Thirteen-year-old Nate Straycki is finally able to spend some time outdoors after being discharged from the hospital he had stayed in for nearly five months. (Hope for Nate/Facebook)

By Josh Ryan

Out and about

Nate Starycki discharged from hospital, recovering in Toronto

Apr 30, 2021 | 4:40 PM

After 146 days filled with appointments, tests and procedures, Nate Starycki can finally breathe a little bit of fresh air outside of a hospital.

The 13-year-old from Maymont, east of the Battlefords, has been discharged and is living in an apartment in Toronto with his mother, Jennifer. Nate was in hospital recovering from a complex multi-organ transplant that took place in November. His mother said the staff was cautious before giving them the go-ahead, in-part to keep his expectations level and figure out the logistics of their living situation outside hospital grounds.

“They didn’t want the apartment to turn into a hospital either, and then have me working as a full-time nurse,” she said. “But it’s great to get here, he needed the freedom, he needed the fresh air.”

As they iron out the kinks of Nate’s immune and digestive systems, Jennifer said they will be close enough to get to the hospital quickly for appointments. The two of them live alone, while her husband Dane and Nate’s brothers are back in Saskatchewan. Now at least, he can walk outside and see sights like the CN Tower.

“We still have the security of being close to the hospital, but as an outpatient basis, which with the pandemic regulations going on, has been nice,” she said. “Nobody’s out and about, so we aren’t having to push through crowds.”

Iran War

Iran calls on public to find 'enemy pilot' as U.S. continues frantic search

5h ago

Cheese recall

Co-op product sold in Sask. among items recalled over listeria concerns: CFIA

5h ago

Twist on a classic

Regina board game designer puts new spin on crokinole

22h ago

The day it became official that he would be able to leave, Jennifer said they were both overcome with emotion, even when taking down pictures in their room. However, she said that he handled the goodbyes better than she did. The family had grown close with the staff.

“He was all excitement and on a scooter, flying around the ward saying goodbye, while I was the typical mom who would start crying,” she said.

“They’re with you at your lowest moments in this huge journey and they helped us through everything. Once you’re discharged, you want to make sure you say goodbye to all of them, but don’t know if they will be in that day.”

Given that their stay is expected to last at least another month, Jennifer said they are trying to pace themselves. Blood work and other appointments remain and Nate’s diet is restrictive, as they try to figure out what his body can handlea. Once they do get set to travel, Jennifer said the team they worked with are confident that they can get similarly strong care At the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital.

There is two other [similar] patients in Saskatchewan, so it’s huge that this team trusts we will be taken care of,” she said.

—

josh.ryan@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports