Why I Made The Choice Not to Undergo Chemotherapy
By Penelope Villabert
Are you sure you have cancer? Why aren’t you on chemotherapy? Do you really think alternative treatment will help you?
I am the least person who gets irritated when family and friends ask me these questions. It only shows they are concerned, worried, and well, a bit curious. Before I proceed, let me clear some issues.
My respect for those in the medical field will never fade. I have many relatives who belong to this incredibly intelligent and gifted group of professionals. I would like to make special mention my cousin Dr. Nanette Catigbe, presently in Cagayan de Oro, and my Aunt Dr. Claudia Smithtivas, living in Florida. Both of them are nephrologists or doctors trained in the diagnosis and management of kidney diseases. I also dreamed of becoming a physician specializing in cardiology when I was a little girl.
I was not much of a believer in the unconventional treatment of diseases which I thought was just work of quacks (my apology). When I was diagnosed, the things I had in mind were surgery, chemotherapy and radiation for my treatment. For me, they are tried, tested and proven scientifically. There was no need for me to look for other treatment.
But if you believe in divine intervention, you will surely understand why I changed my decision. Praying and reading Psalm 91 everyday really helped and continues to help amazingly. We made appointments with our Internist. While waiting, we visited Dr. Romy Paredes, a physician who shifted from conventional to bio-integrative way of treating ailments. Certainly not a quack as I used to think of. His consultation was by appointment but I was given a slot. There was still a long line of patients when we returned to the clinic of our Internist. My number was far behind the others. We were never accommodated. This happened twice so we cancelled our third appointment. Now, you know what I mean. God was leading me to a better way of healing which will suit me best. But that very moment, I never understood why it was happening because my mind was preoccupied with my cancer.
For the first question: Are you sure you have cancer?
Doctors were sure of it. Cancer of the pancreas with metastases in the liver, which had multiple cyst, mild splenomegaly and later it was discovered I also had a cyst in my left ovary. Not to mention I had all the symptoms. Diarrhea, nausea, bloated stomach and back pains. In fact, I remember reading the result to my cousin Doc Nanette five days after the conclusive medical tests and I clearly recall what she said, “Pen, be very careful. Two to three weeks from now it will be very painful.”
Second question: Why aren’t you on chemotherapy?
The size of the tumor in my pancreas which was 821.7 cubic cm (as big as a fist) made it hardly operable. Good thing because I was really scared of going under the knife for the sixth time. I had three caesarian operations, laparoscopic surgery (my gall bladder had to be removed because of the multiple cholesterol stones) and hysterectomy (I had a big, benign tumor in the uterus).
The next option would be chemo and radiation. Why did I skip these procedures?
I did a lot of thinking. I know of people on chemo and they become bald and weak. They become weak because chemo does not only destroy the cancer cells but also the surrounding healthy cells. Unless your immune system is really strong, you will be able to fight it. There are those who survived but after many years, cancer comes back and is more lethal. I could not imagine myself becoming bald. I did not want the quality of my active life to be affected by chemo. Who will cook and prepare meals for my family? Who will clean our home, feed the dogs and do the laundry? It was also bad timing. We had to let go of our two helpers and I had to do everything because a restructuring was made in the company my husband is working and his income was slashed into half of what he used to receive. But as they say, God will provide for those who trust Him and after I was diagnosed we were able to hire helpers again. God is really great all the time.
For the last question: Do you really think alternative treatment will help you?
It is not just an alternative treatment. It is the holistic approach of treating diseases. It has been nine months since I was diagnosed.Tumor is getting smaller, the other affected organs are now normal, pncreatic cancer test is normal - No surgery, chemo or radiation. Just vitamin C and hydrogen peroxide immunotherapy, at least 10 grams of Vitamin C everyday. One liter of alkaline water with 9.0 ph level first thing in the morning after praying, pure fruit juice (guyabano and carrot are my faves) three times or more in a day, coffee enema, no meat of all kinds, dairy products, sweets and preserved foods. Only fruits and veggies especially squash, kamunggay, kamote, saging saba, lots of garlic, onions, bell peppers, ginger, lemon grass, red or brown rice. The only seasoning is rock salt. Lots of sunshine between 7-10m am, deep breathing, exercise (I do taebo, cycling and dancing alternately) and gazillions of happy thoughts, smiles and laughter. I also talk to my body a lot. I thank them, apologize, inspire them and just anything especially about God's healing for us. I sing to and for them, too.I do the same thing to my immune system, the most powerful army God created in the whole world. I do not feel pain only little discomfort when I can feel the tumor dissolving, shredding and melting. And one thing Dr. Romy Paredes keeps on reminding, OUR BODY CAN HEAL ITSELF. But it goes beyond positive thinking and mind over matter. THE HEALER IN US IS AWAKENED BY GREAT FAITH IN GOD FROM WHOM EVERYTHING COMES. HIS GRACE WILL HELP OUR BODY HEAL ITSELF. When the body heals, it does not heal selectively but as a whole, slowly but surely.We should also act on that faith by doing what we are supposed to do right. God has given us all the natural remedies from His bounty. EXPEL THE TOXINS, FEED THE BODY RIGHT AND GOD WILL HEAL. TO GOD BE THE GLORY! GOD BLESS US ALL!
p.s. -but i admit there are side effects... no more high blood pressure and no more Micardis and Vidastat, my daily maintenance.... :)
Family Canteen
The fruit of SILENCE is Prayer
The fruit of PRAYER is Faith
The fruit of FAITH is Love
The fruit of LOVE is Service
The fruit of SERVICE is Peace
