Yesterday I managed to submit my 2009 tax efiling but the Inland Revenue's server was really busy. I could not print the efiling acknowledgement, so I did the next best thing, print screens and save it as proof of filing. Last year was a bit complicated for me because I was an employee for 6 months and then doing freelance consulting work for 4 months resulting in having to prepare accounts before I had to quit because of my health. Nothing difficult, just more paper work. Actually my last day of filing is 30 June 2010 (as I have business income) but since I am expecting a refund of over RM5K for excess tax paid, I may as well file early and get my money back. So far for the past two years, I get my refund normally within 30 days of filing.
The stomach gases has abated and the pain around the lower rib area has also reduced. Even coughing now is not so painful but sleeping on either side is still a problem. I guess when you are tired, you will sleep in whatever position.
The last few weeks, I have been "visiting" several exotic places. Thanks to Youtube, I have seen some parts of Everest Base Camp, Sikkim, Ladakh, Mustang and Tibet. These are the places that I would like to visit upon my recovery. Believe it or not, I have actually prepared a 3 weeks backpacker travel plan based on this year's calendar flying out from KLIA to Tianjin, China and coming back from New Delhi, India. It's cheaper than going to Hongkong Disneyland package. It's someting to keep me interested and looking forward to.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
No Regrets
Mornings comes and morning goes with no regrets. Ok I copied the opening phase from Don Mclean's Empty Chairs. But it reflects how I am now. No regrets in what I am doing day in and day out, always looking forward to be better morning the next day.
Yesterday I really had a peaceful time taking my lunch and dinner. I am almost free of stomach gases (touch wood) and the mouth ulcers also healed. I can't remember how long since I had such time. I have always taken things for granted but of course now, every outcome has to be worked and earned. The pain in the lower rib area around the chest is still painful but bearable. As you know, it really hurts when I cough. I have accidentally discovered (during my qigong exercise) that when you bend down your head and body with your hands touching the feet and if you cough then, there is no pain or the pain is minimal! Lying down and sleeping still causes some pain since it is quite natural to toss and turn.
Since last Thursday I have modified my lunch and dinner menu a little. Instead of the boiled potatoes and stewed vegetables, I have been eating brown rice tomato noodles instead for most of the time. My mother, wife and I also made pan mee (flat flour noodles), rye pau (rye dumplings) and pau (flour dumplings) stuffed with corn, turnips and vegetables at other times. This change was to give the stomach a break because according to traditional Chinese belief, eating too much vegetables give rise to "wind" in the stomach. Anyway I welcomed the change and will revert back to the normal menu next.
Yesterday I really had a peaceful time taking my lunch and dinner. I am almost free of stomach gases (touch wood) and the mouth ulcers also healed. I can't remember how long since I had such time. I have always taken things for granted but of course now, every outcome has to be worked and earned. The pain in the lower rib area around the chest is still painful but bearable. As you know, it really hurts when I cough. I have accidentally discovered (during my qigong exercise) that when you bend down your head and body with your hands touching the feet and if you cough then, there is no pain or the pain is minimal! Lying down and sleeping still causes some pain since it is quite natural to toss and turn.
Since last Thursday I have modified my lunch and dinner menu a little. Instead of the boiled potatoes and stewed vegetables, I have been eating brown rice tomato noodles instead for most of the time. My mother, wife and I also made pan mee (flat flour noodles), rye pau (rye dumplings) and pau (flour dumplings) stuffed with corn, turnips and vegetables at other times. This change was to give the stomach a break because according to traditional Chinese belief, eating too much vegetables give rise to "wind" in the stomach. Anyway I welcomed the change and will revert back to the normal menu next.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
A Better Tomorrow?
For the past two days, the pain has been quite bad. The pain emanates from the lower right ribs of the chest. When sitting in a relax mode, there is no pain but the butt hurts a little. Sleeping seems to be the best position as it does not disturb the butt and the ribs. The only problem with this position is then when I turn left or right and when lying down or getting up time, there is pain. When I cough, it really hurts bad! No blood only white phelm.
The stomach gases problem is now not so bad now but it does come once in a while. At the same time I noticed my enema discharge is also getting back to normal, golden brown (which is caused by the bile) and of course, the discharge is smelly. I just go about my daily routine and look forward to a better tomorrow.
The stomach gases problem is now not so bad now but it does come once in a while. At the same time I noticed my enema discharge is also getting back to normal, golden brown (which is caused by the bile) and of course, the discharge is smelly. I just go about my daily routine and look forward to a better tomorrow.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Body Undergoing Changes?
I think my body is now undergoing some phases of development. I am not sure if the phases are good or not. I think this is what is happening. About 6 weeks ago, I was hit by the stomach gases problem. Although for the past week the stomach gases problems has sort of subsided, I noticed that my body is now plagued with pain around the rib cage area. It started with pain around the back, then travelled to the sides and now is at the front side especially on the lower right rib side where the pain is felt most. Coughing will of course be painful as with stretching the body. So to avoid pain, don't cough nor stretch the body. Leave it at a relaxed mode.
My qigong exercises has sort of enhanced the pain a little but everytime I finised the qigong, I feel a little better. However, towards the evening the soreness around my tights is felt due to the exercises. I am not sure if the rib cage area are affected or not. Still I think the qigong exercises are beneficial. Ever since I reinstalled the Windowx XP for my tablet notebook, I have been surfing and doing some work on the notebook. Because I do most of the work on the bed, I think my poisture has also contributed to the pain. So what I did was to setup another old PC in the kitchen where I do most of my work now.
Pain or not, I try not to let these distract my therapy and so far I have been handling it quite good. Yesterday my regular Chinese medical hall supplier said I look thin but my completion is good. She wondered if I am on diet or what. I told her about my cancer and the therapy I am doing. She encouraged me to continue. It feels great to be alive even with so much problems inside me!
My qigong exercises has sort of enhanced the pain a little but everytime I finised the qigong, I feel a little better. However, towards the evening the soreness around my tights is felt due to the exercises. I am not sure if the rib cage area are affected or not. Still I think the qigong exercises are beneficial. Ever since I reinstalled the Windowx XP for my tablet notebook, I have been surfing and doing some work on the notebook. Because I do most of the work on the bed, I think my poisture has also contributed to the pain. So what I did was to setup another old PC in the kitchen where I do most of my work now.
Pain or not, I try not to let these distract my therapy and so far I have been handling it quite good. Yesterday my regular Chinese medical hall supplier said I look thin but my completion is good. She wondered if I am on diet or what. I told her about my cancer and the therapy I am doing. She encouraged me to continue. It feels great to be alive even with so much problems inside me!
Monday, April 26, 2010
I have so far missed two qigong classes because of back pain, the last being last Friday. I thought to myself if I am going to use the pain as an excuse, then my health would not improve. So I am going to my qigong class in future, pain or not. Somehow, I feel much better after the classes. It may be psychological but it works.
The same goes for my coffee enemas. I have been doing close to 1,000 enemas now and I have no intention of slowing down. Why would I want to do that? You see, everytime I miss my enema timing or did not do the enema all together, my body feels a little unwell and fatigue sets in. After the enema, there is always a sense of relief. Again this may be psychological but I can tell you that the discharge is very smelly, not the same smell you would normally attribute to feces. According to books that I read, those are toxins released from the body. There are possibly two kinds of toxins in the body, those that are from the food we take in. These toxins can easily be expelled, like the pain around my shoulder and neck. It took less than a month for the 20+ years of pain to go away. The other type of toxins are attributed to the tumors and those will take long time to get rid of. Yes, I plan to continue for up to two years before I would consider slowing it down. So all those negativity about enemas are from people who do not do enemas themselves, theorists. If it is really that bad, I should have died long ago since I do so often and the body is also sick.
The stomach gases has eased a bit, I still get them but its not that bad. I can drink my juices but it does interfere with eating solid food, but at least I still can eat slowly. There is still pain in the rib cage area especially on the sides when I cough.
The same goes for my coffee enemas. I have been doing close to 1,000 enemas now and I have no intention of slowing down. Why would I want to do that? You see, everytime I miss my enema timing or did not do the enema all together, my body feels a little unwell and fatigue sets in. After the enema, there is always a sense of relief. Again this may be psychological but I can tell you that the discharge is very smelly, not the same smell you would normally attribute to feces. According to books that I read, those are toxins released from the body. There are possibly two kinds of toxins in the body, those that are from the food we take in. These toxins can easily be expelled, like the pain around my shoulder and neck. It took less than a month for the 20+ years of pain to go away. The other type of toxins are attributed to the tumors and those will take long time to get rid of. Yes, I plan to continue for up to two years before I would consider slowing it down. So all those negativity about enemas are from people who do not do enemas themselves, theorists. If it is really that bad, I should have died long ago since I do so often and the body is also sick.
The stomach gases has eased a bit, I still get them but its not that bad. I can drink my juices but it does interfere with eating solid food, but at least I still can eat slowly. There is still pain in the rib cage area especially on the sides when I cough.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
It Comes And Goes
Despite all the problems and pain I am facing, I wake up every morning with renewed hope and enthusiasm. If I do wake up the next day, it means I will have one more additional day to improve my health. In life everything comes with a price. Who can say earning a living is easy? Battling cancers of course is even worst but the reward is that you can live one more extra day.
They are going to make a film about Dr Death, the doctor who helps terminally ill people to die. I have previously wondered why terminally ill people would want to die earlier? Now I can chose death easily by just reverting to a high animal protein diet and definitely will die within the next two months. However, the death would be very painful. As the body waste away and the tumor grows, so does the pain. This pain is what you possibly never experience before (and never want to), so much so you wish you had a switch to turn off your life. That's what Dr Death allows the patients to do. Of course, now I know because I am in the same position. Frankly if I can, I want to have this switch too as insurance.
The stomach gases thingy is improving slightly. Basically it alternate between days and even if it comes, it is not that bad (touch wood). At least I can still eat and drink my juices. I have stayed away of stewed vegetables and potatoes for a few days and for the coming week I will eat organic brown rice with salads instead. Next week I will resume back to the normal diet. Hopefully my stomach would have the break it needed to recover.
The New Zealand Royal Gala apples are crunchy, sweet and sour in taste but generates quite a lot of juices. I am quite happy to use it. The pain the the rib cage area is dull and bearable. The cough comes and goes as it likes. I have lost another 0.5kg as I have not been able to eat too much for the past week. I feel very skinny and could easily touch the bones of my hand, body and legs. The consolation is that I can still sleep, walk, eat (hopefully more this week), talk and blog.
They are going to make a film about Dr Death, the doctor who helps terminally ill people to die. I have previously wondered why terminally ill people would want to die earlier? Now I can chose death easily by just reverting to a high animal protein diet and definitely will die within the next two months. However, the death would be very painful. As the body waste away and the tumor grows, so does the pain. This pain is what you possibly never experience before (and never want to), so much so you wish you had a switch to turn off your life. That's what Dr Death allows the patients to do. Of course, now I know because I am in the same position. Frankly if I can, I want to have this switch too as insurance.
The stomach gases thingy is improving slightly. Basically it alternate between days and even if it comes, it is not that bad (touch wood). At least I can still eat and drink my juices. I have stayed away of stewed vegetables and potatoes for a few days and for the coming week I will eat organic brown rice with salads instead. Next week I will resume back to the normal diet. Hopefully my stomach would have the break it needed to recover.
The New Zealand Royal Gala apples are crunchy, sweet and sour in taste but generates quite a lot of juices. I am quite happy to use it. The pain the the rib cage area is dull and bearable. The cough comes and goes as it likes. I have lost another 0.5kg as I have not been able to eat too much for the past week. I feel very skinny and could easily touch the bones of my hand, body and legs. The consolation is that I can still sleep, walk, eat (hopefully more this week), talk and blog.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Health Status @ 24 April 2010
New information are presented in italics.
Problem
Tumor mass of size of about 14cm on the right kidney and 21 and 23 over nodes all over my left and right lungs respectively with one up to 3cm in size on both lungs. Possibly also spread to the liver.
First detected on 11 September 2009 through CT Scan. Subsequent CT scan on 1 March 2010 showed some improvements on the larger nodes in the lungs but did not provide enough details on the smaller nodes. The primary tumor is now about 12.4cm, about the same size in October 2009. The two bigger nodes on the left and right lungs has reduced by about 1.5cm. However, a new node was detected about the size of 3.5cm x 3.7cm.
