Antares

I have not met Kit Leee @ Antares in person but I see him very often on the www. We appear to have many mutual friends and acquaintances.

Antares has for the last few days been fighting for dear life stricken with malaria.

Judging from the number of well-wishers on the internet, he must have managed to really touch the hearts and minds of thousands with his presence in cyberspace...all this mainly from Pertak, a small little orang asli settlement near Kuala Kubu Baru.

Incidentally, he emailed me a couple of weeks back when he chanced upon Jeannie's blog and memorial website. I reproduce here with his partial permission some excerpts that show Antare's heart in the right place.

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Comment made in Jeannie's blog:

Antares said...
I only came to know about this inspiring incarnation of the Great Goddess through leaving a comment on KS Cheah's blog. What an amazing lady Jeannie was - and what a loving husband and children she was blessed with! Well, I won't have the pleasure of meeting Jeannie now, but perhaps one of these days I shall meet the rest of her delightful family.

**********************************************
E-Mail submission from Jeannie's memorial website:

Name: Antares

Email Address: magickriver@gmail.com

Subject Infinite blessings on you and your family

Your Permission To Reproduce Message? YES

MESSAGE

K.S., I've chanced upon your blog a few times and noticed the lovely portrait of Jeannie on the sidebar. But till today I wasn't prompted to explore further. Having read a bit about her life and her early departure from this plane on 12 July 2007, I feel a deep sense of loss for having never met her, for I'm quite sure we would have been good friends. Nevertheless, you and your beloved children are alive and well and the option to meet not only exists but can be quite easily arranged. I'd like to invite you (and any of your children who are interested) to visit me at #21 Kg Pertak -an Orang Asli resort located at the far end of the Selangor Dam lake off the Fraser's Hill road. It's only 75 mins drive from KL and day trips are no problem - and if you like, you're welcome to experience...

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Get well soon Antares...the majick river awaits.

Why Religion Means Very Little To Me

For this post I am borrowing the following warning from one of J.J.'s blog posts.

"Warning! Explicit content. View videos at own risk. The blogger of this post is not responsible for any damage inflicted (emotionally or otherwise) to any individual who reads this post. Those who may find this post offensive upon partial viewing would be advised to leave IMMEDIATELY!"
I discovered the works of Dr Michael Newton almost two and a half years ago, after Jeannie's passing. I was looking to make sense of my life after Jeannie and looking for closure perhaps...I needed to reconcile myself to myself. Scouring the internet only trawled up too much data that made things more confusing so I decided to go "brick and mortar" and visited Kinokuniya Bookstore.

Of the hundreds of books at the Philosophy, Religion and New Age sections, I was somehow drawn to this one:

...and so began my own personal journey of discovery and reconciliation. Watch these videos if you choose to:




















After reading Journey of Souls the obvious next step was to read Michael Newton's second book entitled, "Destiny of Souls":

Destiny of Souls by Dr Michael Newton

Smoke On The Water - A Sobering Thought

The Hassan Ali beer debacle is the latest "tak masuk akal" issue by this PAS megalomaniac wannabe. He is full of crap and blows hot air. Since beer is essentially water (more than 95% by volume) and hot air also is a by-product of smoking, therefore the title of this post.

"Smoke on the water" is a Deep Purple 70s hit that seems to be a drug song (but is not). Well, not everything is what it seems (I am inclined to think Hassan Ali too) but speaking of drugs, has anyone looked at this nationwide scourge lately? Judging by 2006 UNICEF statistics (reported cases only), Hassan Ali better give up (on the) beer and turn his attention to this largely Malay problem (70% of reported drug abuse cases) rather than behave punched drunk in public. While he is at it he might as well start a jihad against smoking too. I wonder whether Hassan Ali smokes because the following blogpost by Dr Rafick is not only sobering and makes absolute sense; it should be savoured by all:

Hassan Ali – between cigarette and alcohol

1. It has been nearly two months since I went to Ulu Langat to visit my small fruits orchard. In Pekan Batu 14, I saw a big cloth banner near the mosque where it says “PAS menyokong tindakan MBSA” or in English “PAS supports MBSA Action” I supposed it has something to do with Hassan Ali latest caricature act where it attack Ronnie Liu action of interfering in MBSA action in confiscating some beer from some shops.

2. There are several sides of the issue that should be examined. Firstly, in my mind Hassan Ali action has embarrassed us Muslims with his shallow and narrow way of doing things.

3. Indirectly he had portrays that the Muslims are in this country are weak and has poor religious and health knowledge when it comes to alcohol consumption. His actions implied that Muslims especially in Shah Alam has no brains and cannot think for themselves and the only solution left is that to implement open banning.

