Encountering Siriluck, a vibrant 66-year-old hiking enthusiast in the hills of Sai Kung, Hong Kong, one might never guess that she has been in a long-standing battle with cancer. Originally from Thailand, Siriluck has called Hong Kong home for over forty years. Having retired from the airline industry, she now dedicates her time to yoga, meditation, and enjoying nature with her faithful dog, Song.
Her journey with cancer began at age 50 when she was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer. This wasn’t her family’s first encounter with the disease; her mother passed away from leukemia when Siriluck was just seven, her sister battled breast cancer until her passing in 2017, and her brother has been living in remission from prostate cancer for the past decade. Drawing inspiration from her sister, who led a normal life for over two decades post-diagnosis, Siriluck adopted a fearless approach towards her illness.
Initially, Siriluck opted for alternative cancer treatments, influenced by her siblings’ beliefs in the body’s natural healing capabilities and their avoidance of conventional treatments. She didn’t want her life quality to be diminished by the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. Instead, she found solace in Buddhism and maintained a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise, yoga, meditation, and a pescatarian diet excluding dairy products and sugar. Nature became her refuge, with hiking trips in the hills becoming a significant part of her routine.
By 2009, however, the lump in her breast had grown, yet she continued her natural approach. She explored the Gerson Therapy and started having coffee enemas, a practice also observed in some traditional Asian medicine. Despite some skepticism in the medical community regarding the safety and effectiveness of self-administered coffee enemas, Siriluck felt the benefits firsthand.
In 2011, she underwent a lumpectomy, which revealed the spread of cancer to her lymph nodes. By 2013, a PET scan showed that the cancer had metastasized to her bones, lung, and liver. Even then, she was reluctant to undergo chemotherapy. Her husband, supportive of her choices, suggested she contact Dr. Alexander Herzog in Germany. Under his supervision, Siriluck underwent hyperthermia treatment combined with low-dose chemotherapy, a method acknowledged by the US National Cancer Institute for potentially enhancing the effectiveness of other cancer treatments.
In 2015, with the cancer spreading to her breastbone, Siriluck finally agreed to radiotherapy. Despite the progression of the disease, she experienced minimal discomfort, attributing her resilience to the mental strength cultivated through yoga, meditation, and Buddhism. She even trained as an Iyengar yoga teacher, finding the practice instrumental in understanding the mind-body connection and strengthening her immunity.
Her battle continued with the discovery of cancer in her peritoneum in 2020, leading to rounds of chemotherapy and the loss of her hair. She began targeted drug therapy in 2021, maintaining her strong Buddhist faith and nightly meditation practice.
Reflecting on her journey, Siriluck sometimes wonders if she should have opted for conventional treatment earlier. However, she chooses to focus on the present, believing in the body’s natural healing power and the importance of a positive attitude towards illness.
Siriluck’s story is not just about her fight against cancer; it’s a testament to the power of combining alternative therapies, traditional medicine, and the strength of the human spirit in facing life’s toughest challenges.
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