Our friend Paolo Trinidad is making a name in the Philippines as the master teacher of a special healing theraphy called "Laughter Yoga".I have seen him perform and coach cancer patients at Corridor of Hope events in St Lukes QC..( my son Ryan is President). You start with artificial laughter but it can get pretty natural after a couple of minutes, downright hilarious infact! Experts say you can ACT yourself into feeling. So if you engage in the right actions..the emotions will soon follow.
When Ryan was diagnosed with Lymphoma in 2007, I researched the connection between laughter and healing of cancer. I can never forget the story of an Asian woman who refused chemotheraphy for her breast CA and instead borrowed funny videos, watched them and laughed daily. She was completely healed!! Of course that sounds quite extreme.But everyone has heard a similar story. A story that connects laughter with healing.
At one check up visit to Dr Charity's clinic...she remarked that Ernie remains well today because of his very funny disposition (I have known that for 38 years now!! In fact that is the reason I am Mrs Ernesto Fernandez today). Our doctor agrees that there is a link. So there must be real evidence and science behind it!
Laughter releases a chemical in the brain called "endorphins". Endorphins act like a natural pain killer and gives you a feeling of happiness similar to taking marijuana. They also strengthen your immune system - the army of cells that fight cancer. Some activities that boost endorphins are exercise, eating comfort food, listening to music, petting a dog you love etc- (we've got 3 endorphine producers - our 3 doxies Ola, Garlic and Alic). But top of the list there is plain and simple laughter!!
Anyone who personally knows my husband will agree - he is an absolute clown!! He finds humor in everything! He can say the same corny jokes over and over again and I would still laugh as heartily as I did the first time I heard it in 1976! Someone else could say the same joke and not elicit the tiniest chuckle from me. Everyone loves HIM. Even my 86 year old Mom with Parkinson's disease and who survived 2 strokes, laughs so hard she turns red and cries. He is Mr Program MC for Christmas, Reuions, Weddings, Birthdays etc etc. He is such a blessing to be around with.
Mr FUN, likes to live life to the full! No wonder that is exactly what he gets - disease or no disease we need to live life to the full.
"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." - Proverbs 17 :22
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Friday, February 27, 2015
"I Have Given Green Plant For Food"
How fast can time fly...it's moving at the speed of light!
It's been almost 6 months since my last post. We purposely delayed any checkups and evaluation because Ernie has no symptoms of anything gone wrong. Checkup should have been 3 months ago but Cts scans have radiation that can cause more cancer. So it's once again damn if you do and damn if you don't.. the paradox of dealing with cancer...:
Chemo drugs kill bad cancer cells doing good..but also good cells doing bad
Chemo destroys immune system (white blood cells) which is what one needs to fight the cancer with
Chemo drugs kill bad cancer cells...but also kills the healthy bacteria in one's gut so one can't properly absorb nourishment from food that one needs to fight cancer.
This is what I believe :
Everyone has cancer in the body, it is only our immune system (natural killer cells) that keep the enemy under control. Once that immune system is compromised by bad diet, toxins, stress, etc then the cancer cells begin to multiply and eventually form a tumor.
The formation and growth of a tumor involves the developments of new blood vessels to feed rich oxygen and nourishment to the tumor cells. This is called "ANGIOGENESIS". Without the new blood vessels forming the tumor is stunted. It may still be a tumor but it can't grow bigger and may not be able to invade other organs. One can live with a cancer tumor as long as it is weakened and cannot invade. One can live a normal life with cancer.
Green leafy vegetables and fruits directly stop angiogenesis.
What is the common denominator of the top 5 cities in the world with the longest life spans...100++
a diet that is rich with fruits and veggies, a vegetarian diet! We all heard that before...even when we were little children. But a juicy thick steak or moist meaty ribs are just too much to resist even for the best of us mere mortals. Cancer survivorship means a total paradigm shift from eating for PLEASURE to eating for HEALTH!!