4. Hassan Ali wanted alcohol to be banned in Muslim majority areas. How do we define a Muslim majority area and its boundaries? As a whole, on average 55% of the population are Muslims by birth. If we go by electoral boundaries or by geographical boundaries in Selangor, all areas are Malay (indirectly Muslims) dominated areas. But then many Malays are not strict and pious Muslims, hence I suspect there are not many Muslims dominated areas.

5. Does it mean that we have to deprive the interest of the 45% of the populations? Many Muslims and non Muslims do not consume alcohol because of health reasons. What we need to do is not banning the sales but to improved self discipline among the Muslim community. We need to do “more marketing” on why people should not consume alcohol instead of banning them.

6. Even in Kelantan where PAS holds its fort, alcohol is being sold. Liquor outlets are licensed. There has been no issue all along in Kelantan. Why is that? Hassan Ali motive is certainly questionable. If the Muslims in Kelantan can controlled themselves, there is no reason why Muslims elsewhere cannot do the same. The non Muslims there do not sell alcohol to Muslim as they know the impact of the law.

7. I am a Muslim by birth. I do not drink alcohol. The only beer I drink is A&W Root beer and F&N Ginger beer! I teach my children the reason why they cannot drink alcohol is because of its health impact first and next that it was also mention in the Quran. I told them that before beer existed, Allah already forbid the consumption of alcohol because it destroys the human body. It is the same with cigarette smoking.

8. If Hassan Ali is so concerned about the “Halal and Haram”, he should focus on a larger issue that is facing the Muslims in Selangor today. In Selangor, smoking cigarette is Haram but Muslims are puffing away like chimneys. I dare even say that they contribute to the haze that we are facing currently. Many PAS members and mosque committee members smokes openly but no one wants to do anything about this. I am not sure whether Hassan Ali is a smoker himself.

9. Smoking is major problem in Selangor and in Malaysia. It has a social and health impact and many studies have shown that it is predominantly high among the middle and lower income Muslims. It is a problem among Malay students in schools. In fact, if one goes to any mosque and analyze how many of the mosque office bearers are actually smokers; we will come out with a shocking discovery.

10. So, why is that MBSA is not confiscating cigarettes from 7-11 stores in Shah Alam? The religious laws are there and yet those with enforcing powers are not doing anything about it. Trade related laws are clear enough that selling cigarette and alcohol is allowed in this country and that is why cigarettes are not being confiscated. If that is the case, why discriminate against alcohol.

11. In my assessment, the interim decision by Khalid is certainly a wise one. In reality there are plenty of laws out there and MBSA officers must act within the boundaries of its law. There isn’t any need to create new laws. Whatever actions that we take we must show the superiority of our ability to think. A community irrespective of religion will be respected for its foresight and ability to think wisely. I hope the next time Hassan Ali open its mouth, he will not embarrassed us Muslims any further.

Takziah Al-Fatihah Rokiah

On the morning of 10th July, I received this sms from Ridhwan: "Rokiah passed on peacefully on 9.7.09 at 11.20PM. She has now found peace with God."

My heart really goes out to this family whom I met by chance and blogged about here, here, here, here and here.

The following is the sms exchange with Ridhwan through that day which is produced without permission:

"I am so sorry bro. Please take care of yourself. Was it bcos of the cancer or that she cud not recover her strength after (hospital)?"

"I don't think (surgeon) did a good job. She was admitted to hospital in JB bcos of a bleeding wound in the abdomen last Sun. In the end the cancer won."

"Bro, be at peace with yourself. We shud meet when you are ready."

"Sure, Cheah, we will meet."

*********************************

"Bro, how are you holding up? I know ur only consolation is that Rokiah is no longer suffering emotional and physical pain."

"Yes, its been so taxing for her, a little for me, the last year. I'm at her condo in JB and its a very lonely place for me now."

"Bro, did the cancer spread?"

"Not sure but liver was definitely not doing well becos of jaundice and leg swelling"

"Superfluous to think anything now anyway. Lets meet. Take care."

Rest In Peace Rokiah.

Of Alcohol, Alcoholics and Alcoholism...

It is about 8.30 pm on 31st December, 2008. The last day of the year and the time of day when many are out there celebrating the fact that they made it through the year and waiting to usher in 2009. Much alcohol will flow tonight for those who indulge, and the rest will I am sure be as drunk with emotions as we bid farewell to 2008. Tomorrow is another day.

I am sad today. I am sad today because a dear friend blogged about himself today in reference to revelry. I am sad for the narrow and judgemental view that belongs only to those who have succumbed to generalizations yet, I understand why. 

Some of the most generous people I know are also known to appreciate their single malts or wine and these are captains of industry and indeed society. From now on do I label them good for nothing alcoholics? No I refuse to. Instead I will honor them for the good they have done and I will toast to them for the greater good that they will continue to do. Here's to 2009! Cheers!!! 

