  2. The anterior mediastinal lymph nodes have also increased in size, measuring up to 1.5 cm.
  3. A right pleural effusion is noted.

Impression:  Bronchogenic carcinoma with mediastinal lymph nodes increased in size from the previous examination.

Comments

This case really baffled me. YHC was first told that he probably had a lymphoma. Because of that, the oncologist only looked at his brain and the neck when they took the CT scan.  The medical report on 27 January 2012 indicated … “lymphadenopathy likely due to metastatic nodes with differential diagnosis of lymphoma.”

However, when all the chemos were done, the report on 28 March 2012 – for the first time, mentioned “bronchogenic carcinoma with mediastinal lymph nodes.”

Does this mean that after all the chemos were completed, “someone” decided that his cancer was actually a lung cancer? So, was he treated correctly in the first instance? YHC’s biopsy report was given the oncologist who later misplaced or lost it. Imagine such thing can happen in a private hospital!

The second fact was just as equally baffling. Let us look at the condition of his lungs before and after the treatments. His lungs were getting worse after chemotherapy!

 

One important lesson we can learn from this case is that shrinking of tumour or mass after chemotherapy is meaningless   – indeed, it is misleading and has no meaning.  Let me highlight the important points again. After the first few chemos the mass became smaller and smaller as evidenced by the CT scan. So everybody was happy – the patient was happy, his family members were happy and the oncologist was equally happy. But do we (especially those who see this happen every day) not realize through experience that this shrinking of tumour is meaningless? Experience shows that the mass would grow in size again soon afterwards. The previous gain is often lost after more chemos. Is this not what happened most of the time?

Let us go back to the CT scan reports again:

26 January 2012: Right supraglottic soft tissue is reduced in size. Bilateral supraclavicular nodes are partially regressed.

5 March 2012: There is further regression of right supraglottic soft tissue.

28 March 2012:  The mediastinal mass has increased in size. Anterior mediastinal nodes have also increased in size.

One would want to believe that with more and more chemotherapy, the mass will go on reducing in size until it disappears. No, this did not happen! And this phenomenon occurs often!  Read what Dr. Ralph Moss said below:

 

 

Chemotherapy did not cure him. In fact the treatment made him worse. But the doctor told YHC to continue with more chemo and radiotherapy.  YHC refused further medical treatment saying, “I would have to do more and more chemo and eventually “bye, bye!” He had spent more than RM 100,000 and was not going anywhere. Even the oncologist told him, “more chemo is not going to make him better. His condition would turn from bad to worse.” Why do more chemo then?

To me, the crucial point is not whether the tumour shrinks or not, but rather can the cancer be cured by the treatment.  If the treatment cannot cure, then shrinking of tumour is meaningless. I would prefer to advise patients to be happy and just be contented if they feel better after the treatment rather than place their hope on a shrinking tumour that brings them nowhere.

 

Breast Cancer: When a so-called “cure” was not a cure

Acknowledgement:  MT granted us her permission to use these videos without having to mask her face.

MT (S-127) is a 44-year old female from Batam, Indonesia. In August 2005, she found a thumb-sized lump in her right breast. She went to a hospital in Melaka, Malaysia for medical treatment. MT underwent a mastectomy followed by 6 cycles of chemotherapy and 30 radiation treatments. Then she was prescribed Tamoxifen, which she took for 5 years.

MT was told by her doctors 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 in Melaka 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. MT spent a total of about 60 million rupiahs for her medical treatment.

Barely a year later, in April 2011, MT started to have pains in her tail bone and shoulder blade. She ignored the problem and did not go back to see her doctor. Then she started to take “jamu” (Indonesian herbal). The pains did not go away but rather became more intense. Then her legs started to hurt as well. She became breathless and was unable to walk far. She became tired easily when walking.

On 27 February 2012, MT returned to her doctor in Melaka. Examination indicated a lump in her chest bone and another lump in her head (see pictures).

Medical reports on 27 February 2012 are as follows:

Mammography: There are 2 round left axillary nodes seen ? reactive node ? metastasis ?

Ultrasound: There is mild to moderate left hydronephrosis.

Chest: Density of the right mid-zone with adjacent crowded ribs due to ? fracture or pleural base mass. There is blunting of right costophrenic angle possible of mild effusion or pleural thickening. Left lung is clear.

Blood test:

EST 118   H
WBC 7.3
RBC 3.6    L
Platelet count 521   H
Total protein 88     H
Albumin 31     L
Globulin 57     H
AG ratio 0.5    L
ALT 12
AST 17
ALP 79
GGT 39
Rhematoid factor 51.6   H
AFP 2.7
CEA 59.8   H
CA 19.9 109    H
CA 15.3 166    H
CA 125 75.8   H

MT asked her doctor why the cancer recurred when she was told earlier that she had been cured. The doctor replied,     “ 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.”

MT was asked to perform a PET scan but she refused. Instead, on 9 March 2012, she came to Penang to seek our help. She presented as follows:

  • She had pains in both the left and right thigh.
  • She had pains in the lumbar region or back bone around the pelvis.
  • Sometimes there were pulling pains in her head.
  • She was constipated. She moved her bowels once every 2 to 4 days.
  • She lacked energy and was easily tired if working or walking some distance.

She was prescribed Capsule A, Breast M, Bone, Lung 1 and Lung 2 and C-tea.

After Two Months on CA Care Therapy

 

About two months on the herbs, 6 May 2012, MT came back to see us again. Her health had improved. The Pain Tea had helped her. There was no more pain after taking the Pain Tea but after she stopped taking the Pain Tea, the pain came back. Since MT was staying in Penang for a week, we decided to put MT on the e-Therapy for her pains.

After three days on the e-Therapy all her pains were almost gone. Click this link, to know how MT benefited from the e-Therapy.

Comments

There are many lessons we can learn from this case.  The doctor told MT: “You are cured after 5 years.  I do not know why you have a recurrence. It is your fate.  The recurrence has nothing to do with what you eat.”

1.  It is not true to say or believe that if you survive 5 years you are totally cured of your cancer. Passing the 5-year mark is no magic at all. There is no science in that number “5”. The reality is you have to survive 25 years to be able to say that you are cured of your cancer. Patients can’t wait that long to hear such good news. So someone, somehow “cooked” up  that number of 5 from nowhere so as to make patients happy.  Listen to what Dr Susan Love said – and remember, she is one of the world’s most outstanding breast cancer doctor!

2.  The current state of affair is that we don’t know why people get cancer and we also don’t know why patients suffer recurrences. I tend to believe that the problem lies in not wanting to really “know the problem” and not asking the right question. If you don’t search at the “right place” you can’t find the answer!

3.  Medicine is supposed to be scientific and to say that your recurrence is due to fate is tragic, probably fueled by   ignorance or could not care less attitude. If indeed it is due to our karma or fate, then why must MT spend all the money to undergo chemotherapy, radiotherapy and take Tamoxifen (for 5 years)? It is not cheap and it is not fun!

4.  Where does that leave cancer patients with? They are left high and dry after all the supposedly scientific medical treatments have failed them. They become hopeless, disempowered and frustrated. But don’t be disheartened, my experience shows that cancer patients can do something to reduce that risk of recurrence. Change your diet and lifestyle, exercise and have a positive attitude about life. If you do that you can life longer! You are not as hopeless as doctors tell you. Many others can do it, why can’t you if you are prepared to change. But the problem is with patients who are not prepared to listen and change!

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:

  1. 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.
  2. Multiple foci mesentery / peritoneum ranging from 1 to 2.5 cm.
  3. Mild ascites.
  4. Hydronephrosis at left kidney.
  5. Liver with multiple foci of FDG ranging from subcentimetre to 36 cm, the largest being at Segment 6.
  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.

  1. A CT guided cryotherapy for her liver metastases.
  2. Immunotherapy.
  3. Iodin-125 seed implantation – a total of 80 seeds were implanted.
  4. 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.

Cervical Cancer: Eighty-nine Percent Chance of Cure Vanished With the Collapse of Her Right Lung Four Months After Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy

BH (S108) is a 65-year-old lady from Indonesia.  An ultrasound of her pelvis showed her cervix was enlarged with a focal bulge over the posterior part. This bulge or mass measures about 23 x 12 mm.

A chest X-ray on 13 July 2011 showed no significant abnormality see in the lungs and heart.

A biopsy was performed on 14 July 2011 and confirmed malignant cells infiltrating deep into the cervical parenchyma.  BH was referred to a cancer hospital for further management.

A CT scan was done on 18 July 2011. It showed a bulky uterine cervix measuring 4.9 x 3.7 cm with a hypodense lesion seen within.  This is in keeping with carcinoma of the cervix. No metastatic disease is evident in the abdomen.

BH underwent radiotherapy. She was told that there was a eighty-nine percent chance that she would be cured. BH had 25 sessions of external beam radiation and 3 sessions of brachytherapy (i.e. internal radiation).  In addition BH received 2 cycles of chemotherapy. All treatments were completed by 12 October 2011.

