Support Matthew and Malia's Road to Recovery
Donation protected
Our wonderful friend Matthew Lambrecht is known for his dry wit, stubbornness, and willingness to be there for others. It's our turn to be there for him.
Many of you know Matthew has managed celiac disease (gluten intolerance) for some time and has continued to lead a productive life, dominating beer league hockey, showing flashes of competence on the golf course, working for the Colorado Rockies, and somehow convincing the fabulous Malia Bacig to marry him. He and Malia have started their life together in Minnesota. As you all know, they also happen to be two of the most special people you’ll ever meet.
Well, Matt and Malia's road has gotten a little tougher. In addition to celiac disease, Matt was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and began treatments to help achieve remission. He has not responded to any of the drug therapies used thus far and through subsequent testing, it was also determined he had primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). PSC is a rare liver disease that damages the bile ducts inside and outside the liver. This diagnosis was an obvious concern, but his doctor believed Matthew would have some time before potential complications arose. The PSC led to the development of cancer within three years of the initial diagnosis. Matthew developed cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive bile duct cancer, in December 2020 and was immediately placed on the liver transplant list.
Matthew’s testing and treatment has been ongoing and arduous, as well as life threatening on several occasions. In January 2021 he began a month of chemotherapy and radiation treatments at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. His staging surgery, used to ensure the cancer had not spread pre-transplant, was completed in March. On May 24th he underwent a complete liver transplant, along with a “whipple” procedure—an unexpected and significant curveball thrown at them minutes before undergoing transplant.
The whipple procedure is used to treat tumors and other disorders of the pancreas, intestine and bile duct. It is the most often used surgery to treat pancreatic cancer that's confined to the head of the pancreas. After performing the procedure, the surgeon reconnects the remaining organs to allow you to digest food normally after surgery. The whipple procedure is a difficult and demanding operation and can have serious risks. However, this surgery is often lifesaving, particularly for people with cancer.
So what Matt and Malia hoped would be a five-day stay in the hospital has turned into three weeks and counting. Of the six drainage tubes placed in his abdomen, he still has three remaining and a PICC line for administering drugs and drawing blood. He also has a feeding tube for nutrition with the hope that he will be able to start eating on his own. His digestive system has been sluggish in returning as his anatomy was greatly altered during the procedures. The transplant replaced his liver and bile ducts and the whipple procedure removed the head of his pancreas, his duodenum, and his gallbladder. They wait each day to hear the latest blood test results to see if his new liver is responding appropriately.
Matthew is beginning the slow, painful and arduous road to recovery. Matt and Malia have been supported greatly by their parents and loved ones through these most challenging of circumstances, and are looking forward to beginning their married life together, along with their trusty pooch Grizzly.
Malia and his parents have been blessed to be able to be with Matthew in the Mayo Clinic despite the special protocols for COVID-19. Malia has been by his side most days while also trying to hold down a job, figure out a move to MN, prepare for grad school, and manage insurance, bills, food, etc. At this time, they have concluded it is best for her to take a break from her job and focus on taking care of herself and Matthew. Matthew had high hopes of returning to work with the Rockies after COVID-19 restrictions lifted…then life took this unexpected turn.
All this at the ripe old age of 26. No one “deserves” this, and as Matt’s best friend Joe Sweeney says, “no one is more stubborn than Matthew. He won’t let this get him.” But he and Malia need our help. We hope you can support their recovery.
We are hoping a GoFundMe campaign will help offset the stress and expenses related to medical care, housing, food, special accommodations for the transition to nearby Mayo housing and home, and ultimately allow Matthew and Malia the time and space to heal.
Life is precious. We ask that you embrace it every day with love and kindness to all you encounter. And if you are not already an organ donor, please consider becoming one. It literally saves lives; Matthew’s fighting chance is the result of another person’s gift. If you are able, please help Matthew, Malia, and their families. Thank you.
Many of you know Matthew has managed celiac disease (gluten intolerance) for some time and has continued to lead a productive life, dominating beer league hockey, showing flashes of competence on the golf course, working for the Colorado Rockies, and somehow convincing the fabulous Malia Bacig to marry him. He and Malia have started their life together in Minnesota. As you all know, they also happen to be two of the most special people you’ll ever meet.
Well, Matt and Malia's road has gotten a little tougher. In addition to celiac disease, Matt was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and began treatments to help achieve remission. He has not responded to any of the drug therapies used thus far and through subsequent testing, it was also determined he had primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). PSC is a rare liver disease that damages the bile ducts inside and outside the liver. This diagnosis was an obvious concern, but his doctor believed Matthew would have some time before potential complications arose. The PSC led to the development of cancer within three years of the initial diagnosis. Matthew developed cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive bile duct cancer, in December 2020 and was immediately placed on the liver transplant list.
Matthew’s testing and treatment has been ongoing and arduous, as well as life threatening on several occasions. In January 2021 he began a month of chemotherapy and radiation treatments at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. His staging surgery, used to ensure the cancer had not spread pre-transplant, was completed in March. On May 24th he underwent a complete liver transplant, along with a “whipple” procedure—an unexpected and significant curveball thrown at them minutes before undergoing transplant.
The whipple procedure is used to treat tumors and other disorders of the pancreas, intestine and bile duct. It is the most often used surgery to treat pancreatic cancer that's confined to the head of the pancreas. After performing the procedure, the surgeon reconnects the remaining organs to allow you to digest food normally after surgery. The whipple procedure is a difficult and demanding operation and can have serious risks. However, this surgery is often lifesaving, particularly for people with cancer.
So what Matt and Malia hoped would be a five-day stay in the hospital has turned into three weeks and counting. Of the six drainage tubes placed in his abdomen, he still has three remaining and a PICC line for administering drugs and drawing blood. He also has a feeding tube for nutrition with the hope that he will be able to start eating on his own. His digestive system has been sluggish in returning as his anatomy was greatly altered during the procedures. The transplant replaced his liver and bile ducts and the whipple procedure removed the head of his pancreas, his duodenum, and his gallbladder. They wait each day to hear the latest blood test results to see if his new liver is responding appropriately.
Matthew is beginning the slow, painful and arduous road to recovery. Matt and Malia have been supported greatly by their parents and loved ones through these most challenging of circumstances, and are looking forward to beginning their married life together, along with their trusty pooch Grizzly.
Malia and his parents have been blessed to be able to be with Matthew in the Mayo Clinic despite the special protocols for COVID-19. Malia has been by his side most days while also trying to hold down a job, figure out a move to MN, prepare for grad school, and manage insurance, bills, food, etc. At this time, they have concluded it is best for her to take a break from her job and focus on taking care of herself and Matthew. Matthew had high hopes of returning to work with the Rockies after COVID-19 restrictions lifted…then life took this unexpected turn.
All this at the ripe old age of 26. No one “deserves” this, and as Matt’s best friend Joe Sweeney says, “no one is more stubborn than Matthew. He won’t let this get him.” But he and Malia need our help. We hope you can support their recovery.
We are hoping a GoFundMe campaign will help offset the stress and expenses related to medical care, housing, food, special accommodations for the transition to nearby Mayo housing and home, and ultimately allow Matthew and Malia the time and space to heal.
Life is precious. We ask that you embrace it every day with love and kindness to all you encounter. And if you are not already an organ donor, please consider becoming one. It literally saves lives; Matthew’s fighting chance is the result of another person’s gift. If you are able, please help Matthew, Malia, and their families. Thank you.
Organizer and beneficiary
Les Sweeney
Organizer
Evergreen, CO
Malia Bacig
Beneficiary