Of By-Passes, Transplants and Open Hearts...The Sime-IJN Fiasco

The National Heart Institute or Institute Jantung Negara (IJN) is close to my heart in more ways than one. Firstly, it is a first rate hospital doing great work for all strata of Malaysian society when heart disease remains the number one killer (we are told it will be overtaken by cancer in 2010); in this context, we know how pertinent IJN is to Malaysia, when valuable human resource is just a heartbeart away from being lost every day. Secondly, I had an angioplasty done there in 1998 by none other than the eminent, Dato' Dr Roba'ayah Zambahari.

Back in 1998 it cost RM17,000 as a private sector patient for the angioplasty and I was more than glad to pay it. I remember consulting Dr Roba'ayah for the first time in the morning and getting the angioplasty done in the evening of the same day. Although if I were a civil servant, treatment is virtually free I was thankful for not having to endure the long wait list! To me, this was a fantastic formula for sustaining this wonderful organization for ALL Malaysians. One of the greatest mysteries I find today is when I hear people seeking treatment for heart disease in private sector hospitals instead of going to IJN. We have the best at IJN and as far as acquiring experience, nothing beats the specialists in IJN who deal with the heart day in day out.

Sime Darby in health care I also know well enough through Subang Jaya Medical Center (SJMC). Back in 1985 or so when SJMC was set up, Jeannie was one of its first 2000 patients. Krystyn (1986) and J.J. (1990) were born there and SJMC remained our "family hospital" until about 2000 when we sued the hospital and one of its doctors for medical negligence. SJMC had some of the best doctors in the country yet eventually we felt over commercialization of health care messed up some of their objectivity and priority. Who is to say this would not happen to IJN in Sime hands?

Now, we hear Sime Darby wants to take over IJN but is rightly facing lots of flak from the rakyat. Events unfolding over the last few days do not smell clinically clean. This is not the first time we have heard of Sime Darby's intentions in the health care sector. There was talk years ago that the Group wanted to privatize all major government hospitals in the country and eventually the whole national public health care delivery system I think. Its insurance arm complemented Group strategies by attempting to corner the health insurance market in the country. Market players in health insurance know how they have failed.

Sime made the following announcement to the KLSE on the 17th of December:

The next day, it announces that it had received the government's approval in principle:

It claimed it received fast-tracked approval pulak! On 18th December, this was verified by our great PM-in-waiting Najib who seems to have been infected by the same flip flop disease as the PM-on-way-out when on the 19th December, he announces the deal has been postponed. What the fcuk is all this? Who is advising Najib and gave him "foot-in-mouth" disease? It does not bode well for Malaysia when our so-called future PM appears confused and punch-drunk! Who else is tugging his chain? Read this blog: Najib Statement On IJN Doesn't Jive.

Taking care of the poor and needy, Najib? Kadir Jasin had this to say, and more: "That Sime Darby is close to the government is neither a guarantee nor a comfort. Sime Darby already owns and operates the Subang Jaya Medical Centre. How many poor people are being treated there at low fees?"

To stem human resource outflow from staff pinching and potential source of funding for expansion, Najib? Then why this statement from almost all the consultants in IJN?

We read with concern the perceived perception that the medical staff of IJN are demanding higher pay and will leave IJN if these demands are not met.

We feel it is important that these negative perceptions are correctly put into context.

The institution was set up in 1992 as a corporate body directly under the purview of Ministry of Finance. Its board of Directors include representatives from Ministry of Health and MOF to ensure its direction and objectives of providing good quality and affordable medical care to Malaysians from all walks of life are adhered to.

In that respect, IJN has done and continue to do well, both in maintaining its moral as well as financial obligations. The institution has been self-sustaining since its inception (and has been able to pay year end bonuses annually without fail). For 2007and up to end Nov 2008, we have accumulated 285,764 number of outpatients, performed 15,084 cardiac catheterization interventions including angiograms and angioplasties, 6,094 heart and lung surgeries, 7 mechanical hearts and heart and lung transplants surgeries.

As true with any organization of our size, there will be people leaving the organization at various times in order to pursue different career paths. Over the last 7 years of operation, out of a total of 35 consultants, only 7 have left IJN to work either in local or overseas private centres. Therefore, our consultants' annual attrition rate is only 3%, and we have responded consistently over time to promote our home grown talents to fill up the voids accordingly. Currently, 75% of IJN consultants have been in their posts for more than 10 years.

All of us are salaried based on a different payscale than that of the MOH though not at par with the private centres. Periodic review of salary scale is usually undertaken, subject to approval from Ministry of Finance.

As proven from our consultants' attrition rate and longevity in serving this institution, it is logical to surmise that on the whole we are happy with the current scheme and proving it by remaining with IJN. Many of us have served than 10 years, excluding time spent within the MOH Hospitals prior to setting up of IJN.