BH said she was well after the treatment.  She came back for a check up on 25 November 2011 and was told everything was alright. She “believed” she was cured.

However, barely four months later, 15 February 2012, a CT scan showed:

  • Uterine cervix was unremarkable.
  • Presence of retrocrural, hilar and mediastinal adenopathy in keeping with nodal disease.
  • Collapse of her right upper lung, with a heterogeneous ill-defined mass lesion at the right pulmonary hilum approximately 4.6 cm, compressing the ascending bronchus and pulmonary artery.
  • A 2.4 cm, irregular soft tissue lesion present in the superior lingual left lung, likely indicating metastasis.

BH was asked to undergo more chemotherapy – 6 cycles and in addition 5 sessions of radiotherapy. She declined further medical treatment. She came to seek our help on 17 February 2012.

 

Did you ask if this additional treatment is going to cure you?

No guarantee to cure but the treatment might shrink the tumour.

In July 2011, when you had your first treatment – radiotherapy and chemotherapy – did you ask if the treatment could cure you?

For the first treatment, the doctor said there was 89 percent chance of cure. And she was “cured” after the treatment.

How could you say she was cured when barely four months later the cancer had spread to her lungs?

But the doctor said she was well after the first treatment!

It was not a cure! My aunty’s cervical cancer recurred in her lungs 13 years after an apparent “successful” treatment.

Did you suffer from your first chemo treatment?

It was difficult. My head was pounding (bursting), my vision was blurred, I vomited (the night after the chemo). I don’t want any more chemo.

Comments

  1. Many patients went to see their oncologists and were given impressive statistics of success. Patients felt reassured (never mind if the promise did not turn out to be true). In this case BH was told that she had eighty-nine percent chance of cure after chemotherapy and radiotherapy. But the reality was, barely four months later the cancer struck back and went to her lungs.
  2. Do you ever wonder why the cancer had spread so fast? Before the treatment in July 2011 her lungs were clear – no sign of cancer at all. The message is simple – in cancer, nothing is certain. The only thing that is the uncertainty of  the nature of cancer. It is unpredictable and anyone who promises you something good may not be able to keep that promise.
  3. When someone tells you — Your have 89 percent chance of cure – Do you really understand what he means? In this video the patient and his family believed that she was cured. She was alright for four months. Surely being well for four months does not mean cure at all.
  4. This case reminded me of another case of a lady from Kuantan. She came to CA Care on behalf of her 88-year old mother who had inoperable colon cancer (meaning the tumour was still in her colon). Her mother took herbs for just a  month. Her CEA decreased from 19.9 to 17.3, CA 125 decreased from 37.4 to 20.9 but her CA 19.9 increased from 51.6 to 313.5. The daughter, (a bank manager) wrote: I just trusted the wrong DR quack.  Another relative (brother?) wrote: How irresponsible a “doctor” you claimed to be. When patients come to CA Care we never promise anyone a cure at all – what if we were to say you have 89 percent chance of cure? What would you call such a person then?

Lung Cancer: The Meaningless Decrease and Increase of Tumour Markers After Chemotherapy

HK (S97) is a 57-year-old man from Indonesia. Blood test showed that his CA 19.9 was elevated.  A CT scan on 15 March 2011 in Singapore revealed a small right pleural effusion and small nodules in his right lung.

A PET scan done on 17 March 2011 indicated:

  1. Hypermetabolic primary tumour at the right lung apex.
  2. Smaller subcentimeter nodules (below the resolution of PET) in the right lung, suspicious for intrapulmonary metastases.
  3. Right pleural effusion with multiple FDG-avid pleural nodules.
  4. FDG-avid left supraclavicular, subcarinal and right paratracheal nodes, suspicious for nodal involvement.

HK underwent chemotherapy as below:

Date

Procedure

CEA

CA 19.9
19 March 2011 Biopsy at a hospital in Kuala Lumpur.    
22 March 2011 Lung cancer confirmed.    
24 March 2011 Chemo – first cycle, day 1 – Gemcitabine + Cisplatin    
30 March 2011 Chemo – first cycle, second injection 12Apr 11 = 85.5 12Apr 11 = 435.9
20 April 2011 Chemo – second cycle, day 1 – Gemcitabine + Cisplatin    
26 April 2011 Chemo – second cycle, second injection    
28 April to 1 May 2011 Fevers  < 38 C, admitted to hospital    
11 May  2011 Chemo – third cycle, day 1 – Gemcitabine + Cisplatin 11May11 = 123.5 11May11 = 291.6
18 May 2011 Chemo – third  cycle, second injection    
31 May 2011 PET scan – results showed improvement 30May11 = 90.5 30May11= 220.3
1 June 2011 Chemo – fourth cycle, day 1 – Gemcitabine + Cisplatin    
8 June 2011 Chemo – fourth  cycle, second injection    
22 June 2011 Chemo – fifth  cycle, day 1 – Gemcitabine + Cisplatin    
29 June 2011 Chemo – fifth cycle, second injection    
13 July 2011 Chemo delayed due to lack of blood    
20 July 2011 Chemo – sixth cycle, day 1 – Gemcitabine + Cisplatin    
27 July 2011 Chemo – sixth cycle, second injection    
11 August 2011 PET scan – results showed no changes or further improvements 10Aug11 = 64.2 10Aug11 = 164.8
13 August to 17 Nov. 2011 Three months on Tarceva – Rashes in the face and legs. 14 Sep11 = 130.3

12 Oct 11 = 217.7

 14 Sep11 = 85.7

12 Oct 11= 114.1
17 November 2011 PET scan – results showed cancer  was more aggressive 16Nov 11 = 523.0 16Nov11 = 438.2
26 November 2011 Chemo – first cycle of Alimta    
16 December 2011 Chemo – second cycle of Alimta 4 Jan 12  = 666.5 4 Jan 12 = 4,422.0
5 Jan12  to

1 Feb.12

 Chinese herbs    
3 February 2012 Started on CA Care herbs  – Caspsule A + B, Lung 1 and Lung 2, Pain, Liver Tea 1 Feb. 2012

=737.5

 1 Feb. 2012

= 3,917.0
  While on CA Care’s herbs 10 Mar 2012

 = 629.8

 10 Mar 2012

= 3,609.0

 

Comments

Study carefully the rise and fall of his CEA. From 85.5 it increased to 123.5 and then decreased to 64.2 after which it started to climb to 130.3 to 737.5. After CA Care’s herbs it went down to 629.8.

Study carefully the rise and fall of his 19.9. It started with 435.9. With chemotherapy it decreased to 291.6, 164.8 and eventually 85.7. However with more treatment the CA 19.9 started to increase to 114.1, 438.2 and eventually 4,422.0. After CA Care’s herbs it went down to 3,609.0.

When the CEA or CA 19.9 went down after chemotherapy, patient and his family were happy and the doctor surely is similarly happy and “believes” that the treatment has done the trick. But there is no cause for celebration because the decrease of CEA and CA 19.9 are just meaningless. It happens often – only that those concerned never want to see reality. They want to believe that chemotherapy is going to cure their cancer!

In the case of HK above, again I say, the increase and decrease of his tumour markers is meaningless. At the end of the day, this is what his lung looked like. No use and no cure.

 

Increase or decrease of CEA and CA 19.9 after chemotherapy is meaningless when the end results of the treatment are like these!

This Is What We Often Encounter – Failed Medical Treatment, Healing Crisis after Herbs, Bad Diet and Family Problems

Part 1: Failed Medical Treatment

CE is a 56-year-old lady. She lives in Penang, down the road where our centre is.  Sometime in March 2010 she was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer. No operation was indication. A doctor in a private hospital tried RFA (radiofrequency ablation) for her tumours.  She received two treatments with RFA – one to her breast lump and another to her bone.

Unfortunately, by August 2010 the tumour recurred in the same left breast.  She underwent 6 cycles of chemotherapy at a government hospital.  The treatments were completed in May 2011, by which time all the lumps in her breast were gone.

Six months later, in December 2011, CE developed breathing difficulties. Her lungs were filled with fluid. A month later, in January 2012, she had severe headaches for 2 weeks. The cancer had spread to her brain. She underwent 5 sessions of radiotherapy to her head. She was given painkiller medication.

In February 2012, she had breathing difficulty again. She had pains in her left leg. The cancer had spread to her bones. The doctor at the government hospital gave up on her. She was referred to the Hospice. She was prescribed morphine.  There was no hope.

Part 2: Healing Crisis After Taking Herbs but She Was Better

CE and her daughter came to seek our help on 17 February 2012. She was prescribed Capsule A, teas for her Bone, Lung, Brain and Pain.

24 February 2012: One week on the herbs, her condition improved. Her intake of painkiller was reduced by fifty-percent. Previously she needed to take 4 tablets a day, and after the herbs this was cut down to 2 tablets per day. She felt more energetic. Her facial expression was better.

