Hector - " No sign of tumor can be found."

[HectorSF]

On June 27th I underwent a Percutaneous Ethanol Injection (PEI) treatment (pure alcohol is injected into liver cancers to kill the cancer cells. The alcohol is injected through the skin (percutaneously) into the tumor using a very thin needle with the help of ultrasound or CT visual guidance. Alcohol induces tumor destruction by drawing water out of tumor cells (dehydrating them) and thereby altering (denaturing) the structure of cellular proteins.) was perform on my liver after two chemoembolizations treatments failure and AFP tumor marker continued to rise. Last AFP before treatment was 1,892 ug/L. Any AFP over 1,000 ug/L is predictive of cancer recurrence post transplant and death, so patients are not given transplants as are they are likely to die soon after transplant. And there is no treatment possible.

After checkup MRI on Wednesday" No sign of tumor can be found." (!!!)

I received a surprise phone call Thursday after two days of follow up testing to learn if my most recent cancer treatment had any affect on my tumor which has been preventing me from being eligible for a desperately needed liver transplant.

The MRI scan results that I had done on Wednesday and the blood tests of my tumor marker done on Tuesday had come back to my doctor's office.

While my UCSF doctor was in Brazil the emails quickly quickly spread the word between my doctor, my Nurse Practitioners, my clinical trial team, and my transplant coordinator that the tumor had been completely obliterated and there is no sign of any tumors in my liver! Needless to say I feel as though a thousand lbs of weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. I am extremely happy and dazed by this unbelievable turn of events. It appears to be everything I have been hoping for this year has actually happened despite the odds.

My tumor marker blood level dropped 1,300 ug/L points so far and next week, if everything continues in the same direction, I should be back on the liver transplant wait list. The tumor marker was 560 ug/L as of Tuesday at 1:30. I just need to be below 500 ug/L to be eligible for a transplant. I may already be there now. It typically takes 30 days for it to fall to its lowest value after a procedure. It has only been 18 days so far.

My goal now is to get a transplant ASAP before anything else happens. I may go to Yale-New Haven Hospital in Connecticut if I can get a liver there sooner than at UCSF. Whatever it takes I will do to speed along the process. Knowing that the odds were great that it was a matter of how I was going to die not if, and preparing for death has been the toughest challenge ever in my life. But I am ready, willing and able to through a transplant anytime because I still have enough will power to fight to live no matter what it takes.

This still seem like a dream and I hope I don't wake up to find it all is only that, but I wanted to share the good news after so many disappointments and setbacks due to my cancer making me ineligible for a life-saving transplant. Thankfully my great teams of doctors kept trying despite the small odds of success.

Onward to a liver transplant and a life beyond disability...  :-))
Howie

[bbj2856]

This is wonderful. God does answer prayers he does test our faith and man you did  not give up you kept saying it will happen. The test . This is absolute amazing and God bless your team of Doctors and nurses. But to God we give the glory . He gave the them the skill and knowledge to preform this amazing work. .We are all smiling and praying for this transplant for you.
God Bless
You have truly blessed us all  here in more  ways than you can ever imagine.
bbj

[PaulaAnn]

WOW WOW EEEEEEE!!!!  That is a fantastic and a miraculous turn of events.  I cant Praise God enough for this news and for the wonderful group of drs, nurses, etc you have on your team.  I bet they were as shocked (or more) than you were.  How wonderful to hear this.  

Thats just made my day Hector...lets get that number under 500 now.  

Sending hugs and love..and lots of prayers.  Thanks for letting us know.  

Paula
Cleveland area

[Shyrlgame]

Since joining this forum, I enjoy reading all your posts Hector, always very informative and insightful,  but his by far is the best!

I an very happy for you, and look forward to hearing about your transplant news.
God bless,
Shyrl

[stormy456]

Astounding and very welcome news!  Look forward to your post-transplant post letting us all know that you're doing better than ever.  Blessings to you, H.

[ceanothus]

Howie, you have made my day, probably my week or more! I'm so happy for you! I'm really glad to hear that you are cranking up the effort to get that new liver ASAP. I think if it were me I would feel speed is almost the top priority now , though maybe your doctor will tell you otherwise. I know you have a really great doctor and that is also comforting to know you will get the best possible advice. Yea and hooray, lets all do the happy dance!

[Dee1956]

This is just wonderful news!  I am so very very happy for you.
Congratulations!!!