Latest CT scan results are out just now- Ernie's lungs show all fibrosis of scar tissue!! Praise and glorify GOD!! Where are the tumors?? Perhaps drowned by all the phytonutrients from all the romaine lettuce, carrots, broccoli, bell pepper, cucumber and more !! Perhaps suppressed by the organic supplements!
Genesis 1:30
"And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given green plant for food"
MRI shows stable lesions in his bone. It's there..praying it is sleeping.
"Evil lesion, in Jesus mighty name, in the name of HE who did thousands of miraculous healings, I command you to weaken and sleep forever. I command you to disappear and leave Ernie's hip bone healthy and strong" - my cry to heaven.
4 years has passed since Ernie first felt excruciating pain in his pubic ramus bone. Stage 4 lung cancer. 3 days ago he finished a 3k fun run with thousands other in Blue Bay Walk in Roxas Boulevard. It was fun, it was a breeze. It was God's wonderful gift to us!
It's been almost 6 months since my last post. We purposely delayed any checkups and evaluation because Ernie has no symptoms of anything gone wrong. Checkup should have been 3 months ago but Cts scans have radiation that can cause more cancer. So it's once again damn if you do and damn if you don't.. the paradox of dealing with cancer...:
Chemo drugs kill bad cancer cells doing good..but also good cells doing bad
Chemo destroys immune system (white blood cells) which is what one needs to fight the cancer with
Chemo drugs kill bad cancer cells...but also kills the healthy bacteria in one's gut so one can't properly absorb nourishment from food that one needs to fight cancer.
This is what I believe :
Everyone has cancer in the body, it is only our immune system (natural killer cells) that keep the enemy under control. Once that immune system is compromised by bad diet, toxins, stress, etc then the cancer cells begin to multiply and eventually form a tumor.
The formation and growth of a tumor involves the developments of new blood vessels to feed rich oxygen and nourishment to the tumor cells. This is called "ANGIOGENESIS". Without the new blood vessels forming the tumor is stunted. It may still be a tumor but it can't grow bigger and may not be able to invade other organs. One can live with a cancer tumor as long as it is weakened and cannot invade. One can live a normal life with cancer.
Green leafy vegetables and fruits directly stop angiogenesis.
What is the common denominator of the top 5 cities in the world with the longest life spans...100++
a diet that is rich with fruits and veggies, a vegetarian diet! We all heard that before...even when we were little children. But a juicy thick steak or moist meaty ribs are just too much to resist even for the best of us mere mortals. Cancer survivorship means a total paradigm shift from eating for PLEASURE to eating for HEALTH!!
Latest CT scan results are out just now- Ernie's lungs show all fibrosis of scar tissue!! Praise and glorify GOD!! Where are the tumors?? Perhaps drowned by all the phytonutrients from all the romaine lettuce, carrots, broccoli, bell pepper, cucumber and more !! Perhaps suppressed by the organic supplements!
Genesis 1:30
"And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given green plant for food"
MRI shows stable lesions in his bone. It's there..praying it is sleeping.
"Evil lesion, in Jesus mighty name, in the name of HE who did thousands of miraculous healings, I command you to weaken and sleep forever. I command you to disappear and leave Ernie's hip bone healthy and strong" - my cry to heaven.
4 years has passed since Ernie first felt excruciating pain in his pubic ramus bone. Stage 4 lung cancer. 3 days ago he finished a 3k fun run with thousands other in Blue Bay Walk in Roxas Boulevard. It was fun, it was a breeze. It was God's wonderful gift to us!
Monday, August 11, 2014
Almost All Good News
It is August 2014. More than 3 years ago Ernie started intravenous chemo. In January 2011, he first felt pain in his right pubic ramus bone. It has been quite a journey and the journey continues...this journey of faith and trust in the LORD. We are closer to the 5 year mark - only 5% of people diagnosed with this type of disease at this "late" stage remain alive after 5 years. Or so statistics say. But our hope-filled onco Dr Charity insists that statistics is not for individuals..it is for large group of people. And this couple..US....we are not average people, at least not average in the "fight" inside of us.