CE (patient):  First day, I moved my bowels. Second day, I had diarrhea. Third day I had more diarrhea.

Chris: The first few days of taking herbs, patients generally go through a “healing crisis” – a cleansing process. There could be more pain, you become more tired or you have diarrhea, etc. These are good. Do not take any medication, the problems will resolve by themselves. I have a patient who moved  her bowels ten times a day after taking the herbs. Take it easy.

Daughter: She had five bowel movements!

C:  Oh, ten times would be better!  Take it easy and be patient. Now, do you still have diarrhea?

CE:  I have no more diarrhea.

C:  This is what I am telling patients. You may have pain after taking the herbs, then the next day more pain and perhaps more pain for some more days. Then the pain becomes less and less and eventually it will be gone. Everyone has to go through this difficulty or “healing crisis.”

D: She does not need to take so much pain medication now. Before she took four times of medication a day.

CE: After take the herbs, I only took painkiller twice a day. Today I only take one time.

C: No need to take four times a day anymore? You need to take the pain medication if there is pain. It is no use to suffer. Take the pain killer if the herbs do not help you. You need to relieve the pain. Only thing is we don’t want to take too much of pain medication and be dependent on it.

Okay, you took the herbs for a week now. Are you getting any better?

P: I am more “cheng sin” (more alert).

D: I don’t know if she has improved or not from the inside, but looking at her facial expression, certainly she is much better now.

C: Patient should be able to know if she is “improving” or not. She should be able to “feel” the improvements. I too would be able to “see” if patients are getting better or not by looking and talking to them. And I tell every patient who come here – if you take our herbs for two or three weeks and you don’t feel any better, then stop coming to see me. The herbs are not good for you. Better that you go and see someone else for help.

Part 3: Bad Diet and Family Problems

2 March 2012: Unfortunately her health deteriorated. She did not look healthy. Both her legs were swollen. After some questioning, she admitted to eating “outside food” the whole week.

Daughter: Both of her legs are swollen!

Chris:  Last week when you came, were the legs swollen?

D: No.

C: Do you still have pain?

CE (patient):  Yes.

D:  Her pain medication intake had increased to twice a day. This week she is less energetic. Last week she looked much better.

C: Did she take care of her diet? Or did she start to eat anything she liked?

D: This week I was not able to cook for her. My son was sick and so I was not able to take care of her (mother).

C: So, the whole of this week she had been taking “outside (hawker) food”?

D: Yes. The first week, I cooked her food.

C: This is the problem.

D: It was difficult for me.

C:  Are you the only daughter at home?

D: I live with my family (husband, son and in laws) in Batu Ferringgi (about an hour’s drive away) but my mother lives in Batu Lancang (near our cancer centre). She lives with my sister and brother.  But all of them are working so they have no time to take care of her.

C: What about you? Are you working?

D: Yes. But in the afternoon, I come to my mother’s house to cook for her. But this week my son was sick and I had to take care of him. So I did not have the time to cook for my mother.

C: I understand. But in cancer, diet is very important. As you notice, the first week she was doing much better with no swollen legs. But this week her legs swelled due to bad diet. It is all about “bad” food.

Indeed, there is nothing we can do really. Like they say, “A mother can take care of ten children, but ten children cannot take care of one mother.”  I understand your situation.

Comments

1.  Most patients come “shopping” for magic potion. They expect us to cure them even after medical treatments have failed them. This is unrealistic. We are only human and we can only do that much and no more. This case is not an exceptional case. Read my blog, www.ADayWithChrisTeo.wordpress.com and you understand what I mean.

2. Our path to healing is not a “honeymoon” trip. After taking the herbs or change of diet, there will be a ‘healing crisis”. You will probably have more pains, more coughs, more bowel movements, etc.  (Read more: Healing Crisis). Do not do anything to stop this cleansing process. The problem will solve by itself after a little while. No medication please. Remember that “healing crisis” is a law of cure. Without this happening there shall be no healing.

3.  Diet is the most sore point among patients. When patients start to get well, they want to eat what they like. And after they have eaten all the “bad food” they write us asking why their tumour markers, like CEA, CA 125, CA 19.9, etc., had increased? What can we do? You reap what you sow! It is okay, if patients admit to their mistakes like in the case above. At least we can teach them to do it right the next time. But the worst cases are those who would not want to admit their mistakes and keep on denying that they followed our dietary advice to the letter. Well, there is nothing to be upset or dispute. Winning over this matter does not benefit anyone. For these patients, our advice is – Stop our herbs and find someone else to help you.

4.  As said in the beginning of this article, cancer is not about a tumour in your body, it is about you as a human being. Many patients come and go, unfortunately never recognizing this important aspect – to them cancer is only a misery or disaster in life! Such people die or suffer in vain. They believe that their problems are due to outside factors. They don’t look into themselves to know what have gone wrong. Most cancer patients carry with them a load of unresolved personal baggage – bitterness, hatred, lack of love, family problems, etc. Unfortunately, no chemo, radiation or herbs can help in such matters.  This is what I mean when I said in the beginning of this article, After talking to you for about five minutes I would probably know if I can help you or not. Your personality and problems show up during our conversation. And it is hard to change a patient’s attitudes and lifestyle – it has to be the person himself/herself who wants to change. Without change, no healing can ever take place.

Lung Cancer: Why do a biopsy when you don’t want to go for chemotherapy?

SK (S123) is a 59-year-old lady from Indonesia. On 11 November 2011 she came to a private hospital in Penang for a general wellness check-up.  She did not have any symptoms. She was given a “booklet” containing the data of her health screening and was told by the doctor that she was healthy – no problems. The following are some of the information for us to study carefully.

  • The chest X-ray report showed both lungs are clear.
  • Ultrasound of abdomen indicated fatty liver.
  • Blood test results are as follows:

Parameters
ESR 42     High
Platelet 102   Low
Free T4 (ng/dl) 1.5    High
Free T4 (pmol/L) 19.3  High
Alanine transaminase 52      High
GGT 31
AST 37      High
Alkaline phosphatase 136

SK went home to Jakarta feeling satisfied and happy after being given a clean bill of health by the doctor. However, about three months later, SK developed fevers and breathing difficulties. She consulted a lung specialist in Jakarta and was hospitalized. There was fluid in her lungs. Pleural tapping was done. Four liters of fluid were tapped out of her lungs during the 5 days in the hospital. The doctor suggested a biopsy to be followed by chemotherapy or take an oral chemo-drug, Tarceva. SK refused. She was afraid of the side effects. The total cost for this hospital stay came to about 30 million Indonesian rupiahs.

SK came to a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur for a second opinion.  She was hospitalized for a week where a  CT scan and biopsy were performed. During that time too, another 700 ml of fluid was tapped out of her lungs. The report of the biopsy of her lung dated 28 February 2012 indicated a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma.

SK refused chemotherapy.  The doctor gave up and she was asked to go home. The total medical expenses in Kuala Lumpur came to RM 10,500.

On 28 February 2012 we received this e-mail.
Dear Mr. Chris,

My name is S. The doctor in Jakarta said my aunty has lung cancer stage 4. At the moment, we are in Kuala Lumpur (hospital). The result of biopsy will come out on Thursday or Friday, but the doctor said it’s seems advanced cancer. We would like to seek your help. Can we come to Penang without result or should we wait for the result? Your prompt reply will be highly appreciated

Thank you, best regards.

Reply:  Wait for the results and bring all the medical reports. No need to hurry. Come on Friday if you can, or Sunday night. See my website: www.cacare.com

Comments

Over the years, I have noticed a peculiarity about cancer patients, especially those from Indonesia.  They come to hospitals in Malaysia for a second opinion after being told that they have cancer by doctors in their home country. They undergo all the test, scans, biopsy, etc. Again they are told they have cancer. They refused treatment and pack their bags and go home. I cannot understand such behavior. If you do not want to do follow up treatment why do you proceed to do the biopsy? SK spent RM 10,500 and then she decided to go home without any treatment. Actually, even the CT scans done in Jakarta were indicative enough of her lung cancer. Why go the extra step and then quit half way? As I have said earlier, this happens very often!

Health or wellness screening is another phenomenon. Do you see the flaw of going for such check-up?  I wonder how helpful is such a screening procedure?  SK was told her health was in perfect condition in November 2011 after the check up. I, however, would disagree with that.   Her ESR was high, plantlet count was low and two of her liver enzymes were elevated. Her health was not perfect. There was something wrong somewhere? But the doctor said she was in perfect health! Can you believe that? What the doctor said might not be correct!

Three months later SK’s lungs were filled with fluid. The irony was three months earlier an X-ray showed her lungs were clear. How could that be? Are we to say that within three months from “nowhere” her lungs have grown so many tumours? Another question is  –  what could have caused her lung cancer? Could it be a metastasis from somewhere? I was curious and tried to find out more. SK told me that some eight years ago she had an operation to remove a 10-cm fibroid. I wondered aloud. Could that be cancerous, and she was not told about it? And now the lung cancer is actually a metastasis?  SK had been having coughs on and off for many years. Is this not an early sign of metastasis? My aunty also had chronic coughs for two years before a CT showed that her cervical cancer had metastatised extensively to her lungs. Unfortunately, SK is not educated and could not read much – she did not have any clue of what was happening to her.

Colon Cancer Part 2: Her Treatment in India

India is cheaper with medical treatments and they have similar equipments to advanced countries.

CT scan revealed the tumor was almost obstructing the rectum, the surgeon suggested an emergency surgery to divert the stools so as to prevent blockage. I have had thirty radiation treatments and three cycles of chemotherapy.

You had radiotherapy at the same time took xeloda? Did they tell you radiotherapy is going to cure or shrink your tumour? Why did you agree to do the radiotherapy? Did you suffer any side effects when on radiation?

They told me radiation would shrink the tumor so they could do the surgery because I did not want a permanent colostomy.  Now that I think back, if the tumor was truly about to block the rectum, then I would not be having normal size bowel movements. But my bowel movements were normal in size, I guess they deceived me there again.

I had side effects; my bladder was on fire (burning)! Every time I urinated I cried because it burned as I urinated, I reduced my liquid intake because I did not want to urinate. I was urinating about every 30 minutes.  When I told the radiologist about the pain, he said it was impossible; it was too early to have any symptoms. I started having symptoms after the first week. I lost all my genital hair.  My whole genital area was irritated and which itched and itched and itched! Nothing relieved this itch.  One of the doctors said “you’re young, you should be able tolerate the pain”.  They then gave me Urispass after I complained for 3 weeks, to help with the burn when urinating.

A week after I started radiation was when I started to sweat excessively.  I have bouts of internal heat even when I am in an air-conditioned room. My whole head/face/back and chest would look like I poured water on it.

Also, with the chemo, I had nerve tingles in my hands and feet. I also had prickly sensation all over my body occasionally. I don’t get the tingles anymore, but the prickly sensation still appears once in while.

I was not informed about any side effect of radiation. The only thing they did was to ask if I am married. I said no, and they proceeded. I asked, begged for the doctors to talk to me, all I got was, we are trying to help you, calm down be grateful and take the pain.  But eventually I got tired of them saying they were trying to help me, I quit for three weeks after I had a fight with the clinic.  The doctor actually said “you are going to die if you stop the treatment, the disease is advanced” and I yelled, it’s been advanced for almost two years I AM STILL ALIVE!!!  They then told me, if I do not continue the treatment the only surgery they could do was take out the whole rectum and take out the vagina and if they should try to do that, it would result in death. I cried, my mum cried, nobody cared that I was just another random paying patient!

I asked to know the amount of radiation I was getting, they said they couldn’t tell me, I asked to view my file, they said I couldn’t.  I know every patient has a right to view their file upon request because they paid for it!

I have refused surgery because the surgeon plans to take out the whole rectum and vagina.   I refused Chemo IV after the first, gave me bad burns on both my arms and close up my throat.

When did you complete all these treatment?   

Radiation was completed in October. I stopped taking Xeloda December last year (2011).

What are your plans after treatment?

My plan is to start a fulfilling job in the health industry and enjoy the life I have prevented myself from enjoying for all these years.   Everyone that can afford it wants to eat what Americans are eating.  They need someone to teach them to stick to their own food.

Give us an idea of what it cost to be treated in an Indian hospital.

  1. Visit to oncologist,what is the consulation?  Less than US$20 per visit
  2. Total cost of opeation for colostomy?  About US$6,000
  3. Total cost of 30 radiation?  US$8,000 including tests.
  4. One cycle of Xeloda? Around US$5 per pill. Around $270 for a cycle.
  5. Are the facilities good — clean? The facilities are okay since it’s an international hospital.  About 50percent overall cleanliness, but the toilets were 20 percent clean. I bought my own bleach and cleaning supplies because I am very fussy about clean bathrooms.
  6. Are the doctors and nurses pleasant to deal with, well trained?

For every ten nurses, only two spoke English at a level that can be fairly understood.  I believe they are well trained but the nurses don’t follow procedures like I believe they were trained. I had to remind them to clean the injection site with alcohol/spirit before giving the injection. They rarely wear gloves so there could be cross contamination among patients.

I had to inject myself a few times because they didn’t know how to administer Intramuscular injections in the thigh. My butt was in a sea of pain, because they don’t administer pain medications through the IV unless in the ICU.  However, most of them are pleasant!  The doctors are well trained and spoke good English. The surgeon was trained in France.  I think that is one of their strongest qualities, general surgery, transplant/orthopedics, cosmetic surgery.

What are your experiences with the doctors in indian hospital?

They feel the doctors have the final say and know all, even the nurses dare not question the doctors.  It was surprising that, aside from Indian food, patients were provided junk food like French fries.  The fresh juices were again loaded with sugar.  They didn’t seem to understand that sugar feeds cancer. I declined dextrose IV because it caused pain since it was sugar. They thought it was in my head.  They ignored me until I pulled out the IV myself.

There were flies in the hospital and the food had stones and hair in them.  Most people don’t wear shoes in the hospital with the amount of diseases in the hospital.  In the clinic I went to receive radiation, I was told I would not receive treatment if I do not remove my sandals, meanwhile people walk barefoot on the street, so there really is no difference between those wearing shoes and those walking barefoot. We are all bringing in the same dirt.

I noticed the doctors don’t follow-up with their patients.  If you don’t show up for an appointment, they don’t even bother to ask the nurses to find out the status of the patient.  I stopped seeing my surgeon since October 2011. It wasn’t until I went to the hospital in January 2012 that he saw me walking by and asked “Oh, are you okay?”

The Oncologist

Your article made me remember when I was arguing with the oncologist a few months ago about chemo.  I accused him about the so-called cure and ask for the percentage rate. He said the best is 25%!!! I was flabbergasted! And even when radiation is included the maximum is 30%. Then he proceeded to suggest I have chemo for one whole year. I laughed and said that’s not going to happen, God forbid I stay on chemo for a year. He looked at me as if I didn’t know the severity of the illness. I told him, But you know that chemo and radiation cause secondary cancers.  He told me to stop reading the internet and all those are not true! I smiled and made a mental note not to share anything with him again.

Radiologist

Before radiation, nobody ever bothered to explain the side effects to me, I knew that there would be some effects with my reproductive organs, I asked for a fertility center, so I could at least preserve my eggs. They said there was none in the state and I stupidly believed them.  After twenty bouts of radiation later, I found a clinic, they said they couldn’t help by then.  I cried so much and had a fight with the doctors for acting like they were God and the sole decision maker. I was very upset. I learned that because the cancer was stage 4, they didn’t think I would survive to be able to have children anyway.

Before the treatment you were not told about the side effects of chemo or radiation?

They told me nothing with radiation. But for chemo, they said nausea, hair loss and fatigue but, I didn’t have them.  Instead, I had terrible heart burns that felt like a heart attack.  I still have hair on my head. I’m sure the oncologist will have a heart attack if he sees me without my hat/scarf.

Did the oncologist / radiologist know that you are taking supplements and herbs?

The radiologist said I should not take anything. These might make the side-effects of the radiation worse. The oncologist said not to take anything that may reduce the efficacy of the chemo.  I told them I was only taking one multi-vitamin but continued taking all my supplements.

Did they oppose or support your desire to take herbs and supplements? What did they say?

They opposed as they didn’t think it could have positive effects, only negative. When I informed the oncologist I was going to use herbs to improve my WBC, he said herbs won’t work, that I was better off taking the injection to boost it. When I asked  where I could find alternate treatments, they said only the temple/church.

Then you found cancer care? How do you know us then? Any one told you about us.

God pointed me in the direction of CA Care. Nobody told me. Nobody I know knows CA Care. I prayed during my ordeal and I told God, I don’t want all these chemicals, they are hurting me. I was always sad when taking these treatments. I wanted to be better and not become more sick. A few days later, I started seeing advertisements on TV about Malaysia.  It would show pictures of Malaysia and how beautiful it is, and encouraged tourists to visit.  The commercial always ended with “Malaysia, truly Asia”. I told my mum, I want to visit Malaysia. One of my friends promised me a vacation after I get out of the hospital, and asked where I would like to go. I said Malaysia. I didn’t know anyone or anything about Malaysia but, my spirit wanted to go for some reason. My subconscious knew something I didn’t know.  A few weeks later, I said a prayer and got on the internet just searching. I don’t remember the specific thing I was searching for. I was just searching, knowing God will lead me where I needed to go and I came upon www.cacare.com

I don’t believe in coincidences and I know everything happens for a reason. I went through the site and it clicked in my mind, this is why I have been seeing Malaysia on TV.  Since then, I have not seen that commercial on TV. God is indeed wonderful!