Prognosis
Consulted four urologist (one in Singapore and three in Malaysia) and two oncologist (one in Malaysia and one in Singapore). Both oncologist suggested removal of right kidney. Singapore urologist also suggested removal of kidney. The three urologist do not recommend surgery or chemotherapy. The last urologist consulted said most of his patients died within six months of surgery while two on the expensive (RM20K per month) drug Sutent is not responding. All agree that is no cure for the moment.
My urologist said my cancer is at stage 4 and did not recommend me to take any treatment. It is also my own choice not to take conventional treatment after considering all the facts of the case.
Schedule for next scan is in 1 September 2010.
MAIN THERAPIES
a. Modified Gerson Therapy
a1. Coffee Enema
Initially, four times a day for four weeks, every four hours apart. Currently three times a day in the morning, afternoon and evening for 15 minutes.
Commence castor oil enema from 23 January 2010.
a2. Nutrition Diet
All fruits and vegetables mentioned are organic.
i. Juicing - 11 fruit and vegetables juices a day beginning around 7am and ending 7pm. 5 apple+carrot, 3 carrot and 4 green vegetable juices every hourly. Liver supplements are taken together with carrot juices.
2. Diet - No oil, no sugar and no salt on all cooking. For breakfast and supper, mainly oats with some raisins, sometimes a little Manuka honey is added. For lunch and dinner, vegetables such as Siew Pak Choy, Lettuce, lady's fingers, cauliflower, broccoli and spinach are mainly steamed or boiled. K-salt is added for flavoring. A teaspoon of flaxseed oil is added when serving (but not during cooking). Mainly boiled potatoes and sometimes somali organic brown rice is consumed. Hippocrates soup are also prepared every other day for daily consumption.
3. Supplements - K-salt, B12, niacin, lugol solution, pancreatin, pepsin and Q10.
4. Others - Rye bread, papaya, guavas, oranges and bananas are consumed at regular intervals.
b. Homeopathy Medicine
Consulting Doctor: DR AU Ramakrishnan MBBS, PhD, Chennai, India (http://www.drramakrishnan.com/)
Local Consultant: Vishuddi Lee
Treatment Started: 6 November 2009.
Consulting: Once every two months in Singapore. Next appointment 8 May 2010.
Reaction: No further reactions observed other than mouth ulcers every now and then.
COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES
c. Acupuncture Therapy
Due to itchiness reaction, the medication is suspended for the time being.
d. Oxygen Therapy
Started using a personal oxygen generator with effect from 8 March 2010 about 1 hour in the evening, 20 minutes per session. Richer oxygen does help in controlling the growth of the tumors. It also reduces fatigue.
e. Zhineng Qigong
Started practicing qigong on 11 March 2010. Attend classes five times a week from 6.30am to 8am.
Health Status
Current weight is around 69+kgs. Stomach gases continues to be a problem. The situation is such that one day it's OK while the next day it's not. It makes eating and drinking of juices a problem. Developed two mouth ulcers which also causes eating difficulties. Twisted the back which now gives a dull pain when exerted. Developing a little coughing that causes pain in the rib cage area when coughing. Need a little more sleep.
Verdict
Not sure what to make of the latest development. Otherwise I am feeling OK.
Problem
Tumor mass of size of about 14cm on the right kidney and 21 and 23 over nodes all over my left and right lungs respectively with one up to 3cm in size on both lungs. Possibly also spread to the liver.
First detected on 11 September 2009 through CT Scan. Subsequent CT scan on 1 March 2010 showed some improvements on the larger nodes in the lungs but did not provide enough details on the smaller nodes. The primary tumor is now about 12.4cm, about the same size in October 2009. The two bigger nodes on the left and right lungs has reduced by about 1.5cm. However, a new node was detected about the size of 3.5cm x 3.7cm.
Prognosis
Consulted four urologist (one in Singapore and three in Malaysia) and two oncologist (one in Malaysia and one in Singapore). Both oncologist suggested removal of right kidney. Singapore urologist also suggested removal of kidney. The three urologist do not recommend surgery or chemotherapy. The last urologist consulted said most of his patients died within six months of surgery while two on the expensive (RM20K per month) drug Sutent is not responding. All agree that is no cure for the moment.
My urologist said my cancer is at stage 4 and did not recommend me to take any treatment. It is also my own choice not to take conventional treatment after considering all the facts of the case.
Schedule for next scan is in 1 September 2010.
MAIN THERAPIES
a. Modified Gerson Therapy
a1. Coffee Enema
Initially, four times a day for four weeks, every four hours apart. Currently three times a day in the morning, afternoon and evening for 15 minutes.
Commence castor oil enema from 23 January 2010.
a2. Nutrition Diet
All fruits and vegetables mentioned are organic.
i. Juicing - 11 fruit and vegetables juices a day beginning around 7am and ending 7pm. 5 apple+carrot, 3 carrot and 4 green vegetable juices every hourly. Liver supplements are taken together with carrot juices.
2. Diet - No oil, no sugar and no salt on all cooking. For breakfast and supper, mainly oats with some raisins, sometimes a little Manuka honey is added. For lunch and dinner, vegetables such as Siew Pak Choy, Lettuce, lady's fingers, cauliflower, broccoli and spinach are mainly steamed or boiled. K-salt is added for flavoring. A teaspoon of flaxseed oil is added when serving (but not during cooking). Mainly boiled potatoes and sometimes somali organic brown rice is consumed. Hippocrates soup are also prepared every other day for daily consumption.
3. Supplements - K-salt, B12, niacin, lugol solution, pancreatin, pepsin and Q10.
4. Others - Rye bread, papaya, guavas, oranges and bananas are consumed at regular intervals.
b. Homeopathy Medicine
Consulting Doctor: DR AU Ramakrishnan MBBS, PhD, Chennai, India (http://www.drramakrishnan.com/)
Local Consultant: Vishuddi Lee
Treatment Started: 6 November 2009.
Consulting: Once every two months in Singapore. Next appointment 8 May 2010.
Reaction: No further reactions observed other than mouth ulcers every now and then.
COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES
c. Acupuncture Therapy
Due to itchiness reaction, the medication is suspended for the time being.
d. Oxygen Therapy
Started using a personal oxygen generator with effect from 8 March 2010 about 1 hour in the evening, 20 minutes per session. Richer oxygen does help in controlling the growth of the tumors. It also reduces fatigue.
e. Zhineng Qigong
Started practicing qigong on 11 March 2010. Attend classes five times a week from 6.30am to 8am.
Health Status
Current weight is around 69+kgs. Stomach gases continues to be a problem. The situation is such that one day it's OK while the next day it's not. It makes eating and drinking of juices a problem. Developed two mouth ulcers which also causes eating difficulties. Twisted the back which now gives a dull pain when exerted. Developing a little coughing that causes pain in the rib cage area when coughing. Need a little more sleep.
Verdict
Not sure what to make of the latest development. Otherwise I am feeling OK.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Need More Than Luck
Yesterday the stomach gases decided to go on leave. As a result, I had a 95% gas free day and can go about my normal activities. I had wanted to do castor oil enema but ran out of cooking gas and could not boil organic coffee. By the time the gas supply came, I had missed the timing so I will do it today. This morning, by the time I finished my fourth juice of the day, I took a slice of pear and that's when the gases start to build up again. Perhaps I should lay off solid food for a while.
My supplier just got a new batch of fresh New Zealand Organic Royal Gala apples, which is red apples and very cruncy and not that sweet. It's more pricey than Granny Smith (RM2.50 per piece) at RM17 per kg or about RM3.40 per piece but better than none.
When I got up for my night urine in the middle of the night yesterday, I was coughing a little and I also do not know how at that moment, I twisted my back a little. So I now feeling a little dull pain now and then. Just one of those times when nothing is right. Persevere, I told myself.
My supplier just got a new batch of fresh New Zealand Organic Royal Gala apples, which is red apples and very cruncy and not that sweet. It's more pricey than Granny Smith (RM2.50 per piece) at RM17 per kg or about RM3.40 per piece but better than none.
When I got up for my night urine in the middle of the night yesterday, I was coughing a little and I also do not know how at that moment, I twisted my back a little. So I now feeling a little dull pain now and then. Just one of those times when nothing is right. Persevere, I told myself.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Roller Coaster Ride
I am on a roller coaster ride as far as the stomach gases are concerned. One day fine and the next day not. Yesterday the gases started building up immediately after my first juice of the day. By lunch time, I was struggling to eat lunch. The afternoon was also bad. So I decided to have noodels for my dinner and possibly for the next few days as well. Somehow the stomach can digest the noodles faster then the stewed vegetables.
To give you an idea what's going on, everytime I eat something, the food or juice is suppose to travel from the mouth via the oesophagus to the stomach. In the morning, it will possibly travel to the upper stomach and get lodged there. As more and more food and juices is taken (by lunch time normally), it continues to back up to about three quarter way of the oesophagus.
So I get this blocked feeling and on one hand I feel full yet on another hand I feel hungry. Anyway I will be doing my castor oil enema this morning and I hope it will help me clean out the stomach once again. If my condition does not improve by tomorrow, I will visit a GP and see what recommendation the doctor will give.
Of late, I am also feeling a little sensitive around my rib cage area. A hard cough or just stretching the arms will somehow case a little dull pain. It could be due to the qigong exercises.
To give you an idea what's going on, everytime I eat something, the food or juice is suppose to travel from the mouth via the oesophagus to the stomach. In the morning, it will possibly travel to the upper stomach and get lodged there. As more and more food and juices is taken (by lunch time normally), it continues to back up to about three quarter way of the oesophagus.
So I get this blocked feeling and on one hand I feel full yet on another hand I feel hungry. Anyway I will be doing my castor oil enema this morning and I hope it will help me clean out the stomach once again. If my condition does not improve by tomorrow, I will visit a GP and see what recommendation the doctor will give. Of late, I am also feeling a little sensitive around my rib cage area. A hard cough or just stretching the arms will somehow case a little dull pain. It could be due to the qigong exercises.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Castor Oil Enema Eases Stomach Gases
With so many things happening over the last weekend, I did not do my castor oil enema. However, yesterday I was determined to do. As usual, I started at 10.30am, drank two table spoons of castor oil, drank 1 cup of organic coffee and two slices of orange. Within minutes of consumption, I could feel the stomach reacting. As the day progresses, I began to feel more and more unconfortable and by lunch time, although there was no pain, I was feeling very uncomfortable. The bloated stomach feel like throwing. I was taking my lunch midway when I had an urgent call. The bowel movement discharge was much more than my normal enema discharge. It was smelly and a little red. I could also see some oil discharge as well. After that, there was immediate relief, no more gases and I was feeling hungry. I continued my lunch although I did not eat all of it.
I then took my nap and work up arond 2.10pm and drank my first juice. By 3pm I was ready for another bowel movement. It was smelly and a little red as well. I could also see some white bubble like jelly discharge as well but it was not as much as the first discharge. I felt very hungry after that. I then prepared my next juice and then proceeded with the 2nd enema of the day. The enema was normal, the discharge although was a little smelly, but was brownish. The night enema was also normal, smelly and brownish. I took rice noodles for supper instead of the oatmeal as I was feeling a little hungry. With that good feeling, I went to sleep hoping to carry it over thill the next day.
This morning, the stomach gases has subsided but began to increase upon drinking the juices. I will need to check on why this is so after all, it's only juices. I will also begin to take some probiotics to help out.
I then took my nap and work up arond 2.10pm and drank my first juice. By 3pm I was ready for another bowel movement. It was smelly and a little red as well. I could also see some white bubble like jelly discharge as well but it was not as much as the first discharge. I felt very hungry after that. I then prepared my next juice and then proceeded with the 2nd enema of the day. The enema was normal, the discharge although was a little smelly, but was brownish. The night enema was also normal, smelly and brownish. I took rice noodles for supper instead of the oatmeal as I was feeling a little hungry. With that good feeling, I went to sleep hoping to carry it over thill the next day.