Last over-all evaluation tests done this month is cause of jubulant celebration!! Almost. The last test, an MRI of the hip showed a slight progression in abnormal bone signals now in a area of Ernie's hip that can affect his walking. Everything remained stable and normal, lungs, liver, spine, pancreas, kidneys, prostate, blood, etc etc...-already quite a feat. It seemed like all the good news was drowmed out by this abnormal bone signal - later confirmed by more imaging tests as metastasis.
Verdict - nobody dies from bone mets - it is like having major osteoporosis. But nobody wants to be walking around worried about not being able to walk or God-forbid having hip replacement surgery.
Ernie was immediately given a new drug for bone strengthening - X VEGA I think the name is. 1 injection a month for 3 months. Pricey as all cancer drugs are. But who cares...whatever it takes. It is suppose to rebuild the bone back to normal and results with other patients in the past were exemplary our doctor says!!
What I am more concerned about is not just strengthening of the bone but more how to put this progression to a halt, a permanent halt.
I have gone to the books again, looking for natural therapies again for bone strengthening and all the sort of remedies out there. Nothing to lose to be obsessed with finding ways, but everything to gain. What if by God's abundant grace I discover a magical combination of vitamins and herbs and minerals and phytochemicals that when working in synergy creates a "cure". We have managed to put his lung tumors to sleep so far...why not the bone mets??
As I bury myself in study about bone metastasis ..I should never lose sight of one fact. That only one word from HIM..and all this is gone. Thank goodness we have our LORD in our lives who carries this burden with us..for HIS yoke is easy and HIS burden light.
Reading a book entitled "Self-Talk, Soul-Talk" by Jennifer Rothschild. Very inspiring, In the book are some passages to ponder...
"But those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint"
(Isaiah 40:31)
Last over-all evaluation tests done this month is cause of jubulant celebration!! Almost. The last test, an MRI of the hip showed a slight progression in abnormal bone signals now in a area of Ernie's hip that can affect his walking. Everything remained stable and normal, lungs, liver, spine, pancreas, kidneys, prostate, blood, etc etc...-already quite a feat. It seemed like all the good news was drowmed out by this abnormal bone signal - later confirmed by more imaging tests as metastasis.
Verdict - nobody dies from bone mets - it is like having major osteoporosis. But nobody wants to be walking around worried about not being able to walk or God-forbid having hip replacement surgery.
Ernie was immediately given a new drug for bone strengthening - X VEGA I think the name is. 1 injection a month for 3 months. Pricey as all cancer drugs are. But who cares...whatever it takes. It is suppose to rebuild the bone back to normal and results with other patients in the past were exemplary our doctor says!!
What I am more concerned about is not just strengthening of the bone but more how to put this progression to a halt, a permanent halt.
I have gone to the books again, looking for natural therapies again for bone strengthening and all the sort of remedies out there. Nothing to lose to be obsessed with finding ways, but everything to gain. What if by God's abundant grace I discover a magical combination of vitamins and herbs and minerals and phytochemicals that when working in synergy creates a "cure". We have managed to put his lung tumors to sleep so far...why not the bone mets??
As I bury myself in study about bone metastasis ..I should never lose sight of one fact. That only one word from HIM..and all this is gone. Thank goodness we have our LORD in our lives who carries this burden with us..for HIS yoke is easy and HIS burden light.
Reading a book entitled "Self-Talk, Soul-Talk" by Jennifer Rothschild. Very inspiring, In the book are some passages to ponder...
"But those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint"
(Isaiah 40:31)
Monday, March 10, 2014
Thyroid Cyst?
Christmas 2013 came and went. I love Christmases..it always has a special glow and warmth in my heart! We needed to get back to the normal January days and brush away the tinsel from New Year.
What was harder than putting the Christmas décor away and saying goodbye to the wonderful firefly lights was the thought of another evaluation of Ernie's health condition. Only prayers and trusting in the LORD can calm the tightness in my gut at this time. Seeing Ernie so happily going about with his high school reunions (which has become more often to his delight!!), serving in Sta Rita Church, Knights of Columbus, Kagawad No 1, etc etc etc..re-assures me that our LORD loves him tremendously and has given him so much "work" while here on planet earth!
