The Surgeons
I visited Dr. Jenson Poon and Dr. Benny Fok in late October early November 2020, both are very experienced surgeons referred by Dr. John Wong. After reading the reports and conducting a preliminary examination, both doctors were of the opinion that I should have an operation to remove the tumor at the rectum. However, given the size and the location of the tumor, I should go for chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy first to shrink the tumor so as to increase the chance of successful removal of the tumor and the preservation of the sphincter activity, and to minimize the chance of having to carry a stoma bag permanently after the surgery.
Without knowing exactly what chemotherapy was about and with my perception from hearing a lot of “bad things” about it, my immediate response to the surgeons’ suggestion was…. Oh No! I don’t want hair loss, weight loss, appetite loss, energy loss, immunity loss etc. etc.
Anyway, Dr. Wong arranged for me already a visit to Dr Ada Ma who is an oncologist. I thought then fine I would go and hear what she has to tell me.
The Oncologist
Dr Ma was very pleasant, and seemed very professional. Firstly she asked me questions then explained to me in detail what chemotherapy was about, what drugs she would prescribe, the procedures, the cycles, possible side effects, her experience with other patients. As well she agreed that a surgery to remove the tumor would be necessary.
In addition, Dr Ma advised that chemotherapy is an effective way to help shrink the tumor prior to the surgery. Dr Ma also suggested that I meet another doctor for radiotherapy consultation after the first 4 cycles of chemotherapy; Dr Ma explained that radiotherapy should help shrink the tumor further. The meeting with Dr Ma lasted for about an hour. I have to say she sounded very convincing, as she believes in what she is doing.
For the chemotherapy plan, Dr. Ma suggested a total of 8 cycles. She would start with 4 cycles, each would last for 3 weeks. On completion of the 4 cycles, Dr. Ma would arrange for a PET scan to assess the progress before deciding on the next stage which in her plan should be radiotherapy to further shrink the tumor then I should be ready for the surgery. After the surgery and with a short rest, I should carry on to the final 4 cycles of chemotherapy to kill any remaining cancer cells in my body. I actually learned at a later stage it is not possible to kill circulating cancer cells with chemotherapy.
Hesitation & Decision
Before I met Dr. Ma, I was hesitating as to the plan to move forward. I discussed with Cecilia that I would very much want to choose a non-toxic path to treat my cancer. I started to read some books which talk about non-conventional cancer treatments. Example, Cecilia introduced for my research the “Square One Healing Cancer Coaching Program” which talks about healing cancer through changing of diet and lifestyle, stress management and body detoxification. I will share more later as I did find the information useful and I am practicing some of the suggestions.
But I was not patient enough to explore thinking I might be running out of time that I had to decide quickly what to do. I learned that at a later time I actually had time only that the doctors’ opinions kind of pushed me to make decision quickly. As well it was not easy for me to feel easy with a 5 cm tumor sitting at my rectum. I was not unwell physically but psychologically I felt like carrying a bomb.
I made my decision pretty fast, after discussing it with Cecilia and a couple of my dear friends. I went for 4 cycles of chemotherapy. The first one started on 13 November 2020.