This morning, the stomach gases has subsided but began to increase upon drinking the juices. I will need to check on why this is so after all, it's only juices. I will also begin to take some probiotics to help out.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Trying To Cope
My emotional states has been going up and down over the last few weeks. This is mainly due to the gases in my stomach. When there are no gases, the body feels very good but when the gases is present, it makes me uncomfortable and also makes eating and drinking of juices difficult. So at one moment I feel good and yet at a few hours later I would feel lousy. Still I try to improve my situation by controlling food intake and also taking of medication. I still don't quite understand why the stomach gases takes so long to heal and what's going on inside the body. I try and read from other people's blog and search the Internet for answers and clues but still have not found the answer. I believe it is related to healing reaction but I could not confirm. I reported this to my homeopathy doctor and all he said was to take some homeopathy medication. So I guest the problem is not big and only some discomfort on my side. I will try and get some answers when I meet Dr Rama on May 8.
My wife has reminded me to take it easy and just do what I can and not get unduly worried over such development. I think so too because I am trying my best and leave the rest to my destiny which I am trying to change and improve. Remember about the true story of Liao Fan's Four Lessons on Changing Destiny? I have a copy of the VCD and should any of you require a copy of the dubbed version in English (dubbed by our very own Patrick Teoh) let me know. It's for free distribution. You can also watch it on Youtube. Although it has a Buddhist background, you are the one that determines your own future, nobody else.
My wife has reminded me to take it easy and just do what I can and not get unduly worried over such development. I think so too because I am trying my best and leave the rest to my destiny which I am trying to change and improve. Remember about the true story of Liao Fan's Four Lessons on Changing Destiny? I have a copy of the VCD and should any of you require a copy of the dubbed version in English (dubbed by our very own Patrick Teoh) let me know. It's for free distribution. You can also watch it on Youtube. Although it has a Buddhist background, you are the one that determines your own future, nobody else.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Feeling Much Better
I have been feeling much better these few days. The stomach gases has somewhat subsided, its there but does not cause so much problems as before. My enema discharge is still a little red. I have developed two mouth ulcers since yesterday and it rather bad when you touch it. It's hidden underneath the right lips. As a result I am slowly eating back normally.
Yesterday evening I went to the 2010 PC Fair to buy a notebook for my daughter's use. Apparently those notebook that I bought a few years back are not suitable for resource hungry graphic programs. Thought I could get cheaper bargins on the last day but unfortunately the model I wanted were all sold out. So I settled for the next best, a Lenovo G460 and upgraded it to 4GB memory. I never like the layout of PC fair. They force you to walk the entire exhibition halls to get out, especially on Hall 5 where the sales people selling broadband packagess out number their customers causing severe congestion. I was carrying a notebook and also a Full HD 23" Samsung XL2370 LED monitor. Its also a long walk and buy the time I walk to my car which is parked about 300 meters away, I was like dying of exhaustion. This is a far cry from the old days. Sigh...
Yesterday evening I went to the 2010 PC Fair to buy a notebook for my daughter's use. Apparently those notebook that I bought a few years back are not suitable for resource hungry graphic programs. Thought I could get cheaper bargins on the last day but unfortunately the model I wanted were all sold out. So I settled for the next best, a Lenovo G460 and upgraded it to 4GB memory. I never like the layout of PC fair. They force you to walk the entire exhibition halls to get out, especially on Hall 5 where the sales people selling broadband packagess out number their customers causing severe congestion. I was carrying a notebook and also a Full HD 23" Samsung XL2370 LED monitor. Its also a long walk and buy the time I walk to my car which is parked about 300 meters away, I was like dying of exhaustion. This is a far cry from the old days. Sigh...
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Support Organic Produce And Products
The organic insdustry in Malaysia is rather small. As such much of what you can get and buy is controlled by the suppliers. There are only three types of people who would buy organic produce and products, namely a) those who have deep pockets; b) those who are health concious and c) those who have no choice, people like me. Most others will not think of buying organic produce and products and I think the main reason is the costs. My supplier said because of so few purchasers, therefore costs is high. After all farmers are not paid on how much nutrition they put into the food but how many kgs is being produced. Naturally oranic farmining cannot compete with conventional farming in terms of output. We are in the chicken and egg situation.
I learned that by saving to buy normal produce and products, one may have to "payback" later when one get some chronic diease. Despite eating healthly more and more people are spending on health supplements. Why? Actually all these are also costs to you. I now believe and based on some reports, the nutritients in the food we eat is not sufficient. The only way to help onself is going organic. As more people buy organic, costs will come down.
Sometimes costs is not the only factor. For example I have been out of apples (juicing grade) for over 4 months now. I have been using other type of apples and even that is now out of stock. In fact since April 2010 I am appleless. I am getting tired of eating rye bread and potatoes and so I though I would make potatoe bread and noodles. But unfortunately, potato flour is so expensive at RM32 a kg. Why not buy ready made bread and noodels you may ask? Well that is because they suppliers do not cater for cancer patients, they contain salt and sugar. So I am going to make my own potato flour. Raw USA organic potatoes costs RM12 a kg. I bought 2 kgs today and will try to make them in the next few days. If I am successful, I will let you know how to make it.
I have busy for the whole day running errands as my wife is still in Ipoh attending to the funeral rites that will end tomorrow with the water burial. My stomach gases is bearable because I have been controlling my intake of food and also taking medication.
I learned that by saving to buy normal produce and products, one may have to "payback" later when one get some chronic diease. Despite eating healthly more and more people are spending on health supplements. Why? Actually all these are also costs to you. I now believe and based on some reports, the nutritients in the food we eat is not sufficient. The only way to help onself is going organic. As more people buy organic, costs will come down.
Sometimes costs is not the only factor. For example I have been out of apples (juicing grade) for over 4 months now. I have been using other type of apples and even that is now out of stock. In fact since April 2010 I am appleless. I am getting tired of eating rye bread and potatoes and so I though I would make potatoe bread and noodles. But unfortunately, potato flour is so expensive at RM32 a kg. Why not buy ready made bread and noodels you may ask? Well that is because they suppliers do not cater for cancer patients, they contain salt and sugar. So I am going to make my own potato flour. Raw USA organic potatoes costs RM12 a kg. I bought 2 kgs today and will try to make them in the next few days. If I am successful, I will let you know how to make it.
I have busy for the whole day running errands as my wife is still in Ipoh attending to the funeral rites that will end tomorrow with the water burial. My stomach gases is bearable because I have been controlling my intake of food and also taking medication.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Health Status @ 17 April 2010
I was really tired travelling to Ipoh to bid farewell to my God Mother. I only spent a few hours there and could not stay for a few days to complete the whole rites.
New information are presented in italics.
Problem
Tumor mass of size of about 14cm on the right kidney and 21 and 23 over nodes all over my left and right lungs respectively with one up to 3cm in size on both lungs. Possibly also spread to the liver.
First detected on 11 September 2009 through CT Scan. Subsequent CT scan on 1 March 2010 showed some improvements on the larger nodes in the lungs but did not provide enough details on the smaller nodes. The primary tumor is now about 12.4cm, about the same size in October 2009. The two bigger nodes on the left and right lungs has reduced by about 1.5cm. However, a new node was detected about the size of 3.5cm x 3.7cm.
Prognosis
Consulted four urologist (one in Singapore and three in Malaysia) and two oncologist (one in Malaysia and one in Singapore). Both oncologist suggested removal of right kidney. Singapore urologist also suggested removal of kidney. The three urologist do not recommend surgery or chemotherapy. The last urologist consulted said most of his patients died within six months of surgery while two on the expensive (RM20K per month) drug Sutent is not responding. All agree that is no cure for the moment.
My urologist said my cancer is at stage 4 and did not recommend me to take any treatment. It is also my own choice not to take conventional treatment after considering all the facts of the case.
Schedule for next scan is in 1 September 2010.
MAIN THERAPIES
a. Modified Gerson Therapy
a1. Coffee Enema
Initially, four times a day for four weeks, every four hours apart. Currently three times a day in the morning, afternoon and evening for 15 minutes.
Commence castor oil enema from 23 January 2010.
a2. Nutrition Diet
All fruits and vegetables mentioned are organic.
i. Juicing - 12 fruit and vegetables juices a day beginning around 7am and ending 7pm. 5 apple+carrot, 3 carrot and 4 green vegetable juices every hourly. Liver supplements are taken together with carrot juices.
2. Diet - No oil, no sugar and no salt on all cooking. For breakfast and supper, mainly oats with some raisins, sometimes a little Manuka honey is added. For lunch and dinner, vegetables such as Siew Pak Choy, Lettuce, lady's fingers, cauliflower, broccoli and spinach are mainly steamed or boiled. K-salt is added for flavoring. A teaspoon of flaxseed oil is added when serving (but not during cooking). Mainly boiled potatoes and sometimes somali organic brown rice is consumed. Hippocrates soup are also prepared every other day for daily consumption.
3. Supplements - K-salt, B12, niacin, lugol solution, pancreatin, pepsin and Q10.
4. Others - Rye bread, papaya, guavas, oranges and bananas are consumed at regular intervals.
b. Homeopathy Medicine
Consulting Doctor: DR AU Ramakrishnan MBBS, PhD, Chennai, India (http://www.drramakrishnan.com/)
Local Consultant: Vishuddi Lee
Treatment Started: 6 November 2009.
Consulting: Once every two months in Singapore. Next appointment 8 May 2010.
Reaction: No further reactions observed other than mouth ulcers every now and then.
COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES
c. Acupuncture Therapy
Due to itchiness reaction, the medication is suspended for the time being.
d. Oxygen Therapy
Started using a personal oxygen generator with effect from 8 March 2010 about 1 hour in the evening, 20 minutes per session. Richer oxygen does help in controlling the growth of the tumors. It also reduces fatigue.
e. Zhineng Qigong
Started practicing qigong on 11 March 2010. Attend classes five times a week from 6.30am to 8am. Need to practice at least 3 hrs per day, in between juices.
Health Status
Current weight is around 69+kgs. Main problem now is the stomach gas build up as the day progresses and especially after drinking the juices. After having attended two funerals within the week, I feel I should treasure life even more.
Verdict
/Strong stomach gases has been going on for about 1 month now. Castor oil enema seems to be able to help. Not pleasent but I have no complains for the past week.
New information are presented in italics.
Problem
Tumor mass of size of about 14cm on the right kidney and 21 and 23 over nodes all over my left and right lungs respectively with one up to 3cm in size on both lungs. Possibly also spread to the liver.
First detected on 11 September 2009 through CT Scan. Subsequent CT scan on 1 March 2010 showed some improvements on the larger nodes in the lungs but did not provide enough details on the smaller nodes. The primary tumor is now about 12.4cm, about the same size in October 2009. The two bigger nodes on the left and right lungs has reduced by about 1.5cm. However, a new node was detected about the size of 3.5cm x 3.7cm.
Prognosis
Consulted four urologist (one in Singapore and three in Malaysia) and two oncologist (one in Malaysia and one in Singapore). Both oncologist suggested removal of right kidney. Singapore urologist also suggested removal of kidney. The three urologist do not recommend surgery or chemotherapy. The last urologist consulted said most of his patients died within six months of surgery while two on the expensive (RM20K per month) drug Sutent is not responding. All agree that is no cure for the moment.
My urologist said my cancer is at stage 4 and did not recommend me to take any treatment. It is also my own choice not to take conventional treatment after considering all the facts of the case.
Schedule for next scan is in 1 September 2010.
MAIN THERAPIES
a. Modified Gerson Therapy
a1. Coffee Enema
Initially, four times a day for four weeks, every four hours apart. Currently three times a day in the morning, afternoon and evening for 15 minutes.
Commence castor oil enema from 23 January 2010.
a2. Nutrition Diet
All fruits and vegetables mentioned are organic.
i. Juicing - 12 fruit and vegetables juices a day beginning around 7am and ending 7pm. 5 apple+carrot, 3 carrot and 4 green vegetable juices every hourly. Liver supplements are taken together with carrot juices.
2. Diet - No oil, no sugar and no salt on all cooking. For breakfast and supper, mainly oats with some raisins, sometimes a little Manuka honey is added. For lunch and dinner, vegetables such as Siew Pak Choy, Lettuce, lady's fingers, cauliflower, broccoli and spinach are mainly steamed or boiled. K-salt is added for flavoring. A teaspoon of flaxseed oil is added when serving (but not during cooking). Mainly boiled potatoes and sometimes somali organic brown rice is consumed. Hippocrates soup are also prepared every other day for daily consumption.
