Advanced rectal cancer, lived for six and a half years

Rectal cancer is a common malignant gastrointestinal tumor, and its incidence rate is second only to gastric and esophageal cancer. The vast majority of colorectal cancer patients are over 40 years old, and are more common in men. According to Chen Yong, a famous rectal cancer expert at the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and Beijing Andingmen Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, about half of rectal cancer patients experience metastasis and recurrence after surgery. Except for some early-stage patients, patients in the late stage and after surgical resection need to receive radiotherapy, chemotherapy and comprehensive Chinese medicine treatment to ensure the patient's survival and quality of life.

Typical cases of rectal cancer:

Rectal cancer, late stage, metastasis, reoperation, the doctor said he could live for three months at most, at most six months, but he has survived tenaciously since 2004, and even now has brain metastasis, he is still strong and alive. In the park at sunset, he is often seen waving his long sword and practicing Tai Chi, practicing body and mind. Such a strong life is a miracle in medicine.

His name is Meng Jiande, he is from Shandong, a retired veteran. His agile body and quick reaction ability have always been his capital of pride. But just after the Spring Festival in 2004, 69-year-old Meng and his wife went to San Francisco to visit relatives. I don’t know whether it was due to acclimatization or some other reason, but after arriving in San Francisco, he began to have diarrhea and blood in his stool. He had no choice but to end the journey and rush back to Shandong. He was diagnosed with "dysentery" in a hospital. After taking medicine for 3 months, the symptoms did not ease. Meng went to another hospital. The doctor performed a colonoscopy for him and found a large mass near his anus. It was diagnosed as "low rectal cancer" and needed to be removed surgically as soon as possible. He usually thought he was in good health, but he was stunned. In April 2004, Meng had surgery for rectal cancer. The doctor said it was best to insist on chemotherapy after the surgery to prevent the metastasis of colon cancer. After the operation, Lao Meng read some medical information that said the prognosis of rectal cancer is generally very good, so he did not take it seriously. He traveled frequently with his wife and often joked that he would make up for the debt he owed to his "military wife" wife in his youth. His life was quite happy.

In the first half of 2006, Lao Meng suddenly felt a cough and shortness of breath. He went to the hospital for a checkup and found 7 large lumps under his lungs. The rectal cancer had metastasized to the lungs. At that time, his son took him to the San Francisco Hospital in the United States. The doctor said that he could live for 3 months, at most 6 months, and suggested that Lao Meng try Chinese medicine to improve his quality of life in his dying days. After returning to China, his son still insisted that Lao Meng undergo a recurrence surgery. According to Lao Meng's condition, the doctor performed a radical surgery for the recurrence of rectal cancer in April 2006.

After the operation, Lao Meng was obviously much thinner, his cheekbones were exposed, and his movements were slow, but his lifelong military life experience made him never worry about his wife and son when he was eating or moving. He carried his own bowl to eat, dressed, folded his quilt, washed and went to the toilet, and even sang a military song when he woke up. In the late stage of rectal cancer, metastasis to the lungs, and reoperation, patients are usually scared to death first, and most patients have a very short survival time, but Lao Meng is still optimistic.

After more than a month of recovery after the operation, at the request of the doctor and family, Lao Meng had to undergo chemotherapy. Repeated chemotherapy made his already weak body after the operation even weaker, his face pale, and his hair thin. The doctor repeatedly asked him to adhere to the combination of medicine and food (Chinese medicine + diet therapy) while undergoing chemotherapy. After surgery, strengthening the body is the key. Chinese medicine strengthens the body, clears away heat and detoxifies, reduces the side effects of chemotherapy, improves the efficacy of chemotherapy, nourishes yin and blood, warms the spleen and kidneys, and enhances the body's resistance to disease. It has a good inhibitory effect on advanced rectal cancer and metastatic cancer; diet therapy, of course, provides nutrition and strengthens the body. The two work together, and the effect is very obvious.

His wife strictly prepared his diet according to the doctor's instructions: drink plenty of water, eat more crude fiber foods such as sweet potatoes, corn, and fresh vegetables, try to eat less fried and smoked foods, and don't eat overnight meals. He was also introduced to Director Chen Yong, a famous rectal cancer expert at the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences and Beijing Andingmen Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, who prescribed a Chinese medicine prescription for Lao Meng's condition. His wife carefully prepared the Chinese medicine decoction for him, but he could endure any bitterness, but he couldn't stand the bitter taste of Chinese medicine, which also made his wife very upset. However, Lao Meng is very optimistic. Although he knows very well what this disease means, he is over 70 years old and still gets up early every day to practice Tai Chi in the small garden behind the house; in the afternoon, he drives his wife down the mountain to breathe fresh air.

"As long as Lao Meng is still alive, our family is thankful." Aunt Fang, his wife, said. The late stage of rectal cancer, surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, metastasis, and repeated hardships have made Lao Meng, who has always been in good health, become much weaker. Unexpected things happen. Until April this year, Lao Meng suddenly had convulsions and foamed at the mouth. His family immediately sent him to the hospital. After examination, the result was that he had brain metastasis of rectal cancer. After timely control of symptoms, his condition was slightly stable. At the repeated request of his family and doctors, he insisted on taking the Chinese medicine prescribed by Director Chen Yong to maintain his body. At present, Lao Meng's condition has improved.

Director Chen Yong, a rectal cancer expert, said that Lao Meng's case is a medical miracle. Most patients with relapses like Lao Meng are not in good condition. It is rare in clinical practice for him to survive after lung and brain metastasis and to persist for 6 and a half years. Director Chen Yong said that this case reminds people to maintain an optimistic attitude after getting sick, and emotions are very important for recovery from illness. "The effect of ten doses of medicine is defeated by the patient's anger", so being broad-minded and brave enough to face difficulties can not only bring spiritual relief, but also a win-win situation for the body.