A Remarkable Journey: Defying Death With a Joyful Spirit–a 10 Year Cancer Battle

“I have been brushing shoulders with death my whole life, miraculously escaping its grasp each and every time. It’s as if a higher power has been watching over me, and I have no regrets about the way I’ve lived!” said Bob Lau, a 75-year-old Chinese American. From being a leader of the Red Guards during the Cultural Revolution to being persecuted and imprisoned, Bob went through three perilous escapes before finally immigrating to the United States from Hong Kong in the 1970s. Since then, he has tirelessly worked to support his family. Miraculously, Bob has defied death in numerous extraordinary circumstances.

Ten years ago, Bob was diagnosed with liver cancer and was on the brink of death. However, a remarkable book called “Zhuan Falun” changed his perspective on life and death, leading to a surprising recovery. In the past year, he has experienced a recurrence of cancer, but he chooses to face it with equanimity, stating, “I feel like I no longer carry any burdens. What blessings do I have left? I don’t know. I leave everything to faith.” Conversing with Bob, one can truly feel his accepting and enlightened outlook on life.

Fist-sized Liver Tumor: Fearlessly Facing Life-and-Death Challenge

Ten years ago, on a stormy night, 65-year-old Bob received a life-altering phone call from his doctor, informing him that his liver cancer had reached an advanced stage, with a tumor larger than a fist, measuring 13.5 centimeters. Reflecting on that pivotal moment, Bob shared, “After receiving the call, I believe many people would feel on the verge of collapse as if their lives were nearing an end. However, on that very night, I did two things. First, I looked up the ages of various Chinese emperors from different dynasties. Second, I read ‘Zhuan Falun,’ a book gifted to me by a friend.”

Upon learning that even emperors had lifespans that ended around the age of sixty, Bob expressed a sense of contentment for having reached that age himself.

Bob then began reading “Zhuan Falun.” Authored by Master Li Hongzhi, the founder of Falun Gong, this book serves as a guiding light for practitioners to elevate their moral character through the principles of “truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance” while engaging in the practice of five sets of gentle and graceful exercises, ultimately attaining both physical and mental well-being. With its publication dating back 28 years, the book has been translated into over forty languages and has reached hundreds of millions of readers worldwide.

When he read the examples given by Master Li Hongzhi in “Zhuan Falun,” he felt a sudden enlightenment. The book narrates:

“There once was a person who was tied to a bed. They grasped his arm and claimed that they would slit it to make it bleed. They proceeded to blindfold him and made a single scratch on his wrist (without actually cutting him or causing bleeding). A water faucet was turned on so that he could hear water dripping, and he thought that it was his blood that was dripping. Shortly thereafter, the man passed away. In reality, he was not cut at all—it was merely water dripping. His psychological state led to his demise.”

This story had a profound impact on him. He came to understand that the tumor he had been living with for many years did not suddenly grow to its size overnight. He thought to himself, “If it has peacefully coexisted with my body for such a long time without causing harm, why should I fear it now that I know it is cancer? Many people terrify themselves to the point of death.” With this newfound insight, he decided to let go of the heavy burden in his heart and bravely confront the challenges of life. Despite doctors’ initial prognosis of only three months to live, he defied all odds and miraculously lived for ten more years.

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in 2016 revealed that practicing Falun Gong can help extend the survival time and significantly improve the quality of life for advanced-stage cancer patients. The study analyzed reports from 406 patients, among whom 152 were diagnosed by doctors with a life expectancy of less than 12 months. Their average expected lifespan was 5.1 plus/minus two months, which closely aligned with data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database of the National Institutes of Health, demonstrating the reliability of these reports. As of the reporting date, their actual survival period had significantly extended to 56 plus/minus 60.1 months.

Bob has his own belief regarding cancer treatment: “I am well aware that Western medical treatments involve continuous elimination of cancer cells, and chemotherapy can be likened to a ‘highly destructive weapon,’ but it results in significant harm to the body. After undergoing targeted drugs therapy for a while, I made the decision to discontinue it due to the substantial damage it was causing. Coincidentally, a friend recommended that I try ‘Gerson therapy,’ which is a natural treatment, and to my surprise, it has yielded positive results.”

Bob shared that he has maintained his well-being for the past ten years by following the Gerson therapy. This therapy primarily focuses on three aspects: diet, detoxification, and the use of nutritional supplements. In terms of diet, Bob strictly adheres to a vegetarian regimen, primarily consisting of organic vegetables and freshly squeezed juices. For detoxification, he incorporates a method called “coffee enema,” which utilizes the acidic properties of coffee to stimulate intestinal walls, facilitate bowel movement, eliminate harmful bacteria in the rectum, and promote overall detoxification. Additionally, he takes specific daily doses of nutritional supplements, including vitamins A, B3, and C, as well as pancreatic enzymes, among others. Throughout his journey, Bob’s wife has been incredibly caring, providing him with unwavering support in his daily life.

