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HECTOR Update - prognosis becomes dire
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
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
I have not been on in a long time. I don't have much to ask about now that I am post tx 9 months, and I don't have much to offer as we have so many far more informed members (like you) who have usually posted the best advice; no point in me posting anything.
I do think of you often, and as others have said, I pop in exclusively from time to time for the sole purpose of checking on you. I don't know what to say other than "ditto" on what has already been said in the previous 80+ comments (i.e., sending my prayers, best wishes, good thoughts, positive visualizations and whatever else we can possibly send your way). But I also want to reiterate my huge thanks for all that you do for everyone who comes to this site scared, worried and confused upon their dx.
With so many of us so fully vested in your success, I don't know how it can't happen! It has to happen! Keep us posted and know you have us all standing with you.
As always, Faith for healing. :)
I do think of you often, and as others have said, I pop in exclusively from time to time for the sole purpose of checking on you. I don't know what to say other than "ditto" on what has already been said in the previous 80+ comments (i.e., sending my prayers, best wishes, good thoughts, positive visualizations and whatever else we can possibly send your way). But I also want to reiterate my huge thanks for all that you do for everyone who comes to this site scared, worried and confused upon their dx.
With so many of us so fully vested in your success, I don't know how it can't happen! It has to happen! Keep us posted and know you have us all standing with you.
As always, Faith for healing. :)
Hector- You have been a great inspiration to so many people. I have visions of that tumor dissolving & floating out of your body. You are an amazing warrior! Praying for you.
God Bless
Rhonda
God Bless
Rhonda
Thinking of you, hope you are doing well post-TACE. Sending prayers and positive thoughts....
Hector
You sound like you are a fighter.......never give up.
We just do not know what is around the corner for us...
All the best and take care.....
Linda x
You sound like you are a fighter.......never give up.
We just do not know what is around the corner for us...
All the best and take care.....
Linda x
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