3. Supplements - K-salt, B12, niacin, lugol solution, pancreatin, pepsin and Q10.
4. Others - Rye bread, papaya, guavas, oranges and bananas are consumed at regular intervals.
b. Homeopathy Medicine
Consulting Doctor: DR AU Ramakrishnan MBBS, PhD, Chennai, India (http://www.drramakrishnan.com/)
Local Consultant: Vishuddi Lee
Treatment Started: 6 November 2009.
Consulting: Once every two months in Singapore. Next appointment 8 May 2010.
Reaction: No further reactions observed other than mouth ulcers every now and then.
COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES
c. Acupuncture Therapy
Due to itchiness reaction, the medication is suspended for the time being.
d. Oxygen Therapy
Started using a personal oxygen generator with effect from 8 March 2010 about 1 hour in the evening, 20 minutes per session. Richer oxygen does help in controlling the growth of the tumors. It also reduces fatigue.
e. Zhineng Qigong
Started practicing qigong on 11 March 2010. Attend classes five times a week from 6.30am to 8am. Need to practice at least 3 hrs per day, in between juices.
Health Status
Current weight is around 69+kgs. Main problem now is the stomach gas build up as the day progresses and especially after drinking the juices. After having attended two funerals within the week, I feel I should treasure life even more.
Verdict
/Strong stomach gases has been going on for about 1 month now. Castor oil enema seems to be able to help. Not pleasent but I have no complains for the past week.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Farewell God Mother
Anicca vata sankhara — "Impermanent, alas, are all formations!" — is the phrase used in Theravada Buddhist lands to announce the death of a loved one.
It's with great sadness that I report the passing away of my God Mother in Ipoh. She was 76.
My family will miss her very much as she has been part of us all this while. In accordance with Buddhist tradition, may she have a good rebirth.
I will be doing some travelling because of this and may not be able to update my blog in time.
It's with great sadness that I report the passing away of my God Mother in Ipoh. She was 76.
My family will miss her very much as she has been part of us all this while. In accordance with Buddhist tradition, may she have a good rebirth.
I will be doing some travelling because of this and may not be able to update my blog in time.
Castor Oil Enema To The Rescue
After 3 weeks of constantly being battered by the stomach gases, I thought it was time to do something different if I want a different result. Not that the medication did not help but it was not sufficient. During this period I had suspended my castor oil enema because I believe doing castor oil enema would make the situation worst. Yesterday, it occured to me that the castor oil enema does cause the stomach to churn, so I thought if I take the castor oil enema, probably it would cause the cleaning of the contents of the stomach. I drank 2 tablespoons of castor oil and drank a cup of organic coffee. Not too long after that, the stomach began to make sounds and I believe the castor oil and coffee began its work. Everthing went fine and by 2pm, I need to ease myself. The bowel movements was strong and I release quite a lot of smelly stuffs. Not too long after that, I had my second bowel movement to so called completely remove any remenants. After that I felt a sense of relief and the stomach gases was almost absent. However, I observed that by late evening, it did come back but it was not that strong. Generally, I was about 80% free of gases.
This condition continued to this morning and so far it's been quite good. There are some indications that the stomach gases is building up after taking the juices, but it is still not bad at this moment. Tomorrow I will continue with the castor oil enema and hopefully will help to contain the situation.
After reading a number of cancer patient's blog, I think one of the common problem faced by most of us are pain. I am quite lucky as my pain is not only bearable but it does not happen frequently. Currently most of the pain is centered around the back and comes about when I stretch. My body feels good and I believe if there is no pain even when I stretch, that's the time when I can say my problems are fully under control. I am working hard towards the arrival of that day.
This condition continued to this morning and so far it's been quite good. There are some indications that the stomach gases is building up after taking the juices, but it is still not bad at this moment. Tomorrow I will continue with the castor oil enema and hopefully will help to contain the situation.
After reading a number of cancer patient's blog, I think one of the common problem faced by most of us are pain. I am quite lucky as my pain is not only bearable but it does not happen frequently. Currently most of the pain is centered around the back and comes about when I stretch. My body feels good and I believe if there is no pain even when I stretch, that's the time when I can say my problems are fully under control. I am working hard towards the arrival of that day.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
When The Going Gets Tough
Yesterday the day started off quite good. Earlier in the morning during my qigong exercises, we were practicing short repeated exercises. As a result, my thighs and shoulder area became rather painful because of the twists and turns. As the day progresses, the stomach gases also started to build up. So I prepared noodles soup for my lunch instead. The coffee enema was as expected. By late afternoon I was really having a bloated stomach and had difficulty drinking my juices. I managed to complete about 50% of my dinner. By the time I finished my night enema, I was feeling really lousy. There were dull pain all over, especially on my thighs and shoulder area. I applied some oil and began to do some self message while my wife helped me on the shoulder area.
This morning I woke up feeling a little pain around the back area while the pain around the thighs are gone. I skipped my qigong exercise this morning to allow the body to have a day more rests. By the time I finished my first juice, I can sense that the stomach gases is building up. Sigh... Anyway, I am determined to feel good today and not let this problem drag my day down. I will continue to take homeopathy medication to help expell the stomach gases.
This morning I woke up feeling a little pain around the back area while the pain around the thighs are gone. I skipped my qigong exercise this morning to allow the body to have a day more rests. By the time I finished my first juice, I can sense that the stomach gases is building up. Sigh... Anyway, I am determined to feel good today and not let this problem drag my day down. I will continue to take homeopathy medication to help expell the stomach gases.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Women More Likely To Get Cancer
It was reported in theStar today that 32,000 new cancer cases will be detected among Malaysians of which 53.7% will be females. Act now not only to help reduce the statistics but to save yourself and your loves ones. Believe me, you just don't know how difficult time I am now going through and I would NEVER want you to experience it for the rest of your life.
I often read about other cancer patients doing Gerson Therapy(GT) in the hope to learn from their experience. What I am now experiencing is first hand and most of the time I depend on what is written in Dr Gerson's book for guidance. This may not be enough. Recently I found out that healing reactions can even last up to 6 months! Pain here and there are sometime also part of the healing reaction. These information help can me manage my therapy better instead of being suspicious about this and that. I also receive good email support from Joanne of New Zealand who survived cancer through alternative medicines, one of which she used was GT.
My stomach gases is getting better. I am not sure if it was due to the homeopathy medication or my strategy to eat lesser for the timebeing or a combination thereof. Yesterday my night enema resulted in a totally unexpected result. It has never happend before. The discharge was not smelly and no feces. The color of the discharge is just a little brown, about the same organic coffee color. But this morning, my morning enema was back to normal. Smelly and a little red but no pain. My butt is also aching a little when sitting down (well has been since over six month ago). Otherwise I feel good.
I often read about other cancer patients doing Gerson Therapy(GT) in the hope to learn from their experience. What I am now experiencing is first hand and most of the time I depend on what is written in Dr Gerson's book for guidance. This may not be enough. Recently I found out that healing reactions can even last up to 6 months! Pain here and there are sometime also part of the healing reaction. These information help can me manage my therapy better instead of being suspicious about this and that. I also receive good email support from Joanne of New Zealand who survived cancer through alternative medicines, one of which she used was GT.
My stomach gases is getting better. I am not sure if it was due to the homeopathy medication or my strategy to eat lesser for the timebeing or a combination thereof. Yesterday my night enema resulted in a totally unexpected result. It has never happend before. The discharge was not smelly and no feces. The color of the discharge is just a little brown, about the same organic coffee color. But this morning, my morning enema was back to normal. Smelly and a little red but no pain. My butt is also aching a little when sitting down (well has been since over six month ago). Otherwise I feel good.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Be Careful Of What You Eat
After reading SC's case, another advance kidney cancer patient, it makes me scared. SC looks perfectly healthy from the video which was taken on 9 Feb 2009 and yet within a span of less than 90 days, he passed away. Mind you, he has already completed 1 cycle of Sutent therapy and I would expect that his condition be stabilised rather than just deteriorate so quickly. I strong believe that the deterioration has to do with diet though it was not written what diet he was observing. Most patients on conventional medication do not observe special dietary requirements and in fact my oncologist has advised me against going vegan. Like SC, I also look healthy but could be history in 90 days if I am not careful in what I put into my body.
Recently one of my MBA classmate found out about my cancer and she was shocked. You see, in my class of 15, already one of my classmates who is also her colleague passed away about 2 years ago due to stomach cancer. Two out of 15 is more than 13%. Even more scary is that as you age, the risk of getting cancer becomes higher. That's what the statistics says. Dear friends, have you reviewed your diet?
My gigong exercises is not only becoming tiring for me but causing some pain in my thighs and shoulders because of the repeated movements. Now my Lao-shi only gives us about 10 to 15minutes of repeated exercises but he says the correct timing is a full 30 minutes. I think by then, I would have collapsed. But still we are not complaining because it is for our own health benefit.
My stomach gases is still there and become strong as the day progresses especially in the evening. My homeopathy doctor has recommended me some remedy and I will try it for 5 days to see if there is progress. I have reduced my coffee enema back to 3 times daily as I found out the 2nd enema is not effective. The discharge is still a little red and I am monitoring the situation.
Recently one of my MBA classmate found out about my cancer and she was shocked. You see, in my class of 15, already one of my classmates who is also her colleague passed away about 2 years ago due to stomach cancer. Two out of 15 is more than 13%. Even more scary is that as you age, the risk of getting cancer becomes higher. That's what the statistics says. Dear friends, have you reviewed your diet?
My gigong exercises is not only becoming tiring for me but causing some pain in my thighs and shoulders because of the repeated movements. Now my Lao-shi only gives us about 10 to 15minutes of repeated exercises but he says the correct timing is a full 30 minutes. I think by then, I would have collapsed. But still we are not complaining because it is for our own health benefit.
My stomach gases is still there and become strong as the day progresses especially in the evening. My homeopathy doctor has recommended me some remedy and I will try it for 5 days to see if there is progress. I have reduced my coffee enema back to 3 times daily as I found out the 2nd enema is not effective. The discharge is still a little red and I am monitoring the situation.
Monday, April 12, 2010
SUTENT: Kidney Cancer Wonder or Killer Drug?
Sometime in 26 December 2009, I received a visitor most probably from USA and she commented:
Can i suggest that you look at the Kidney Cancer Sites ie james Whale Fund in the UK or KC uk or KCAssociation in the USA or KC Canada
I would be asking for Sutent immediaitely at 50mg per day 4 weeks on 3 weeks off. There are side effects but the alternative is a premature death. it is NOT an experimental drug it has been in use for 5/6 years in the USA and used in over 50 Countries very succesfully and some people at stage 4 KC have been taking the drug for 5 years and more . If you don't want to have a nephrectomy operation ( which is called debulking when the cancer has already spread outside the capsule) then Sutent could give you many months additional life.
there are many resources for KC online.
I hope you find what you need to make an informed desision.
I send you my best wishes, fellow KC patient Rose Woodward.
I am wondering how she is faring?
I have said I am not too keen on Sutent, not just because I could not afford the treatment, but also because I think it may not be effective. My urologist's only two patients did not respond to it and today I found some new information about Sutent from the www.cacare.com website. One patient, posted his experience on Youtube about 3 months before he died on 30 April 2009. For more information, please see http://cacare.com/index.php?option=com_easyfaq&task=view&id=278&Itemid=39
I have reproduced some information about Sutent from there:
Effectiveness
* Approval for kidney cancer was based on a review of the drug's efficacy in reducing tumor size. Approval of the GIST was mainly based on studies showing that sunitinib delay tumor growth.
* Sutent shrank tumors in 26% to 37% of patients, according to the FDA. Studies have not yet shown that Sutent improves survival.
* Liz Szabo, USA TODAY Jan 26, 2006, wrote: Sutent doesn't cure cancer, but experts say it is an important advance – both for patients and for science. Sutent is a product by Pfizer. Another drug used to treat advanced kidney cancer is Nexavar by Bayer.
