Good evening friends and family,

Today was one for the books - the kind of day that starts at 4:30am (which I’m fairly certain is illegal in several states) and somehow still manages to feel victorious by sunset.

We arrived at the hospital at the bright and cheery hour of 5:15am, right on time for Dana’s 7:15am surgery. Today’s milestone: placing a catheter directly into her brain so she can begin continuous infusions of a new experimental drug combination in her fight against Grade 4 Glioblastoma. If that sounds intense… it is. And yet, somehow, she makes it look almost routine.

I’m happy to report: the surgeon was a great success. Everything went exactly as planned. Dana came through beautifully, was in very little pain, and - because she’s an overachiever - they even started the infusions today right on schedule. She doesn’t do anything halfway.

She’s understandably tired from the marathon day, the anesthesia, and the pain meds, but she’s in good spirits and resting comfortably. Even in her groggy state, she’s still Dana - calm, steady, and stronger than anyone I know.

One of the sweetest moments of the day was getting to talk with our brave little guy back home in Colorado. Being able to tell him that Mom did great and is doing well was everything. He handled it like a champ - which tells you exactly where he gets it from.

Tomorrow’s goals are simple but mighty: get a little more active and maybe take a few celebratory laps around the hospital wing. We’ve been told she may experience some direct symptoms as the treatment kicks in, but we feel incredibly confident in the team here at Duke. She is surrounded by brilliance, compassion, and steady hands. Truly the best of the best.

Today was a major step forward. Not an easy one. Not a small one. But a hopeful one.

We’re taking this week one sunrise (even the 4:30am ones) at a time, and we cannot wait to make it through and get back home to our boy in Colorado - where the altitude is high, the hugs are tight, and the coffee will hopefully be consumed at a more civilized hour.

Thank you all for the prayers, messages, meals, love, and steady encouragement. 

We feel it. Every single day.

Onward. 💛

With love,
Josh