Whilst we have yet to have a clear picture of the proposed privatization by Sime Darby, we would like to reiterate our commitment to serve IJN in its current form and want to stress that the proposed privatization of IJN must not be seen to be as a response to our demands for better pay. The medical personnel of IJN are not at all involved, directly or otherwise, in the negotiations for the said privatization.

Being responsible employees of IJN, we are not in the position to dictate the outcome of the privatization proposal from Sime Darby to the stakeholders of IJN. However, the perception that the privatization proposal is in response to demands for higher remunerations by its medical staff is misconceived and must be corrected accordingly to safeguard and preserve the trust placed upon us by our patients.

Signed,
1. Sharifah Suraya Syed Mohd Tahir
2. Suhaini Kadiman
3. Nor Azlina Abdul Jalil
4. Ariffin Marzuki Mokhtar
5. Thiru Kumar Namasivayam
6. Mohd Sharif Mohd Shaffie
7. Mohamed Hassan Mohamed Ariff
8. Azhari Rosman
9. Amin Ariff Nuruddin
10. Ahmad Khairddin Mohd Yusof
11. Aiza Aizan Abdul Rahim
12. Mohd Nasir Muda
13. Shaiful Azmi @ Jamauddin Yahaya
14. Balachandaran Kandasamy
15. Azlan Hussin
16. Razali Omar
17. Chew Soon Ping @ David Chew
18. Rosli Mohd Ali
19. Robaayah Zambahari
20. Mohd Azhari Yakub
21. Pau Khew Kong
22. Sivakumar Sivalingam
23. Abdul Rais Sanusi
24. Hew Chee Chin
25. Hamdan Leman
26. Alwi Mohamed Yunus

I do not know what is going on exactly in this developing IJN fiasco but Najib is the one tarred and feathered. For one who has benefitted from the surgical removal of outgoing UMNO President and by-passing an election for the President's post, has he compromized too much to be sitting where he is sitting? Who is doing the deal? Nazir Razak? Does the country need a major organ transplant? Well at least we know we have the brains and expertise in IJN! Well done Dato' Dr Roba'ayah and gang; we the rakyat salute you!!!

2004

I have just retrieved data from my desktop hard disk that crashed in end-2004. There were so many photos in there that I had not backed up but thankfully, I have not lost them. It has taken me 4 long years to get myself to retrieve the data. Going through the stuff made me realize why.

2004 was the turning point for the worse. It was the year that marked the beginning of Jeannie's drastic downhill slide; health wise. The arrival of Prince Cheah into our lives on July 27th was the best thing that year as he added so much joy to Jeannie's life as she struggled with her health.

2003 had been good. We moved to Bukit Antarabangsa in June 2003 and after 5 years in a condo, moving back to landed property was a refreshing change. Jeannie and I managed a trip to Korea in September before a family holiday to China in November. Things were almost exactly as what we dared to expect them to be. Jeannie at 44 looked her best ever (in my eyes anyway) and I was hopeful it was a mirror of glowing health internally.

Just before Chinese New Year in January of 2004, Jeannie began having abdominal problems. For a change, we spent Chinese New Year (late January) in Langkawi but it was a miserable holiday as Jeannie was not well at all and was already losing weight drastically. A barium enema examination immediately after, showed a constriction in her colon. A colorectal specialist at a medical centre (a Dr. Q) was quick to "confirm" colon cancer (99.90% sure it seems-without even a blood test or biopsy) and recommended surgery. Our world fell apart but we should have realized then why he specialized in rectums.

The only reason why we consented to the operation was because surgery was the only option to remove the constriction that was restricting Jeannie's bowel movements. He was so certain it was due to a growth within the colon and not something external like adhesions. He should not have been so smug about his cancer diagnosis. He could have spared us the trauma of cancer anxiety and he could have prevented a chain of events that ultimately cost Jeannie her life-I shan't elaborate.

Somehow his remark after the surgery, "Mr Cheah, it's a miracle! The 0.10% came through!" did not sound comforting as he went on to confirm that the constriction was external and due to adhesions! Now, even you know why he specializes in rectums. The last I heard, he attributed another of his patient's unexpected improvement to a miracle too; it must be his habit or he must think he is Jesus Christ or something!

Jeannie never really recovered from that trauma and the surgery also took its toll. Certain people will rot in hell (if there is one) for the chain of events caused by the trauma. That was how 2004 and Jeannie's battle with weight loss began. The following pictorial tells the story (please also see slide show at the end of this post):













































































































































































































































































































































































24th December 2008 UPDATE:

Created the above slideshow of photos from 2004.

