The Time Is Right

I was doing further reading on the efficacy of the HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound) treatment, especially on kidney tumors.

I found a selected study reporting the use of HIFU in the kidney tissues which was published by the Indian Journal of Urology, Jul-Sep 2010 edition. Several clinical studies were carried by researchers at various parts of the world. The results as shown in Table 1 on the diagram on the left shows that results of various trials. I was only interested on human trials on renal tumors and the results were impressive, ranging from 33% to 90% of complete necrosis. On a more personal level, I found a testimonial of John Madden  who said: "In 2004 I needed a tumour removing from my right kidney and the consultant explained that I could have it removed by surgery, with the likelihood that I could be on dialysis for the rest of my life, or I could be treated with HIFU. I chose HIFU and the procedure was so simple, I didn`t know it was done. There was no scar or any other after-effects. They tell me that the MRI scans since show that the tumour is no longer a problem, and eighteen months on I am enjoying a dialysis-free lifestyle thanks to HIFU."

Although I am keen on HIFU treatment, I still needed to see the outcome at clinical trials and I think I am now convinced that this treatment is something I would like to do. So I will continue to communicate with the hospital on the preparation and also possible dates for admission. I will be in China for about a month to undergo the treatment and I hope to take the treatment in December/January and hope to come back home just in time for Chinese New Year in late January 2012. One of the reason why I am accelerating treatment on the kidney tumor is that I do get some pain from my tumor, dull pain that lasts a few seconds and the frequency seems to be increasing.

A concerned friend wrote to me yesterday about HITV treatment and this is what she wrote "Did Dr Beh gives u a prognosis of how many % of success? If its good lets c how we can proceed to raise some funds? What do u think?" My reply was "...No, it's too much money to be raised....It's OK, because if it's meant that I will survive, I will. So I think better let nature takes its course." Thanks Ai Wee for the gesture.

My India traveling group is still hoping and praying that I can go with them for the pilgrimage. Of course they are disappointed that I can't go but are also concern about my pain in the legs. I do feel responsible for agreeing to lead them in the first place and now abandoning them on this is self guided tour. Anyway I will be meeting my orthopedic surgeon this coming Tuesday to check on my progress and will ask him for an opinion about traveling to India.