Heidi Matracia

It's with a heavy heart I want to let you know that Heidi has stage four colon cancer. 


On September 30th, she went in for a colonoscopy for ongoing issues she had been experiencing. The doctors found a mass 
and a week later the biopsy came back and it was confirmed to be cancer. The following day, after her CT scans came in, we 
found out, to our dismay, it was also in her lungs, liver and lymphatic system. We were devastated.



She is fighting this. She immediately underwent a dramatic change to diet and lifestyle, ie. NO sugar, minimal 
presevatives, all organic, no chemicals with soaps, shampoos, lotions, toothpaste, deoderant, etc... She is in shape, 
young, no other big issues with her health, and she has connections with other amazing cancer survivors that have been a 
huge source of comfort and encouragement. 



Cancer is not a death sentence.


That being said, we covet your prayers and understanding through this. It has been very hard on the family. Heidi is in 
alot of pain from back and other issues she had previously, but she is frequently exhausted and cannot do the exercising 
she did prior to keep it in line. There is such an emotional drain being faced with one's own mortality and all the 
doctors appointments and endless advice streaming in can be overwhelming to say the least. We try to have someone with her 
constantly for comfort and help, but it is hard on our family business and our relationships through this.



The doctors' plan, for now, is chemo to shrink the tumors as much as possible, then surgery. Heidi has the port in and we 
are waiting to start it. They do not know the genetic mutation of the cancer, inspite of testing to find it. They said 
there are three possibilities and that will determine how effective or ineffective the chemo will be. 



We appreciate your prayers and support through this time. I will try to give updates as we get them. 

Thank you,


Amy Shidler (Heidi's sister in law)