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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
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.
Will keep sending out prayers and good thoughts. Thanks for updating us. Get some rest this weekend - praying for good news on the results.
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.
forgot she was up next :). I think about you everyday and sending you
you the best.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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