Wait for RF ablation

[GrandmaBRZ]

Hi everyone!

Md called last nite and said i need ablation for 1 very deep tumor which they can't byopsi  How long can i wait to have procedure done?  I am 16 months HCV undetected.

I have to make arrangements to get to hospital, etc.  Had the MRI which revealed this news 2/27/10.  Complete surprise to me as my meld score 8/19/09 was too low to be put on transplant list.  MD says having the ablation will move me up on the meld score.

What are some questions that I should ask MD when I talk to him again?  I guess this means I have early stage cancer.

any feedback will be much appreciated.

Good health and love to you all

[GrandmaBRZ]

Jeff

I certainly do remember you, our lunch meeting and it is so good to hear from you.

I hope all is well with you and with your family.

I am encouraged by what my doctor said about the procedure, what I have read here and what I have looked up.   So Cal  Connected also had a section on it which I saw about 3 days before I got my news.

Thank you for your support as always.

Jen

[Facta_non_verba]

Jen,

Remember me? We are both part of the 72 week club and met for lunch one day.

I'm sorry to hear about this latest development. I had to look up RFA, but it sounds promising. One thing I know is that if you can do 72 weeks of interferon and ribavirin, you can do anything!

If you need anything at all, send me a personal message.

Jeff

[22hamilton]

Youre welcome Grandma, yes we both have compensated cirrhosis in common and when I read your post maybe my future self identified with your situation. It must all be a bit scary but I have a good feeling for you ! No not in tx, have failed twice and am waiting for the next round.

Take heart we are all in this together.

[GrandmaBRZ]

Thank you for your encouraging words.  My son and grandson will be very happy to hear your comments about them!  Your positive attitude is so helpful and brings a smile to my old face.

Are you in treatment now?  I certainly hope you find one that does the trick.  Although so far I am svr, you and I have our compensated (thank God) cirrhosis in common.  I too have had no symptoms that I am aware of and generally feel quite good.  I watch what I eat and get moderate exercise which I should increase.  I was worried too about my age (67 when I started this) r/t to liver transplant but they emphasized that my general health is good which seems to be more important than age.

Take care and thank you again.  Also, love hearing from the UK!

grandma

[22hamilton]

I wish you all the best with your procedure,you are a strong person and a light to us all.You also have two great male offspring in your life there, I bet they love you to bits.Stay positive Grandma.

All the best from the UK.

[GrandmaBRZ]

Hi eureka

Thank you so much for your response.  Your suggested questions are extremely helpful and I will use them.

I read your profile and I am so glad your husband is doing so well.  It certainly must have been hard on you but you are a very strong person and must be an inspiration to him.

Yes, it was a jolt but I am grateful I had tx.  My doctor had to twist my arm to get me to be willing to do tx and if I hadn't done it I probably would be in awful shape or dead by now.
I refused to do anything when the first doctor diagnosed me.  I thought he was lying to me!  The mind/ego is a strange bedfellow!  The second doctor did not let me off at all.  He saw right through me.

Thank you again and best wishes to you and your  husband.

Jen

[eureka254]

Hi Grand:
Your calm, cool, and cheer is humbling and so very admirable, I know this must be a jolting shock for you after SVR.  I don't know much about RFA (my husband's liver cancer when diagnosed was treated by hepatectomy because it was too large for ablation), but I know that cancer presence in the liver can impact the MELD score.  I'm just not sure if RFA itself would also move up the score.  If I find out more I'll let you know.

As far as questions I would have...
Were there other result besides the MRI that led him to suggest ablation?
How often and for how long is the treatment?
At what point would you know if ablation was effective or not?
Any significant side effects to the ablation?
Any possible dangerous complications?
Any chance that ablation would do more harm than good, especially in light of cirrhosis?  
Is ablation considered the best option in your situation, and why?
What are the success rates vs. other targeted therapies?
What is your MELD now, and what would it be after ablation?

Just some thoughts of what I'd want to know.  Hope that is some help, and know that you have my best wishes -- good luck, and stay positive!  ~eureka