For this evaluation Dr Charity asked for CT scan of the lungs and chest, MRI of the spine and pubic bone (where metastesis first felt), complete abdominal ultrasound and ultrasound of the thyroid gland where a cyst is being monitored months now.
Bones, spine, lungs, liver, pancreas, etc..all normal, no change! In cancer, no change is glorious news, something that calls for a celebration!! Except for one thing...Ernie's thyroid cyst grew to almost double the size. We immediately found ourselves goggling information about thyroid cysts and the risk of lung mets, after all this butterfly shaped gland at the base of our neck is close to the lungs.
Dr Charity, upon checking all results congratulated Ernie and even introduced him to several patients asking him to give them words of inspiration! She said not to worry about the thyroid cyst ..from ultra sound it looks benign. But just to make sure, Ernie should have a needle biopsy.
An endocrinologist is the md that does these biopsies. Dr Aquino had to perform this procedure at the 12th floor of the Cathedral Heights building in St Lukes QC. They put a anastetic lotion all over Ernie's neck to numb it..but I thought "what about the inside where the needle passes through??..isn't that going to hurt?" I look at him reading the papers and he couldn't care less about pain or worry.
Can anyone beat that attitude!!
The procedure takes 10 minutes and Dr Aquino calls me in to show me the liquid he extracted from the cyst. He says.."from my experience since 1980's, I say there is a .3% chance this is malignant...let's bet on a bottle of Stella something ( a beer!!!). I could feel my breath going back to normal.. after all point 3 % is less than 1%!! But we had to wait for official patho report.
It came by email after 2 days. Cystic Goiter (thyroid enlargement) - a benign condition that never becomes cancer.
Ernie took his 99 year old Mom and 66 year old sister for a cardio checkup at Heart Center a couple of days back. Dr Romy Santos, a family friend and respected cardio of many years was surprised with Ernie's health update. He said science cannot explain everything. His wife Lala passed away a couple of years back from lung ca that metastasized to the brain. It was a painful story.
Statistics will show that there is a 5% survival rate after 5 years for stage 4 lung ca. It has been 3 years since Ernie felt excruciating pain in his pubic ramus. He is upbeat, energetic and excited about life!! Statistics do not apply to individuals, special one who believes that ANYTHING is possible with GOD!
What was harder than putting the Christmas décor away and saying goodbye to the wonderful firefly lights was the thought of another evaluation of Ernie's health condition. Only prayers and trusting in the LORD can calm the tightness in my gut at this time. Seeing Ernie so happily going about with his high school reunions (which has become more often to his delight!!), serving in Sta Rita Church, Knights of Columbus, Kagawad No 1, etc etc etc..re-assures me that our LORD loves him tremendously and has given him so much "work" while here on planet earth!
For this evaluation Dr Charity asked for CT scan of the lungs and chest, MRI of the spine and pubic bone (where metastesis first felt), complete abdominal ultrasound and ultrasound of the thyroid gland where a cyst is being monitored months now.
Bones, spine, lungs, liver, pancreas, etc..all normal, no change! In cancer, no change is glorious news, something that calls for a celebration!! Except for one thing...Ernie's thyroid cyst grew to almost double the size. We immediately found ourselves goggling information about thyroid cysts and the risk of lung mets, after all this butterfly shaped gland at the base of our neck is close to the lungs.
Dr Charity, upon checking all results congratulated Ernie and even introduced him to several patients asking him to give them words of inspiration! She said not to worry about the thyroid cyst ..from ultra sound it looks benign. But just to make sure, Ernie should have a needle biopsy.
An endocrinologist is the md that does these biopsies. Dr Aquino had to perform this procedure at the 12th floor of the Cathedral Heights building in St Lukes QC. They put a anastetic lotion all over Ernie's neck to numb it..but I thought "what about the inside where the needle passes through??..isn't that going to hurt?" I look at him reading the papers and he couldn't care less about pain or worry.
