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Good PET and MRI Scans

Thank you everyone who is concerned, and who reads these emails. Many of you tell me that you think and pray for me, and I really appreciate it. I want to start off by saying to everyone, thank you for thinking of me and caring about me.  

Yesterday I came back from a five day stay at the hospital. I have had these once a month for  three months. This stay was a bit more busy with a CT, PET, and MRI scan. I think that they covered all of their bases :). The PET and MRI scans purpose was to evaluate my treatment, and the effect that the chemotherapy has had. Both scans reported a significant reduction in the size of the tumor, and the majority of the inner portion of my tumor as dying. The scan also reported reduction in the size of the modules that were found on my lungs, some of the modules collapsing completely. No activity (growing) whatsoever was noted around my lungs. This is what we have been praying for and hoping for. This status is what the doctors have been wanting for me for this point in my treatment. 

Technology is pretty awesome, and I even got to watch a movie while I got my MRI scan #childrenshospital.

The CT scan's purpose was to prepare me for radiation therapy, which will be starting in a few weeks. They call it "simulation" where they align me on the table where I will get radiation therapy, and create a mold for where I place my legs so that I will always lie in the same position. In order to ensure that they put the radiation to the right spot every time, they will actually do a low-resolution CT scan every time I go in for radiation (28 days). When I start radiation, I will go to the hospital Monday-Friday for about 6 weeks. 

One notable detail of my hospital stay this last week is that I was allowed to leave room! My first five-day stay at the hospital I got an infection that is resistant to most antibiotics (they were able to treat it without too much of a problem) and so the hospital confined me to my room. I admit, after complaining loudly during one of my outpatient visits to the hospital, a Nurse Practitioner looked up my protocol for exposure to other people, and found a protocol that allowed me to leave. I was able to go to the "gym" at the hospital for physical therapy (but they did take special precautions: like sanitizing everything I touched once I finished using it). I realized that for probably the first time since I got home, I was able to work out. It felt great. 

My life recently: I was grateful when winter came to Utah in February and I was able to go snowboarding in the good conditions. 

I am still working as a software tester. I am very grateful for my job. 

I am planning on sawing a snowboard in half - stay tuned. 

I gave my homecoming talk in church. A lot of my family and many friends came to see me speak, which was nice of them. 

I got called as the Elders Quorum Secretary in my home ward. My previous Priests Quorum adviser is the EQ president so I am excited to work with him. The presidency also just has good people, so I am excited to learn from and work with them. 

I'm not in school yet, but I change my schedule for Chemotherapy soon and so I'm thinking about it. 

I know that the gospel is real, and that the Book of Mormon is true.

Your Friend,

Nathan

Pics:

Yes, it is weird hat. I agree. Is it a girls hat? I don't know. That's not what it said online. 




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