Liza Truter – Defying the odds

After two liver cancer surgeries, Liza Truter was told she had roughly a few months to live. Ten years later, she tells the story of how she changed her lifestyle and miraculously survived. 

You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies

Liza Truter (62) lives in Gauteng with her husband. They have two children and three grandchildren.

In 2014, while waiting in the car for my husband, I stretched, and it felt like something had torn inside of me. I couldn’t breathe and was in extreme pain. After a GP consultation, I was diagnosed with a stomach ulcer, given medication, and an ultrasound scan was recommended.

The scan result showed I had liver cancer; I started crying and my husband said it must be incorrect because I had no symptoms of liver problems. I was advised that the situation was serious and surgery is needed immediately. The primary liver cancer tumour, about 5cm in size, had torn inwards and that was causing the pain. 

In the three-hour surgery, the gall bladder and 30% of the liver were removed. I was in the all clear and the next check-up was in six months’ time. 

Recurrence

Unfortunately, in March 2015, an MRI showed several tumours in the remaining section of my liver. Another three-hour surgery was scheduled; this time 70% of the balance of the liver was removed, leaving me with a small section where the blood vessels are connected to the stomach. However, this small section still had tumours in it.  

It was explained that chemotherapy or radiation wouldn’t be effective. I was told to go home and enjoy my life. If it spread to the lungs or brain, treatment could be given, but it was thought I wouldn’t survive much longer than two to six months. 

Change in lifestyle 

My husband, a qualified nutritionist, and I decided there had to be a way to change this. So, I changed my lifestyle completely. No sugar, no salt, no tea, no coffee, no meat, no bread, no eggs or milk. I lived on raw salads, wild-caught fish, and free-range chicken. We selected vitamins and minerals that were known to combat cancer. I also changed to spices and didn’t use any products with monosodium glutamate (MSG) or that I was unsure of. My liver had to learn how to metabolise again and I dropped weight to 49kg. I also exercised to increase my oxygen intake. 

Six months later, my alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) tumour marker dropped to 91. AFP is a protein that the liver makes when its cells are growing and dividing to make new cells. The aim was to get it to below 18. CT scans of my brain and lungs were done; thankfully no spread. 

The next six months, my AFP level was 2.95. For the next three years, I went for MRI scans every six months. Each time I so was nervous and not sure of the outcome. No new tumours, and the ones that were there, had disappeared. My treating doctor said he has no medical explanation. 

I still go every six months for the AFP tumour marker test and a liver function test.  

Side effects

My liver has grown to its full size. Though, the surgeon explained that the liver enlarges but it doesn’t grow like a lizard’s tail. Rather one cell enlarges to the size of two or three cells. 

The only side effect is that if I eat too large a meal, my stomach pushes against the liver so then I have a pressure feeling and it’s a bit uncomfortable, but that is all. I continue with my eating style, taking vitamins and minerals (also homeopathic drops).

This experience has had a profound effect on myself and my family. Psychologically I don’t think you ever get over hearing that you have cancer. I had my own business at that stage. I sold it and my property to ensure all my affairs were in order to not leave my loved ones with issues to sort out.  

Ten years later

Now 10 years later, there is no sign of the cancer returning or any other cancer tumours. I’ve gained weight and I’m happy. I still watch my diet and don’t eat fast foods nor eat in restaurants. I’ve been very blessed. I survived and I’m healthy and have seen my two youngest grandchildren born, attended my son’s wedding and able to get up and smile every day. This experience has strengthened my faith in God as without Him this recovery wouldn’t have happened.

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