Sun, Sep 05, 1999 page6

• Some lessons from a cancer survivor

  • C. T. Chiang
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  Taiwan is a country with very high cancer rates as well as death rates from cancer. Therefore, in recent years, many specialists and patients have been providing cancer-related information through the media for the public at large.

  The problem is that communication between doctors and patients during the treatment process is often less than ideal. In particular, the efficiency of the treatment is often affected by the patient's biases, inadequate understanding and misguided beliefs. This has in turn shortened the precious lifespan of the patient.

  I contracted multiple myeloma two years ago. When I underwent medical tests at the Chang Gung Hospital in Linkou (林口長庚醫院), the tumor had already grown to 10 centimeters, with almost no hope for a cure. A classmate of mine from National Taiwan University graduate school, Chin Shih-chi (金士起), who went on the Internet and searched for related information from the US, found out that no cure had ever been recorded for this kind of cancer. Therefore, I transferred to the NTU hospital and underwent treatment by the famous doctor Chen Yao-chang (陳耀昌), who told me bluntly that nothing I did would make any difference.

  I remained undeterred. I underwent two years of chemotherapy, bone marrow biopsy, femur amputation, 25 radiotherapy sessions, bone marrow aspiration, autograft and so on. Over the course of the two years, the treatment proved to be extraordinarily effective and the side effects were minuscule, wowing the doctors and winning the envy of other patients. I was able to go home just 14 days after bone marrow transplantation. And within one week, I was strong enough to teach a four-hour class at Tsinghua University.

  In contrast, seeing the lives of too many fellow patients come to an end, I could not help but feel pity. Their condition deteriorated quickly just because they did not know how to seek help in a modern medical system.

  Coming to terms with this harsh reality is difficult. When their relatives were not around, they would often cry to me in the middle of the night. It was heartbreaking to hear them get everything off their chests. But who could have told them before it was too late how to identify the disease and cure it early? I was misdiagnosed for almost half a year and almost lost my life as a result. Therefore, I am writing this to share my experience. I hope this will serve as a useful reference for those who need it.

  How do you find out if you've got cancer? According to a specialist at Chang Gung Hospital's oncology department, seven out of 10 cancer patients die unnecessary deaths. The reasons include inadequate medical information, oversight, not receiving a thorough diagnosis at a professional medical institution, taking quack medicines and shunning reliable medical treatment.

  My experience is that even major hospitals can make mistakes in their diagnosis. My suggestion is that you should go for a complete, thorough diagnosis at the most authoritative hospital specializing in your suspected illness.

  What do you do after you are diagnosed with cancer? First, let go of everything immediately and do your utmost to seek medical treatment (preferably at specialist hospitals). Second, throw away all the drugs prescribed by any doctor other than the attending physician. Any "secret recipe" could affect the efficiency of the treatment, generate side effects and may even cause deterioration and premature death. Third, turn your mental pain into action. Seek advice from, and share your experience with, the attending physician, resident physicians, nurses and fellow patients.

  Don't be afraid of chemotherapy: anti-emetic drugs are proven to be quite effective. Moreover, chemotherapy is not expensive and does not affect your mood. If you shed hair, it will grow back luxuriantly within six months.

  During chemotherapy, drink at least 100 to 200 cc of water per hour 24 hours a day and continue to do so for 48 hours after chemotherapy. The purpose is to eliminate toxins and reduce side effects. Drink fresh lemon juice with no sugar.

  Avoid eating fried foods and avoid seafood that could possibly be contaminated. Try to keep a nutritional balance. Pure vegetarian food is not necessarily the best option. I do take vitamin pills as a nutritional supplement on a long-term basis.

  Take care not to catch colds and keep away from crowds. Rest when you are tired. There is no need to refrain from sex unless the physician prohibits it. For me, everything has been normal since that occurrence of the cancer. My life has not been affected.

  After you get out of hospital, remember to visit the doctor regularly.

  C. T. Chiang is a lecturer with the Center for General Education at National Tsinghua Univer-sity.
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