HectorSF

[Emily_MHManager]

Hi everyone -

Blondie717 has asked me to post and let everyone know some very sad news. I'm very sorry to say that HectorSF passed away yesterday.

As many of you know, Hector fought long and hard, and he helped so many people, here and in doing advocacy work and leading support groups. He was a member of this site since 2008, and was a community leader in Cirrhosis. My words can't describe all he did for others while fighting his own health issues, but you can read some of his history on his profile - http://www.medhelp.org/personal_pages/user/446474

He was an amazing man. I know, and everyone at MedHelp knows, that this is a big loss for all of you. We offer our sincerest condolences.

Emily

[fanofhawks]

I am so sorry to hear this.  I have been coming to this site for a few years now.  Sometimes lurking and sometimes writing in regards to my sister.  Hector was very knowledgeable in so many areas of liver failure.  He contributed so much and helped so many people in deep distress.  I owe him and big Thank You and hope he knows how invaluable he was to the community.  I think he knows now.....

[orphanedhawk]

I was so saddened to hear this news. What a trooper. It was my great fortune to have met Howie and spent a delightful time with him. Not only was he helpful and knowledgeable but he had a great sense of humor.
He will be missed.

[flyinlynn]

So very sad to hear of Howie's passing. He was a friend, a mentor, and a hero to us all. I hope he knew how much he ment to us.

[hepcandme]

Sharing a message that Howie sent to me a few years ago.
Sent by HectorSF Jul 07, 2014
Hi Linda,
I am so very sorry for your friend...How horrible. Life can be so cruel.
I am just grateful that others won't have to suffer such a tragedy due to the amazing progress made in the scientific understanding of the virus and the ways to manipulate the replication process so the virus can be killed off.
Yes, my cirrhosis is completely gone. No more fatigue, ascites, edema etc. So I had a 36 year old female liver with no fibrosis which works perfectly. Of course I have other issues with my new meds, infections and I am still recovering from being very ill and disabled for the last 5 years. But that is all trivial compared with being alive. All.of which is beyond comprehension but which I am grateful for every day. The odds were very small that I would be alive now so to me it is all good enough even when I am not feeling well. I am one of the luckiest people alive and know that in my body as I had to endure a lot to be here. It was all well worth all of the pain and any pain in the future.
My hep C in under control so normally I would even start treatment until at least next year when I hope to be fully recovered. We are treating my hep C in hopes of preventing my cancer from recurring. So my case is very different than 99.9% of others who treat. It just happens to be that way which is fine. This is our Dr. Terrault and myself) own "experiment" based on a current theory about liver cancer. So I don't expect anyone else to understand it. This is how I like to be involved in my own health care and a way for me to fight to live. Norah has given me the opportunity to have a say in my outcome. Obviously she and doctors have saved my life so far and we hope to continue to beat the odds. As I said I am one of the luckiest people to have so many people helping me. I really can't really understand why I am so lucky but I accept it humbly as I can and am very appreciative and love Norah and all of the wonderful people who treated me so well when it looked like my chances of surviving cancer was hopeless.  

I assume you were listed because of treating your hep C? In case there was a problem when treating? That is how is was with interferon based treatments which could cause decompensation or very rarely liver failure. I don't know if that will be the case now that we have new, safe treatments for cirrhotics? Normally a person needs a MELD score of 15 to be listed. And of course a person normally needs a MELD score in the 30s to actually get a liver transplant. My MELD score was 36 when I got mine. In another week I would have had a MELD score of 37 or 38 which is really up there as it only goes to 40. MELD score scale is 6-40. As you said no one wants a transplant and a lifetime taking care of a new liver. Transplant is the last option. For all of us with transplants it was a matter of transplant or death. For me that was a no brainer.
Be well. Life your life. That is all the matters. Hep C, cirrhosis, whatever. Don't let anything ever hold you back from life. This is it. We really make the best of what little time we have in my opinion.