Ridhwan's Rokiah...Round Two

Ridhwan just posted this which is self-explanatory. We wish them well:

Bringing in the Heavy Artillery, again…..
December 8, 2008 by randolph

Cancer is a formidable foe. Fighting it, and defeating it, requires every ounce of energy you can muster. Everyone says a cancer patient needs a positive state of mind to fight this battle, and I don’t disagree. But having the best mental attitude isn’t going to kill the cancerous cells residing in your body. You need much more.

In the management of cancer, so-called modern medicine has only three weapons to fight this powerful enemy - surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. History, and experience, has shown that neither of the three have proven to be effective on its own. In reality, even a combination of any or all of the three have produced quite dismal results. I am not making this conclusion based on what I think. Go read the medical journals, medical case histories and the record of “success” that medical science has to offer - and you will understand what I am saying.

And so we must look elsewhere for the cure. But there is one big problem here too. It is because there are hundreds of people claiming to have the product that is the answer to curing cancer. And the ordinary guy suffering from this terrible ailment (it’s not a disease, by the way) has no way of knowing which “cure” works, and which doesn’t. And unlike a person suffering from say, gastric, a cancer patient cannot afford to experiment because of one glaring truth - he does not have much time.

In Rokiah’s case, we did not have much time. In fact, there was no time. After the surgery to remove the cancerous growth in the ascending colon, we thought things were better - at least the source of the cancer had been removed. Then the wound did not heal, and back she went to the operating table, the second time in a month. Even so, this did not warrant pushing the panic button. Not until she developed serious breathing problems. Many cancer patients do not die directly from the cancer itself, but from another organ failing or the body breaking down because the patient is just too weak or incapable of fighting this terrible enemy. In Rokiah’s case, it was the lungs weakening from the ordeal of undergoing two major operations and a long stay in hospital (read articles preceding this for the details). The prognosis from a surgeon? She did not have much time left.

In a rare move, the B17 protocol was administered on October 1st in hospital (coincidentally also the first day of Hari Raya Aidil Fitri). It probably saved her life.

It is now one month and 19 days since the 19-day B17 treatment. During this period, we have not been sitting idle - you cannot afford to do this when you are dealing with cancer. I mentioned earlier that this is a battle you have to fight from many fronts. Rokiah was on Transfer Factor Plus, whose primary job was to boost her body’s immunity, and although she has only taken this for one month, the results are encouraging. For the mental part, so important for healing, she started going for qigong on a daily basis, doing this for the last 21 days. This too has helped tremendously, albeit in a different way. Then there is the vegetable juicing, a very good way to ensure consumption of a large quantity of this raw food. Plus a few other selected supplements that aid in the fight against her cancer.

The recent blood test confirms we are on the right track. So it is time to bring in the heavy artillery. We have weakened, even killed some of the enemy, but we need to finish the job once and for all. As optimistic as I am, even I dare not predict the outcome of this looming mother-of-all-battles. Fighting cancer has never been on a level playing field, but we approach this encounter with courage, determination and with great hope.

The second round of the B17 protocol will even the odds in our favor.

Ridhwan's Rokiah...the continued unfolding

Last Friday night I visited Ridhwan and Rokiah at his parents' home is SS2, PJ. It was the first time I met Rokiah again after meeting her at SunMed Hospital in October. Rokiah was in fine spirits and more importantly, she felt well! Theirs is a heart warming story of love, dedication and hope. I feel privileged to be allowed to observe at close quarters, their strength and resolve as Rokiah journeys back to optimum health.

The dilemma they faced after round one of the fast-track B17 protocol is resolving itself. The options now appear clearer. I am please to read in Ridhwan's blog the latest blood test results are encouraging. Do read:


Report Card-5.12.2008: No chemo, Cancer controlled

The Stats:

* 1 month 25 days since second discharge from hospital

* 1 month 18 days since 19-day B17 treatment

* It was time for another blood test. Since October 19, when the B17 protocol ended, Rokiah’s cancer has been managed by the following:

1. Transfer Factor Plus - high dosage, taken for 1 month (since 3.11.08)
2. Healing Qigong - started 21 days ago (since 15.11.08)
3. Juicing/other selected supplements
4. B17, only the pill form, for 6 days prior to blood test (since 26.11.08)


The Blood Test Results

- Cancer markers maintained or reduced, some significantly, indicating cancer is being controlled.

- Other areas, especially liver function, show normal readings.

- Overall, a more promising result than previous blood test on October 20, 2008.

- In the meantime, energy level has improved significantly, appetite and ability to sleep at night (both problems previously) have also improved.

Ridhwan's Rokiah

The long anticipated blood test results, after the 19 day B17 protocol came out yesterday. Rokiah is in good spirits and feels well. Quite apart from being frail after the regime, she is determined to be well.