Can anyone beat that attitude!!
The procedure takes 10 minutes and Dr Aquino calls me in to show me the liquid he extracted from the cyst. He says.."from my experience since 1980's, I say there is a .3% chance this is malignant...let's bet on a bottle of Stella something ( a beer!!!). I could feel my breath going back to normal.. after all point 3 % is less than 1%!! But we had to wait for official patho report.
It came by email after 2 days. Cystic Goiter (thyroid enlargement) - a benign condition that never becomes cancer.
Ernie took his 99 year old Mom and 66 year old sister for a cardio checkup at Heart Center a couple of days back. Dr Romy Santos, a family friend and respected cardio of many years was surprised with Ernie's health update. He said science cannot explain everything. His wife Lala passed away a couple of years back from lung ca that metastasized to the brain. It was a painful story.
Statistics will show that there is a 5% survival rate after 5 years for stage 4 lung ca. It has been 3 years since Ernie felt excruciating pain in his pubic ramus. He is upbeat, energetic and excited about life!! Statistics do not apply to individuals, special one who believes that ANYTHING is possible with GOD!
Saturday, January 04, 2014
Be Thankful to HIM...
"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
and into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him and bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations"
Psalms 100: 3-5
As the first few minutes 2014 began with the usual fireworks, wine noise and merry-making...Ryan Ernie and I hugged each other from the front patio of our home. We have so much to be thankful for in the past year...so much over-flowing gratitude to the LORD!!
Counting the blessings :
1. Despite occasional bouts of mucolitis (mouth sores) Ernie continues to eat well, stay active upbeat positive and excited. Truly amazing!!! I have one mouth sore and my whole day goes down the drain with a bad attitude. I watch him with multiple sores...I know he is in pain but he overcomes it with with a indomitable spirit!
2. Despite occasional pin size bleeding in his fingertips and toe-tips when bumped against objects (another side effect of oral chemo)- Mr Overcomer emerges positive and happy!!
2. Ernie was voted NO 1 Kagawad here in Barangay Philam!! First time ever to enter the field of politics and already number one favorite by residents! He is expectant and thrilled about serving the community. He wins people all around with his wit and humor. You have to know him to agree with me all the way! He is simply just so fun to be around with!
3. We have dear family and friends who continue to love, care and support us during these difficult times battling a dreadful disease. It is a time when we need you to be alongside us the most!To all of you who have supported us with prayers, gifts, kind words- words that lift us, many people have no idea about the power of words -power to destroy and hurt as well as power to build up and encourage--- Thank you so much!! For those whose words are like little gifts in "silver boxes"!! And some of you for just being there asking about Ernie's progress and breathing into us hope and unconditional love...THANK YOU!!
4. We continue to grow in our business endeavors - developing new markets and finding new key leaders to mentor and empower so they too can achieve their dreams and goals in life! We find so much purpose and significance in our day to day business activities!!
5. For my continued health..Ryan's continued health and good spirit.. and his leadership in Corridor of Hope St Lukes Cancer Support group of which he is president - a cause we support with all our mind heart and body!
5. We continue to grow in our LIGAYA ng PANGINOON community...develop deeper relationships with our brothers and sisters and strengthen more our personal relationship with the LORD. Only by HIS goodness and mercy is Ernie healed. Thank you dear LORD.
And so much more to enumerate!! So much more indeed.
For the roof on our head and the healthy organic juice and veggies we have.
For the househelp that do the cooking and massive juicing for Ernie (3 liters of organic greens and carrots) each day.
For great supplements we all take that add the vital plant phyto-nutrients into Ernie's bloodstream
That as another year passes...3 year anniversary now since Ernie felt the first pain symptoms in his right pubic ramus, we become more and more an "oddity", a tiny percentage of stage 4 cancer patients that OVERCOME!!
For this and many more...WE THANK YOU LORD!!