I wish you all good things.
Howie

[flyinlynn]

:'-(

[mike716]

I am shocked and dismayed. HectorSF was the best! The Medhelp hep-c forum wouldn't have been the same without him. He helped me and many, many others. God bless him and may he rest in peace.

[hepcandme]

I know that this would mean some extra work for our MedHelp friends but perhaps you could keep Howie's advice online? From The Honored Howie, who Helped Countless Hep C and liver disease Patients.  He was so good at what he did. Some things will be dated eventually but others will always be true

[flyinlynn]

I know if I need to find an answer to something I would look to the answers he left us first.

[mikesimon]

We lost a great man.
The better I got to know him the more I liked him. He was just like that.

Michael

[hvcSVRdudedude]

I'm stunned.... speechless. Hector has been the guiding light of this forum. May he rest in peace. I only hope that his spirit of helping and educating his fellow sufferer's will continue in the actions of others in a way that will reflect positively on his legacy  that he would have approved. Let us please not, and I am confident that we shall not, allow this amazing human to have died in vain.

[Dee1956]

OMG!  I am shocked! I can't believe he is gone.  He was an angel.  He helped so many many people here and on other blogs.  He volunteered in hospitals and support groups.
I am so sad. .  He helped so many during their treatment for HCV.  He is going to be terribly missed everywhere.  He is my hero!!  I'm glad I told him.
Emily, thank you for posting

[terrywillbeok]

I am sad to heard this T_T.. He helped me a lot . He is very nice and good man. he will be with god now. Thank you for your help Hector and god bless you!

[Advocate1955]

Very sad to read about HectorSF's passing. He was lived by many here at medhelp, and he will be missed.

[rpooo]

Its with great sadness I read this devastating and sad news for the first time tonight. Howie's sincerity and knowledge will truly be missed. A good friend and a terrific community leader! Always fought so hard, a true inspiration to us all. Words cant express my gratitude for all that he did, his words will remain here in our community and continue to still help us all. Thank you Hector and God bless you!

Randy

[hepcandme]

Sharing a message that Howie sent to me a few years ago.
Sent by HectorSF Jul 07, 2014
Hi Linda,
I am so very sorry for your friend...How horrible. Life can be so cruel.
I am just grateful that others won't have to suffer such a tragedy due to the amazing progress made in the scientific understanding of the virus and the ways to manipulate the replication process so the virus can be killed off.
Yes, my cirrhosis is completely gone. No more fatigue, ascites, edema etc. So I had a 36 year old female liver with no fibrosis which works perfectly. Of course I have other issues with my new meds, infections and I am still recovering from being very ill and disabled for the last 5 years. But that is all trivial compared with being alive. All.of which is beyond comprehension but which I am grateful for every day. The odds were very small that I would be alive now so to me it is all good enough even when I am not feeling well. I am one of the luckiest people alive and know that in my body as I had to endure a lot to be here. It was all well worth all of the pain and any pain in the future.
My hep C in under control so normally I would even start treatment until at least next year when I hope to be fully recovered. We are treating my hep C in hopes of preventing my cancer from recurring. So my case is very different than 99.9% of others who treat. It just happens to be that way which is fine. This is our Dr. Terrault and myself) own "experiment" based on a current theory about liver cancer. So I don't expect anyone else to understand it. This is how I like to be involved in my own health care and a way for me to fight to live. Norah has given me the opportunity to have a say in my outcome. Obviously she and doctors have saved my life so far and we hope to continue to beat the odds. As I said I am one of the luckiest people to have so many people helping me. I really can't really understand why I am so lucky but I accept it humbly as I can and am very appreciative and love Norah and all of the wonderful people who treated me so well when it looked like my chances of surviving cancer was hopeless.  

