Natalie Stika

LOSING IS NOT AND OPTION AND I NEED YOUR SUPPORT!

We are hopeful for a liver transplant for non-resectable colorectal cancer liver metastases.

Natalie was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer in July 2020. At the onset of illness, she was hospitalized where bloodwork and scans revealed a high CEA level, a single tumor in the rectosigmoid colon and numerous metastatic lesions in the liver. She was able to see an oncologist quickly who had a chest port placed and chemotherapy started within 10 days. The oncology center at Revere Health and Dr. Brandt Esplin have given incredible care and encouragement through her treatments.

The chemotherapy regimen has been aggressive, which is the route that she has wanted to go. Infusions have been every 2 weeks and she has now had 69 rounds! Treatment began with the FOLFOXIRI regimen and has followed the TRIBE 2 protocol pretty closely.

In April of 2021, chemotherapy had been effective, tumors were shrinking and surgery could be done to remove 14 cm of colon from where the primary source tumor had been. In May of 2021, she began seeing Dr Ivan Zendejas, a hepatobiliary specialist and surgeon with IHC in Salt Lake City. He is a great source of experience and knowledge, helping to coordinate care and follow scans done every 3 months. At her first visit with him, he explained that his team and colleagues had a desire to implement a liver transplant protocol for colorectal cancer patients, what the criteria would be and that a lot of work had been done already to make this possible, they just didn’t have a good candidate yet.

Well, Natalie has checked off all of the criteria and has been on track to pioneer this ground breaking procedure for this team and the US to be a stage IV colorectal cancer patient with metastasis to the liver that is considered non-resectable because of the number and widespread location of the tumors and this organ is transplantable. Part of the criteria is that the cancer has not spread anywhere else, chemotherapy has been effective, she has remained strong through treatment, there has been no setbacks or complications and there has been enough time given to see who would win – the cancer or Natalie.

She has put in her time and has proven to be a warrior!

The hepatology and transplants team has worked hard over the last 6 months to write up the procedure, have her case accepted by the transplant team and to get prior authorization from insurance. She is now working with Intermountain Transplant Services at IHC in Murray and Dr Richard Gilroy to move forward. The surgery would take place at this facility. The liver donor transplant coordinators are working tirelessly with potential donors now.

On March 24th, she had a laparascopic ablation to 2 liver lesions that have been stubborn and shown activity and growth since August 2022. This procedure went well, was successful and she has once again bounced back. The technique of ablation uses heat to destroy the lesion from the core of it. Her oncologist and our family are grateful for the decision to blast these 2 lesions at this time. She has been able to avoid radiation so far. This has given us peace of mind as they were the only active lesions and it gives her more time without progressing cancer and time to patiently wait out the process of finding a living donor for her.

Natalie needs a liver transplant and while she has insurance, it doesn’t cover all cost. She is in the middle of a financial crisis due to a medical crisis and she needs your help. She has co-pays, a deductible to meet, temporary reloction before and after her transplant surgery and most important the cost of her anti-rejection medication that she will need to take for the rest of her life. Please consider a donation.

The outcomes and statistics of a living liver donor transplant for a stage IV colorectal cancer patient are high in diminishing the mortality from colorectal cancer and patients are living 5-10 plus years after transplant to date. Natalie is planning on 10-25 years and being able to spend more time with her 3 amazing children and someday hold a grandbaby.

There have been many miracles in this journey and blessings beyond measure. So much love and support has been given to her and our family. A donor would be the greatest of these blessings! And financial support would help cover some of the outrageous medical costs.

Natalie has chosen to fundraise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the button. And please share Natalie’s page on your social media platforms.

For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.

Thank you for your support!