The results remind me of HSC/STPM exam in those days; doing well in some subjects and disappointing in some that had been hoped to improve. As with HSC, it was a dilemma of whether to repeat it or settle for a less desirable option in university. Re-taking did not guarantee better results and another half year would be lost. But the difference here is not about careers; it is about life itself.

Yes, Rokiah's readings were mixed and a couple of markers did increase; one even doubled. Yet, some other markers have improved and her husband Ridhwan is in a quandary. The "form teacher" has analysed the results and has attributed the negative results as being due to the surgery and is confident a re-take will show better results.

Since chemotherapy cannot start yet for various reasons, Ridhwan is comtemplating the next move... these are difficult times.

Hobson's Choice?

A dear friend is cancer stricken. He was diagnosed a few weeks ago and the trauma for him is unimaginable. In order not to have to repeat himself this IT savvy buddy has opted to blog regularly about his condition.

As with Randolph’s Rokiah he was introduced to B17 and has undergone a full 19 days of the protocol. His first blood test results came out yesterday; he believes that the last two and a half weeks could have been futile. His cancer markers have gone up and he is seemingly between a rock and a very hard place. Time is of the essence and no one really knows how much sand is in the hour glass.

He went to see an oncologist today and chemotherapy is the obvious option since the tumor at the pancreas is too dangerous for surgical removal at this juncture.

So how does one advise him? We don’t actually. We can only give our opinion and all major decisions rightly belong to him. In the final analysis, they are all merely opinions…regardless that the opinions come from the heart or from years of medical practice. If this scourge were fully understood, it would not exist anyway. We would not be faced with so few options.

This dear friend is a perfectly rational man and sometimes I feel he is too rational. He would have considered all options available and weighed time against measures. No one can imagine what goes on in his mind and the perceptions that result. He has perceived that his decision slightly more than 19 days ago has not achieved his desired results, and has decided to try the other two options available i.e. chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Hopefully a radiation bombarded tumor will be reduced to make surgery a viable option. My fear is that his decision will shut the door to a more effective alternative treatment though I have no right to agree or disagree; I cannot fault him for his perceptions.

It is all so easy for me to be typing all this while he remains in his solitary world wrecked with uncertainty and urgency. Yet I have seen too much to want to leave him to himself and absolve myself of all moral responsibility. I have to offer him another perception.

The funny thing about perception is that it is personal-to-holder. I have always believed that justification drives all of us and how we perceive determines how we justify. My dear CK, allow me to show you another perspective.

and...NEVER GIVE UP!!!

The Amazing Unfolding Continues...

I posted earlier a short narration about a sick woman who was in a hopeless situation until fate intervened. Rokiah is having 4th stage colon cancer and today (since 1st October) is still undergoing a 19 day treatment protocol using Vitamin B17 as the main ingredient. I had wanted to wait until after the 19 days to blog details about this heartwarming story but since her husband Randolph @ Ridhwan has a blog, he is documenting the "amazing unfolding" as it is happening now. This is from Ridhwan:


Its Called B17
October 10, 2008 by randolph

I know a lot about B17 and its controversial past. I have heard about the Oasis of Hope hospital in Mexico. I know who Dr. Ernesto Contreras was. But I never expected B17 to be available in Malaysia. That was until I met Cheah, totally by accident, one lonely night in the hospital.

B17 has very likely saved a life.

I am a rational, educated individual. I do not believe in magical cures. I do not believe in voodoo, black or white magic or using helmets to knock the devil out of one’s head. I do not think too highly of bomohs or any medicine man promising a quick cure.

But I believe in B17 because I have personally witnessed, on a day-to-day basis, the almost magical improvement in the health of a person suffering from stage 4 colon cancer.

http://www.worldwithoutcancer.org.uk/
http://www.oasisofhope.com/


The Taxing Timeline
October 10, 2008 by randolph

The Ordeal Begins…..

September 4: The long journey from Johor Baru to the hospital near Subang.September 5: Major colon surgery carried out.
September 13: Discharged from hospital.
September 19: Re-admitted, because of wound infection - fluids discharging from wound.
September 20: 2nd operation in a month to re-stitch the wound.
September 25: Developed breathing problems, doctors are concerned. Returned to ICU and will remain there for another 3 1/2 days. Heart rate: 128-130. Oxygen level (with oxygen aid): 96%
September 28: Back to a normal ward, breathing only slightly improved.
September 29: Doctors express grave concern over her continued gasping for air. One even opined that if the breathing gets worse, everybody should be prepared for the worst.
September 30: With almost no medical options left should the breathing become worse, I made a decision, with the approval of her three doctors, to start B17.

There’s Always Another Option…..

