Stomach problem from Singapore — less than 3 months to live

Dear Dr Teo,

My mother, aged 68, has been diagnosed with linitus plastica. It is concentrated on her stomach and has spread to the surrounding areas but has not infected the other organs.  She was supposed to undergo surgery to remove the stomach but once the doctor found that it had spread, he couldn’t operate.  The prognosis given I that she has less than 3 months to live. She is also unable to eat, and can only take in nourishment intravenously.

Is there any way we can come down to for a consultation?  We are from Singapore.
Hope to hear from you soon.

Reply: Let the doctors do what they want to do first, after that come and see me with all the reports.

 

 

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Advanced Stomach Cancer

Dear Professor Chris,

I’ve read about your treatment for cancer patients through some blogs. Attached is my sister’s report for your reference.

Hope to receive your favorable reply soon.She is still at Penang GH today. Could be discharged today or another 2 days depending on Dr’s advice. Thanks & regards. 

Reply: There is no cure —- better not to come and see me. Let the doctor take care of her. Too advanced cancer.

 

 

Cancer – Hospitalised in Yogya

Dear dr. Chris K. H. Teo,

My name SA from Indonesia. Thank you for your time to read my email.

I got your contact from my aunty, that you are concern on help cancer patient.

I am writing this email to consult my autie’s condition, Mrs. T (female, 63 y.o.). She has been diagnosed with adenocarcioma cancer around C loop duodenal area since a month ago. Doctor had performed gastrojejunostomy for her, unfortunately the mass itself could not be removed due to its location. now her condition is declining, loss appetite, icteric, ascites, and hypoalbuminemia. She is compos mentis but weak, no passing stools at the moment for about 10 days, eat small but frequent 3-5 spoons only (if too much she will vomit), back pain, couldn’t sit on bed more than 30 minutes. Now she still stay at hospital (4th weeks) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. She is under supervised by local internist and surgeon.

Chris, would you mind to help me checking my aunty’s medical resume as attached. We would like to seek for your help if there is therapy you can do for her. Our family agree to take her to meet you if there is high possibility for her to recover better. Kindly let me know if you need other medical information, i will provide as long as i can.

Thank you so much, dr. Chris. I am looking forward for good news from you.

Reply: Please do not bring her to see me here. Let her stay in the hospital and let the doctors take care of her.

 

Stomach and Liver Cancer: Glivec and Sutent

Dear Mr Teo,
I’m writing on behalf of my family members to seek your kind help and advice. My mom has been on Glivec since 2004. She has a growth around her stomach and liver area which they say ‘couldn’t be removed’.

After 9 years’ on Glivec, scan results showed that the growth started to increase in size and doctors changed the medication to Sutent. She started her Sutent around 2013.

However, things started to change as my mother also had very low blood count and has had blood transfusion since Dec 2012.

Our major concern now is that she had her last blood transfusion 3 weeks ago and her body reacted to Sutent with water blisters around her calves and feet. This time it is really bad. Her side effects are a concern, but mostly her health now. She’s been getting weaker since her blood transfusion and we really see the need for your kind advice. At this moment in time, she is bed ridden as well.

We hear about your treatment and would like to seek your advice. Kindly let me know how we can contact you and how we can bring our parent’s to meet you. Many thanks for your time and kind help!!

Reply: If you read enough Glivec is a failure and Sutent is a disaster — makes cancer grow more aggressive. Go to my website and read. I really don’t know what I do to help you. I must admit I am very reluctant to handle such case because I don’t have any magic pill which people expect.

Dear Dr Teo,

I apologise for not addressing you earlier.

Yes, I have read you website and re read it many many times!! Together with the knowledge of side effects from Sutent.  And together with all the testimonials of patients that you have given advice and saved!

All I’m asking is that I understand that your health treatment on taking herbal tea and diet change can slowly change a cancer person(s) body need for a slow but healthier recovery.

And Yes, underlining that there’s no magic pill involved here, but hopefully a better health recovery!

I just hope, if possible that we can make a visit to your office together with my parents and let them be treated by you.

I totally understand that there’s an expectation that any human being will think of, and yes, we hope to see that as well. However, it is more of thinking for my mother’s health and getting her the ‘right’ nutrients now, rather than seeing her ‘waste’ her life away.

Many thanks for your understanding and quick reply.

 

Morning Dr Chris,

Thank you for your time. We will not be coming over.

My mom just passed away.  Many thanks.

 

Stomach-Lung-Liver-Bone Cancer from Singapore. Chemo – no thanks!

Dear Dr. Chris,

I am EO from Singapore.  I’ve your contact from my area pastor Danny.

My family and I would appreciate if you could help my father, 77 years old, a recent convert. He was admitted to hospital on 8 Aug for a stomach ulcer.  After a scope, x ray, scans, blood tests and biopsy my father is diagnosed to have lung and stomach cancer, spreading to liver (spots) and bones.  He is going for a scan on the head and bones on Wed.   Dr has given him three months and an option of chemo. However, we have decided not to take chemo or radiotherapy but quality care for him.

Dr. Chris, we would be grateful if you could offer your help.Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you soon. God bless!

 

Stomach Cancer from Singapore

Dear Chris,

We read through your site and especially about the 72 years old woman from Singapore with inoperable stomach cancer and vomit\ting after eating, feeling bloated, full and also pain in stomach/abdomen area.

My wife has very similar symptoms and with pain in stomach/abdomen due to the tumor growing bigger (4x3cm) and may be touching some nerves, the tumor is suspected bleeding occasionally this week…she also have a few lymph nodes affected around the abdomen area. We have stop chemo since 22 June, dr now recommend radiotherapy which we feel more damaging to the digestive organs/system.

We are keen to go to your place from Singapore, and it would be helpful if you can kindly advise the following so we can arrange:

1. Could you advise how is the 72 years old woman coping…
2. Are there any cases from Sngapore whom we can refer to…
3. Is the most recent ct scan report and blood test enough or do you need all past records (since last may)…
4. Which week in august is most suitable to reach ca care…
5. about how many days do we have to stay in penang…
6. which hotel (with chinese food) is the nearest to ca care centre…
7. about how much the herbs will cost each day or week…
8. do we need to fly to penang often after first visit…
9. After first/second visit, can the herbs be sent to singapore…

We appreciate your kind advise on the above to make advance arrangements. Please also let us know if any other requirements is needed from us. Thank you very much.

Reply:  Thanks for your email. Yes, I got the message but since I am so pressed for time, the reply is a bit late.

a) I wonder what do you expect from us, since there is a tumour inside and the doctors cannot do much. If you expect a cure then I cannot provide one.

b) You can go into my website: http://www.cacare.org/ and all details are there about coming to Penang.

c) There is no need to the patient to come …you come with all the medical reports and scan and we can discuss the problem. Then if you want to try the herbs, you can take them.

To Continue or Discontinue with Oral Chemo Drugs? CA Care can’t advise on such matter! Patient empower yourself

Good day Chris,

I would appreciate if you could kindly advise whether it is advisable to discontinue oral chemo drugs (TS1 – have done 8 course since May 2011) for stomach cancer (1 active + 1 possibly inflammation) that is currently affected 2 lymph nodes (1 active + 1 possibly inflammation) as shown on last Pet scan in early Nov 2011. Reason being of its toxic that is very harmful to the body system and organs that may be irreversible; and thinking to go with the natural alternative way fully; but we are really no sure….and afraid…

Patient side effects from oral chemo drugs include hand and foot syndrome (tinkling feeling, redness, swell, some pain, broken nails), skin pigmentation but no hair loss, no vomit, no diarrhea, no pain.

Patient used to take “sabah snake grass” juice for about 5 months since 01 June 2011 (now discontinued) and has been and currently still taking wheat grass juice, pancreatic enzymes, chlorella, beta glucan, green tea extract, organic food, filter / alkaline water, etc. She also does early morning exercise daily, sitting Qi Gong and prayers, each twice daily…

Patient is 47 years old, female, currently doing very well with no physical symptoms of stomach cancers or pain for more than 6 months since mid June 2011, past 3 tumor markers were all normal, Patient can eat normal portion, sleep well, pass motion, and can do all normal daily activities.

You advice is greatly appreciated as we have no one to turn to…and we may plan to visit your centre this/next month for treatment.

Thank you very much for your kind advice.

Reply: There is nothing to advise … it is up to the patient to decide. Is this my patient?

Chris,

Thank you for your advice and help – you are a great help with this reply. We are not your patient yet and we are thinking to visit your centre this/next month for treatment but now we cannot dicide after seeing your reply.

Reply:  It is okay — do what you think is right. I cannot tell you what to do. Thanks.

Stomach Cancer – Difficult Patient But Wonderful Children. They “Touched” My Heart!

Dear Dr. Teo,

Last week, our father was diagnosed with stomach cancer. He is 76. There is a tumour the size of an egg on the floor of the stomach. The doctor estimates it to be at stage 3 based on the size. We asked him to estimate as my father has yet to go for a CT scan. We told my father that the doctor said he needed to go for one but he declined. He has never had much faith in western medicine.

The fact is, we have not told him of the cancer yet as we are fearful of the negative effect it might have on him. We have no idea how he might react to the news. He is a very determined and disciplined man and has always prided himself on keeping fit and healthy and he may not be able to accept his condition. For now, not telling him would at least keep him positive.

We read about your services and are interested in seeing you this weekend if that’s possible (without my dad). We are from Melaka. Would you still be open to seeing us? We would appreciate it very much if we could consult you.

Hoping to hear from you soon. God bless.

Reply:  No need to come and see me, driving all the way…I don’t think keeping it away from him is the answer — and you all are trying to do something for him is NO use, waste of your time. It must be the patient who wants to heal himself not you or me. And more so if he does not even want to do a scan — so everyone is blind. How to help when the helpers are blind? Also there is no cure for stomach cancer.

Hi Chris,

Thanks for your prompt reply. We appreciate your candour. We understand that it is inevitable that our dad has to know about his condition.  We also realise that in order for any consultation to be beneficial, we must first convince our dad to do a CT scan. After which we hope to see you for a consultation. Although there is no cure for stomach cancer, we would be grateful for any help in easing the pain and discomfort that will surely come.

We don’t mind making the trip. Once again, our gratitude for taking time out to assist us.

Reply: There is NO purpose of coming to see me anyway. What can I do more than to say that you need to do a CT scan. And I have to talk to the patient to tell him what to do exactly. And he must want to change. Talking to you and your brothers and sister is a waste of time. It will not serve any purpose. I would rather spend my time with those whom I know I can help. In this case, it is a losing game from the very beginning.

Hi Chris,

We understand. We will only arrange to see you if we have the CT scan and if our dad is willing to come as well.  Thanks once again. God bless.

Hi Chris,

We are sorry to bother you again. You have been very patient with us thus far and we pray that by writing to you again does not agitate you in any way.  You said that we should do a CT scan but we were wondering whether a gastroscopy (including DVD) cum histopathology report would suffice?

We also understand that you will only see our dad but we hope that you may make an exception. Our dad is a complicated man and while that may have no bearing on you, we would hope for your understanding that we as his children are also victims of this dreaded disease. His wife, our mother, is suffering just as much. You may say that it is a waste of your time but we beg to differ. Although you may regard him as a lost cause, please consider the fact that while you may be unable to cure him, you will at the very least be helping his wife and children make a concerted attempt to make his remaining time with us as comfortable as possible. That Chris, is as great a gift as prolonging a cancer patient’s life.

We need guidance and your extensive experience will prove invaluable. We hope that our appeal to you will not be viewed upon with disdain rather with appreciation that we as his children need to do ALL they can for him regardless. Pains insist on being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience but shouts in our pain. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world. If we can ease one Life the aching or cool one pain, we shall not live in vain.

We promise you Chris, that our father will follow your treatment diligently. He is disciplined and determined. However, he is difficult in some ways. He doesn’t even leave Melaka to visit his children in KL. Some people are just peculiar in that way. We can’t explain it in any other way.

We hope that we have not come across as pushy or preachy. If we have offended you in any way, we apologize for it was not our intention. We pray that you will consider seeing us. We will not take much of your time. A short time with you can mean a huge difference for us and our mum.

Thank you once again for listening to us. God bless you and your wife for the good work that you are doing.

Reply: Come and see me with all the medical reports that you have.

