| Amy (not real name) was 48 years old when she | | | | oncologist? |
| was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon (caecum) | | | | A: I felt very depressed. I did not like the way he |
| cancer in 2001. She underwent a hemicolectomy | | | | talked to me. It appeared like he wanted to do |
| on 5 November 2001. The histopathology report | | | | business -- then he said, you must do this and do |
| indicated: "moderately differentiated | | | | that. He was not kind like the other doctors. He |
| adenocarcinoma of caecum involving pericolic fat. | | | | was very insensitive. We were very unhappy and |
| The pericolic (6/10) and apical nodes (2/2) are | | | | decided to come and see you instead. |
| involved by metastatic tumour (Duke C 2. T3 N2 | | | | Husband: After we saw the oncologist, we knew |
| Mx). The resected margin are free." | | | | that we could not "click" with him. On the other |
| Her surgeon recommended chemotherapy but | | | | hand, the surgeon was a very kind man. When |
| Amy declined. She opted for herbs instead. She | | | | we told him that we would not go for |
| came to CA Care in November 2001 and was | | | | chemotherapy, he said: "Do what you believe in." |
| started on herbs: Capsule A, GI (1) Tea, | | | | He was more supportive than the oncologist who |
| Lympho-Tea (stopped mid-2006) and C-tea. She | | | | was not friendly at all. We never went back to |
| has been taking these herbs "religiously" ever | | | | see the oncologist ever again. |
| since. | | | | A: In fact to this day, my surgeon is very |
| It has been six years and Amy is doing fine. Over | | | | supportive. When I went back for my routine |
| the years she had gone back to her surgeon for | | | | check up, he still enquired if I was still taking the |
| surveillance check up and there was nothing | | | | herbs. He also asked if I ate meat, and that I was |
| amiss. | | | | still on vegetables, etc. I think my surgeon was |
| I met up with Amy and her husband on 18 | | | | very happy to see me well. |
| September 2006 and had a chat. | | | | Husband: We were very fortunately to have a |
| Question: You underwent an operation but did not | | | | nice and kind surgeon. |
| go for chemotherapy, radiotherapy or take any | | | | Q: If you look back, would you do the same thing |
| doctor's medication? You started to take herbs | | | | all over again with regards to your cancer |
| and are still doing so up to this day. Are you a | | | | treatment? |
| healthy person - are you okay? | | | | A: I am satisfied with what I have gone through |
| Amy: Yes, I am healthy. I think I am healthier | | | | and what I did. There were no regrets. I still |
| now than I was before. This is because I don't | | | | remember what my husband told me: "Amy, if |
| have any more gastric problem -- unless of | | | | you do not want to go for chemotherapy and |
| course when I over-eat or when I am hungry. | | | | wanted to go on the herbs, you have to believe |
| Otherwise, I don't have any gastric problem. I | | | | in what you are going to do. If you don't believe |
| sleep better. Energy wise I am good. Before I | | | | that the herbs are going to work for you, then |
| was on the herbs, I would be sleepy by 9 to 10 | | | | don't take them. I want you to put in your heart |
| p.m. Just one or two weeks after I started to | | | | and soul to do this". |
| take the herbs until this day, I am still not sleepy | | | | Q: Besides taking the herbs and following our diet |
| even if it is 12 mid-night. And remember, I wake | | | | recommendation, did you take any other herbs or |
| up at 6 o'clock every morning. Even that, I feel | | | | supplements? |
| fresh the whole day and I don't feel sleepy or | | | | A: No supplements. I took fruit juices for the first |
| tired and am full of energy. I don't need to sleep | | | | few years. It was only later that I started to |
| in the afternoon. | | | | take fish oil and sometimes garlic pills. Apart from |
| Q: After the surgery, were you asked to go for | | | | that I was and am entirely on your herbs. |
| chemotherapy? | | | | Q: After taking the herbs, how long did you get |
| Husband: After the operation, the doctor was | | | | to experience their effects? |
| asking us to start chemotherapy as soon as | | | | A: When I first came to collect the herbs, I was |
| possible. To the doctor, we must not delay this | | | | told that I would pass out a lot of smelly stools. |
| treatment. | | | | That would be the first sign of cleansing. It |
| A: The operation was done on 5 November. A | | | | happened exactly like I was told when I started |
| week later, I had to go back to the hospital for a | | | | the herbs. I passed out a lot of dark stools. The |
| follow up examination. The doctor told me that I | | | | smell was real awful. I felt exhausted after this |
| would need to go for 30 sessions of | | | | cleansing. This process went on for about 5 to 6 |
| chemotherapy. One week would be 5 sessions. I | | | | days after I started to take the herbs. Then, |
| would then have to take two or three weeks | | | | things gradually went back to normal. |
| rest and then start the cycle again. The doctor | | | | Q: After taking the herbs for a week, did you |
| was telling me that I must do this quickly if not | | | | feel any better? |
| the cancer can come back again. I was asked to | | | | A: Of course. I felt better. I was not sleepy |
| fix a chemo-pot but I declined. After this, I | | | | anymore. Energy wise I was better. |
| decided to come to CA Care instead. | | | | Q: Over this five years, did the herbs and CA |
| Q: After you decided to take herbs instead of | | | | Care made any impact on you? |
| undergoing chemotherapy, did you get any | | | | A: Yes, of course. When we came to collect |
| pressure from your doctors -- that this might not | | | | herbs, Khadijah and Johan always have a lot of |
| be the right approach? | | | | good words and encouragement for me. Then, I |
| Husband: No. This was because we did not go | | | | also remember when I came here and I met you. |
| back to the oncologist any more. If we were to | | | | You talked to me and gave encouraging advice. |
| go back to him, we might get such "pressure". | | | | These words still stuck with me. You said: "It is |
| We started to take the herbs. She was not | | | | not the herbs alone - it is also your will to live and |
| getting worse. Instead she was getting better. So, | | | | wanting to get well. Besides, patients must keep |
| we shut our mind to all other external pressures | | | | to their good diet". "Laska" was my favorite food. |
| or advice and kept our focus on the herbs and on | | | | Because of your words, I dared not eat "laksa" |
| what we have decided to do. | | | | for many years! |
| Q: How did you feel after talking to the | | | | |