October 1: Hari Raya. Started 19-day B17 protocol/regime.
October 2: Breathing improves. Respiratory doctor expresses surprise at her recovery.
October 3: Heart rate drops from 130 to 110. Swelling in arms disappears.
October 4: Breathing without any oxygen aid. Heart rate: 105, oxygen (on her own steam): 98%.
October 5: All tubes removed except urinal tube (drip tube, oxygen tube, intravenous feeding tube).
October 6: Last tube removed (urinal tube). Stand-by surgeon writes “miracle” in medical log.
October 7: Heart rate: 100, oxygen 98-100%. Starts to walk, with assistance.
October 8: Swollen legs (from Sept 1) subsides completely. Continues with walking exercises.
October 9: Primary surgeon says she can be discharged by October 11. I chose to let her stay one more day in hospital, so that the physio can continue with the walking exercises.
October 12: Discharged.


The Pianist in an Orchestra
October 10, 2008 by randolph

The B17 protocol/regime is much more complex than just swallowing apricot seeds. A pianist is usually the highest paid musician in an orchestra, the star of the ensemble. But without the other musicians in the orchestra, the music is not complete. While B17 is the star of the protocol, the treatment is strongly supported by a highly skilled “orchestra”, made up of 20-25 “musicians” - either a vitamin, supplement or nutrition. Together, they work together to finish off any cancer cell in the body.


The Proof is in the Blood
October 10, 2008 by randolph

How does one know whether the B17 protocol/regime works?

Simple, no rocket science here. Take a blood test before the treatment starts. Look out for the cancer markers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumor_marker). After the treatment, take another blood test. Compare the two. There are only three possible scenarios - situation has become worse, situation is unchanged and situation has improved.

Oh by the way, there’s a fourth scenario. All the markers are back to normal. And you know what that means.


“How did this happen?”
October 11, 2008 by randolph

There are three doctors (and two others with less major roles) who have been attending to Rokiah. The first is the primary surgeon who performed the colon operation. The second is the young surgeon who replaced the primary surgeon when he was on leave for 6 days. The third is the lady respiratory doctor.

It was the young surgeon who on September 30 pulled me aside and told me that Rokiah’s condition was very serious and that “she may not have much time left.” This same surgeon wrote in her medical log a few days later (after the B17 protocol started) that “its a miracle.”

Today, on the eve of her discharge, the doctors made what would be their last visit to Rokiah’s now too familiar hospital bed. The first, the lady doctor, came by when Rokiah was having her breakfast. Besides the usual “how are you today” greeting, she also smiled and knowingly remarked “It’s a miracle, you know.”

The second visitor was the primary surgeon. He came to the ward when the nurse was helping give Rokiah her 9am B17 “medication.” (The B17 regime starts at 7am and ends at 10pm - all in, a total of 9 feedings.) His remark? Nodding to the nurse, the surgeon said “Yes, give her more of that stuff!”

Is this really a miracle?

Time will tell.


Now Read This!
October 10, 2008 by randolph

From the Oasis of Hope hospital:

One of my favorite board games ever is Risk. The object of the game is to conquer the world. You place your armies strategically around the board trying to capture territories held by opposing players, all the while seeking to protect those that you already possess. On the surface, it is a fascinating game of strategy, timing, and quick thinking. Beneath the surface, however, is an even more fascinating game of alliances.

Much like the game of Monopoly, the game of Risk has a reputation for dragging on for days. This is due to the unseen aspect of the game I mentioned. As a player, I noticed that whenever an opponent began to gain momentum, gobbling up surrounding territories, an unspoken alliance was formed between the other players in an attempt to restore balance to the board. If your attempt to win was too heavy-handed, you were sure to face the combined efforts of the rest of the players. Needless to say, heavy-handed attempts to rule the world rarely won the game. Just ask Hitler.

Cancer is heavy-handed. There is nothing subtle at all about the presence of a malignant tumor in your kidney or lung. Cancer makes no attempt to veil its threat. It is a disease that gathers momentum quickly and attacks with frightening ferocity. Only a concerted and combined effort can repel such an attack. This is the principle behind the Metabolic Therapy my father pioneered.

My father believed that to defeat cancer, it was necessary to attack it from every possible angle. He understood the importance of both direct and indirect approaches. The foundation of the Metabolic Therapy is its multi-faceted approach. Yes, we do attack the tumor, but we also stimulate the immune system and address causal factors. Our total care approach requires the patient’s participation. Cancer treatment is not a spectator’s sport. The patient must be prepared for the fight. We go through a process of structuring a patient for success by providing the necessary resources to face the threat at the physical, emotional, and spiritual levels. There is no question that the alliance between body, mind, and spirit can even the playing field against cancer. In chapters that follow, I will take you through our newest therapies as well as mind/spirit medicine but let me begin with the foundational program my father designed to dismantle cancer’s strongholds. In this chapter, I will share how we can sensitize cancer to treatment, attack the tumor, cut off its supply lines, and take out cancer’s transportation system.

