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Hepatoma
After serving in the morgue as a Marine during wartime, I contracted Hep C. In 2000 the VA found a mass on my liver and never followed up. The mass only created dull pain that was tolerable. Since, 2005 however, the pain in my liver has become increasingly unbearable, a shredding fierce pain. The mass is 5x5 cm., left lobe. The past few weeks the VA has taken a closer look and suggested my case has "slipped through the cracks" and there is plenty of documentation expressing concern that this mass could be a hepatoma. Lately, I am unable to eat, great deal of pain in liver, right groin/leg pain w/numbness, cocyx pain and significant vertigo (I am afraid to drive). Do these symptoms make sense? Is a biopsy what should be happening next? I feel much too ill to be waiting for the VA to come through; I feel like my life is really on the line here. I have been yelling from roof tops for at least 2 years that something is very wrong and its taken them this long to agree...when do I know I should wait no longer? I should mention that in 2005 another 2-3cm mass was found as an, "extrinsic posterolateral bladder mass." Could these be related?
I would not hesitate to get a second opinion, and fast. Linda's got a good idea, teaching hospitals might take you on. My husband was a Marine in Vietnam as well, and he was indeed diagnosed with Hepatoma (6x12cm), left lobe. He was one of the lucky ones that was caught "early" and he was able to have liver resection. (And we avoided going to any VA hospital -- he had great doctors at a university hospital who did things quickly.) Liver cancer has a quick doubling time (as short as 2 -12 months) and also has a high incidence of metastasis -- that is, it can travel to other parts of the body. Be persistent in getting more testing. Docs should be checking your blood levels, doing ultrasounds/CT Scans/MRI/PET imaging. Be cautious about overzealous docs wanting to do biopsy on the cancer... biopsy on the liver to determine stage and grade is necessary, but only an expert should be daring enough to biopsy the tumor (risk of spreading the tumor cells should be avoided if diagnosis can be confirmed by other methodds). Good luck. Sempre Fi.
Exactly how long have you had Hep C. It seems that the doctor should have started treatment when they found the mass on your liver in 2000. You should be getting your Genotype, Viral Load and a Biopsy on your liver.
I definitely wouldn't wait for the VA to make a decision. You should either go your GP and request a specialist appointment ASAP or go to the hospital and explain what you have been going through.
I kept complaining here in Canada about how long it took for tests, our MP (government) told us that it's up to us to look after our own health and that we should be persistent, they even suggested that we drive out of the country for tests. What we did is continually bother the hospital so that our appointment for tests were moved up. It took from Sept/05 to Oct./06 for me to get a diagnosis of Hep C and that was with contstant persistance from my wife and I. By Feb./07 I was on Interferon/Ribivarin treatment. Now the doctor believe I have MS and are ordering a full-work up. My wife and I will definitely be on top of it to make sure the appointment do not take forever.
So be persistent and keep bugging the doctors.
HARRYBEADS
I definitely wouldn't wait for the VA to make a decision. You should either go your GP and request a specialist appointment ASAP or go to the hospital and explain what you have been going through.
I kept complaining here in Canada about how long it took for tests, our MP (government) told us that it's up to us to look after our own health and that we should be persistent, they even suggested that we drive out of the country for tests. What we did is continually bother the hospital so that our appointment for tests were moved up. It took from Sept/05 to Oct./06 for me to get a diagnosis of Hep C and that was with contstant persistance from my wife and I. By Feb./07 I was on Interferon/Ribivarin treatment. Now the doctor believe I have MS and are ordering a full-work up. My wife and I will definitely be on top of it to make sure the appointment do not take forever.
So be persistent and keep bugging the doctors.
HARRYBEADS
Sorry to hear this, I have no answers for you other than to call a top notch teaching hospital and see if they will take your case. You will need every scan, xray, MRI, blood work, Dr notes etc to send this dr. You may have to pay, but I wouldn't worry about that at this point. Get checked out! Where do you live? I have been to many VA hospitals with my friend who just died. It seems that they get their Dr's from these good teaching hospitals, problem is they leave! Then you are left with whoever else will look at your case. My friend had at least 4 Dr's in as many months. I wasn't happy with this. If they say you, " slipped through the cracks". I would get myself to a second opinion. In my area for a good Hepatologist and his opinion, it cost me $600. but I was never charged! Not sure why? Anyway, find another Dr's opinion, one who knows this stuff in a hospital that deals with Hepatitis and Transplants. Not to scare you, I just feel you need another opinion...this is my opinion!
Linda
Linda
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