Nate Starycki has his family around him as he begins the long road to recovery following transplant surgery. (Hope For Nate/Facebook)

By Josh Ryan

Hope for Nate

Nate Starycki recovering from transplant surgery in Toronto

Dec 16, 2020 | 6:19 PM

Jennifer and Dane Starycki knew they were in for a long battle for 12-year-old Nate’s recovery, this month they’re ready for the next phase of that journey.

Following a phone call on November 27, they left their home in Maymont, east of the Battlefords, and accompanied Nate to Toronto, so he can undergo organ transplant surgery. The eldest of the Starycki children was born with gastroschisis, a condition that causes the intestines to form outside of the body from birth.

A number of tests preceded the surgery, to make sure they had a match. Jennifer Starycki, Nate’s mother, said it was an encouraging start at the hospital.

“The surgery itself was around 14 hours,” she said. “They were really happy with how everything was looking at that point, he came off a ventilator really quickly.”

Things then took a turn on December 5-6, as doctors thought his body was rejecting the transplant. The following days were tough for the Starycki’s to watch, as the doctors worked to cover a wide spectrum of possible infection.

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“If there’s rejection, you have to suppress the immune system, if it’s infection, you have to have it high to fight it off,” Jennifer said. “It’s a huge balancing act, the doctors were are so talented.”

“It was really hard for us to watch and not be able to help him.”

(Hope for Nate/Facebook)

Following treatments and tests, the prognosis so far is that his body hasn’t rejected the transplant.

“That was a huge win for all of us,” Jennifer said. “Nate obviously, the whole team, we’re very happy.”

After those first few days, there’s been good moments and tough moments for Nate. Jennifer said they will be staying in Toronto for an extended period now as he goes through the recovery process. Nate needs to remain there for at least several months, in order to keep a close eye on his condition and watch for infection.

“His digestive system fights his body, as well his body fights the organ, kind of a double-edged sword,” Jennifer said. “The first year is generally where they see it, that’s why we need to stay close to the hospital so we can come to get treatment within 24 hours. They’ll do a biopsy routinely to see if there’s a small infection.”

They’re hoping to bring Nate’s two siblings near Christmas, but COVID-19 has complicated that process.

“More restrictions must be limited before other siblings can even come see him,” Jennifer said. “Right now we’re going one day at a time and not looking any further than that until it is safe to do so.”

She said the support they’ve continued to receive from friends, family, and neighbours has made a significant difference. Hundreds of comments and words of encouragement have flooded their Facebook page, which has put “a big smile on his face,” even receiving words of support from local representative Jeremy Cockrill.

“It seemed to capture a lot of attention and his resilience and strength seems to inspire a lot of people,” she said.

While the family is asking that people don’t call or text, due to the amount of time spent with doctors, Jennifer said they’re grateful for everyone’s continued support and prayers, as she believes having that big army of people has helped Nate to get to this point.

“We promise to do our best to get him home as soon as we can.”

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports