We spent about 2 hours with Dr. Stribling going over all the results she had gathered from the Workup, and she summarized for us what the status of my case concerning qualification for a transplant.
All ducks / no goose - There are three lesions and they all are determined to be cancerous. The earlier suspecion that the smallest was a fibrosis of some kind did not manifest. Thus the total of size of lesions exceeds the > 9 cm criteria for a transplant. There is real hope and expectation that the TACE and Dr. Holoye's poison as he calls it will shrink the three lesions to within the <9 criteria and I can get on the transplant list. The lesions will be reevaluated in 2 months through imagery.
Vascular involvement - We had been cautioned that the doctors are worried that one ot the lesions is right next to a major vein. If the lesion has involved the vein then the cancer cells could be circulating about the body. This is a non starter for a transplant as the new liver taking hold while the immune system is artificially depressed will be invaded by the cancer and the transplant will not succeed. The hope is the doctors are using the language "might involve the vein". The leading radiologist on the Thursday review board will offer his opinion.
Other that that cheery news, all the other tests came back positive. In summary, I'm pretty healthy to be so rotten.
When we checked out of Hermann Memorial they instructed me to restrict my water intake, consequence dehydration, fatigue, headaches, and laying plugs. Today they said my liver is functioning well and I should be drinking 5 glasses a day at least. I drank water today and got instant improvement on my headache and energy level. The no water rule is for late stages to liver failure.
Prayers are being said, Ray, for you and your family.
ReplyDeleteSue.