I assume you were listed because of treating your hep C? In case there was a problem when treating? That is how is was with interferon based treatments which could cause decompensation or very rarely liver failure. I don't know if that will be the case now that we have new, safe treatments for cirrhotics? Normally a person needs a MELD score of 15 to be listed. And of course a person normally needs a MELD score in the 30s to actually get a liver transplant. My MELD score was 36 when I got mine. In another week I would have had a MELD score of 37 or 38 which is really up there as it only goes to 40. MELD score scale is 6-40. As you said no one wants a transplant and a lifetime taking care of a new liver. Transplant is the last option. For all of us with transplants it was a matter of transplant or death. For me that was a no brainer.
Be well. Life your life. That is all the matters. Hep C, cirrhosis, whatever. Don't let anything ever hold you back from life. This is it. We really make the best of what little time we have in my opinion.

I wish you all good things.
Howie

[dlr2007]

I only come here occasionally now, but I'll never forget Hector. Many times I was scared, had questions, and his kind, calm and intelligent responses brought me comfort and knowledge. I'm terribly sad that he is gone, but glad for his sake that it was a relatively quick death with hopefully very little or no suffering. He fought so hard to live. I will never understand how exceptionally good people seem to be gone much too soon.

Fly high and free, Hector.

[Dee1956]

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Hepatitis-C/Want-to-come-to-HectorSFs-memorial/show/2904930

[Dee1956]

Hi HpeCnMe has offered to collect cards to send to Hector's family, there is a memorial service in August.  She has posted on the HCV forum

[Dee1956]

I would also like to send flowers, a card, etc.
Thank you
Dee

[Nmarius]

how does he died ? what was the cause?

[flyinlynn]

He fell and hit his head had internal bleeding.

[hepcandme]

I can try to find out more about Howie's death and the memorial in August and share with everyone

I know that he was cremated. He, like most of us here, had plenty of time to get all those details in order.

If you have not, or even if you are now the epitome of good health, do it! Your family and friends will have enough to do without having to guess what you wanted

Stay tuned for the latest...

Jeez, I miss Howie every day and think about him all the time

[Livelife777]

Tnx Hepcandme    Any info would be great.  Would love to send flowers....

[Livelife777]

I am devastated to hear this news.  Words cannot bring comfort to his family and friends that loved him.
Medhelp was his passion, along with the hours of volunteering he spent helping those with liver transplants.  He was a true icon and can never be replaced.  
So very saddened.  
In disbelief
Kim

[janeybugs]

I am so sad.  He was more knowledgeable than most doctors.  He helped so many. RIP.

[promise0210]

How terribly devastating...im at loss for words. May you rest in peace. He was always so kind and good to me.

[child24angel]

God be with you Howie dance with the Angels .

[hepcandme]

I just spoke with one of our friends who co-managed the liver transplant support group in San Francisco. Howie fell and hit his head. He was taken to UCSF where he had spent so much time in the last few years - not only as a comfort and inspiration to those afflicted with liver disease but as a patient himself. Howie survived the surgery but died shortly after. He was unconscious after arriving at the ER so hoping his transition was painless and peaceful. Howie instilled in us that fortitude to think positively and always be willing to try new treatments, to hang on and there was no one who lived his life more empathetically.
A memorial is planned in August
You will always be an important part of my life Howie.
Rest in Peace
~ Linda

[orphanedhawk]

Linda, Thank you for the added information. I for one, greatly appreciate it.

[Dee1956]

I to appreciate you sharing with us.  I looked up to him since I first came here.  He was so gifted, such a kind and caring person, I am still in shock.  Just crushed by the loss.

[MH Community Mgr]

We are very saddened by the news. CL HectorSF was a true survivor and a pleasure to work with on our communities.  He'll be missed dearly by all of us at MedHelp.

With our condolences,

Your Friends at MedHelp

[hepcandme]

I think that it says a lot about Hector that even the MedHelp staff is feeling the pain of his loss. Thank you for your condolences

[hepcandme]

I am so shocked at this news. Howie was so kind and thoughtful to all of us who were frightened and couldn't get the answers we needed from our medical professionals. He will be missed to be sure

[Livelife777]

Linda do you have any info on the funeral or what happened other then he fell?
He was so amazing and I know will be missed by everyone.
Tnx.