* The median OS for patients receiving SUTENT was 26.4 months vs 21.8 months with IFNα (Note: IFN-α has been used extensively in the treatment of metastatic melanoma. Human IFN-α1 is a type I interferon. It is for research use only, not for diagnostic or therapeutic use)
Side effects
The adverse events included:
* Tiredness, headache, weakness, dizziness
* Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, constipation
* Loss of appetite, weight loss
* Change in skin colour or hair colour
* Tingling or rash on palms of hands or soles of feet
* Hand –foot syndrome (Palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia or PPE) –skin rash, swelling, redness, pain and/or peeling of the skin on the palms of hands and soles of feet.
* Rashes, dry skin, skin redness, scaly skin, itchy skin, blister
* Sore tongue, sore mouth, dry mouth
* Upset stomach, abdominal pain, wind, heart burn, indigestion
* Generalized aches and pains, muscle pain, joint pain, back pain, pain in fingers, arms or legs
* Very bad abdominal pain
* Tingling or numbness of hands or feet; pins and needles
* Increased tearing, watery eyes
* Shortness of breath
* Rash, flatulence, dehydration
* Hair loss
* Cough, Nose bleed
* Difficulty sleeping , depression
* Unusual urine colour
* Shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing, chest pain
* Swelling of feet, legs or ankles , leg pain, face or eyelids
* Low potassium levels, increased bilirubin levels
* Flu-like symptoms (chills, fever, sore throat, swollen glands)
* High blood pressure (hypertension)
* Fits, Seizure
* Increased amylase and lipase levels
The most serious adverse events associated with Sutent therapy included
· pulmonary embolism
· thrombocytopenia
· bleeding from the tumor bleeding or bruising under the skin; coughing blood
· febrile neutropenia
· hypertension
· may harm an unborn baby (cause birth defects). Do not become pregnant. Do not breastfeed while taking SUTENT.
· may cause heart problems.
· may cause a hole in the stomach or bowel wall. This could cause symptoms such as painful, swollen abdomen, vomiting or coughing blood, and black, sticky s tools.
Recent research findings on Sutent
Researchers in Canada had reported that Sutent accelerated metastatic tumour growth and decreased overall survival in mice receiving short-term therapy (Cancer Cell 15: 232-239. March 2009).
Using mouse model researchers in Spain and California, USA, also showed that Sutent promoted the incidence of highly invasive tumours. The incidence of liver micrometastases was significantly increased by 3.5-fold in treated animal (Cancer Cell 15:220-231. March 2009).
Can i suggest that you look at the Kidney Cancer Sites ie james Whale Fund in the UK or KC uk or KCAssociation in the USA or KC Canada
I would be asking for Sutent immediaitely at 50mg per day 4 weeks on 3 weeks off. There are side effects but the alternative is a premature death. it is NOT an experimental drug it has been in use for 5/6 years in the USA and used in over 50 Countries very succesfully and some people at stage 4 KC have been taking the drug for 5 years and more . If you don't want to have a nephrectomy operation ( which is called debulking when the cancer has already spread outside the capsule) then Sutent could give you many months additional life.
there are many resources for KC online.
I hope you find what you need to make an informed desision.
I send you my best wishes, fellow KC patient Rose Woodward.
I am wondering how she is faring?
I have said I am not too keen on Sutent, not just because I could not afford the treatment, but also because I think it may not be effective. My urologist's only two patients did not respond to it and today I found some new information about Sutent from the www.cacare.com website. One patient, posted his experience on Youtube about 3 months before he died on 30 April 2009. For more information, please see http://cacare.com/index.php?option=com_easyfaq&task=view&id=278&Itemid=39
I have reproduced some information about Sutent from there:
Effectiveness
* Approval for kidney cancer was based on a review of the drug's efficacy in reducing tumor size. Approval of the GIST was mainly based on studies showing that sunitinib delay tumor growth.
* Sutent shrank tumors in 26% to 37% of patients, according to the FDA. Studies have not yet shown that Sutent improves survival.
* Liz Szabo, USA TODAY Jan 26, 2006, wrote: Sutent doesn't cure cancer, but experts say it is an important advance – both for patients and for science. Sutent is a product by Pfizer. Another drug used to treat advanced kidney cancer is Nexavar by Bayer.
* The median OS for patients receiving SUTENT was 26.4 months vs 21.8 months with IFNα (Note: IFN-α has been used extensively in the treatment of metastatic melanoma. Human IFN-α1 is a type I interferon. It is for research use only, not for diagnostic or therapeutic use)
Side effects
The adverse events included:
* Tiredness, headache, weakness, dizziness
* Diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, constipation
* Loss of appetite, weight loss
* Change in skin colour or hair colour
* Tingling or rash on palms of hands or soles of feet
* Hand –foot syndrome (Palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia or PPE) –skin rash, swelling, redness, pain and/or peeling of the skin on the palms of hands and soles of feet.
* Rashes, dry skin, skin redness, scaly skin, itchy skin, blister
* Sore tongue, sore mouth, dry mouth
* Upset stomach, abdominal pain, wind, heart burn, indigestion
* Generalized aches and pains, muscle pain, joint pain, back pain, pain in fingers, arms or legs
* Very bad abdominal pain
* Tingling or numbness of hands or feet; pins and needles
* Increased tearing, watery eyes
* Shortness of breath
* Rash, flatulence, dehydration
* Hair loss
* Cough, Nose bleed
* Difficulty sleeping , depression
* Unusual urine colour
* Shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing, chest pain
* Swelling of feet, legs or ankles , leg pain, face or eyelids
* Low potassium levels, increased bilirubin levels
* Flu-like symptoms (chills, fever, sore throat, swollen glands)
* High blood pressure (hypertension)
* Fits, Seizure
* Increased amylase and lipase levels
The most serious adverse events associated with Sutent therapy included
· pulmonary embolism
· thrombocytopenia
· bleeding from the tumor bleeding or bruising under the skin; coughing blood
· febrile neutropenia
· hypertension
· may harm an unborn baby (cause birth defects). Do not become pregnant. Do not breastfeed while taking SUTENT.
· may cause heart problems.
· may cause a hole in the stomach or bowel wall. This could cause symptoms such as painful, swollen abdomen, vomiting or coughing blood, and black, sticky s tools.
Recent research findings on Sutent
Researchers in Canada had reported that Sutent accelerated metastatic tumour growth and decreased overall survival in mice receiving short-term therapy (Cancer Cell 15: 232-239. March 2009).
Using mouse model researchers in Spain and California, USA, also showed that Sutent promoted the incidence of highly invasive tumours. The incidence of liver micrometastases was significantly increased by 3.5-fold in treated animal (Cancer Cell 15:220-231. March 2009).
Life Is But A Journey
During a search in the Net, I came across this website (http:\\cacare.com) that promotes alternative medicine through herbs. It contains many cancer patients stories of successes and failures but there are something written in there that I would like to share:
Attitude is the most important. Remember the case of 72 year old Mama S? Well I met her daughter last week and was told she could not stand the strict Gerson Therapy regiment and diet. So she went back to her old diet. Anyway it's her life.
Sometime in December 2009, another 60 year old man, AN approach me as he had colon cancer. He has decided against conventional medication and was very eager to start the Gerson Therapy. However, I have not heard from him since before Chinese New Year.
Dear friends: no one owes you a living. To live or to die is your choice. So make you own decision. But such cases happen all the time! We are accustomed to this already. We feel sad and sorry to hear such unnecessary stories.
Attitude is the most important. Remember the case of 72 year old Mama S? Well I met her daughter last week and was told she could not stand the strict Gerson Therapy regiment and diet. So she went back to her old diet. Anyway it's her life.
Sometime in December 2009, another 60 year old man, AN approach me as he had colon cancer. He has decided against conventional medication and was very eager to start the Gerson Therapy. However, I have not heard from him since before Chinese New Year.
Dear friends: no one owes you a living. To live or to die is your choice. So make you own decision. But such cases happen all the time! We are accustomed to this already. We feel sad and sorry to hear such unnecessary stories.
The Stomach Gas Saga Continues
Yesterday I had a short reprieve. The stomach gases were down and I was able to take most of my food and juices. This may have been due to the medication that I took or also could be from the change of strategy. Earlier I had adopted a strategy of making sure I eat no matter what but I have decided to change it to allow the stomach to rest. Now I do not push in so much food and juices. Instead I will only take in say 80% full and slowly over a period of time to allow the stomach to digest and recover.
The stomach gases is not that strong in the morning but builds up toward the evening after the night enema. I still do not know why this is so. It cases slight discomfort. Anyway I will continue to take the medication Simethicone for a while more.
This morning I felt the stomach gases started to build up a bit even before I took my first glass of juice. But it was not that strong, so I just let it be and continue to prepare the juices and breakfast oatmeal before heading for my qigong practice.
The stomach gases is not that strong in the morning but builds up toward the evening after the night enema. I still do not know why this is so. It cases slight discomfort. Anyway I will continue to take the medication Simethicone for a while more.
This morning I felt the stomach gases started to build up a bit even before I took my first glass of juice. But it was not that strong, so I just let it be and continue to prepare the juices and breakfast oatmeal before heading for my qigong practice.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Day 211 And Problems
Today marks the beginning of my 8th month of therapy. The first 6 months has been challenging but nothing compared to the last one month. These stomach gases are turning into a major crisis for me and if not handled properly, it could spell my doom. The last two days has seen heavy stomach gases such that I have been drinking and eating irregularly. The damaged is that I lost over 1.5kg in just the two days. Yesterday I only managed 8 juices and had to skip my lunch and dinner but did take noodles soup in its place. As you can see, what turn out to be just stomach gas problem may now be my nemesis if it continues to block the food passage.
I have increased my coffee enema to 4 times daily. Also in the last two days, I noticed that the enema discharge is more than brown, it's a little red, most likely there are blood in the discharge. I do not know whether this is good or not. I have tried to find some answers in the Net, except for one case I could not find any information pertaining to blood in enema discharge. In that case, the patient had throat tumor and when the tumor dissolved, it fell into the stomach, hence the blood and also caused severe toxicity so much so he almost passed out. Apparently he should have throw out that would solved the problem.
Learning from the above case, my wife have also asked me to throw out should I feel bloated and I think I will have to do that if things do not get better today. I have been buying over the counter medication such as Simethicone, which according to Wikipedia is an anti-foaming agent that decreases the surface tension of gas bubbles, causing them to combine into larger bubbles in the stomach that can be passed more easily by burping. Simethicone does not reduce or prevent the formation of gas in the digestive tract, rather, it increases the rate at which it exits the body. It is not absorbed into the bloodstream, hence relatively safe.
This morning, the stomach gases has subsided a bit. I took orange juices as my first juice followed by an oat meal. I will still control my eating and hope the condition will not deteriorate for the rest of the day.
Yesterday one of my auntie passed away at about 1pm after a year long battle with illness. She was 78 years old. In accordance with Buddhist tradition, may she have a good rebirth.
I have increased my coffee enema to 4 times daily. Also in the last two days, I noticed that the enema discharge is more than brown, it's a little red, most likely there are blood in the discharge. I do not know whether this is good or not. I have tried to find some answers in the Net, except for one case I could not find any information pertaining to blood in enema discharge. In that case, the patient had throat tumor and when the tumor dissolved, it fell into the stomach, hence the blood and also caused severe toxicity so much so he almost passed out. Apparently he should have throw out that would solved the problem.
Learning from the above case, my wife have also asked me to throw out should I feel bloated and I think I will have to do that if things do not get better today. I have been buying over the counter medication such as Simethicone, which according to Wikipedia is an anti-foaming agent that decreases the surface tension of gas bubbles, causing them to combine into larger bubbles in the stomach that can be passed more easily by burping. Simethicone does not reduce or prevent the formation of gas in the digestive tract, rather, it increases the rate at which it exits the body. It is not absorbed into the bloodstream, hence relatively safe.
This morning, the stomach gases has subsided a bit. I took orange juices as my first juice followed by an oat meal. I will still control my eating and hope the condition will not deteriorate for the rest of the day.
Yesterday one of my auntie passed away at about 1pm after a year long battle with illness. She was 78 years old. In accordance with Buddhist tradition, may she have a good rebirth.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Health Status @ 10 April 2010
New information are presented in italics.
Problem
Tumor mass of size of about 14cm on the right kidney and 21 and 23 over nodes all over my left and right lungs respectively with one up to 3cm in size on both lungs. Possibly also spread to the liver.