Bob has also established a disciplined routine in his life, which includes practicing the five sets of Falun Gong exercises every day. Considering himself a “friend of Falun Gong,” he wholeheartedly supports the beliefs held by Falun Gong practitioners. He mentioned that even prior to reading “Zhuan Falun,” he had a positive impression of it and consistently showed his support through actions.

Even though he does not consider himself a devoted practitioner, Bob expresses gratitude for the incredible healing benefits that Falun Gong has brought to his life over the years. One notable benefit is the profound shift in his perspective on life, as he has overcome the fear of death. This transformation in attitude may be precisely what has enabled him to face the threat of death without intimidation.

Embracing Kindness–Choosing Not to Hold Family Doctor Accountable

In 2023, Bob learned that the tumor in his liver had resurfaced, causing intense pain and discomfort. His family doctor, who had not been closely monitoring his health, identified a significant problem during a recent check-up. “My cancer has relapsed, and the new tumor that has developed measures 14.5 centimeters, even larger than the previous one. A lawyer whom I am acquainted with approached me and offered assistance, as it appears to be a case of medical negligence with my family doctor failing to follow up on my condition.”

He waved his hand to the lawyer, declining to take the matter to court. “I don’t want to drag more people into this. Even if I were to win the lawsuit, what would be the purpose? My life is more important than money. I would feel guilty if it had negative repercussions for the doctor. So, I choose not to pursue it any further,” he said. Even in the face of life and death, he continued to show concern for others.

Embracing Life’s Uncertainty: Believing in the Destiny of Human Lives

Bob was tormented by intense pain, reaching a point where he was unable to consume food. In March of this year, his body reached its limits, leaving him bedridden. As he started arranging his affairs, designing his tombstone, settling business matters, and discussing his final wishes with his children, an unexpected remedy presented itself. A relative suggested using marijuana for pain relief and offered him a few cannabis candies.

Bob found that it alleviated his pain and restored his ability to eat, ultimately saving his life. Recognizing the dual nature of marijuana as both a painkiller and a recreational drug, Bob obtained a medical prescription for marijuana and used it solely for its pain-relieving properties. With a smile, Bob said, “At times, it felt like there was no way out as if I had reached the end, but then suddenly there’s hope again. Perhaps the heavens aren’t quite ready to take me yet.”

Bob recalled several near-death experiences in his life, which had taught him to face challenges with a lighter outlook. He reminisced about a particular day, Aug. 31, 1983. At that time, he had just obtained his U.S. citizenship and was filled with joy as he prepared to return home for a family visit. He purchased an airline ticket on Korean Air Lines Flight 007 from a travel agency. However, when he went to collect his ticket, the agency staff proposed an alternative: “Would you be willing to take a later flight? It would reduce the ticket price by $70. Aug. 31 falls within the peak season, coinciding with student vacations, while Sept. 1 marks the beginning of the off-peak season.” After a brief consideration, he decided to change his flight to Sept. 1. As the date change was made last-minute and communication was not as convenient as it is today, his wife was unaware of the change to his travel plans.

“Do you know what happened?” Bob asked. “The flight I was supposed to take, Korean Air Lines Flight 007, was shot down by Soviet fighter jets. All 269 passengers and crew members onboard the plane lost their lives. It was a devastating tragedy, and had I been on that flight, there is no doubt I would have died.”

At that time, Bob’s children were still very young. Following the incident, his wife was filled with immense worry, fearing that she would never see her husband again. It was later revealed that he had decided to change his flight ticket, leading to the joyful reunion of their family. “These events have made me a firm believer in fate. Death has been a constant presence throughout my entire life,” Bob shared.

For Bob, it seems that a major ordeal would occur every ten years. Another close call took place in 1994 when he lost his vision abruptly after swimming. He was immediately hospitalized and diagnosed with viral meningitis. “The doctors were unable to treat my condition, and there was no cure available at the hospital. I spent ten days in the hospital, and miraculously, my body started to recover, and my vision returned. I didn’t rely on any particular treatment for my recovery. It was truly a miracle.”

These experiences have made Bob believe even more in a predestined fate, where miracles unfailingly happen when it is not yet his time to go. Therefore, he no longer fears death and cherishes every day of his life even more.

Throughout the interview, Bob maintained a constant smile, as if he was narrating someone else’s story. “My daughter told me not to leave, and I reassured her that everyone’s life is guided by destiny. I told her not to worry. I don’t know how long I can hold on, but if I still have the strength, I’d love to travel the world by car. Who is the happiest person? It’s not the wealthiest, but the one who embraces life and death with serenity. I have no fear when discussing the topic of death. In fact, I have already hired someone to design my tombstone. The design is simple—a lotus flower, symbolizing transcendence from impurities. That’s my life philosophy,” he said.

Reposted from: https://www.theepochtimes.com/health/defying-death-a-chinese-immigrants-ten-year-cancer-journey_5356556.html