For San Antonio native Carlos Tristan, life was moving at a steady pace. He had spent nearly a decade working as a claims adjuster — a demanding, high-stress role that kept him constantly on the move. Active and generally healthy, Carlos never imagined that a routine annual physical would change his life.
About three years ago, that routine checkup revealed elevated liver levels. What followed was a whirlwind of referrals, tests, and uncertainty. After a difficult initial experience at a different transplant clinic, Carlos found his way to Methodist Transplant Institute, where his mother had also received a liver transplant 12 years earlier. That decision would prove to be life changing.
At Methodist Transplant Institute, further testing revealed stage 4 liver cirrhosis and a lesion that was later confirmed to contain cancer cells. Carlos underwent ablation surgery to treat the cancer, and while the procedure was successful, his care team recommended placing him on the liver transplant list as a precaution.
“For the most part, I didn’t have symptoms,” Carlos recalls. “I would have never guessed I had this condition.”
Despite feeling relatively well physically, the emotional weight of the diagnosis was overwhelming. “I was scared. ‘Freaked out’ is an understatement,” he says. “There was a lot of uncertainty.” Leaning on his faith and a strong support system, including his wife, Belinda, his parents, and his children, Carlos focused on staying positive during the three years he spent waiting.
That wait came to an end on April 1, 2026, when Carlos received a liver transplant from a deceased donor. The surgery, performed by Dr. Preston Foster, was followed by about two weeks of recovery in the hospital.
Carlos describes his care experience as nothing short of exceptional. “The staff were outstanding — caring, kind, sympathetic, and friendly. I never felt neglected.” He fondly recalls members of his care team, including ICU staff Dylan and Marisol, as well as nurses Sarah and Alex on the 4th floor, all of whom made a lasting impression.
The encouragement he received from caregivers also stayed with him. “They told me I was a blessing and a miracle. That I was doing really well,” he says. “One thing that stood out was when someone told me, ‘Take a walk and look around — you’re an exception. We don’t see people like you very often.’ That was very uplifting and made me feel secure.”
Physically, his recovery went smoother than expected, especially for his first major surgery. “I didn’t feel much pain,” he shares. “Honestly, I had more back pain from prior issues than from the surgery itself.”
Today, Carlos approaches life with a renewed sense of purpose. “I feel like I got a new lease on life,” he says. “The biggest challenge for me was mental… the doubt and uncertainty. But now, I have a very positive outlook.”
He credits not only the hospital and care team, but also his loved ones and faith for helping him through. “I’m grateful to everyone who prayed for me and supported me. And especially to my wife, Belinda — I don’t know what I would do without her.”
To others facing a similar journey, Carlos offers simple but powerful advice: “Trust the doctors and the liver team. They truly have your best interest at heart.”
With gratitude, resilience, and a strong support system, Carlos Tristan is embracing his second chance — one step, and one day, at a time.