Dana’s Update – Strong, Resilient, and a Little Bit Fiery

Hi everyone,

We just returned from our latest trip to North Carolina, where we met with Dana’s primary medical team at Duke University. It was a big visit - one we’ve been working toward for months - and we’re incredibly grateful to share some very encouraging news.

Dana has officially completed six weeks of combined chemotherapy and radiation, followed by two additional high-dose chemotherapy cycles (5 days on, 23 days off) over the last two months. This wasn’t easy, but she powered through it all in order to qualify for a clinical trial designed specifically for her type of Glioblastoma.

And here’s the part that made us both exhale for the first time in a while:

Her scans are stable.

In her neuro-oncologist’s words, Dana has a “strong, resilient, fiery brain.”
Honestly, that sounds exactly right.

Because of her response to treatment, Dana now officially qualifies for the clinical trial at Duke - and we’ve learned that her start date will be the week of February 23rd (we fly out the 19th). That’s sooner than we expected, so we’ve been rearranging life at record speed. But when it comes to giving Dana the best chance to outsmart a very smart cancer, we’ll move mountains (and schedules).

WHAT THE CLINICAL TRIAL INVOLVES

This trial is exclusively offered at Duke and centers around a highly targeted immunotherapy approach.

Here’s the simplified version:

- Doctors will place a small tube (minimally invasive) into the tumor site in Dana’s brain.

- Over the course of a week in the hospital, they will infuse a specialized immunotoxin directly into that area.

- This immunotoxin is designed specifically to recognize and attach to Dana’s particular cancer cells, based on the genetic sequencing of her tumor from her initial surgery.

- Because the treatment activates her immune system, inflammation is expected - especially since Dana’s immune system is strong (which is both a blessing and something they’ll carefully manage).

- The team has over 10-15 years of experience refining this therapy and has many ways to dial the immune response up or down as needed.

- Two weeks after the infusion week, Dana will return to Duke to receive an immune booster injection through the lymphatic system in her neck. This booster helps her immune system recognize and attack any remaining cancer cells marked by the immunotoxin. She’ll receive another booster two weeks later, and after that, boosters every four weeks for the foreseeable future - which means regular trips back to Duke.

One more notable detail: Dana will be the youngest patient they’ve enrolled in this particular trial. The team is optimistic that her age and immune strength could allow them to redirect her immune system in ways they haven’t previously been able to achieve. The flip side is that her immune response may be more intense - but they’re prepared and experienced in managing that carefully.

So yes… she’s officially an overachiever, even in clinical trials.

WHAT WE NEED MOST

We often say that in the beginning, right after diagnosis, the support is overwhelming (in the best way). But as months turn into years and life moves forward for everyone else, this “new normal” can feel isolating.

What helps us most is simple:

- Time together.

- A shared meal.

- A walk.

- A workout modified for Team Dana.

- Prayer.

- Laughter.

- Distraction.

- Reminders that we are not walking this road alone.

We continue to believe deeply in three things:
Community. Prayer / Positivity. Modern medicine.

And we are leaning into all three.

Thank you for walking beside us - not just in the crisis moments, but in the long, steady middle. Your presence matters more than you know.

With hope and gratitude,
Josh Stein