 

 

Stomach Cancer: Fainted and In ICU After One Chemo, Now Surgeon Said Go For More Chemo

Lisa (not real name, M805) is a 35-year-old Indonesian lady. In October 2009 she passed out black stools. She came to Penang for a medical check-up. An upper endoscopy showed acute gastric ulcer but the rapid urease test was negative for H. pylori.  Her blood test showed low levels of haemoglobin (8.3), red blood cell (2.9) and high platelet count (431). She was prescribed medication for gastritis and was told to come back for further observation after a month.

On 3 December 2009, another endoscopy was performed. It showed an almost completely healed ulcer.  A repeat rapid urease test again was negative for H. pylori. A gastric biopsy was also performed and indicated an adenocarcinoma, diffuse type.  A CT scan on 11 January 2010 showed a thickening of the gastric antral wall consistent with the clinical finding of carcinoma. The diffuse hypodensity of the liver parenchyma was in keeping with fatty liver change. No mass lesion was seen in the liver. There was no evidence of any focal lung lesion or lymphadenopathy.

Lisa underwent an operation to remove her stomach. The histopathology dated 12 January 2010 confirmed a diffuse type adenocarcinoma of stomach, T3N1M1, Stage 4. Lisa was asked to go for chemotherapy.  She returned to Jakarta and received one cycle of chemotherapy. The treatment was a disaster.  She fainted and had to be admitted to the ICU. She was discharge after four days but could hardly remember many things. She only recovered after a month.

Lisa returned to Penang for a follow-up examination with her surgeon. A CT scan on 21 July 2010 showed no evidence of pancreatic, splenic or renal mass lesion. There was no evidence of any lymphadenopathy. There was no obvious recurrence in the surgical bed.

Lisa and her husband came to seek our help on 23 July 2010 as she was not prepared to go for any morechemotherapy. She was prescribed Capsule A, Stomach 1 and Stomach 2 teas and C-tea.

Sometime just around the Chinese New Year (end of January 2012) Lisa felt a small lump in her stomach. She returned to Penang on 20 February 2012. A CT scan showed the following:

  1.  Fatty liver change.
  2. Mild to moderately dilated intrahepatic ducts.
  3. Ill-defined enhancing soft tissue around the pancreas and common bile duct which extends inferiorly along the right retroperitoneum, right paracaval and ilio-psoas down to the right inguinal and upper anterior thigh region. This has infiltrated the right upper ureter. Features are suspicious of tumour/metastatic deposits.
  4. Moderate to gross hydronephrosis of the right kidney with diffuse cortical thinning.
  5. Mild ascites.

Blood test showed elevated liver function enzymes:

Alkaline phosphatase 188.74   H
GGT 102.44   H
ALT 48.1
AST 47.77     H
CEA 1.23
CA 19.9 36.2

Lisa and her husband met with the surgeon. The surgeon said it was not possible to undergo further surgery. She was told to go for chemotherapy. That was the only option left.

The following is the transcript of our video-taped conversation on 22 February 2012.

Wanting a cure, whatever it may cost

Husband: January 2011, she had the surgery.

Chris:  Her stomach was removed. Before the surgery, did you ask the surgeon if the operation could cure her?

H:  He told us after the removal of her stomach, she would be okay. Then we need to go for chemotherapy.

C: Did you explicitly ask if after the surgery, she will be cured?

H:  He did not answer that question. The surgeon explained that after the surgery, everything would be clean. The cancer would not spread anymore.  We believed whatever he said. The reason why we went to him was because we wanted to find a cure.

C:  Yes, I understand – all patients who come here (from Indonesia) are searching for a cure. So whatever answers you get or what the doctors said, you all would believe them. And also pay whatever it may cost. What you all want is a “cure.” I understand that. So, after the operation, how long was she in the hospital?

H:  About two weeks.

Health worsened after the surgery

C:   How was her health before and after the surgery?

H:  After the surgery she became weaker – she was worse off. Before the operation, she was okay- okay, normal and there was nothing wrong.

C:  Why did you go for the surgery then?

H:  She was okay, she could eat – there not nothing wrong with her. She was told that she had cancer and we were afraid that disease would spread.

C (to patient):  Can you tell me – before the operation, you were okay?

Patient: Nodding vigorously.

H:  Nothing wrong with her except she passed out black stools. Then they did a biopsy after a scan and said it was cancer.

C:  That was all?

H:   Nothing – no pain, nothing. If she had pains it would it would have been a different matter. But she was able to eat well.

C:  And when the doctor asked you to operate, you went ahead with the surgery? And after the surgery, she was not getting better?

H:  No, not better.

Surgery – a RM 20,000 adventure

C: How much did the surgery cost you?

H. About RM 20,000.

First Chemo – she fainted and four days in ICU

C:  After the surgery, she had chemo?

H:  Three months later, she had chemotherapy in Jakarta. There was no problem on the first day after the chemo. The night of the second day, she had a seizure and her hands were shaking vigorously and she fainted.  She was admitted into the ICU and was there for four days.

C (to patient):  Did you remember anything when you were in the ICU? Did you remember going off or flying away somewhere?

P: No (shaking her head).

H:  After coming out of the ICU she could not remember things – memory loss. She could only recognize me. But gradually her memory started to come back. It took about a month for her to become normal again.

C:  Did the doctor want you to continue with the chemo after this episode?

H:  At first he said she had to do 3 cycles of chemo, but after seeing what had happened, the doctor did not ask her to continue with her chemo anymore.

No more chemo for me

C (to patient):  If you were asked to go for more chemo – do you want to do it again?

P:  No, I don’t want any more chemo.

After extensive recurrence – the only solution is chemotherapy

H:  Now, the only solution is chemotherapy.

C:  You went to talk to the surgeon. He told you she should go for chemotherapy. Did he know what had happened to your wife after the first chemo?

H:  He knew. But he did not have any more words to say. He told us, there was nothing else he could do except chemotherapy. But how are we to go for chemo after such a bad experience? We are afraid. She is going to lose her hairs and what not.

C:  Loosing hair is not a problem at all – it will grow again. But what we need to worry is if she would “fly away.”

Next-bed-patient became blind after two chemo and died after three

C:  You told me earlier that there was another patient in the next bed. She also had chemo when your wife was having hers.

H:  After the chemo, she became blind. Her eyes could not see anymore.

C:  What? Before the chemo, were her eyes okay – could she see?

H:  Yes, her eyes were normal. After two chemos her eyes could not see anymore. She died after the third chemo.

C:  What? She died after the third chemo? After the second she became blind – why did she continue with the third chemo then?

H:  Her husband made that decision. Because of what I have seen, I would not want her to do any more chemo.

C:  Did you really talk to her husband?

H:  Yes, I talked to him.

C:  Even after becoming blind, the husband still wanted her to continue with the chemo?

H:  Yes, he wanted to continue with the treatment.

C:  Did he tell you why he wanted to do that?

H:  No and I did not ask.

Comments

1. Lisa passed out black stools, otherwise she was okay. What could have happened if she did nothing? Do no surgery or chemo? How bad could she be?

2. Lisa and her husband asked the surgeon if surgery would cure her. The answer was rather evasive – He told us after the removal of her stomach, she would be okay. Then we need to go for chemotherapy. We believed whatever he said. We would like to believe that whatever doctors say or do, it is always for the best interest of their patients. But let’s not be naïve. At time it is good to be reminded of what Dr. Mendelsohn  said:
3. Lisa had her first cycle of chemotherapy and she fainted and lost her memory.  Her next-bed fellow patient was blind after two chemos and was dead after the third. This clearly shows that chemo is not for everybody.
4. The story of Lisa clearly showed that surgery did not cure her cancer.  She expected a cure but she was short-changed. In fact she became weaker and was worse off.
5. As it is now, after two years, the cancer had metastatised extensively – could her cancer be worse than this if she did nothing?

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma of the Stomach: One cycle of chemo made him really sick. He took herbs and life was restored

Eng (H241) is a 65-year-old male.  In 2007 he underwent an angioplasty procedure. Sometime in July 2009, he suffered from indigestion and nausea. Then in August 2009, he vomited blood. He was admitted into a government hospital. A biopsy done on 23 October 2009 indicated large cell, B-cell type gastric non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL) of intermediate grade.

On 8 December 2009, he underwent chemotherapy with modified CHOP –  cyclophosphamide + vincristine + Epirubicin and Prednisolone.  Medical record indicated he received a LOWER dosage due to his past medical history.  He suffered the following severe side effects after just a cycle of chemotherapy.

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Fevers, temperature 38.1 C
  • Slow heartbeat (junctional bradycardia)
  • Hardening (consolidation) of the right lung
  • Stroke (left thalamus infarction)
  • Uncontrolled hypertension

As a result of the above, life was difficult for Eng. He had no strength and was unable to urinate. This is what was written on his medical report. “20 December 2009 – In view of patient’s poor tolerance to chemo and the lesion is localized within the stomach” patient was referred for radiotherapy.

