HECTOR Update - prognosis becomes dire

[HectorSF]

Hi everyone. :-)

I just want you to know I appreciate all of your support. For me it has never meant so much to me.

I rather not go into the details... but I can say that my last live cancer treatment did not help my situation and my circumstances unfortunately have worsened considerably and become dire now. I am still remain hopeful that somehow, someway, this is not the end of the road for me. I have told my doctor I want to continue to fight until all my options run out even if it entails high risky experimental procedures since I have nothing to lose. I have made clear I rather die fighting then be told "there is nothing else we can do for you, better get your affairs in order and prepare for the inevitable".

In the next few weeks I will repeat the liver cancer (TACE) procedure in hopes of eliminating what remains of the tumor that the last procedure was unable to kill.
I will also have a PET scan to search for tumors that may have spread to other parts of my body.

So I have been preoccupied with this recent turn of events and need to make end of life contingency plans. Therefore I have had to prioritize my time differently. So that is why I have not been around. I hope you can understand that this is the most difficult situation I have ever dealt with in my life and need to do everything I can to keep my inner hope alive despite the great statistical odds against me.

In no way is my absence online a disregard for all the prayers, well wishes, good vibes and support that I have received from so many of you. My appreciation of my good fortune of meeting so many caring and thoughtful will never diminish no matter what happens. That is something I am sure of and I want you to be sure of too.

I wish the best to all of you wherever you are on this hep C/liver disease journey. I feel fortune to be a member of such a great community of caring people.

Hector
4/23/2013
UCSF liver cancer patient, undetectable HCV for 32 weeks, cirrhosis and HCC
In liver transplantation, the Milan criteria are applied as a basis for selecting patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for liver transplantation. I am currently unable to be transplanted due to my liver cancer being outside the Milan criteria for transplant. This is because even if I had a transplant, I still would die from recurrence of HCC soon after transplant and it would be a poor use of a donor liver. My outcome wouldn't change and someone else might die because I received the donor liver that could have saved them and allowed them to live 10-20 years.

"It ain't over 'til it's over"
"Always go to other people's funerals, otherwise they won't go to yours."
Yogi Berra - Philosopher and baseball great

Hector
4/23/2013
UCSF liver cancer patient, undetectable HCV for 32 weeks, cirrhosis and HCC
San Francisco, CA

[rivll]

I am so happy you updated us. This is hopeful news.

Prayers and love to you guy. I just know you are going to get through this.

[gene53]

I just checked in to see if you had an update Hector and that is sounding better and better. A wise man once told me there was ALWAYS HOPE, oh ya that was you!!!

Viva La Revolution!!!!

Thanks for the update Hector, and can't wait to hear about your successful liver tp
Take Care!!!

[HectorSF]

Thank you Lydia.

After my last cancer treatment on March 13th and follow-up it was found that the last tumor wasn't  completely killed. So I will had another treatment yesterday at UCSF in hopes of ridding myself of this darn tumor once and for all.  

All went well.

I will stayed overnight at UCSF in the recovery room and will return home this afternoon.

Things are looking more hopeful.

H

[his3707]

Hi Hector, i havnt been on the forum in awhile also.  I was drawn here to check up on you!  You have all the support from the greatest people in the world right here!  Im just one of many, to many to number, that you helped get through treatment, celebrated treatment successes and comforted treatment failures,   YES! YOU Keep fighting!  We all love you dearly!   Dear Heavenly Father, you know all, you know Hector's situation, Please be with the doctors as they make decisions for and with Hector.  Please be with Hector now more than ever, and bestow upon him your healing and peace that passes all understanding.  Amen  
Love you brother
Lydia

[nzkiwilife]

You are a brave and generous person Hector.
I wish you all the best healing vibes and continued strength and stamina.
You truly are an inspiration and have so many people here that care very much for you.

[stormy456]

Lapis, beautifully said.  Hector, we will be praying for you tonight, and every night until we get an update.  You are surrounded by tremendous love and admiration.  Amidst what is surely a painful time, there must be some comfort there.  - H