Nate Rozday

This is Nate's mother, Christina beginning the account of the journey that my dearest, kind, funny, strong son has recently begun.  About 10 days ago, Nate announced that he felt he needed to go to the emergency room.  For the previous 5 days, he had been experiencing increasingly severe joint and muscle pain, tooth and gum discomfort, and finally, a throbbing chest pain.  He remarked that something had to be wrong with so much happening all at once.  Within minutes, we were en route to the Sewickley Valley Hospital ER.   You know the routine...the usual conversation about the reason for being there, the usual tests and the usual wait for results.  Just two hours into the visit, the doctor reported that Nate's heart was fine but that his blood platelet count was very low and he had "blasts" in his blood.   He then pronounced the word that changed everything.  Leukemia.  The doc immediately initiated arrangements for Nate to transfer immediately to West Penn Hospital.   


He has been in West Penn since that morning, Thursday, March 29, 2018.  Tomorrow, Nate will complete his first round of chemo, what they call the 7-3.  Two drugs are administered over a seven-day period, one for 3 days and the other for 7 days.  His medical team is alert and responsive to his every complaint.  Family have rallied to offer time with Nate round the clock.  He has not been alone for one minute.  Friends and acquaintances in this mad world of instant communication have reached out in many ways to offer help.  It is such a heart-warming testament to the love for Nate and for the Joe Rozday family circus.  We are deeply grateful to you all and expect to be able to accept your service during the battle to beat leukemia.  Nate will beat this thing!