Hepatitis Forums

Advanced Liver Disease Main Forums => Advanced Liver Disease => Topic started by: Pete on March 07, 2016, 11:26:06 pm

Title: Surgery on Friday
Post by: Pete on March 07, 2016, 11:26:06 pm
Hi everyone - I'm going in Friday for laproscopic liver resection to address the lesion on the upper left lobe.  I sure hope this works as advertised... 

The hepatologist wants to wait and see how the surgery goes before starting any new treatment to go after the virus.  I did not argue the point. 

I plan to chime back in next week with an update. 

Regards,
Pete

 

Title: Re: Surgery on Friday
Post by: KimInTheForest on March 08, 2016, 12:09:14 am
Good luck on Friday Pete! Hope this works for you :)

kim
Title: Re: Surgery on Friday (Update)
Post by: Pete on March 16, 2016, 07:46:45 am
Well that was pretty much an event I'd have much preferred to skip.  Following a couple of miserable days in recovery, I came home yesterday (Monday).  The toughest part for me was pain management / breathing control.  I've still got some work ahead of me over the next few days, but at least I can now see myself returning to work hopefully in about a week.

My family was told, during the post op conversation with the surgeon, that the 4 cm lesion was in fact cancerous. The surgeon stated that the entire mass was successfully removed via resection. The smaller lesion (appx 8 mm) was not cancerous, and was successfully treated (killed) via RF ablation.   

The liver biopsy conducted at time of surgery concluded cirrhosis.  So the recent Stage 2 Fibroscan score was not accurate (as I suspected).  I have a follow up appt with the surgeon and the hepatologist next week to see where things stand at this point. 

That's about it for now, Pete.
Title: Re: Surgery on Friday
Post by: KimInTheForest on March 16, 2016, 12:26:03 pm
That's good news about the cancerous lesion being successfully removed, Pete. :)

Interesting that the fibroscan was so far off in that it rated cirrhosis just F2. That is worrisome for many of us who received lowish Fibroscan scores.

kim
Title: Re: Surgery on Friday
Post by: lporterrn on March 16, 2016, 01:34:00 pm
Thanks for checking in Pete. The reality sure was different than the fibroscan results. Keep us posted and hope you recover quickly.
Title: Re: Surgery on Friday
Post by: Pete on March 26, 2016, 05:27:38 pm
About 2 weeks post liver surgery thought I'd check in.  Still a bit sore but improving.  Saw the doctors this past Wednesday, scheduled a CT scan in about 2 weeks to have a look inside.  I requested MRI, but the surgeon indicated he needs a CT scan on the first post op analysis.  After that, MRI in 3 months and then 6 mos intervals.  I'm apparently one of those <15% of people that don't indicate elevated AFP levels in the blood.  So that is unfortunate from a cancer monitoring perspective.

I feel I've dodged a bullet temporarily, finding and removing the cancer, but need to kill the virus ASAP. My hepatologist mentioned that chances of HCC reoccurring drops by 50-70% if you can clear the virus, even with cirrhosis. 

I've been approved for the Viekira Pak / Riba for 12 weeks.  We discussed the risks, and she stated my liver function is still really good (Child-Pugh A).  My RAV testing indicated this is the best current option for me.  She promised I'll be monitored closely.

I am in agreement, and going for it.  Not alot of choice at this point.  Haven't received the meds yet, perhaps within 2 weeks.  Bottoms up...

Happy Easter,

Pete


Title: Re: Surgery on Friday
Post by: KimInTheForest on March 26, 2016, 05:33:44 pm
Glad to hear you will be starting treatment soon, Pete! :)

kim
Title: Re: Surgery on Friday
Post by: lporterrn on March 27, 2016, 01:11:27 pm
You sound steady and determined. We are here to help you reach your goals and you can do this!