Olive
and into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him and bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations"
Psalms 100: 3-5
As the first few minutes 2014 began with the usual fireworks, wine noise and merry-making...Ryan Ernie and I hugged each other from the front patio of our home. We have so much to be thankful for in the past year...so much over-flowing gratitude to the LORD!!
Counting the blessings :
1. Despite occasional bouts of mucolitis (mouth sores) Ernie continues to eat well, stay active upbeat positive and excited. Truly amazing!!! I have one mouth sore and my whole day goes down the drain with a bad attitude. I watch him with multiple sores...I know he is in pain but he overcomes it with with a indomitable spirit!
2. Despite occasional pin size bleeding in his fingertips and toe-tips when bumped against objects (another side effect of oral chemo)- Mr Overcomer emerges positive and happy!!
2. Ernie was voted NO 1 Kagawad here in Barangay Philam!! First time ever to enter the field of politics and already number one favorite by residents! He is expectant and thrilled about serving the community. He wins people all around with his wit and humor. You have to know him to agree with me all the way! He is simply just so fun to be around with!
3. We have dear family and friends who continue to love, care and support us during these difficult times battling a dreadful disease. It is a time when we need you to be alongside us the most!To all of you who have supported us with prayers, gifts, kind words- words that lift us, many people have no idea about the power of words -power to destroy and hurt as well as power to build up and encourage--- Thank you so much!! For those whose words are like little gifts in "silver boxes"!! And some of you for just being there asking about Ernie's progress and breathing into us hope and unconditional love...THANK YOU!!
4. We continue to grow in our business endeavors - developing new markets and finding new key leaders to mentor and empower so they too can achieve their dreams and goals in life! We find so much purpose and significance in our day to day business activities!!
5. For my continued health..Ryan's continued health and good spirit.. and his leadership in Corridor of Hope St Lukes Cancer Support group of which he is president - a cause we support with all our mind heart and body!
5. We continue to grow in our LIGAYA ng PANGINOON community...develop deeper relationships with our brothers and sisters and strengthen more our personal relationship with the LORD. Only by HIS goodness and mercy is Ernie healed. Thank you dear LORD.
And so much more to enumerate!! So much more indeed.
For the roof on our head and the healthy organic juice and veggies we have.
For the househelp that do the cooking and massive juicing for Ernie (3 liters of organic greens and carrots) each day.
For great supplements we all take that add the vital plant phyto-nutrients into Ernie's bloodstream
That as another year passes...3 year anniversary now since Ernie felt the first pain symptoms in his right pubic ramus, we become more and more an "oddity", a tiny percentage of stage 4 cancer patients that OVERCOME!!
For this and many more...WE THANK YOU LORD!!
Olive
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Back on Track with Great News!!
It's been a long break...from writing in the blog. Months. I don't know what got into me but I was taken over by so many things and just lost the urge to write. But I am convinced I must document this journey..because it is turning out to be a REAL miracle. It is my way to be a living breathing feeling WITNESS to our LORDs healing grace!!
Ernie got back to oral chemo after 3 months of being on a long break. His CT scan in June 2013 showed an increase in size of one tumor, not very significant but an increase nonetheless. Dr Charity introduced us to a new chemo pill targeted precisely for non-small cell lung carcinoma for this new round of medication. Everything remained stable during the past 3 months of no drugs except this one tumor that grew. She says that is an indication that cancer is active.
After around 5 days of taking daily 50mg of Afatinib, horrible mouth sores appeared - countless sores covered his mouth and tongue, he could hardly eat or talk...he was in terrible pain. To make matters worse, he was bleeding in the nose quite profusely - something that caused me to panic wanting to rush him to the hospital. These were all side effects from the new drug - truly this is the classic "damn if you do and damn if you don't" dilemma that faces those that battle this vicious enemy! Our doctor calmed me down saying that these side effects are not life threatening. Low white blood count - rendering your immune system helpless to any attack - can KILL cancer patients. Often the treatment can be more deadly than the disease. All Ernie's blood counts were normal and there were no other side effects except the sores and the occasional bleeding.
