The Race Set Before Us

Well, the past few weeks I have kind of been settling into my schedule, working at my new job 10 minutes away from me, going into the hospital, and other activities. I have been having a good amount of fun recently, and have been feeling fulfilled with things I do at work. I feel pretty good these days, but some days are better than others. The biggest thing I face is nausea, and just not wanting to eat... but I know that I need to and so I make sure that I do :). I have a pretty good set up here, and can save for college with no real expenses :). My schedule is every day I wake up and go to work, and then come home and hang out with my family, or go to institute on Wednesdays. Lot of times, I do physical therapy (just the exercises they gave me, I don't go anywhere) when I come home on my foot that has been bothering me a little bit recently.  I have been feeling pretty good recently, with certainly enough energy to drive to work and sit down in a chair for 8 hours. This c...

I was actually confused when I first wrote that I had finished the first cycle, since a cycle consists of a few drugs for two weeks, and then different drugs for two weeks. This means I have now completed the first month of treatment - which is the first cycle. I got to go snowboarding two Thursdays ago for the first time after missing a ski season last year. It was really fun, and I saw my six year old brother ski for the first time. We didn't stay too long, since when we got there we were worn out by long ski lines, and when it thinned out for night skiing, my leg which has been bothering me was a bit tired. After skiing, we made our way down the canyon to get ramen, in a pretty authentic restaurant that started as a hole-in-wall in Salt Lake. Also a good time, and the soup was great! New Years eve night was spent in the hospital, with my family, and we hung out and played games a lot of the night. We had treats, hung out together, and had a good time all in all. My fami...

Sorry I haven't emailed this week, but I want to let you know what is going on. I want to say thank you for reading this email. It is nice that you take the time and thought to think of me. The week started pretty normal - nothing on Monday, but I got word of one more scan to be done. Tuesday I went in to Primary Children's Hospital to get a PET scan, completing my scan accomplishments that now list at Cat scan, MRI, and now PET. I started to notice, especially on Tuesday, that I was getting more and more uncomfortable. On Tuesday I also met my doctor, and he informed me of the Chemo therapy treatment plan that I would be starting - tailored due to studies that showed a certain treatment plain for my age group and basic condition was more effective. This was my first time, actually (in the three weeks I have been home) that I have met with my doctor. He seemed informed, willing to take the advice of other leading medical consultants, and understanding of my questions. W...

After returning home, and being home for just over two weeks, I was told I will not be returning to my mission. My service of 16 months is, at least for the time being, complete. This was told to me by my stake president today, two days after receiving word from my doctor. I was told by the doctor in the Huntsman building for cancer that I do have cancer. It is a rare, childhood cancer that normally is found in children under the age of five. It is treatable, and I will be starting on either Tuesday, or Wednesday. The expected treatment time is about one year. My family has been here for me, and it has been wonderful. Due to my a family situation, and people being gone, yesterday was the first day that all of my immediate family was together. They will be able to support me as I get care at Primary Children's Hospital. I definitely have been blessed with great parents and a great family. I will have the help of doctors here, and specialists, who deal with 99 % of the cases of ...

Well, I want to update you on a few of the things that have happened in the last week. I was flown back to the US on Medical leave. TThey brought me home to look at a tumor. It is pretty big, but we don't know if it is benign, cancerous, or what it is. A Biopsy will give us further information for where we are now lacking. I have had the support of many wonderful people here, and I know that that support will continue as I face this. Thanks for the concern.  While we may not know, we do have hope, and the spirit has come to me in a time of great need. I thank you for anyone who has helped and supported me! This may be a hard time, but I have confidence in the Savior. Sincerely, Nathan Allen