Let´s start with sensitizing the tumor. Did you know that cancer defends itself against attacks? Tumors can become resistant to chemotherapy, radiation or whatever else you throw at it. It would make sense that if you could dismantle cancer’s defenses, you could then take it out, right? What are the ways that cancer defends itself? One way is that tumors encapsulate themselves with blood vessels that are so restricted that antitumor agents can’t get through. Another way is that tumors amass high concentrations of a substance called glutathione. Glutathione is the element that makes tumors resistant to treatment. Is there a way to lower the levels of glutathione in tumors so that they would become sensitized to anticancer treatments? The answer is yes. For glutathione to be produced in the cells, it needs another substance called cysteine. Please continue with me on this trail that it took many years to identify by top researchers. Is there a way to lower the level of cysteine? Yes. Cyanide will deplete the supply of cysteine. But, isn’t cyanide a poison? Cyanide is toxic to our body but it will not make us sick in very low doses derived from a whole food source. You eat cyanide-rich food everyday if you eat apricots, pineapples, apples, or any of the other thousand cyanide-toting foods found in nature. The cyanide in these foods is present in a nutrient called amygdalin. Amygdalin can release cyanide in malignant cells resulting in depleting the supply of cysteine, thus diminishing the intracellular concentration of glutathione. This will sensitize the tumors to antitumor treatments including chemotherapy, Ozone therapy, and UV light.

We also use amygdalin to attack the tumor. The cyanide realeased by amygdalin is one of the best killers of malignant cells as well. Amygdalin has a double punch. It lowers cancers resistance to treatment and it releases cyanide to kill cancer cells directly. If you wish to read the technical explanation of how these two functions of amygdalin occur, please refer to appendices I and II and the end of the book.

If amygdalin can be so helpful, why aren’t more cancer treatment centers using it? The first argument is that it can be toxic because it contains cyanide. The second argument is that it doesn’t work.

Let’s talk about amygdalin’s toxicity first. We have used amygdalin with tens of thousands of patients since the early 1960s. You might say that we know a thing or two about amygdalin which is also known as laetrile and vitamin B17. The cyanide released by amygdalin does not reach toxic levels that can harm or even discomfort patients. But don’t accept my word as the only proof. A famous researcher named June de Spain conducted a laetrile toxicity study that was published in The Little Cyanide Cookbook (Am. Media). She took three groups of rats. Group one was fed white bread. Group two was fed whole wheat bread. Group three was fed laetrile. After three months, 75 percent of rats that were eating white bread were dead. The white bread survivors were at death’s door. The rats that were eating whole wheat bread were in good shape. The rats who were eating laetrile were all alive and in the best condition of the three groups. The conclusion of this FDA sponsored trial was that, “white bread is 70 times more toxic than laetrile.”

No, laetrile/amygdalin presents no risk of toxicity.

What about the argument that laetrile is not effective? We have conducted several prospective clinical trials that demonstrated that amygdalin is quite effective in the combined treatment of the most common and deadly cancers including inoperable lung cancer, advanced prostate cancer, stage IV breast cancer, and colon cancer with liver metastasis. We submitted these studies to several medical journals but they were rejected. Some editors cited that our studies did not have control groups. But it is scientifically valid to conduct a study and compare results with similar studies published in medical journals. That is what we did but we were still denied publication. Other editors stated that our study was not designed properly and that the conclusion was not definitive. Others were quite candid. They rejected the studies because the use of amygdalin was too controversial. I think the third group was honest and I appreciated getting a straight answer from them.

Read the rest of the article here:

http://oasisofhope.com/cancerhospital/dismantling-cancer/a-combined-effort.html


If You Can Treat It, Why Cure It?
September 21, 2008 by randolph

When someone close to me was diagnosed with colon cancer very recently, I started to research on cancer. I went to the world’s greatest library - the internet, to look up the current cancer treatments available, and more importantly, the alternative treatments/cures available. It is unfortunate that in this day and age, the obsession with making money has made it confusing for a person looking for a real solution to these illnesses. One can never be sure whether the offered “cure” is real or just another money-making venture.

One very disturbing fact I came across was that the giant pharmaceutical companies, sometimes hand-in-hand with the government, have gone to great extremes to block cures that are not only genuine, but tested to be effective. Why? Because these big companies cannot patent and make money from these cures, since the sources of these cures originate from what God, through nature, has given us.

One such cure originated from Germany and is called the Budwig Diet or Budwig Protocol. I will let the following article do the talking for me. The article was written by an individual who like me, also wanted to know more about Budwig and credit goes to this person for the research done.

If this article has helped someone you love, let me know!

Randolph

Read the article on Budwig Diet...