Another doctor - Dr Ivan, gave us a solution - he called it a "drug holiday (no pill) every third day. But first Ernie had to stop the drugs for a week just to recover and get himself up to speed again.
The lower dosage was a lot more tolerable - not sore-free, but much more tolerable!!
PET scan evaluation after 3 month of this new drug was scheduled end September. I was praying during daily masses, storming the heavens for very good excellent results...but the LORD surpassed it all!! PET scan covered his brain, esophagus, liver, kidneys, lungs. bones and all the organs and I could hardly believe my eyes!! At the end of the long report - summary says "NO EVIDENCE OF MALIGNANT DISEASE!!" - anywhere!! Ernie is HEALED!!
Words are not enough to describe our joy and happiness! How does a stage 4 lung CA patient (many would be lying on their death beds if not gone back home to the LORD) reverse the disease and get a report from the most expensive cancer scan ever invented yet- showing no cancer activity?? How does invasive cancer strong enough to travel from the lungs to the pubic bone...get stopped and weakened if not altogether annihilated?? How?
Dr Charity was stunned! We asked, have you ever had a patient that recovered so well like this? In the history of your carreer? And she said..."Ikaw pa lang!!"
We are not naïve...we know there are still weakened cancer cells lurking the in nooks and crannies of his system. And are likewise lurking in our system too!! (we all have cancer cells). So vigilance continues...the battle continues. Our immune system (God's protection) can be strengthened enough to keep cancer dormant for many many many years! Our bodies can heal itself! That's what I described in many blog entries in the past. That is what I believe.It is called FAITH.
Only the LORD has the answers. And we put our whole trust in HIM and claim our VICTORY in HIS name!
Olive
Ernie got back to oral chemo after 3 months of being on a long break. His CT scan in June 2013 showed an increase in size of one tumor, not very significant but an increase nonetheless. Dr Charity introduced us to a new chemo pill targeted precisely for non-small cell lung carcinoma for this new round of medication. Everything remained stable during the past 3 months of no drugs except this one tumor that grew. She says that is an indication that cancer is active.
After around 5 days of taking daily 50mg of Afatinib, horrible mouth sores appeared - countless sores covered his mouth and tongue, he could hardly eat or talk...he was in terrible pain. To make matters worse, he was bleeding in the nose quite profusely - something that caused me to panic wanting to rush him to the hospital. These were all side effects from the new drug - truly this is the classic "damn if you do and damn if you don't" dilemma that faces those that battle this vicious enemy! Our doctor calmed me down saying that these side effects are not life threatening. Low white blood count - rendering your immune system helpless to any attack - can KILL cancer patients. Often the treatment can be more deadly than the disease. All Ernie's blood counts were normal and there were no other side effects except the sores and the occasional bleeding.
Another doctor - Dr Ivan, gave us a solution - he called it a "drug holiday (no pill) every third day. But first Ernie had to stop the drugs for a week just to recover and get himself up to speed again.
The lower dosage was a lot more tolerable - not sore-free, but much more tolerable!!
PET scan evaluation after 3 month of this new drug was scheduled end September. I was praying during daily masses, storming the heavens for very good excellent results...but the LORD surpassed it all!! PET scan covered his brain, esophagus, liver, kidneys, lungs. bones and all the organs and I could hardly believe my eyes!! At the end of the long report - summary says "NO EVIDENCE OF MALIGNANT DISEASE!!" - anywhere!! Ernie is HEALED!!
Words are not enough to describe our joy and happiness! How does a stage 4 lung CA patient (many would be lying on their death beds if not gone back home to the LORD) reverse the disease and get a report from the most expensive cancer scan ever invented yet- showing no cancer activity?? How does invasive cancer strong enough to travel from the lungs to the pubic bone...get stopped and weakened if not altogether annihilated?? How?
Dr Charity was stunned! We asked, have you ever had a patient that recovered so well like this? In the history of your carreer? And she said..."Ikaw pa lang!!"
