The decision to be on a liver transplant list or not.

Hello all,
This forum is so helpful with information on a subject that I'm relatively new to.
I'm a healthy (other than liver) fit, active 73 yr. old female. After years of daily cocktails and decades of unknown Hep C & B my liver didn't stand much of a chance. I was asymptomatic so easier to stay in denial about the damage I was doing. I'm now 27 months sober, a non smoker with an extremely healthy diet designed to be liver friendly. I've lost 70 lbs, no longer overweight and jog 45-60 min. daily. My heart, lungs and kidneys are healthy. I'm not diabetic. I haven't felt better or had more energy in many years.
Six months into sobriety I did full disclosure about the drinking to my primary physician who initiated the labs that led to the discovery of both hep c and b that apparently I had for decades. Antiviral treatment has cured the hep c. The hep c remains inactive. More labs and imaging led to my Hepatologist's diagnosis of stage 4 cirrhosis with HCC. That was a difficult revelation, but to be expected.
Two weeks ago microwave ablation was done on a tumor, my first and hopefully last. The surgeon strongly recommended putting me on a transplant list, because he foresees tumors in the future and this liver eventually failing. That was another shocking conversation. I didn't think a transplant was needed or even possible considering a meld score of 9, my age, compensated cirrhosis and the fact that I've not been ill and feel really good. My hepatologist has not recommended transplant so this has been confusing.
The hepatologist hasn't changed his position since the ablation. He's ordered a CT angiogram every 3 months, supports a "wait and watch" approach with transplant as a last safety net.
Needless to say, I'm all for his advice as is my 83 yr. old husband who is dependent on me to be our household administrator. Asking him to take on the responsibilities (and stress) of a transplant caregiver
seems impossible and unfair.
So that's my tale of woe. Not nearly as difficult as many here. I'm grateful for all I've had in this life and will keep putting one foot in front of the other with fingers crossed for a few more healthy years.
I'll continue to educate myself from the experiences of everyone here.
Thanks for listening.
Randi