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446474 tn?1446347682

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
91 Responses
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3211536 tn?1359385569
Can we PLEASE have an update from you.Just a few simple statements like how are you feeling?How are you passing time?What you enjoy eating these days...
With so much positive energy how can any negatives  survive.It just can't.

          
Snowbank Woman
Helpful - 0
1986676 tn?1329862471
Still expecting a miracle...Reva
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Rest assured that when my journey begs to take its cue, always know that when I go, this journey takes you too. Thoughts and prayers are with you my friend.

Helpful - 0
1118724 tn?1357010591
Whatever future awaits I hope to meet it with the same dignity and class as you. God Bless.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
God bless you hector. You've been so much help to so many people. I am hopeful that you will have a miracle. What will all the new people treating do without your knowledge?. I don't think I could have ever been as strong as you have been. If there is a way to beat this, you are the one who will find the way. Thought and prayer are with you.
Helpful - 0
1654058 tn?1407159066
What a group hug! We love you H. Your poem was killer. And thanks Gene for your tribute.
Nothing to add but xoxoxo. You're da bomb. You've got this. K
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
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. :)
Helpful - 0
3242988 tn?1359306516
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
Helpful - 0
1986676 tn?1329862471
You're in my thoughts and prayers.
I'm still asking for a miracle.

Reva
Helpful - 0
683664 tn?1330966324
Thinking of you, hope you are doing well post-TACE.  Sending prayers and positive thoughts....
Helpful - 0
230202 tn?1370793579
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
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hector,  just putting it out there for you!!!!!!!!!!' Thinking nothing but positive thoughts and sending peaceful energy for you!!! You are a very kind and giving person. I want you to know how much I appreciate what you have done ( so unselfishly) for so many!!!!!!
Thank you!
Helpful - 0
408795 tn?1324935675
Hopefully things will start getting better for you!  I'll pray for you as I know the power of praying has helped many, just like you have.  God Bless.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Will keep sending out prayers and good thoughts.  Thanks for updating us.  Get some rest this weekend - praying for good news on the results.
Helpful - 0
2059648 tn?1439766665
Glad to hear that things are looking more hopeful.  Looks like the fat lady
forgot she was up next :).  I think about you everyday and sending you
you the best.    
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
   Thru tears, and scrolling down thru this thread, my prayer is to read
of success in eradicating your tumor completely, and you successfully getting a brand new liver.
   You helped me get thru my treatment Hector:  anything I can do to help, just let me know xoxo
Helpful - 0
317787 tn?1473358451
Dear H, came in to check on you. Thank you so much for your update.  I think about you often and come in to check to see how you are
You are such an inspiration to me and to everyone else on here.
I pray for you every day.  You have been a miracle in my life.  I know you will receive one as well.
Take care, rest...drink water :)
Cheers!
Dee
Helpful - 0
131114 tn?1380083190
howdy from Texas!
Hector, I had to chime in with everyone!
group hug- group prayer- group gratitude. you have been a mainstay here for as long as i can recall and i been on here a long time. even tho i been off for a while (taking a breath in between tx)- i think of you often and keep you in my GIANT prayer-that-never-stops.
HEAL US- Oh heavenly Abba.

surely you can feel the lift of all the hands holding you up and the holy angel wings silently wrapped about your life- soft, loving, strong.
Get well soon! Keep the faith! We love you!!! Keep the music going...
jerialice
Helpful - 0
163305 tn?1333668571
I haven't been online in a while~ too busy gardening, relearning to ride a bike and living life BUT, my thoughts have been with you.

Know that I think of you often and like everyone else here wish you only the very best.
You are one strong guy.
You inspire us all to try harder and give more.

Huge soft bear hugs,
OH
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hector, I think of you every day - and petition our Heavenly Father in your behalf.  Remember that he knitted us together perfectly in our mothers' wombs, and knows each hair on our head by number, and loves us beyond our human comprehension.  None of us is here by accident....our times and purposes are foreordained in the portals of Heaven.  It's the great mysterious procession of life, generation unto generation.  None of us can understand why the just so often suffer so greatly...and yet that is where faith enters the equation.  Surely your own is being tested and tried beyond imagination...and hopefully strengthened in the process.  Miracles still happen every day, Hector - and I still firmly believe that we're going to see one in your case.  Meanwhile you're one hell of a warrior!!...so just stay strong!!
Helpful - 0
190885 tn?1333025891
good luck with everything hector..hope all goes well....thanks so much for all your help here........billy
Helpful - 0
2004810 tn?1365153611
Wish you good luck, Hector. Since I came around here while I treated I very soon understood that you were "the man whos answers were worth gold". When you answered my posts I felt privileged and that someone saw me, my struggle.

You stand out in here, even if I've never met you, I feel you have a strong spirit - good karma ;)

Lots of love from Norway to you!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Crossing fingers that this will do it.

That would be some wonderful news.

willy
Helpful - 0
4670047 tn?1375730401
What a fighter. Your such an inspiration!!! Good luck Hector!!!
Helpful - 0
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