Eng was asked to undergo 25 times of radiation treatment. He refused.  He was discharged and prescribed with the following drugs:

  1. Omeprazole
  2. Lovastatin
  3. Ticlid
  4. Isordil
  5. Amlodipine
  6. Perindopril
  7. Prazocin
  8. Gliclazide
  9. Laquid paraffin
  10. Lactulose

Patient’s daughter came to seek our help on 17 January 2010. She presented her father’s condition as below:

  1. No pain
  2. Unable to sleep
  3. Can’t eat  – no appetite, nausea and sometimes vomit
  4. Tired
  5. Bowel movements once every few days – constipatioin
  6. Cough with sticky phlegm
  7. Breathless
  8. No strength

We prescribed Capsule A, C-tea, Lympho 1 and 2 teas, Constipation tea and Appetite & Vomit tea.

24 January 2010: After one week on the herbs, his appetite and bowel movements improved. He could talk with a louder voice. But he still had difficulty with urination.

29 January 2010: No more nausea, every day he moved his bowels, and he was able to walk better. Before the herbs he was only able to stand up for a while only.

5 March 2010: Health improved – could walk. Appetite improved. Swelling of both legs were gone. He was able to urinate.  For the first time, his daughter brought her father to meet us (see video).

12 November 2010: Eng came to see us. He was doing fine.

9 December 2011: He was doing fine – almost two years since he started taking the herbs.  Eng came to see us with his daughter (see video).

 

Permission to use this video without having to mask patient’s face is granted by the family.

 

Comments

  1. Because of his medical history, Eng was only given “lower” dose chemotherapy. In spite of that, he suffered severe side effects. What do you think could happen if he was to be given a “FULL” dose? Can he die from the treatment?
  2. What is the idea or rationale of receiving “lower” dose chemotherapy? Do you mean to say that a “lower” dose can also cure him when using a “full “dose may not cure patients?
  3. Since further chemotherapy had to be aborted, Eng was asked to undergo 25 times of radiotherapy. Was this a wise advice? Can radiotherapy cure stomach lymphoma?
  4. What could have happened if Eng were to undergo radiotherapy? Would he not suffer even worse side effects?

The family decided to give up medical treatment. Eng’s daughter surfed the net and found CA Care. Eng was put on herbs. His conditions improved and as of this writing (13 December 2011), after almost two years, he is still doing fine.

  1. Does this not indicate that what Eng did for the past two years – taking herbs and change of diet – is good for him?  How much scientific proof do we need from this success story?
  2. Think hard – do you really need chemo or radiation for such a case? Is there not a better way of treating such a “sick” person like Eng besides such invasive treatments?

Let me end with these quotations:

 

 

Lymphoma: Chemotherapy Failed, Life Was Miserable But Herbs and e-Therapy Revived Her

Acknowledgment: The patient granted her permission to use this video without having to mask her face.

1.  A Long Journey From Home to Penang

MN (S-81) is a 56-year-old lady from Indonesia.  She and her husband came to a private hospital in Penang to search for an alternative treatment for her Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.  But there was none. She was given the same option – undergo chemotherapy again.

They live in Labuan Batu, a town south of Medan. Coming to Penang is a long journey indeed. From home, first they had to travel for 9 hours by bus (or 6 hours by train) to  Medan. After an overnight stay in Medan, they took a plane to Penang.

2.  Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Sometime in early 2011, MN felt lethargic. Her stomach was painful. She had profuse sweating, specially her head . For the past one year she had been coughing. Doctors were unable to cure her coughs.

In May 2011, MN was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She underwent six cycles of chemotherapy with CHOP.

After the completion of the chemo treatment the cancer recurred in the form of a small swelling at her left collar bone – at the same spot where she did a biopsy earlier. MN was asked to undergo another round of chemotherapy. She refused and came to Penang looking for alternative medicine.

(Note: CHOP regimen consists of four drugs – Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin (or Adriamycin), Vincristine and Prednisolone. The first three drugs of the CHOP chemotherapy regimen are usually given as injections or infusions in veins on a single day, while prednisolone is taken as pills for five days. Each cycle is repeated every 3 weeks for 6 to 8 cycles).

MN received her treatment in a government hospital in Medan. Each treatment required a two-day stay in the hospital.

 3.  Life was Difficult During and After Chemotherapy

The first five chemos seemed to help MN. Her health seemed to improve. However, the sixth chemo was “bad”. Her health deteriorated – “dropped”. She had no strength and was not even able to climb out of bed by herself. She had to be hospitalized for two weeks. After being discharged from the hospital, she regained some strength. She was able to walk for about 10 metres and had to stop. At home she was not able to do anything. Her husband had to do all the house chores.

She said, “I walked a bit, my feet felt numb. My hands felt numb. I felt difficult, nauseous. I was bald.”

After chemo, her stomach pains disappeared but her one-year-old problem of coughs and profuse sweating persisted.

4.  Recurrence

One and a half months after the completion of her chemo, a small lump appeared at the collar bone – the same site where she first had her biopsy. The doctor in Medan confirmed it was a recurrence. She was asked to undergo a second round of chemotherapy.

5.   More of the Same Advice in Penang

MN said, “I do not want any more chemo. That is why I come here.”

MN and her husband came to a private hospital in Penang in December 2011 in the hope of finding an alternative treatment to chemo. But she was told to do more of the same thing – undergo more chemotherapy!

Husband: “No point. If we wanted to do chemo, we could have stayed back in Medan (treatment was given free-of-charge because he was an ex-government staff). In Penang, I have to pay for the treatment.”

The oncologist suggested two options. The first option is to use drugs that cost RM 7,000 per cycle. This means, the six-cycle-treatment would come to about RM 42,000. The oncologist told them that this treatment will cure her cancer. The second option is to use cheaper drugs costing RM 3,000 per cycle. But the effectiveness is uncertain.

Chris: Well, that means you have to sell your house to pay for the treatment?

MN: “No, we have no house to sell. Even to come here now – the expenses are provided by our children.”

Chris: Do you believe what the oncologist told you  – that the expensive chemo can cure you?

MN and Husband: “No, we never believe what he said.”

MN: “I refused to do more chemo. I can’t stand chemo any more. I can’t walk, I can’t eat. I am still bald now.”

6.  Disappointed – But Later They Found CA Care

MN and her husband were disappointed. They did not find the alternative treatment they wanted from the hospital. They did not know what to do next. However, a day later a lady told them about CA Care.

Chris: So you came to see us (on 18 December 2011).

MN: “Actually my son also asked me to find for an alternative way. He said I should find that herbalist in Penang. But he did not know who.”

7.   CA Care’s Herbs and e-Therapy Restored Her Health

MN was prescribed Capsule A, Lympho 1 and Lympho 2 teas, C-tea and Cough No 3, 5 and 11 for her problems. She was also told to take care of her diet.

Husband: “Her health improved within three weeks.”

Chris: Yesterday you told us that before you first came to Penang (in December 2011), all your friends who saw you cried. Why did they cry?

Husband: “They looked at her – her health was so bad. She was so weak. When we went home all her friends were smiling. She looked better.”

MN: “ I was so full of hope after meeting you, doctor.”

Chris: Are you sure that after taking the herbs for three weeks you are really better?

MN: “Yes.”

Husband: “Now she can walk for some distance without any problem. Before she had difficulty after walking 10 metres.”

MN: “My husband had to massage my legs every day.”

Husband:”Every time after she walked I had to massage her legs. Now I don’t have to do that anymore. She had not recovered 100 percent yet but her health has recovered by some 75 percent now.”

MN:”I had coughs for a year. I did X-ray three times and I saw all these doctors. The cough persisted. I took your herbs for four days and the coughs were almost gone!”

Chris: Praise and be thankful to God for this blessing.

MN: “When I first came here in December and was in the hospital, there was this patient who also came from Medan. She came to my room and help massaged my legs. She felt sorry for me. My legs were numb. That was before I came to see you. After I took your herbs there was no need for anyone to massage my legs any more.”

Chris to Husband: Ho, ho, you don’t have to do any more work! Very good, very good.

NM and husband returned to Penang after taking three weeks of herbs. This was in January 2012. She underwent three days of treatment with the e-Therapy.

MN:”My health improved further. I don’t feel numb or tired anymore. Instead it is my husband who felt tired when we walked this morning.”

Chris: Oh no – I have to take care of your husband too?

8.  You are Blessed! 

Chris: You are indeed blessed. After seeing the oncologist in the hospital you all were disappointed because you could not find what you wanted from the hospital. You did not know where else to turn to. But a day later – after you prayed – an “angel lady” appeared and told you about CA Care.

Husband:”We were ready to go home “empty handed.”We did not have the funds to pay for such expensive treatment which we did not come for anway.” 

Chris: Indeed it was a blessing from God. I fully understand the situation you are in. 

9.   Go Home and Be Careful – Take Care of Yourself

Chris: I am so happy that I am able to help you. This is my advice – please go home and take care of yourself well. Take care of your diet, exercise and take the herbs. My herbs are not magic but I believe they do help you.

