Natalie’s Fight is Our Fight

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 58 rounds! Treatment began with the FOLFOXIRI regimen and has followed the TRIBE 2 protocol pretty closely except for the times that she does better than anyone has expected. 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 she is a warrior! The hepatology team has worked hard over the last several 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 transplant coordinators are ready to begin screening potential donors! All hopes are to have the transplant happen before the end of the year, because her insurance will change January 1st. Her current insurance has been wonderful, deductibles and out-of-pocket is met, they have a transplant policy and cover all costs for her and the donor. The outcomes and statistics of this procedure 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.

With so much love, Nanny and kids