Octogenarian Gets Cancer Cure (Squamous Cell Carcinoma Lung-1995)
For this 82-year-old man, a bad fall, years ago, had changed the course of his life. He had fractured two of his ribs and been ill since then. He had persistent cough, breathlessness while ascending stairs, and a perennial stitching/stabbing pain in the chest. The ordinary course of treatment had no effect on his cough.
His chest X-ray showed opacity at an area in the right lung and pleural effusion. His pleural fluid was aspirated and FNAC done - tuberculosis was suspected and Anti Tubercular Treatment started. He got symptomatic relief. After three months, a repeat X-ray revealed that the fluid collection remained the same. A CT scan of the chest was done and the result revealed the existence of moderately differentiated Squamous cell carcinoma in his right lung with pleural effusion. He was advised surgery.
His brothers declined the idea of surgery as one of them was already my patient and he had deep faith in Homoeopathy. So he brought his brother to me. They told me in confidence that they hadn't revealed the disease diagnosis and the seriousness of the condition to their brother and pleaded me to remain silent on the same. I felt that it was a good suggestion not to intimidate the patient.
A detailed case history was taken. In addition to the pulmonary symptoms, he also suffered from right sided inguinal hernia. He was a diabetic for the past 22 years. His appetite was normal, and he preferred warm food and drinks. Bowel movements were regular, but he passed sheep dung stool. Urine production was profuse, with frequent urination during the night, and incontinence. He was a hot patient who liked rainy weather but preferred a warm bath.
Investigations
1. Cytology report- FNAC from Regional Cancer Center, Trivandrum, Kerala.
2. CT scan-1995
3. CT scan-1999
Treatment
The patient's problems had started after his fall which fractured his ribs. He was “never been well since that injury,” his brother stated. Arnica came to my mind. First dose of Arnica 30 was given to him in July 1995, followed by Apis mel 30, and later, Apis mel 200 for pleural effusion and related problems. He started showing satisfactory progress. He was under Apis mel for more than one year. Once his general health improved and the choking pleural effusion was in control, I decided to look into other distressing signs and symptoms like cough and stringy sputum. I waited for the last dose of Apis mel to complete its action and gave Kali bich 200 in October 1996. Kali bich acted favourably till 1999. Both Apis mel and Kali bich gave a long and favourable spell of action. He no more complained of any respiratory problems. I am enclosing the prescription chart for my students to appreciate the long duration of action of one or two doses of each medicine. The patient was given placebo after each dose of medicine as long as there was improvement.
After four years of treatment in 1999, the second CT scan of the chest was taken. The scan report clearly showed that the lesion was arrested at the same level as in 1995 without any further progress. Thereafter the patient was given Opium 200 to 10M potency progressively, to quell his sleeplessness as well as frequent urination, until his demise on 19-05-2006 at the age of 93 years, due to old age. He could lead a near normal life peacefully with his family for more than ten years to a ripe old age, far exceeding the prognosis for Squamous cell carcinoma given in medical books.
Date Medicine
14.07.1995 Arnica 30/4 doses
29.07.1995 Apis mel 30/4 doses
28.08.1995 Apis mel 30/4 doses
28.10.1995 Apis mel 30/4 doses
28.11.1995 Apis mel 30/4 doses
28.12.1995 Apis mel 200/2 doses
22.01.1996 Apis mel 200/4 doses
11.05.1996 Apis mel 200/2 doses
16.08.1996 Apis mel 200/2 doses
18.10.1996 Kali bich 200/2 doses
06.11.1997 Kali bich 200/2 doses
23.01.1998 Kali bich 200/1 dose
26.03.1999 Opium 200/2 doses
26.04.1999 Opium 200/2 doses
14.09.2001 Opium 200/1 dose
14.10.2001 Opium 200/1 dose
14.12.2001 Opium 200/1 dose
30.10.2002 Opium 200/1 dose
09.09.2005 Opium 200/2 doses
09.10.2005 Opium 200/2 doses
09.11.2005 Opium 1M/1 dose
05.12.2005 Opium 10M/1 dose
Expired on 19.05.2006
Discussion
Two interesting features in this case:
1. The patient was not treated overtly for carcinoma, but for ailments that it created. He was brought after the required investigations, diagnosis and Anti Tubercular Treatment. He still was in distress when he was brought to me. The nomenclature of the disease didn't guide me in deciding the course of treatment. A particular hint that the disease started after a fall and injury, while taking the history, guided me to the starting point. The uniqueness of Homoeopathy is that it gives importance to such intrinsic insights while deciding the course of action. After Arnica, his most distressing symptoms always guided me in my subsequent prescriptions.
2.Capping of fear was an equally important step we took in his treatment. Both his family and myself as a doctor never revealed to the patient the name of the disease which would have startled him and caused a dreadful negative impact on the treatment. Since he didn't know the complexity of his illness, he responded favourably to the treatment. He could live peacefully and enjoy life without fear. I believe, this created a positive internal environment enhancing the curative power of medicines. Treating him was a learning experience for me.
A letter written to me in Malayalam by the patient’s son requesting not to reveal the repressing diagnosis to his father. (photo)
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