MN and her husband returned to CA Care on 8 January 2012 and underwent the e-Therapy.

Watch this video.

After three weeks of herbs

She reported her health had improved:

  • Her coughs were almost gone – now she coughs once a while. Previously it was continuously.
  • She had more energy.
  • Her appetite improved.
  • The “heaty” feeling in the left side of her abdomen comes once in a while. Previously it was often.
  • Profuse sweating in the head was much less. Previously it was soaking wet and happened often, day and night.
  • She slept well. Before it was difficult.
  • Numbness of her fingers was gone but the numbness of her legs persisted although there was improvement.
  • She had more strength to walk. She could walk 100 metres without feeling tired. Previously even doing 10 or 20 metres was difficult.
  • The only problem she has now is a feeling of “ discomfort /numbness” in her right shoulder.

After first session of e-Therapy

  • She felt real good.
  • The body felt lighter.
  • Numbness of the legs was much less.

After second session of e-Therapy

  • She felt better.
  • Numbness of her legs had improved further.
  • Urination and bowel movements were better.
  • She had more energy.
  • She had no more coughs.
  • Discomfort in the left shoulder still persisted.

After third session of e-Therapy

  • The discomfort in the left should was gone.

Comments

Many Indonesian patients who come to seek our help need to travel from afar.  We empathize with them. This is indeed a test of their commitment and a testimony of their real desire of wanting to help themselves. In contrast, we have phone calls and e-mails from patients who live just a few miles away and yet they complained that it is difficult to come and see us. They prefer consultation over the phone. Similarly we have patients from Sarawak, Sabah or Singapore who only want us to help them through the phone or internet. Unfortunately, we cannot help such patients. It is better that they go and seek help from herbalists nearby their homes. Life is easier that way – for them and also for us.

But for those like MN, who have travel so far to come and seek help, we pray that we never let them down. We shall do our utmost best to help them. Indeed this case is an example of a wonderful and rewarding effort that makes our day real great. We thank God for His  blessings – and hope many more cases like this will continue to come by our way.

Ovarian Cancer: Part 3 My Experience With Chemotherapy and Your Herbs

 

When you underwent chemotherapy, you were told that you had Stage 4 cancer. Did the oncologist tell you whether the chemo was going to cure you?

H: This was what the doctor told us after the surgery, “Remember you must go for chemo. You need to go for six cycles.” I still remember this was what he told us. Then he added, “You have Stage 4 cancer – you must go for chemo. Remember that.”

Did you ask him if the chemo can cure her?

H: At that time my impression was chemo would be able to cure her.

Did you suffer while undergoing chemotherapy?

Yes. I couldn’t sleep. Vomited and had pains until the bones.

H: On top of it, she was bald.

Becoming bald, that is a normal thing! Every three weeks you have one cycle of chemo. How long did your suffering last after each chemo.

One week of suffering. After I regained my strength I went in for another shot. I couldn’t eat and my body felt very tired. During that time I felt like dying. I could not carry anything and I was drained off my energy. After I recovered I have to go for another bang.

You had three cycles of chemo. Which is the more difficult – the first one or the second one?

The second was worse than the first one. But for the third cycle I was alright – that was after I started to take your herbs.

Oh, you started taking the herbs after your second chemo and just before your went for the third one?

Yes, before the third chemo. I took your Chemo Tea and also the Upper Pain Tea.

H: I still remember what you told me, “I am not pushing you to go for chemo. But I also do not tell you to stop the chemo. I don’t want the blame. But if you want to go for chemo then take the Chemo Tea. “ So she took your teas and went for her third chemo.

Did you suffer any side effects after that?

Very little.

H: I observed her. There was difference this time. Before the herbs she had to sleep and was in pain. After taking your herbs there was no more problem. That was what I observed – there was this difference.

Siti: One more thing doctor. During the first chemo and the second chemo, the doctor said my blood was not good. After taking the herbs for about a month or so, the doctor said my blood was good. That was what the doctor in the government hospital told me. But he did not know that I was already on your herbs. I have another problem when I was on chemo. I tend to forget things. I boiled water for hours and I did not remember that. When I boiled the herbs and then went upstairs, I had to pray and pray that I did not forget what I did.

That was what they called, “chemo-brain”. Now, it has been five years since you have chemo – do you still have this chemo brain?

Yes, once a while. I still tend to forget things.

H: But this problem was not as bad as previously. Before it was severe.

Who said you had Stage 4 cancer?

The surgeon who operated on me said so. I just met her last month (after five years).  This is what she told me, “Patient who had cancer like you, ought to be sleeping on the bed and not able to walk around.” She was implying that I ought to be dead by now.

That was what she told you?

Yes, the specialist who operated on me.  One day, my son was also admitted into the same hospital for his appendix problem. I was in the hospital and happened to meet the surgeon. She said, “ Siti, you are well?” Her tone and reaction showed me that she was really surprised that I am still alive. She then phoned another doctor and said (I hear her conversation): “You still remember Siti – a patient some four to five years back. She is still around!” Imagine what she said, I am still around and alive! Then she told me, “Siti, come back and let’s have a CT scan.” She persuaded me to come back to the hospital and do the scan. After thinking about it, I thought I should do the scan.

I went to do the CT scan. I was trembling at that time – very concerned if they would find something inside me. After the scan, the surgeon stared at me and said, “Congratulations – I could not find anything in there – not even a scar.”

Did the doctor ever ask you what you have been doing?

She did not ask much. She looked at me. I guessed she wanted to ask me something but was reluctant. I was not sure if she was shy or was ashamed or what.

But did she know that you are taking herbs?

Yes, I told her about that but she did not ask me for more details.  After I was told of the CT scan result I said to her, “I want to go and tell Dr. Chris about this.” She asked me, “Who is Dr. Chris.” I replied, “The herbalist from Penang.”

You are indeed blessed. If you asked me then what I could do for you, I must admit I would not know what to answer. But let me remind you that even after surviving five years you are not cured yet. To the doctors surviving five years is considered “cure”. That is not true at all. Even if you survive ten years, it is still not a cure.

I want to thank you so much for helping me. I pray that your will continue to do this good work forever and ever to help our society.

Let us all praise God and be grateful to Him for his blessing. He gave me the knowledge to help others.

Comments

Read her full story:

Part 1 She Gave Up Chemotherapy and Turned to Herbs – Still Healthy After Seven Years

Part 2 Initially We Did Not Believe in What You Are Doing

Part 3 My Experience With Chemotherapy and Your Herbs

Ovarian Cancer: Part 2 Initially We Did Not Believe in What You Are Doing

Our interview with Siti was done in 2005. She had been taking our herbs for the past five years.

 

All these are God’s blessing.

Husband: We are indeed grateful to Razuddin who “pushed” us so many times to come and see you. At first we were hesitant.

Because you did not believe in what we do?

H: Yes indeed – I don’t believe in your herbal therapy. But then Razuddin kept insisting and one day we fixed an appointment in my office. Then I relented and he drove us to Penang to see you.

Siti: When we came I was till undergoing my chemo.

H: She already had two cycles and was going on to the third. I still remember you tell me, “If you want to go for chemo, you can then take the Chemo Tea.” My wife took the Chemo Tea and she felt the difference! Before the herbs, she had pains, fevers and was unable to sleep due to the chemo. Before she started on the third cycle of chemo she took the Chemo Tea – three days before and three days after the chemo. She was alright – no problem. This result started to make us believe in what you are doing.

Well, as I have said, you are blessed. Whatever it is you received this blessing. There are people who missed on this. At CA Care we are not “hunting” for people to come and see us. Those who need our help can come – those who want us to help them, we will help. Those who don’t need our help – that’s fine.

H: I am indeed grateful to Razuddin for his insistence to bring us here to see you. If not for this repeated insistence we would not know you. It’s indeed God’s blessing. So the truth is, we started off being very skeptical about what you are doing – and we did not believe your therapy.

(Note: Razuddin is our colon cancer patient. He underwent surgery but refused chemo absolutely. He immediately started on our therapy and has been doing fine for many years now).

Siti, when you came to Penang that day, did you believe us at all?

I was doubtful – not sure at all. But after I started taking the herbs, I felt better and my health improved. I started to believe you.

After you started on the herbs, you gave up after the third cycle of chemo. Why did you give up chemo?

(Laugh)

H: She was getting better. There is no reason why we should go for anymore chemo.

The doctor was not angry with you for not continuing? Did he not call you to come back for the fourth shot?

Yes, the doctor kept calling me but I just did not turn up.

After taking the herbs, did you really feel better?

Yes, I felt my body was healthier. I have no more pains. I had more strength.

H: My wife had Stage 4 cancer. Most of my friends knew this. But after taking your herbs, these friends were really surprised to see her so well and healthy. Some of them were asking where to find your herbs. Some of these people have relatives who had undergone chemo – only one died recently.

