Family, friends, and AGC, we have completed Day 1 in the UAB transplant process. Testing was just for screening, so no new news... But we learned about the process. This is what weve learned: liver transplant list is regulated by points. My tumor is 1.2cm; to get on the liver transplant list, the tumor must be 2cm. So my tumor is too small. The last appt., with transplant surgeon, was the most informative about these things. He wants me to complete the screening process, get into the system, so to speak. They will now monitor me every 3-6 months, and check tumor growth. When it reaches 2cm., I will be placed on transplant list. But also, at that point, the tumor will be large enough to treat with microwave ablation, which would destroy the tumor. So that option is always open, up to decision of the surgeon. I would remain on the transplant list, because other tumors tend to grow, after the first one appears... Part of having cirrhosis and Hep C. But this could go on for years, and if ablations work, and my liver function stays stable, which it now is, I may never need the actual transplant. Thats our prayer. The other parameters that give you points for transplant involve overall liver function. Those include bilirubin level (mine is ok), kidney function (mine is great), clotting function (mine is normal), and presence of ascites (I dont have any). So, basically, I dont need a transplant yet, we can zap the tumor when it grows, and I stay under the watchful eye of UAB liver specialists. Its all a win. God is good!
Posted on: Thu, 07 Aug 2014 01:53:57 +0000
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