Sask. family's prayer answered as 13-year-old son recovers from organ transplant surgery
Nate Starycki was on waiting list for intestinal and liver organ transplant
The Starycki family waited for a special phone call for almost two years.
Their son, Nate, was on a waiting list for an organ transplant donation after being placed on the transplant list in 2018.
Nate, now 13, was born with gastroschisis, a defect with which the abdominal wall does not close properly, causing his intestines to grow outside of his body.
The teen needed a multivisceral transplant, which included his intestines, liver, stomach and part of his colon and pancreas. He also need to be on a special intravenous nutritional supplement.
"Being on the transplant list is scary because you're handing on one condition for another," Nate's mom, Jennifer said. "It's a fix to survive but it does not come without its own complications."
The family always had a bag packed waiting for the call to come through.
While waiting for a breakthrough in Nate's health, Jennifer and her husband Dane, were actively spreading awareness about organ donation and making donations to the Ronald McDonald House, along with several other charities.
They finally got the call last November while watching Wheel of Fortune. They were told they would have to travel to Toronto.
Sask. family hoping for organ transplant that will give 11-year-old son a chance at normal life
Sask. launches registry for organ and tissue donors
'They're somebody's loved one': Saskatoon woman donating kidney to stranger
The family made plans for the trip and traveled the next day with the bare minimum. Jennifer described it as a time of "panic and excitement."
Nate's surgery went well. Even after some complications developed, doctors were able to save the organs.
Nate is an outpatient now and his family continues to spend their time and effort spreading awareness about organ donation.
"We will continue our Donate The Gift of Life campaign," she said. "We are still selling Nate's little merchandise line where the proceeds for the apparel goes to different organizations and foundations."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