 Hi Chris,

We would like to once again thank you and your wife for agreeing to see us. We arrived uncertained and somewhat lost but we left with relief, hope and a clear direction. We could not have accomplished this without your guidance. It is indeed uplifting to see the work that you do with your patients and our admiration is profound. God bless you both.

18 August 2011

Stomach cancer ? Children want to keep this away from him

Dear Dr. Teo,

Last week,our father was diagnosed with stomach cancer. He is 76. There is a tumour the size of an egg on the floor of the stomach. The doctor estimates it to be at stage 3 based on the size. We asked him to estimate as my father has yet to go for a CT scan. We told my father that the doctor said he needed to go for one but he declined. He has never had much faith in western medicine.

The fact is, we have not told him of the cancer yet as we are fearful of the negative effect it might have on him. We have no idea how he might react to the news. He is a very determined and disciplined man and has always prided himself on keeping fit and healthy and he may not be able to accept his condition. For now, not telling him would at least keep him positive.

We read about your services and are interested in seeing you this weekend if that’s possible (without my dad). We are from Melaka. Would you still be open to seeing us? We would appreciate it very much if we could consult you.

Hoping to hear from you soon. God bless.

Reply:  I don’t think keeping it away from him is the answer — and you all are trying to do something for him without him knowing the real reason. NO use – waste of your time. It must be the patient himself who wants to heal himself not you or me. And more so, if he does not even want to do a scan — so everyone is blind. How to help when the helpers are blind? Also know that there is no cure for stomach cancer.

Stomach Cancer: Patient Declines Chemo

Hello Dr Chris,

I was referred by a friend, hope to seek advice from you —  what we should do for our dad’s illness. We are lost —  making decision of the kinds of treatment that we should approach. We are locate in south Malaysia

My dad aged 64, was diagnosed with stomach cancer around November 2010. Some symptoms already shown in during mid-2010, e.g., fainting, weak, lack of blood, stomach pain. Went for blood test, the doctor only gave some stomach medicine (Romesec) during that time. My dad is quite well currently, had thin down 13kg, feeling weak some of the times.

During Nov 2010 till now:

First – Feeling very weak, lack of blood. Went for the check up in government hospital, the doctor says that the cancer had already spread from stomach to liver, kidney etc (they mention ” it’s all over” in our ordinary people term), has already reach a very serious stage. Have to go for chemotherapy.

Second – After that we went to a private hospital to check again, the doctor only check the stomach with a “camera pipe.” And the doctor commented that have to remove the whole stomach (we think it’s crazy). We show the report to a nurse friend who says is not that serious as we thought, its 2nd phase.

Third – We consult a Chinese medium. His advised to go for chemotherapy, after that he would provide herbs that would help to gain my dad’s body resistance/immunity, to try to fight or resist the tumor from spreading.

We are worried that our dad might not able to take it/suffer after chemotherapy, is it really that bad after going for the therapy? Does this therapy make my dad worse than before, hair drop, more weak? Is there any other ways to treat the condition?

My dad insists that he doesn’t want to go for chemotherapy. He would look only for Chinese medicine. I believe that what my dad worries chemotherapy only “make things worst”.

Hope Dr Chris would give us some advise what we should do. We can provide you information if you need any.

Thank you so much, hope to receive your reply soon.

Reply: You are from South Malaysia — means what? Where? Be more specific so that I can tell you where to go exactly.

 

Stomach Cancer: No, we don’t do hospital visit and we don’t give comments via the net too

Dear Sir,

My name is R from Indonesia. My father was diagnosed three weeks ago with gastric cancer by one of the hospital at Penang. Last week, my father undergoes near total gastric removal surgery to remove the cancer. And now, they mentioned that my father have to go through chemo to kill some of the cancer cells that might spread to other organs.

My father still in Penang now and I would like to ask your time to check up on him. Because my father is Indonesian, he is not familiar with Penang city and might have difficulties talking to you directly.

Could you meet up with him tomorrow?

Reply: See me on Sunday night at 7 pm onwards. Bring all medical reports ~ Chris (10 November 2010).

Two weeks later, 27 November 2010

Chris,

I am sorry that my father was unable to meet you. He was so eager to return to Indonesia after staying almost one month at Penang. He is kind of grumpy when got sick.

