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How to deal when the doc says he can't do the liver transplant

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Posted 5/20/2010 11:33 PM (GMT 0)

mad  My husband who has been treated for HepC for many years just found out he has a 2cm cancerous tumor on his liver.  His cirohsiss is really bad, too far to do a liver transplant.  He is always angry, grouchy, and in a lot of pain.  His daughter lives with us and it seems he'd rather talk with her about dreams and living a normal life than he would with me.  I'm always on the defensive now and wish I could talk with him realistically about what's going to happen.  They are going to burn out the tumor but said tumors will keep coming back.  How many times can they do this procedure before he's gone?  I'm just now finally having a hard time with all of this.  I think I've been in shock or denial for the past 4 weeks.  What will our future be like living with this?  Help, I'm really depressed and scared.  My step children and I don't always get along and I'm afraid of the future and what it will bring.

Posted 5/21/2010 12:38 AM (GMT 0)
pmsmay, I'm sorry to hear of your husbands problems. I have a feeling that it's cancer that's holding the doctor from putting him on the transplant list. Cirrhosis is one reason there are liver transplants. When the scarring is too far advanced is a reason the liver fails, and one becomes eligible for a transplant. Liver cancer is a reason people that have tumors aren't given transplants in many cases. Doctors don't want to "waste" a liver on someone who may not make it due to cancer that's spread. As far as your husband not facing up to the reality of his illness, it could be that he's already decided things are beyond his control and he'd rather not dwell on what's ahead of him. If he truly is clueless to his future problems, his doctor needs to speak to him more clearly. I was fortunate that my doctors and other medical personnel were brutally straight with me. Some doctors want to tell patients good news and shield them from what is down the road. Talk to the doctor and see if he'll give your husband a wake up call. Good luck. **David**
Posted 5/21/2010 1:42 AM (GMT 0)

Hi, PMSMay.  I tend to agree with David about the reason for no transplant.  However, a 2 cm tumor is not all that large.  Who is he seeing for treatment of the tumor and his liver in general?  I'd be inclined to seek a second opinion.

Hugs,

Connie

Posted 5/21/2010 8:16 AM (GMT 0)
The criteria when Mike had a tumor was if the tumor was over   1.5 the person wasn't a candidate for transplant... and alternative treatments would be done first... but then if the cirhosis is too advanced as in Mike's case... they were unable to do the chemoembolization.. and no talk was ever made of "burning" it... read the After "not treatment" thread... he was basically told no treatment and died within a year of them finding a "spot" on his liver.. from May of last year until April 22 nd of this..
Posted 5/21/2010 3:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hello pmsmay,   Welcome to HealingWell.  So sorry that you had the need to find us though but am happy you did fine us. 

Each transplant center has different criteria for being listed.  Sandi is right......in most it is not a deal breaker to have liver cancer. Also if your husband has treatment for the cancer and it shrinks it maybe they will reconsider him for the list again.  In my husband's I believe they were more lenient as if I am not mistaking it was no one lesion over 2.5 or more than three of them that added up to over 2.5.  I got to find my old post to know for sure what it was. 

Definitely get a second opinion if possible or google transplant centers and find out which ones maybe be a option for your husband and find out what their criteria is to be listed.  Just because one turns down your husband ...doesn't mean that all the rest will.    

Ask them lots of questions.  Don't them intimidate you.  This is your husband's life at stake. 

Hang in there pmsmay.   It's a hard journey but we are here for you......thoughts and prayers........  

 

 

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