First detected on 11 September 2009 through CT Scan. Subsequent CT scan on 1 March 2010 showed some improvements on the larger nodes in the lungs but did not provide enough details on the smaller nodes. The primary tumor is now about 12.4cm, about the same size in October 2009. The two bigger nodes on the left and right lungs has reduced by about 1.5cm. However, a new node was detected about the size of 3.5cm x 3.7cm.
Prognosis
Consulted four urologist (one in Singapore and three in Malaysia) and two oncologist (one in Malaysia and one in Singapore). Both oncologist suggested removal of right kidney. Singapore urologist also suggested removal of kidney. The three urologist do not recommend surgery or chemotherapy. The last urologist consulted said most of his patients died within six months of surgery while two on the expensive (RM20K per month) drug Sutent is not responding. All agree that is no cure for the moment.
My urologist said my cancer is at stage 4 and did not recommend me to take any treatment. It is also my own choice not to take conventional treatment after considering all the facts of the case.
Schedule for next scan is in 1 September 2010.
MAIN THERAPIES
a. Modified Gerson Therapy
a1. Coffee Enema
Initially, four times a day for four weeks, every four hours apart. Currently three times a day in the morning, afternoon and evening for 15 minutes.
Commence castor oil enema from 23 January 2010.
a2. Nutrition Diet
All fruits and vegetables mentioned are organic.
i. Juicing - 12 fruit and vegetables juices a day beginning around 7am and ending 7pm. 5 apple+carrot, 3 carrot and 4 green vegetable juices every hourly. Liver supplements are taken together with carrot juices.
2. Diet - No oil, no sugar and no salt on all cooking. For breakfast and supper, mainly oats with some raisins, sometimes a little Manuka honey is added. For lunch and dinner, vegetables such as Siew Pak Choy, Lettuce, lady's fingers, cauliflower, broccoli and spinach are mainly steamed or boiled. K-salt is added for flavoring. A teaspoon of flaxseed oil is added when serving (but not during cooking). Mainly boiled potatoes and sometimes somali organic brown rice is consumed. Hippocrates soup are also prepared every other day for daily consumption.
3. Supplements - K-salt, B12, niacin, lugol solution, pancreatin, pepsin and Q10.
4. Others - Rye bread, papaya, guavas, oranges and bananas are consumed at regular intervals.
b. Homeopathy Medicine
Consulting Doctor: DR AU Ramakrishnan MBBS, PhD, Chennai, India (http://www.drramakrishnan.com/)
Local Consultant: Vishuddi Lee
Treatment Started: 6 November 2009.
Consulting: Once every two months in Singapore. Next appointment 8 May 2010.
Reaction: No further reactions observed other than mouth ulcers every now and then.
COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES
c. Acupuncture Therapy
Due to itchiness reaction, the medication is suspended for the time being.
d. Oxygen Therapy
Started using a personal oxygen generator with effect from 8 March 2010 about 1 hour in the evening, 20 minutes per session. Richer oxygen does help in controlling the growth of the tumors. It also reduces fatigue.
e. Zhineng Qigong
Started practicing qigong on 11 March 2010. Attend classes five times a week from 6.30am to 8am. Need to practice at least 3 hrs per day, in between juices.
Health Status
Current weight is around 69+kgs, lost about 0.5kg due to food intake problem. Tongue ulcer reappeared. Pain from stretching of back is much lesser now. Body feels normal and strong.
Verdict
Strong stomach gases still giving me problems last week. Makes taking of foods and drinks difficult. Developed a little cough. Nonetheless a good week.
Problem
Tumor mass of size of about 14cm on the right kidney and 21 and 23 over nodes all over my left and right lungs respectively with one up to 3cm in size on both lungs. Possibly also spread to the liver.
First detected on 11 September 2009 through CT Scan. Subsequent CT scan on 1 March 2010 showed some improvements on the larger nodes in the lungs but did not provide enough details on the smaller nodes. The primary tumor is now about 12.4cm, about the same size in October 2009. The two bigger nodes on the left and right lungs has reduced by about 1.5cm. However, a new node was detected about the size of 3.5cm x 3.7cm.
Prognosis
Consulted four urologist (one in Singapore and three in Malaysia) and two oncologist (one in Malaysia and one in Singapore). Both oncologist suggested removal of right kidney. Singapore urologist also suggested removal of kidney. The three urologist do not recommend surgery or chemotherapy. The last urologist consulted said most of his patients died within six months of surgery while two on the expensive (RM20K per month) drug Sutent is not responding. All agree that is no cure for the moment.
My urologist said my cancer is at stage 4 and did not recommend me to take any treatment. It is also my own choice not to take conventional treatment after considering all the facts of the case.
Schedule for next scan is in 1 September 2010.
MAIN THERAPIES
a. Modified Gerson Therapy
a1. Coffee Enema
Initially, four times a day for four weeks, every four hours apart. Currently three times a day in the morning, afternoon and evening for 15 minutes.
Commence castor oil enema from 23 January 2010.
a2. Nutrition Diet
All fruits and vegetables mentioned are organic.
i. Juicing - 12 fruit and vegetables juices a day beginning around 7am and ending 7pm. 5 apple+carrot, 3 carrot and 4 green vegetable juices every hourly. Liver supplements are taken together with carrot juices.
2. Diet - No oil, no sugar and no salt on all cooking. For breakfast and supper, mainly oats with some raisins, sometimes a little Manuka honey is added. For lunch and dinner, vegetables such as Siew Pak Choy, Lettuce, lady's fingers, cauliflower, broccoli and spinach are mainly steamed or boiled. K-salt is added for flavoring. A teaspoon of flaxseed oil is added when serving (but not during cooking). Mainly boiled potatoes and sometimes somali organic brown rice is consumed. Hippocrates soup are also prepared every other day for daily consumption.
3. Supplements - K-salt, B12, niacin, lugol solution, pancreatin, pepsin and Q10.
4. Others - Rye bread, papaya, guavas, oranges and bananas are consumed at regular intervals.
b. Homeopathy Medicine
Consulting Doctor: DR AU Ramakrishnan MBBS, PhD, Chennai, India (http://www.drramakrishnan.com/)
Local Consultant: Vishuddi Lee
Treatment Started: 6 November 2009.
Consulting: Once every two months in Singapore. Next appointment 8 May 2010.
Reaction: No further reactions observed other than mouth ulcers every now and then.
COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES
c. Acupuncture Therapy
Due to itchiness reaction, the medication is suspended for the time being.
d. Oxygen Therapy
Started using a personal oxygen generator with effect from 8 March 2010 about 1 hour in the evening, 20 minutes per session. Richer oxygen does help in controlling the growth of the tumors. It also reduces fatigue.
e. Zhineng Qigong
Started practicing qigong on 11 March 2010. Attend classes five times a week from 6.30am to 8am. Need to practice at least 3 hrs per day, in between juices.
Health Status
Current weight is around 69+kgs, lost about 0.5kg due to food intake problem. Tongue ulcer reappeared. Pain from stretching of back is much lesser now. Body feels normal and strong.
Verdict
Strong stomach gases still giving me problems last week. Makes taking of foods and drinks difficult. Developed a little cough. Nonetheless a good week.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Don't just survive, THRIVE!!
I receive the following message from the Gerson Institute and I would like to share it with you.
This message invites you all to meet Howie Doan via You Tube, where he shares his story of his initial diagnosis of skin cancer, the options that were given him, and the choice that he made to heal and cure his cancer naturally using the Gerson Therapy.
The following email is from Howie:
"I'd like to thank Ian Jacklin, for his help in making this video. To all your families, friends, acquaintances (even someone whom you have just met) who want to help someone with cancer, open your hearts and minds and seriously consider alternative therapies to reverse cancer and other chronic degenerative disease. Like thousands of others who empowered themselves at self healing, I chose the Gerson Therapy, because it was the best choice for me. I reversed malignant melanoma, and hope that I can reach out to help others reclaim their health and their life. Please share my video with someone you care about.
http://www.facebook.com/l/e1e03;www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqnQ0bMlcpU
Don't just survive, THRIVE!!
Sincerely, Howie Doan"
This message invites you all to meet Howie Doan via You Tube, where he shares his story of his initial diagnosis of skin cancer, the options that were given him, and the choice that he made to heal and cure his cancer naturally using the Gerson Therapy.
The following email is from Howie:
"I'd like to thank Ian Jacklin, for his help in making this video. To all your families, friends, acquaintances (even someone whom you have just met) who want to help someone with cancer, open your hearts and minds and seriously consider alternative therapies to reverse cancer and other chronic degenerative disease. Like thousands of others who empowered themselves at self healing, I chose the Gerson Therapy, because it was the best choice for me. I reversed malignant melanoma, and hope that I can reach out to help others reclaim their health and their life. Please share my video with someone you care about.
http://www.facebook.com/l/e1e03;www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqnQ0bMlcpU
Don't just survive, THRIVE!!
Sincerely, Howie Doan"
Uneasy Feeling
My stomach gases problem continued yesterday. The stomach gases builds up towards in the late afternoon and by dinner time, I could hardly eat nor drink the Hippocrate soup. There is food along the throat. Still I try to push down the dinner food as much as possible but only could managed to eat about 30%. I also had to skip one round of juicing as my stomach was bloated and to allow space for dinner.
In the evening after my night enema, the stomach gases did not ease but became even more severe. It did not make sitting nor lying down any easier. So I had to alternate between sitting and lying down. During this time, negative emotions arose. I have told myself that I will never cry again over this cancer nor will I engage in self pity. I used a technique which I use during meditation. When you experience some unhappy feelings, just observe the thought but do not dwell into it. Do not attach the "I" into it. The human mind feeds on negative emotions and you can get caught in such feelings for days. This negative feeling come and that goes. So I managed to get out of this negative emotion very quickly. My wife applied some Chinese "wind oil" over my stomach to help expel the gases. I felt better about an hour later but still had problems eating my oats for supper. I only managed to eat 60% of it.
I observed that eating banana contributes to generating the gases, so I abstained from eating bananas for the time being. I also took some fresh fruits like guava and also had some oranges. This morning, the stomach gases has subsided and I hope it will remain so for the rest of the day.
In the evening after my night enema, the stomach gases did not ease but became even more severe. It did not make sitting nor lying down any easier. So I had to alternate between sitting and lying down. During this time, negative emotions arose. I have told myself that I will never cry again over this cancer nor will I engage in self pity. I used a technique which I use during meditation. When you experience some unhappy feelings, just observe the thought but do not dwell into it. Do not attach the "I" into it. The human mind feeds on negative emotions and you can get caught in such feelings for days. This negative feeling come and that goes. So I managed to get out of this negative emotion very quickly. My wife applied some Chinese "wind oil" over my stomach to help expel the gases. I felt better about an hour later but still had problems eating my oats for supper. I only managed to eat 60% of it.
I observed that eating banana contributes to generating the gases, so I abstained from eating bananas for the time being. I also took some fresh fruits like guava and also had some oranges. This morning, the stomach gases has subsided and I hope it will remain so for the rest of the day.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Happy To Soon
I was a little too happy too early. Just when I though the stomach gases has subsided, the gases began to build up late afternoon. It was bearable during dinner time but began worst even after the night enema. After supper, I felt the food all along my throat and had to sit for a while before I could sleep. Anyway at least I could still eat and sleep. Hopefully things would improve in the morning.
When I woke up this morning, the stomach gases was still present but compared to the day before, it was an improvement. As usual I prepared the juices and breakfast and left for my qigong exercises. After completing the exercises at 8am, the gases were still lingering along the throat area. Taking the magnesium trisilicate mixture would certainly help but I though it would best to bear with the situation and let it heal naturally and live with the discomfort. I would make some peppermint tea instead. Stomach gases may seem a small thing but in my case, it actually block the throat passage so much so even taking water like juices or soup becomes a problem. It get "stuck". The gases refuses to give way and pushing the food or water down the throat to the stomach becomes painful. Sigh...
I am sweating more as the qigong exercises becomes longer. The short exercises are also very taxing due to the repetitive nature and the awkward standing position of the legs that I have to be in. The thighs, joints and the shoulder area become painful the next day. My Lao-shi says the pain is a good sign but I will not experience such pain over time.
