The Fasting Path

Testimony of Juan Lisweg
By his sister Christina L. Aben

Sagada, Mountain Province, Philippines
Date Nov 21, 2008

I would like to thank the staff of St. Theodore’s Hospital for helping my brother.

It was shocking to hear that my brother had prostate cancer as I am also a cancer survivor and know the cost of standard medical treatment and the hardship of chemotherapy. To make matters worse his cancer had metastasized into the bone. Also it was clear that he could not withstand the chemotherapy in his weakened condition or afford it as his money was used up in taking tests and transportation to hospitals in Manila. His doctors stated there was no point in operating. My brother was faced with certain death.

I knew about the St. Theodore’s Hospital program and presented it to my family who were open to the idea. I took Mr. Tom to Bontoc Hospital to meet Juan where Tom explained the treatment. My brother has a strong faith; he intuitively knew this was the best decision. Our families rallied to raise what money they could and were thankful the treatment was inexpensive and affordable.

When Juan arrived at the hospital, he needed two people to help him, as he could barely walk. He was wasting from the cancer and was in excruciating pain. He could not go to the bathroom as he was constipated and complained of burning when he urinated which was just a dribble.

His grandson made the juices for Juan that included carrot, beet, lemon, ginger, cucumber, squash, apple and others. The treatment amount was about 1 liter a day, so Juan drank small glasses of juice to keep up his energy.

From the beginning everyone in the hospital helped including the community who visited him and supplied vegetables for juice and encouragement for his spirit. Juan’s grandson Rafael stayed with him at the hospital to prepare juice care for him, staying by his side the entire treatment.

Ten days later, there was an amazing change. His pain was gone. The bone cancer that was causing pain throughout his entire body was gone and now he felt fine. He was urinating normally which was encouraging as that meant the treatment was working. There was such a sense of relief.

The treatment was not difficult but it was not easy. There were a few difficult days such as day 35 of the fast. His eyes were as big a saucers and he was so thin that I was becoming concerned. He stated he was ready to give up. But after we talked, he decided to finish the 42 days as it was close to the end of the treatment.

After the end of the fast, Juan started to walk around town. This shocked a number of people in the community (he chose market day for his first stroll through town) as they knew he had terminal cancer and he looked so thin and ghostlike. But Juan gained strength with each day. His face filled out and his skin cleared. His recovery was amazing. He looked healthy and vibrant. Many stated “that is not the look of a dying man”.

At the time of this letter about 70 days after the treatment my brother is still pain free and states he feels better and better. He is sticking to a diet of mostly raw food.

I am so thankful. This was divine intervention and such a blessing to Juan and our family. Instead of his sons watching him die, Juan will watch his two sons get married this December and January. He is excited as his first great grandchild is about to be born. Instead of death, there is life.

Truly,
Christina L. Aben