With this email, I attached some of the medical records that were given by the hospital. I hope that you could look at it and provide further insight on best treatment that could be given to my father. I really appreciate the help. I am currently unable to visit you directly due to work.

Comments: Sorry, I cannot cure medical reports. I also cannot help if patients do not wish to help themselves. Unfortunately, I also do not make visits to hospitals – it is not ethical at all for me to interfere with what doctors do in their hospitals.

 

Stomach-Liver Cancer – no chemo?

Dear Chris

My mum, age 75 diagnosed with advance stage of Stomach cancer metastasis to liver in early September, 2009.

She had gone thru three course of oral chemo drug prescribed by the National Cancer Centre in Singapore. Today after the doctor examined my mum, we were told that there is not much the doctor can do for her.  The doctor doesn’t encourage  my mum goes for intravenous chemo, she might not be able to take the strong side effect and might even shorten her  life.

My mum stays in Johor with my brother ( I am her daughter staying in KL)

What shall we do next? I need help

Thank you

HC

 

Stomach Cancer

Dear Dr Chris,

I’m writing on behalf of my brother in law (Pete) who is suffering from Cancer of the Stomach. He was diagnosed in January this year and has since remove part of his stomach. He has also undergone 29 times of chemo and radiation. However, after the last chemo, he started vomiting even more and now he practically can’t eat. He is currently warded at the HUKM in Cheras as the vomiting got worse  and he has lost about 25kgs. He was very weak and was put on drips but his vomiting has not stop. The Doctors can’t explain the cause of his vomiting and today they say there is nothing much they can do now. We hope you can give us some advise as we are lost on what we should do next.

Hope to hear from you.

Regards,

Mary

 

Stomach Cancer from India

This is what someone wrote about the patient’s medical history:

Feeling pain in stomach past 6 months. Gastro Doctor gave some Medicines for gas and acidity. Got little bit of relief but not cure. Endoscopy done and found that it is Linitis Plastica. Biopsy done and found to be signet ring cell carcinoma( adenocarcinoma).

CT Scan done and found: Wall thickness of body, antrum and pyloric region of stomach with heterogenous contrast enchancement. Maximum thickness is at anterior wall of antrum measuring, 25 mm. There is perigastric fat stranding with the loss of fat plane with pancreas at places. Enlarged lymph nodes, largest measuring 14 mm seen at perigastric region. No evidence of peripancreatic fluid collection. The mediastinal structures and cardia are normal.  There is no evidence of mediastinal or hilar lymphadenopathy.  The lung fields are clear. No pleural effusion or thickening is seen.

IMPRESSION: Features are consistent with carcinoma stomach with perigastric lymphadenopathy STAGE T4N1 Mx. Doctors told us it is the stage and patient has only 1 year life. Doctors decided to give Chemotherapy (Palliative). Given first chemo on 23rd October 2010, Two more they will give. Before the chemo, feeling pain in stomach and chest. But after the chemo, feeling pain in stomach, chest and back.

Reply: I am sorry. The patient is too far way for me to help.

Stomach Cancer: Given Up Case from Singapore

Dear Chris,
My mum, aged 72, had been diagnosed with stomach cancer in June and was scheduled for surgery to remove the stomach on 12 Aug 2010. However, laparascopy revealed metastasis to other organs in the abdominal region: liver, intestines. As a result, the surgeon didn’t proceed with the surgery. The next step recommended is chemotherapy but the success rate doesn’t appear promising. Her hemoglobin levels have been dropping and she’s already been given 3 bags of blood since July. We’d like to fly up from Singapore to see you next week if possible. Could you please advise on the following:

1. How many days should we plan to be in Penang?
2. Are there better days/times when we should turn up?
3. How far are you from the airport?
4. What are your payment modes?

Thanks in advance,

Reply: No, you don’t have to stay here … come in the morning and fly home in the evening. Bring all the medical reports and scan, etc. Our centre is in town — you can get a map in our website, click the Chinese section. It is easy to take a taxi and it is about 20 minutes from the airport … on the way to town. I don’t know what herbs she eventually needs but the herbs are dirt cheap. And I don’t charge consultation fee like doctors. I hope that helps.