When I woke up this morning, the stomach gases was still present but compared to the day before, it was an improvement. As usual I prepared the juices and breakfast and left for my qigong exercises. After completing the exercises at 8am, the gases were still lingering along the throat area. Taking the magnesium trisilicate mixture would certainly help but I though it would best to bear with the situation and let it heal naturally and live with the discomfort. I would make some peppermint tea instead. Stomach gases may seem a small thing but in my case, it actually block the throat passage so much so even taking water like juices or soup becomes a problem. It get "stuck". The gases refuses to give way and pushing the food or water down the throat to the stomach becomes painful. Sigh...
I am sweating more as the qigong exercises becomes longer. The short exercises are also very taxing due to the repetitive nature and the awkward standing position of the legs that I have to be in. The thighs, joints and the shoulder area become painful the next day. My Lao-shi says the pain is a good sign but I will not experience such pain over time.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Filal Piety
I received this message from an email and I though I would share with you since Tomb Sweeping Day is also in this month. When was the last time you took your parents out?
FUZHOU — Wang Yuxia’s husband once promised to take her to all the beautiful sights across the country. But when he suddenly died, it seemed her dream had died as well.
So it was up to her sons to carry out their father’s promise.
Realizing their 81-year-old mother gets carsick easily and they cannot afford to travel luxuriously, they built a three-wheeled carriage to take her around the country — powered only by their own feet and the determination to express love.
“We are not doing this for money or fame. We are just spreading the virtue of filial piety,” said Wang Kai, 59.
“Compared to what our mother has done for us, what we give in return is never enough,” he added.
During their first trip in 2007, they spent 265 days traveling across 25 provinces and two municipalities before arriving in Hong Kong .
This time, in 165 days, the two brothers have hauled the carriage more than 4,500 km from Heilongjiang province in the northwest to Fujian province in the southeast.
Their target destination is Taiwan .
“Out biggest dream is to carry our mother around the island,” Wang Kai said.
The carriage, built for 5,000 yuan ($730), is fitted with three beds, windows and heat-retaining panels to make mom comfortable.
The brothers named it “Thanksgiving” to express gratitude for their mother’s love.
Wang Yuxia can usually be seen enjoying the sights through the windows.
“My sons have been taking good care of me on the way,” she said, and the warmth of the carriage has prevented her from catching cold.
She is happy to have seen more than 100 tourist attractions so far.
“I’m very moved by what they’ve done. I can’t thank them enough,” she said.
On the road, Wang Kai pulls the carriage from the front while younger brother Wang Rui, 57, pushes it from behind.
So far, they have worn out six pairs of shoes.
“I can walk 107 steps every minute and 10 hours every day, which means 65,000 steps or about 40 km a day,: said Wang Rui.
That is almost the distance of an Olympic marathon.
The brothers’ love for their mother has moved thousands of people.
In September last year, the Taiwan Sleep Disorders Association, a non-governmental organization, invited them to tell their story.
And on March 3 this year, the brothers were invited to conduct a class on filial piety at Fuzhou University .
They have already spend half of the 40,000 yuan they put together before setting out on their journey.
Supporters and admirers have been providing clothes, food, drinks and other daily necessities.
“The brothers are doing whatever they can do to make their mother happy and I must do something for them,” said Zhuo Feng, a resident in Fuzhou , capital of Fujian , who bought the brothers new shoes and their mother new clothes.
A number of businessmen who were moved by the Wang brothers’ filial act also offered them money, but the brothers said they will not accept any cash for their undertaking.
In a letter written to his wife, Wang Rui said it is the love of their mother that has helped them conquer all difficulties.
“Making our mother happy is priceless,” he said.
During their first trip to Hong Kong , the brothers decorated the roof of their carriage with four dragons to symbolize their Chinese heritage. These were later changed to doves of peace to express their desire for peaceful ties across the Taiwan Straits.
They have been in Fujian nearly a month now, waiting for authorities to approve their travel to Taiwan .
Wang Kai said all they know about Taiwan is from books, which say Ali Mountain and Sun Moon Lake are beautiful. The island’s fruits are also famous, he said.
On Aug 8 last year, when brothers heard about the earthquake hitting Taiwan , they immediately donated 1,000 yuan to the Red Cross Society of China to help quake victims.
“People across the Straits are one family,” Wang Rui said.
“We are just helping our brothers and sisters in our way.”
FUZHOU — Wang Yuxia’s husband once promised to take her to all the beautiful sights across the country. But when he suddenly died, it seemed her dream had died as well.So it was up to her sons to carry out their father’s promise.
Realizing their 81-year-old mother gets carsick easily and they cannot afford to travel luxuriously, they built a three-wheeled carriage to take her around the country — powered only by their own feet and the determination to express love.
“We are not doing this for money or fame. We are just spreading the virtue of filial piety,” said Wang Kai, 59.
“Compared to what our mother has done for us, what we give in return is never enough,” he added.
During their first trip in 2007, they spent 265 days traveling across 25 provinces and two municipalities before arriving in Hong Kong .
This time, in 165 days, the two brothers have hauled the carriage more than 4,500 km from Heilongjiang province in the northwest to Fujian province in the southeast.
Their target destination is Taiwan .
“Out biggest dream is to carry our mother around the island,” Wang Kai said.
The carriage, built for 5,000 yuan ($730), is fitted with three beds, windows and heat-retaining panels to make mom comfortable.
The brothers named it “Thanksgiving” to express gratitude for their mother’s love.
Wang Yuxia can usually be seen enjoying the sights through the windows.
“My sons have been taking good care of me on the way,” she said, and the warmth of the carriage has prevented her from catching cold.
She is happy to have seen more than 100 tourist attractions so far.
“I’m very moved by what they’ve done. I can’t thank them enough,” she said.
On the road, Wang Kai pulls the carriage from the front while younger brother Wang Rui, 57, pushes it from behind.
So far, they have worn out six pairs of shoes.
“I can walk 107 steps every minute and 10 hours every day, which means 65,000 steps or about 40 km a day,: said Wang Rui.
That is almost the distance of an Olympic marathon.
The brothers’ love for their mother has moved thousands of people.
In September last year, the Taiwan Sleep Disorders Association, a non-governmental organization, invited them to tell their story.
And on March 3 this year, the brothers were invited to conduct a class on filial piety at Fuzhou University .
They have already spend half of the 40,000 yuan they put together before setting out on their journey.
Supporters and admirers have been providing clothes, food, drinks and other daily necessities.
“The brothers are doing whatever they can do to make their mother happy and I must do something for them,” said Zhuo Feng, a resident in Fuzhou , capital of Fujian , who bought the brothers new shoes and their mother new clothes.
A number of businessmen who were moved by the Wang brothers’ filial act also offered them money, but the brothers said they will not accept any cash for their undertaking.
In a letter written to his wife, Wang Rui said it is the love of their mother that has helped them conquer all difficulties.
“Making our mother happy is priceless,” he said.
During their first trip to Hong Kong , the brothers decorated the roof of their carriage with four dragons to symbolize their Chinese heritage. These were later changed to doves of peace to express their desire for peaceful ties across the Taiwan Straits.
They have been in Fujian nearly a month now, waiting for authorities to approve their travel to Taiwan .
Wang Kai said all they know about Taiwan is from books, which say Ali Mountain and Sun Moon Lake are beautiful. The island’s fruits are also famous, he said.
On Aug 8 last year, when brothers heard about the earthquake hitting Taiwan , they immediately donated 1,000 yuan to the Red Cross Society of China to help quake victims.
“People across the Straits are one family,” Wang Rui said.
“We are just helping our brothers and sisters in our way.”
What A Relief!
Yesterday I made some changes to my juicing routine. I am now doing 5 apple+carrot juices, 3 carrot juices and 4 green vegetable juices (previously 6 apple+carrot and 6 green vegetable juices). The main reason for the change is that since I now have access to the liver supplements, I can take it at the same time with the carrot juices.
Yesterday I really had a tough time because of the stomach gases. Drinking the hourly juices became difficult and I could only eat half portion of my lunch and dinner. Swallowing anything was difficult. These gases has been troubling me for the last three weeks. It also make doing the enemas a little difficult since I feel a bit uncomfortable lying down. Still the show must go on. I just have to bear with it for a while longer. Luckily after the night enema, the gases eased a bit.
This morning I woke up with almost all the stomach gases gone. While the gases may have left, I got another tongue ulcer. This is a minor discomfort. I quickly prepared the juices and breakfast and then left for my qigong exercises. What a relief! I will buy lottery today.
Yesterday I really had a tough time because of the stomach gases. Drinking the hourly juices became difficult and I could only eat half portion of my lunch and dinner. Swallowing anything was difficult. These gases has been troubling me for the last three weeks. It also make doing the enemas a little difficult since I feel a bit uncomfortable lying down. Still the show must go on. I just have to bear with it for a while longer. Luckily after the night enema, the gases eased a bit.
This morning I woke up with almost all the stomach gases gone. While the gases may have left, I got another tongue ulcer. This is a minor discomfort. I quickly prepared the juices and breakfast and then left for my qigong exercises. What a relief! I will buy lottery today.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Longer Healing Reactions
Having strong stomach gases and feeling nauseatic are part of the healing reaction. However, the documentation says one should experience it for five or six days but in my case, it is now in its third week. Is this a little unusual? So I began to search for some answers in the Net. I found out from a clinic that practices Gerson Therapy that it is not right to take any form of medication to suppress the gases. If the gases are suppressed, then the healing stop. OK, I will take say peppermint tea to help deal with the situation. I also found out that as the body becomes stronger, the healing reaction lasts longer. One way to deal with the situation is perhaps to increase back my enemas from three times to four times, taking the night enema at 10pm instead of 8.30pm currently done. In one blog written by a lady from Italy who had breast cancer, she even did a plain water enema at night to help release the toxins and she felt less nauseatic in the morning.
At this moment, I am actually feeling quite good, not withstanding the strong stomach gases. The pain in the back from stretching the body is not getting worst, in fact I think it's getting better. Unlike most people, I am a little susceptible to negative body reactions such as pain and the like. As a result, I have to constantly remind myself of no pain, no gain. Sometimes the pain has nothing to do with the tumors but a body reaction. Well who said doing home therapy would be easy especially if you are doing without guidance? Well, that answer to that question was why I wrote this blog in the first place.
At this moment, I am actually feeling quite good, not withstanding the strong stomach gases. The pain in the back from stretching the body is not getting worst, in fact I think it's getting better. Unlike most people, I am a little susceptible to negative body reactions such as pain and the like. As a result, I have to constantly remind myself of no pain, no gain. Sometimes the pain has nothing to do with the tumors but a body reaction. Well who said doing home therapy would be easy especially if you are doing without guidance? Well, that answer to that question was why I wrote this blog in the first place.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Feeling Better
As my stomach gases build over the weekend, I decided to take medication since it could not naturally heal itself. I took two tablespoons of magnesium trisilicate just before my meals. The gases has since subsided a bit and I think I will continue to take the medication for one more day. Hopefully by tomorrow my stomach will be back to normal.
As I "graduate" from my learning qigong status, I started joining the rest of the group to do group exercises. I am quite pleased with my progress. Meanwhile, my Lao-shi acquired a new student which he is now paying personal attention. The exercises are getting a little longer now but I think over time I will get use to the pace. My back still pains a little if I do some stretching. I hope with regular exercises the pain would ease.
As I "graduate" from my learning qigong status, I started joining the rest of the group to do group exercises. I am quite pleased with my progress. Meanwhile, my Lao-shi acquired a new student which he is now paying personal attention. The exercises are getting a little longer now but I think over time I will get use to the pace. My back still pains a little if I do some stretching. I hope with regular exercises the pain would ease.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Quick Review Of Status
In case you have been wondering what's going on, perhaps a quick review of what I did so far. For the first 6 months, the therapy was aimed at stabilising the tumors i.e. prevent it from spreading and also prevent the body from deteriorating to a point that it would be difficult to follow any therapy. That has been achieved. From March 2010 onwards, I am now into the next phase (to September 2010) i.e. to shrink the tumors. It is achieved through detoxing, nutrition, supplements, exercises and some alternative medication. The results takes time, about two years is required for the body to heal itself to the state that it can take care of itself.