Siti: My friend told me that I don’t look like a cancer patient.  I don’t look like I am having cancer because I looked so well and healthy.

H: She did not show any symptoms that she had cancer.

How long were you on the herbs before you could feel that you were doing well?

After taking the herbs for about a year.

Apart from our herbs, did you take any other herbs or medication?

Only vitamin supplements. No other medication.  Even when I was undergoing the third cycle of chemo, I did not take the doctor’s medication. I threw them away. I just took Dr. Chris’ herbs.

H: One more positive point. After taking the herbs we also went for the blood tests. The results were good. We repeated the test a few months later. The results were also good.  So that increased our confidence in what you are doing. Now we are confident.

Comments

Read her full story:

Part 1 She Gave Up Chemotherapy and Turned to Herbs – Still Healthy After Seven Years

Part 2 Initially We Did Not Believe in What You Are Doing

Part 3 My Experience With Chemotherapy and Your Herbs

Ovarian Cancer: Part 1 She Gave Up Chemotherapy and Turned to Herbs – Still Healthy After Seven Years

Siti was 48 years old when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer Stage 4. She underwent a total hysterectomy in 2005 followed by three cycles of chemotherapy. She gave up chemo. At first Siti and her husband did not believe in what we at CA Care are doing. Many times, they were “pushed” by a friend to come and see us. Eventually Siti and her husband relented and came to Penang. From then on it was no turning back. Siti’s health improved.  It has been seven years now and she is going well.

This video recording was done in 2010 – five years after she was started on the herbs.

Chris: How are you doing?

Siti: Thank God I am going fine – very well and healthy.

Any problem at all? Any pain?

No pain. But if I don’t take the herbs, I can feel some pains. But the pain is not serious. Just a little only. And after I take the herbs, the pains go away.

Have you gone back to see your doctor lately?

Yes, I saw the surgeon who operated on me. She said, “Thank God” I am clean – no recurrence.

Husband: The surgeon was very surprised.

Did the surgeon know that you did not complete your chemo? (Done only three out of six cycles).

I told the surgeon that I was taking Dr. Chris’ herbs from Penang. But the way she reacted, I felt she was reluctant to ask me for more details. I saw a few doctors were gathered together and they were talking about me and some were looking at me. The surgeon told me, “By right you should be lying in bed – Stage 4 cancer – should be lying in bed.” She looked at me in disbelief.

Since taking the herbs, did you also take care of your diet?

Yes.

And you took the herbs “religiously”?

Yes.

Exercise regularly?

No, I have problems with my knees. I only walked a little.

You have been on the herbs for five years now – since 2005 – tell me do you get “fed-up” taking this stuff?

What can I do? I have no choice. I have to take them. I am not going to stop. God has led me to find these herbs and they are good for my health. I am grateful and I should not feel “fed-up”.

FLASHBACK – 11 November 2005

Siti and her husband visited CA Care in Penang. They were accompanied by a friend, Razuddin,

About fifteen years ago, Siti underwent an operation to remove her fibroids. In 2005, her stomach bloated and she was later diagnosed with bilateral papillary serous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovaries with metastasis to the omentum.

At the time of this visit, Siti had received two cycles of chemotherapy and was to receive another cycle in six days’ time. Since Siti was not sure if she would like to take our herbs, I left it to her to decide if she wanted to continue with her third cycle of chemo. I prescribed her the Chemo-Tea in the event that she decided to continue with her chemo.

Siti presented with prickling pains in her abdomen. She was unable to sleep. She had pains in the middle of the top of her head. For her cancer I prescribed her Capsule A, Utero-ovary Tea, and T & E. For her headache she was given Upper Pain tea.

Comments

 

Read her full story:

Part 1 She Gave Up Chemotherapy and Turned to Herbs – Still Healthy After Seven Years

Part 2 Initially We Did Not Believe in What You Are Doing

Part 3 My Experience With Chemotherapy and Your Herbs

Nose (NPC) Cancer: Eleven Plus Years on Herbs Part 1: My Radio-chemotherapy Experience

The story of Dr. Peter Ooi (currently Professor) was kept untold for a decade.  But as 2012 set in, I thought it would be wonderful to share his cancer experience with you all. So I wrote Peter telling him about this and below is his e-mail reply on 26 January 2012.

Dear Chris, 

The Lord be with you and indeed thanks to you. Dr. Chen, the ENT specialist that I consult annually from Glenagles, Singapore confirmed that I am indeed healthy.  He suggested that I continue with my diet and the herbs I take from you … Dr. Chen also shared with me his views that 11+ years is a good sign for remission.  You may know that I am now tasked with setting up the Department of Agriculture and Food Sciences … I took up the professorial chair as I wanted to share my belief in the God given richness of our agro-biodiversity and the need to help students understand that we can have profitability without sacrificing the environment and play God … I have no objection to you using my name in your video clip.  Yes, I am proud to say that I believe in a more holistic approach to healing as it is in the good hands of the Lord. You may refer to me as Peter Ooi to confirm that I am a Christian and a Hokkien as NPC is more common among the Hokkiens and Cantonese. Once again, thank God for people like you. God bless.

Dr. Peter Ooi was 51 years old when he was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC – nose cancer) Stage 2/3 in 2000. At that time he was with the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations) in Bangkok. Later Peter became the Director of the Asian Regional Centre of the World Vegetable Center, also based in Bangkok.  Peter “immediately took up the aggressive procedure of both radiation and chemotherapy.” He completed 35 sessions of radiation treatments and at the same time received chemotherapy. He gave up chemotherapy after four cycles – the treatment made him too sick!

Let him tell you what it was like to be at the receiving end of radio-chemo treatments.

 

Part 1: Radiotherapy Experience

  • The treatment burnt my whole throat – like it was on fire.
  • My wife cried, because I couldn’t drink even a drop of water.
  • I could not walk by myself.
  • I was not told about the side effects of radiotherapy.
  • I have no more salivary glands (that is why in the video you see Peter having to taking sips of water very often when talking to us).

Part 2: Chemo Experience

  • I was not told about the side effects of chemotherapy – the only thing mentioned was hair loss.
  • I stopped chemo after the fourth cycle – I was too weak.
  • I developed a phobia for “needle”. The veins in my hands just “disappeared” when I see a needle!

Part 3: Treatment Satisfaction

  • Doctors should have told patients more about the expected side effects of the treatments
  • The oncologist could not answer the questions I asked, such as why use this or that drugs? It is always the standard answer that they give – “standard regimen or protocol”.

My Comments

It is indeed our privilege to be able to help Peter at the time when he needed us and also to be able to share with you his cancer experience. This video recording was made in Bangkok, in 2007 – about seven years after Peter started to take the herbs. I hope those reading this story will benefit from Peter’s experience as much as I benefited and enjoyed our conversation that day.

  • There is this common perception that only the “uneducated, kampong folks” who opted for alternative medicine – and they go to the “quacks”. Is that right? Far from it – here is Dr. Peter Ooi – a fellow scientist – realising that the standard fare dished out to cancer patients is not good enough and is not the answer to our present-day cancer problem.  In fact the reverse seems to be true – those who know or are knowledgeable enough turn to holistic, alternative treatments when they get cancer. Why?
  • People with “thinking” mind will see the deficiencies of modern medicine when it comes to cancer. Chemo drugs injected into patients are toxic drugs.  Dr. Glenn Warner, a medical doctor put it this way rather aptly:
  • One lesson we can learn from Peter’s experience is that cancer doctors do not tell their patients the whole truth – only half truth. It is left to patients themselves to learn (and often through the hard way) the other untold half of the whole truth. Why are they so evasive about the “bad” effects of their treatments? Do they ever admit that most of the time their treatments do not work or may even kill patients? Read the story of LCC – he died within six months while undergoing chemotherapy for his nose cancer. Click this link: https://cancercaremalaysia.com/2012/01/26/nose-npc-cancer-chemo-and-he-was-dead-six-months-later-why/   Peter’s experience is not much different – he was drained of his energy and unable to walk by himself during his treatment.  But he was wiser – he abandoned his chemo after the fourth cycle. Of course to the chagrin of his brother-in-law, a medical doctor.
  • Take note of what  Dr James Forsythe, an oncologist, wrote:
  • Peter went into chemo and radiation with full confidence – gung-ho spirit but he came out of it almost half dead. And his confidence in his doctor shattered. I often wonder why oncologists (some or most?) don’t come clean with their patients. Why withhold information that is important to patients?  Is it because they fear that patients will run away from them? Let’s not deny that many patients may do so if they know the whole truth.  In the book, Severed Trust, Dr. George Lundberg, M.D. wrote:

Read the full story of Peter’s experience

Part 1: My Radio-chemotherapy Experience 

Part 2: An Angel Led Me to CA Care 

Part 3: I Want Healing Not Cure 

Part 4: Lessons From My Cancer Experience 

Part 5: My Advice to Cancer Patients