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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
hi Hector thank-you so much for keeping us informed like Idyllic i so admire your strength and the wat you always manage to find time to help those who are scared and need reassurance. Keep on fighting Hector we are all behind you. Much love Jules x
Thank you so much for keeping us informed. I know it must be incredibly intense and draining. I can't say enough how much I admire your strength, wisdom and willingness to share and help others. I have learned so much from you. Keepa goin'!
I had my PET/CT full-body scan today. All went smoothly. I am drink water like crazy to clear the radioactive tracer out of my system. I think I am still glowing. :-(
Monday clinical trial check-in. 34 weeks of Sofosbuvir + Ribavirin treatment. Still UND.
Wednesday we will repeat TACE (TranscAtheter ChemoEmbolization) again to kill remain part of tumor treated 6 weeks ago. Back into my liver through artery in my groin with catheters up into my liver until end of catheter is next to tumor then chemo beads are injected into tumor blood supply. Should be feeling better 3-4 days after treatment.
AFP 1048 2 weeks ago and still rising.
Have a good weekend everyone!
It is good to be alive!
Hector
Monday clinical trial check-in. 34 weeks of Sofosbuvir + Ribavirin treatment. Still UND.
Wednesday we will repeat TACE (TranscAtheter ChemoEmbolization) again to kill remain part of tumor treated 6 weeks ago. Back into my liver through artery in my groin with catheters up into my liver until end of catheter is next to tumor then chemo beads are injected into tumor blood supply. Should be feeling better 3-4 days after treatment.
AFP 1048 2 weeks ago and still rising.
Have a good weekend everyone!
It is good to be alive!
Hector
Hector,
Wishing you lots of love, comfort and laughter during this trying time. Thank you for being there for us when we needed it. You are in my prayers and I think about you several times a day.
Rebecca
Wishing you lots of love, comfort and laughter during this trying time. Thank you for being there for us when we needed it. You are in my prayers and I think about you several times a day.
Rebecca
Dear Hector,
to what others already so eloquently have said, let me add my heartfelt wishes and prayers for turnaround in your HCC treatment. I am not visiting this site frequently, but thinking of you constantly. I hope and pray that the day will come when we all celebrate your new liver and you will be HCV and HCC free!
Keep fighting and let all the luck be on your side dear friend. Jeff
to what others already so eloquently have said, let me add my heartfelt wishes and prayers for turnaround in your HCC treatment. I am not visiting this site frequently, but thinking of you constantly. I hope and pray that the day will come when we all celebrate your new liver and you will be HCV and HCC free!
Keep fighting and let all the luck be on your side dear friend. Jeff
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