My current problems are mainly related to some back pain when stretching and stomach gases, very strong. Yesterday I even had problems drinking my juices and of course taking solid food. Anyway I will be taking some medication for relief, my last resort. Otherwise, I feel quite normal.
As I write, I am having lunch, corn-tomato brown rice noodle soup. I have prepared two afternoon apple+carrot juices to take along and will be going to see the movie, How To Train Your Dragon at 2.30pm. After reading the review for Clash of The Titians, I am not sure if I will go watch it. I try to lead a normal life that revolves around my wife and children.
My current problems are mainly related to some back pain when stretching and stomach gases, very strong. Yesterday I even had problems drinking my juices and of course taking solid food. Anyway I will be taking some medication for relief, my last resort. Otherwise, I feel quite normal.
As I write, I am having lunch, corn-tomato brown rice noodle soup. I have prepared two afternoon apple+carrot juices to take along and will be going to see the movie, How To Train Your Dragon at 2.30pm. After reading the review for Clash of The Titians, I am not sure if I will go watch it. I try to lead a normal life that revolves around my wife and children.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Health Status @ 3 April 2010
New information are presented in italics.
Problem
Tumor mass of size of about 14cm on the right kidney and 21 and 23 over nodes all over my left and right lungs respectively with one up to 3cm in size on both lungs. Possibly also spread to the liver.
First detected on 11 September 2009 through CT Scan. Subsequent CT scan on 1 March showed some improvements on the larger nodes in the lungs but did not provide enough details on the smaller nodes. The primary tumor is now about 12.4cm, about the same size in October 2009. The two bigger nodes on the left and right lungs has reduced by about 1.5cm. However, a new node was detected about the size of 3.5cm x 3.7cm.
Prognosis
Consulted four urologist (one in Singapore and three in Malaysia) and two oncologist (one in Malaysia and one in Singapore). Both oncologist suggested removal of right kidney. Singapore urologist also suggested removal of kidney. The three urologist do not recommend surgery or chemotherapy. The last urologist consulted said most of his patients died within six months of surgery while two on the expensive (RM20K per month) drug Sutent is not responding. All agree that is no cure for the moment.
My urologist said my cancer is at stage 4 and did not recommend me to take any treatment. It is also my own choice not to take conventional treatment after considering all the facts of the case.
Schedule for next scan is in 1 September 2010.
MAIN THERAPIES
a. Modified Gerson Therapy
a1. Coffee Enema
Initially, four times a day for four weeks, every four hours apart. Currently three times a day in the morning, afternoon and evening for 15 minutes.
Commence castor oil enema from 23 January 2010.
a2. Nutrition Diet
All fruits and vegetables mentioned are organic.
i. Juicing - 12 fruit and vegetables juices a day beginning around 7am and ending 7pm. First juice is either 40% ripe papaya (with skin) or green apple, then alternating between carrot+apple and vegetables (mainly lettuce) and ending with carrot juice. Juice from 7.15am to 12.15pm and from 2pm to 7pm, every hourly.
2. Diet - No oil, no sugar and no salt on all cooking. For breakfast and supper, mainly oats with some raisins, sometimes a little Manuka honey is added. For lunch and dinner, vegetables such as Siew Pak Choy, Lettuce, lady's fingers, cauliflower, broccoli and spinach are mainly steamed or boiled. K-salt is added for flavoring. A teaspoon of flaxseed oil is added when serving (but not during cooking). Mainly boiled potatoes and sometimes somali organic brown rice is consumed. ABC or Hippocrates soup are also prepared every other day for daily consumption.
3. Supplements - K-salt, B12, niacin, lugol solution, pancreatin, pepsin and Q10.
4. Others - Rye bread, papaya, guavas, oranges and bananas are consumed at regular intervals.
b. Homeopathy Medicine
Consulting Doctor: DR AU Ramakrishnan MBBS,PhD, Chennai, India (http://www.drramakrishnan.com/)
Local Consultant: Vishuddi Lee
Treatment Started: 6 November 2009.
Consulting: Once every two months in Singapore. Next appointment 8 May 2010.
Reaction: No further reactions observed other than mouth ulcers every now and then.
COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES
c. Acupuncture Therapy
Started acupuncture on 3 March 2010. Originally to ease the back and shoulder pain. The master has however put me on a six months Chinese medication program as well. Due to itchiness reaction, the medication is suspended for the time being.
d. Oxygen Therapy
Started using a personal oxygen generator with effect from 8 March 2010 about 1 hour in the evening, 20 minutes per session. Richer oxygen does help in controlling the growth of the tumors. It also reduces fatigue.
e. Zhineng Qigong
Started practicing qigong on 11 March 2010. Attend classes five times a week from 6.30am to 8am. Need to practice at least 3 hrs per day, in between juices.
Health Status
Current weight is around 70+kgs. Tongue ulcer gone. Back pain only if I stretch my back otherwise no pain. Body feels normal and strong.
Verdict
Strong stomach gases and building up over last week. Makes taking of foods and drinks a little difficult. Get a heart burn kind of feeling. Still a good week.
Problem
Tumor mass of size of about 14cm on the right kidney and 21 and 23 over nodes all over my left and right lungs respectively with one up to 3cm in size on both lungs. Possibly also spread to the liver.
First detected on 11 September 2009 through CT Scan. Subsequent CT scan on 1 March showed some improvements on the larger nodes in the lungs but did not provide enough details on the smaller nodes. The primary tumor is now about 12.4cm, about the same size in October 2009. The two bigger nodes on the left and right lungs has reduced by about 1.5cm. However, a new node was detected about the size of 3.5cm x 3.7cm.
Prognosis
Consulted four urologist (one in Singapore and three in Malaysia) and two oncologist (one in Malaysia and one in Singapore). Both oncologist suggested removal of right kidney. Singapore urologist also suggested removal of kidney. The three urologist do not recommend surgery or chemotherapy. The last urologist consulted said most of his patients died within six months of surgery while two on the expensive (RM20K per month) drug Sutent is not responding. All agree that is no cure for the moment.
My urologist said my cancer is at stage 4 and did not recommend me to take any treatment. It is also my own choice not to take conventional treatment after considering all the facts of the case.
Schedule for next scan is in 1 September 2010.
MAIN THERAPIES
a. Modified Gerson Therapy
a1. Coffee Enema
Initially, four times a day for four weeks, every four hours apart. Currently three times a day in the morning, afternoon and evening for 15 minutes.
Commence castor oil enema from 23 January 2010.
a2. Nutrition Diet
All fruits and vegetables mentioned are organic.
i. Juicing - 12 fruit and vegetables juices a day beginning around 7am and ending 7pm. First juice is either 40% ripe papaya (with skin) or green apple, then alternating between carrot+apple and vegetables (mainly lettuce) and ending with carrot juice. Juice from 7.15am to 12.15pm and from 2pm to 7pm, every hourly.
2. Diet - No oil, no sugar and no salt on all cooking. For breakfast and supper, mainly oats with some raisins, sometimes a little Manuka honey is added. For lunch and dinner, vegetables such as Siew Pak Choy, Lettuce, lady's fingers, cauliflower, broccoli and spinach are mainly steamed or boiled. K-salt is added for flavoring. A teaspoon of flaxseed oil is added when serving (but not during cooking). Mainly boiled potatoes and sometimes somali organic brown rice is consumed. ABC or Hippocrates soup are also prepared every other day for daily consumption.
3. Supplements - K-salt, B12, niacin, lugol solution, pancreatin, pepsin and Q10.
4. Others - Rye bread, papaya, guavas, oranges and bananas are consumed at regular intervals.
b. Homeopathy Medicine
Consulting Doctor: DR AU Ramakrishnan MBBS,PhD, Chennai, India (http://www.drramakrishnan.com/)
Local Consultant: Vishuddi Lee
Treatment Started: 6 November 2009.
Consulting: Once every two months in Singapore. Next appointment 8 May 2010.
Reaction: No further reactions observed other than mouth ulcers every now and then.
COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES
c. Acupuncture Therapy
Started acupuncture on 3 March 2010. Originally to ease the back and shoulder pain. The master has however put me on a six months Chinese medication program as well. Due to itchiness reaction, the medication is suspended for the time being.
d. Oxygen Therapy
Started using a personal oxygen generator with effect from 8 March 2010 about 1 hour in the evening, 20 minutes per session. Richer oxygen does help in controlling the growth of the tumors. It also reduces fatigue.
e. Zhineng Qigong
Started practicing qigong on 11 March 2010. Attend classes five times a week from 6.30am to 8am. Need to practice at least 3 hrs per day, in between juices.
Health Status
Current weight is around 70+kgs. Tongue ulcer gone. Back pain only if I stretch my back otherwise no pain. Body feels normal and strong.
Verdict
Strong stomach gases and building up over last week. Makes taking of foods and drinks a little difficult. Get a heart burn kind of feeling. Still a good week.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Gases In Stomach
My coughing has improved and I am not coughing so much even when lying down. It should get better in the coming days. However, my stomach still has a lot of gases and causing some stomach indigestion. Although I do drink a lot of carrot juices a day, this has not caused me any problems earlier but only happened in the last three weeks. Unfortunately I am unable to take turmeric or ginger to relief the stomach of gases. The other way is probably through stomach massage. I am now free of any mouth or tongue ulcers but I am wondering how long before another ulcer pops up?
Getting up at 6am, preparing juices and then go for qigong 5 times a week is tiring. In my quest to get more rests, I have possibly developed a very bad habit, sleeping immediately after lunch. Perhaps this could also be one of the causes of my indigestion. The timing is suitable and does not interfere with the juicing and detoxing time. One side effect is already noticeable, I have developed a small tummy. Maybe I should do a review.
It's been more than two weeks since I started learning Chilel qigong. As I become more familiar with the exercises, I am joining back the main group instead of being individually taught by the Lao-shi. Today there is a new student and the Lao-shi was busily instructing him. It's still too early to tell if this qigong will have an impact on the healing but any form of exercise is beneficial, one way or the other.
Getting up at 6am, preparing juices and then go for qigong 5 times a week is tiring. In my quest to get more rests, I have possibly developed a very bad habit, sleeping immediately after lunch. Perhaps this could also be one of the causes of my indigestion. The timing is suitable and does not interfere with the juicing and detoxing time. One side effect is already noticeable, I have developed a small tummy. Maybe I should do a review.
It's been more than two weeks since I started learning Chilel qigong. As I become more familiar with the exercises, I am joining back the main group instead of being individually taught by the Lao-shi. Today there is a new student and the Lao-shi was busily instructing him. It's still too early to tell if this qigong will have an impact on the healing but any form of exercise is beneficial, one way or the other.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Time Of Rememberance
Today, 1st April I feel a little solemn. Although I am not a keen fan of him, I do enjoy some of his songs and movies. It's been 7 years since he left us, Leslie Cheung. Wherever you are, may you find peace with yourself.
I was coughing away last light, and because of that I did not sleep well. When I lie down to sleep, the flem keeps building up causing me to cough. It's much better in the sitting position. I think I got this condition from eating one of the few Mandarin oranges that was left over from Chinese New Year (CNY). Anyway I hope my cough will improve over the next few days. I try not to take any form of medication and let it heal naturally.
As you know, I lost my notebook during a lightning strike around CNY time. I almost forgot I actually have a Compaq Tablet PC TC1000 which I bought in 2003. The processor that powers this tablet is slow (it was OK in the beginning) and the maximum memory is only 750MB. So when using the Windows XP Tablet edition, the system runs like a snail. Still I like the small form factor and I guess if for just browsing and office productivity I think it should suffice.
I was coughing away last light, and because of that I did not sleep well. When I lie down to sleep, the flem keeps building up causing me to cough. It's much better in the sitting position. I think I got this condition from eating one of the few Mandarin oranges that was left over from Chinese New Year (CNY). Anyway I hope my cough will improve over the next few days. I try not to take any form of medication and let it heal naturally.
As you know, I lost my notebook during a lightning strike around CNY time. I almost forgot I actually have a Compaq Tablet PC TC1000 which I bought in 2003. The processor that powers this tablet is slow (it was OK in the beginning) and the maximum memory is only 750MB. So when using the Windows XP Tablet edition, the system runs like a snail. Still I like the small form factor and I guess if for just browsing and office productivity I think it should suffice.
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