We are not naïve...we know there are still weakened cancer cells lurking the in nooks and crannies of his system. And are likewise lurking in our system too!! (we all have cancer cells). So vigilance continues...the battle continues. Our immune system (God's protection) can be strengthened enough to keep cancer dormant for many many many years! Our bodies can heal itself! That's what I described in many blog entries in the past. That is what I believe.It is called FAITH.
Only the LORD has the answers. And we put our whole trust in HIM and claim our VICTORY in HIS name!
Olive
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Off ALL Drugs!!
Ernie is off oral chemo drugs! He has been off intravenous chemo since last year!! Alleluia Praise God for His love mercy and healing!
Latest PET CT and MRI tests all show continuous regression of 2 lung lesions and resolution of the others. Stable pubic bone lesion. His spirit in high and he feels on top of the world! We had multiple visits with 3 other pulmonologists for 2nd, 3rd opinion and confirmed what Dr Gorospe said - no need for more chemo (more will do more harm than good), everything stable for months now! Ernie will be closely monitored (chest x-ray in April) then another lung CT in June. Ideally the check-ups will be spaced longer and longer apart.
We are advised to "continue doing what we are doing" - the integrative and natural side of healing!! I have ordered another 4 new books from the US and devouring the information. I have learned that God made the human body so wonderfully, it's immune system is designed to protect the body from virus, bacteria and cancer and all forms of invaders that pose a threat to our health. We UNDERESTIMATE how powerful this immune system is - properly fortified with all the elements to keep it strong - it can battle and win over any disease!
On top of massive supplementation with natural and organic sourced vitamins, minerals, plant concentrate and herbs (which costs a fortune monthly!) - he is also drinking his fresh juice concoction but now 13 glasses a day - or 3 liters! He is taking digestive enzymes, pancreatic enzymes and probiotics to create the best environment for nutrients from food to be absorbed by the body. The digestive tract is the heart of the immune system. That goes wrong....everything goes wrong. Unfortunately, it is during chemo, the very cells that line the digestive system and keep it functioning well... are destroyed. No wonder many patients die from chemo side effects (malnutrition) than from the cancer itself! What irony.
We trust in the LORD! We hope in the LORD!......
"The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall be afraid?
When eveil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes
attack me,
they will stumble and fall" Psalm 27 1-3
God bless you!
Olive
Latest PET CT and MRI tests all show continuous regression of 2 lung lesions and resolution of the others. Stable pubic bone lesion. His spirit in high and he feels on top of the world! We had multiple visits with 3 other pulmonologists for 2nd, 3rd opinion and confirmed what Dr Gorospe said - no need for more chemo (more will do more harm than good), everything stable for months now! Ernie will be closely monitored (chest x-ray in April) then another lung CT in June. Ideally the check-ups will be spaced longer and longer apart.
We are advised to "continue doing what we are doing" - the integrative and natural side of healing!! I have ordered another 4 new books from the US and devouring the information. I have learned that God made the human body so wonderfully, it's immune system is designed to protect the body from virus, bacteria and cancer and all forms of invaders that pose a threat to our health. We UNDERESTIMATE how powerful this immune system is - properly fortified with all the elements to keep it strong - it can battle and win over any disease!
On top of massive supplementation with natural and organic sourced vitamins, minerals, plant concentrate and herbs (which costs a fortune monthly!) - he is also drinking his fresh juice concoction but now 13 glasses a day - or 3 liters! He is taking digestive enzymes, pancreatic enzymes and probiotics to create the best environment for nutrients from food to be absorbed by the body. The digestive tract is the heart of the immune system. That goes wrong....everything goes wrong. Unfortunately, it is during chemo, the very cells that line the digestive system and keep it functioning well... are destroyed. No wonder many patients die from chemo side effects (malnutrition) than from the cancer itself! What irony.
We trust in the LORD! We hope in the LORD!......
"The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall be afraid?
When eveil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes
attack me,
they will stumble and fall" Psalm 27 1-3
God bless you!
Olive
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