My Cancer Treatment

I have often been asked... 'what did you take to survive your cancer?'

It seems that the longer I had survived the disease, the number of people asking me this question correspondingly keeps increasing. I suppose this should be expected. Just after my second surgery, I had begun to make many new cancer survivor friends and I had an increasing respect for their long term cancer remedies that they went through. In nearly all of their stories, one common ingredient stood out in all of them - they had determination made of steel.

This, of course, translates into their qualities in discipline, strength and a will to change their lifestyle that is absolutely vital for their very survival. They struck me as highly positive people -happy, enthusiastic, passionate and at the same time, unassuming, humble, loving and kind in their outward disposition and behaviour.

I have written broadly my belief in getting the 3 human ingredients of mind, body and spirit in good, healthy condition at all times. And I had condensed a list of 15 remedies since 2004 - all of which are non-drug, natural based 'regime' and I hope to share these with you - one at a time in this blog. And here, I will begin with the easiest of the 3 ingredients - remedies for my body [physical].

So what did I take to 'cure' my physical illness?

I have, so far nine out of 15 of remedies under the category of 'physical'. And the currently most consistent remedy is my wearing a herbal sanitary pad. This is a pad laced with incredible herbs with an almost instantaneous effect on my colon cancer condition. It 'cools' the rectal region and have so far kept the affected organ in a healthy condition. Prior to my surgery December 2003, I had a bleeding and swollen anus with chronic constipation problems. Now, with the tumour snipped and a strictly controlled diet, amongst my 14 other remedies, these sanitary pads are common feature in my daily wardrobe.

My following remedy, the keladi tikus, will be up next.

Nazlan.

Conviction.. Yakin!

There's nothing like being sure of yourself. It makes you feel good. Try it. Easier said than done? But do be careful, lest one gets caught off-guard for being labeled as arrogant. No, it's really about being confident.

You see, when one is inflicted with a life-threatening disease like cancer, being sure and confident of oneself is so important. In my experience, it may even help save your life!

When I was first told I had cancer, as many people would in that situation, I refused to believe it. You then go through a whole host of 'mood' or 'character' phases... disbelieve - denial - anger - sad - depression - acceptance, etc. Then, you're surrounded with so many 'experts'. Well, first, there's the doctors. And herein lies your dilemma. These guys... what they say is gospel, man - no question. Or so I thought...

Then, there's people whom you love - your family, your wife, your children, your siblings. And your friends. I was fortunate also to have 'surrounding' me cancer survivors. Their opinions have to be taken seriously... I mean, they're survivors, right? What they did, what they went through ... I'd taken my hat off to these chaps. There was this guy, Raphael, who had brain tumour 13 years ago. He was given no chance by his doctors to live.. but this guy now plays squash at the age of 65 and beats guys half his age! He must have done something right to prove his doctors wrong.

So you can see that having a mind that can absorb all the advice thrown at you - by people who are 'experts' at what you are going through and how to go about it - and to be able to say to yourself '..right, I've heard from all of you.. now leave me alone, let me think about this.. and now this is the way for me.'

And I'll tell you something else that I'd strongly recommend - have a soul mate.

I mean, a real soul mate. She has to be a reflection of your very being! My wife, Hafidzah... Only God knows how much I love her. She has been a huge tower of strength for me. She is a reflection of my very being. This is one of the biggest reasons for my current condition.

Then, there's nothing like getting up at nights and praying to The Al Mighty. One of my prayers is Ishtikorah. This is a prayer asking God to give me conviction. To give me strength in making decisions. This is where I would say I had gained self assurance, 'yakin' as we Malays say it, without sounding arrogant or boastful. This inner confidence is so important to cancer patients, as one will be going through so many decision making cross-roads, some that may eventually lead to whether you live or whether you die.

I'd read a New Sunday Times (click here for full story) article about my battling cancer that was publish in the Focus Section this morning. It feels so good to be able to 'give' and share - in a wide sense - the experience that I had gone through, to the masses of people out there who may learn and gain some insight on how to manage cancer - their own, their loved ones or their friends.

And I must acknowledge the good work done by Hafidzah in getting the article published. Only Allah knows the rewards that are due for her in the hereafter, insyaAllah.

Thank you, sayang.


Nazlan.