I am thankful....

XtremediverHCC
XtremediverHCC Member Posts: 63 Member
in Liver Cancer #1
I am approaching the 5 year mark for my survival of primary liver cancer. The HCC was caused by Cirrhosis which was caused by Hep-c that I believe was contracted when I received the air gun vaccinations prior to deployment to Vietnam. I received a liver resection in January of 2007 for the removal of (2) 3.5 cm tumors. I am also fortunate as I am within 2 years of surviving the recurrence of tumors and having been treated with RFA. I go in on Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) for my blood work and the following Friday for my MRI. At this time of year I always look back to my first date of diagnosis (December 6, 2006) and realize just how fortunate I am because I was diagnosed early enough to survive this long. As is usual for me (and probably many of you, too) I am apprehensive about the testing and the results. I pray it has not returned yet again, but I secretly fear that it has. I am thankful for the time I have received since the 1st diagnosis and hope I will have more time still in my future. I live for today, every day. Tomorrow I will eat Turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy and dressing and cranberry sauce, corn and apple or pumpkin pie in the company of my loving, supportive wife, family and friends, but I will be thankful, for I am a survivor for now and hopefully for more time to come. I wish you all peace on this day of giving thanks and if my time is limited (isn't everyone's, really?) may you all have the hope and serenity that I feel inside and I pray for your continued survival, too. God Bless and be well.

Comments

  • march00
    march00 Member Posts: 20
    #2
    the 5 year mark
    Hello, I enjoyed reading about your sucess, I had a resection last month
    the tumor was 16cm and I was lucky they were able to remove it, the
    doc said he got it all and he did not see signs of any more tumors.
    I am feeling great and even playing basketball with my youngest son,
    Going back to work this week...
    Naturally I am scared to death, I wanted to ask if you did anything special
    to your diet, maby jucing veggies or something?
    Thanks
    Nick
  • XtremediverHCC
    XtremediverHCC Member Posts: 63 Member
    #3
    march00 said:

    the 5 year mark
    Hello, I enjoyed reading about your sucess, I had a resection last month
    the tumor was 16cm and I was lucky they were able to remove it, the
    doc said he got it all and he did not see signs of any more tumors.
    I am feeling great and even playing basketball with my youngest son,
    Going back to work this week...
    Naturally I am scared to death, I wanted to ask if you did anything special
    to your diet, maby jucing veggies or something?
    Thanks
    Nick

    I am thankful...
    Hey March00, as much as I hate to, I must admit I have only stayed away from alcohol from a dietary standpoint. Everything else I have always done in my life has remained the same for me. I am not saying that you don't need to change your diet or take supplements such as Milk Thistle, but for me just not drinking ANY alcohol is my solution. I have heard that juicing veggies is a very good idea as well as Vitamin D supplements. Good luck in your post surgical progression.
  • slg
    slg Member Posts: 200
    #4
    Vietname injections
    Hi XtremediverHCC,
    I know we have discussed these injections before but wondering if you have come across anyone else who contracted Hep C from these injections. And also wondering if the Veterans Administration has offered anything to these Vets?
  • XtremediverHCC
    XtremediverHCC Member Posts: 63 Member
    #5
    slg said:

    Vietname injections
    Hi XtremediverHCC,
    I know we have discussed these injections before but wondering if you have come across anyone else who contracted Hep C from these injections. And also wondering if the Veterans Administration has offered anything to these Vets?

    Hi SLG, I am so sorry to
    Hi SLG, I am so sorry to read about your husbands decline, I have been following your post and wonder when my turn is up. As far as the VA is concerned, they will offer the HEP-C treatment, but no disability compensation that I am aware of. The Hep-c forums are full of other vet's with the same or similar story to tell. The US government is not admitting any responsibility for the epidemic, and will review each claim for disability on a case by case basis. I personally have not applied; my government abandoned us Vietnam Vet's a long time ago and unfortunately they will continue to deny their involvement ( too many Vietnam Veterans have this ailment and the resulting claims would probably bankrupt the VA is my opinion). Both your husband and you are eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit if you have not looked into that yet. Also, go the veteransupport.org and see if you can get any assistance for your situation through that site. My prayers are with you, both.
  • slg
    slg Member Posts: 200
    #6
    XtremediverHCC said:

    Hi SLG, I am so sorry to
    Hi SLG, I am so sorry to read about your husbands decline, I have been following your post and wonder when my turn is up. As far as the VA is concerned, they will offer the HEP-C treatment, but no disability compensation that I am aware of. The Hep-c forums are full of other vet's with the same or similar story to tell. The US government is not admitting any responsibility for the epidemic, and will review each claim for disability on a case by case basis. I personally have not applied; my government abandoned us Vietnam Vet's a long time ago and unfortunately they will continue to deny their involvement ( too many Vietnam Veterans have this ailment and the resulting claims would probably bankrupt the VA is my opinion). Both your husband and you are eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit if you have not looked into that yet. Also, go the veteransupport.org and see if you can get any assistance for your situation through that site. My prayers are with you, both.

    VA
    Thank you XtremediverHCC,

    This is becoming so overwhelming I don't know where to begin to think about after he's gone.
    My husband was also exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam and we already tried to file a claim regarding that so I don't see them ever admitting wrong doing witht he immunizations.
    Thank you for your support.
  • XtremediverHCC
    XtremediverHCC Member Posts: 63 Member
    #7
    slg said:

    VA
    Thank you XtremediverHCC,

    This is becoming so overwhelming I don't know where to begin to think about after he's gone.
    My husband was also exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam and we already tried to file a claim regarding that so I don't see them ever admitting wrong doing witht he immunizations.
    Thank you for your support.

    The Agent Orange controversy
    The Agent Orange controversy is another thing all together. I, too, was exposed to heavy concentrations as an Army Ranger operating in the Laos/Cambodian/Vietnam triangle area and actually received an unsolicited letter from the VA several years ago informing me of the possibilities and risk of cancer from that exposure. They do not, however, list Liver Cancer (specifically HCC) as one of the possible types to receive benefits for...so I don't think that route will help much.
  • march00
    march00 Member Posts: 20
    #8
    march00 said:

    the 5 year mark
    Hello, I enjoyed reading about your sucess, I had a resection last month
    the tumor was 16cm and I was lucky they were able to remove it, the
    doc said he got it all and he did not see signs of any more tumors.
    I am feeling great and even playing basketball with my youngest son,
    Going back to work this week...
    Naturally I am scared to death, I wanted to ask if you did anything special
    to your diet, maby jucing veggies or something?
    Thanks
    Nick

    Positive
    Your story is positive!, thanks for sharing...
    I go back to sloan tomorrow for a CT Scan and
    a follow up the doctor, just wondering how you deal with the
    anxity?
    Thank
    Nick
  • XtremediverHCC
    XtremediverHCC Member Posts: 63 Member
    #9
    march00 said:

    Positive
    Your story is positive!, thanks for sharing...
    I go back to sloan tomorrow for a CT Scan and
    a follow up the doctor, just wondering how you deal with the
    anxity?
    Thank
    Nick

    Dealing with the Anxiety...
    Nick, I really don't do that very well! My mind will work overtime on the subject. I find myself researching everything I can find on HCC online and praying a lot. Some days, I just stay so busy it actually escapes my mind until I fall asleep at night. Then, I pray. HIS will be done, not mine. No, I am not a religious person, but a simple believer. I have no real control over this and I know it. Saturday is my birthday and I will turn 61, my life has not been a bed of Roses, but I have enjoyed everyday. My life experiences have taught me many things, however, the most important thing I have learned is to "let go and let God handle it". I never receive anything I can't handle, good or bad and I just keep the faith. The God of my choosing has blessed me with that faith. I truly enjoy everyday and every experience to the best of my ability. I believe that "If you are not living life on the edge, then you are taking up too much space." My doctors love my attitude and think it has much to do with my success so far. May your CT Scans be great-Jeff

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