Whether his CMML progressed quickly to AML (which happens in a fair amount of CMML patients) or it was AML all along, we may never know. But the new diagnosis of a much more aggressive cancer means that Danny’s treatment must also be much more aggressive.
Today, November 21, Danny was admitted to a hospital here in Austin for 2-4 weeks of intensive chemotherapy treatment. The goal of his treatment will be to get him in a good place for a bone marrow transplant. More to come on that in a future post.
While many of you know that Danny has leukemia, you may not know how this sucky diagnosis came to be. Without sharing all the crazy details, here’s a quick timeline of events.
On June 1, Danny started having some pretty bad daily headaches. We thought of all the usual culprits—allergies, stress, diet, eye problems, etc. After trying a variety of over-the-counter meds, the headaches persisted. In mid June, Danny visited our primary care doctor. This kicked off three months of diagnostics—X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, MRVs, a lumbar puncture, nerve blocks, and countless blood draws. We visited neurologists, hematologists, spine specialists, and several visits to the ER as the pain became more severe, more persistent, and more debilitating. But there were still no clear answers.
Finally, in mid September, just two days before we were scheduled at The Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, another blood draw from our primary care physician showed something alarming. The very next day, we were sitting with the oncologist at Texas Oncology. She said that Danny needed a bone marrow biopsy right away to determine the diagnosis. She mentioned leukemia as a possible diagnosis. The biopsy was just a couple of days later.
Then we waited.
And waited.
And waited some more.
After an agonizing three-week wait, we received the CMML diagnosis. Three weeks later, Danny had his first cycle of chemo. The plan was a cycle of chemo every 3 weeks. But after his first cycle, the doctor noticed some changes in his blood. Not good changes. This led her to order another bone marrow biopsy. And this second biopsy revealed the new AML diagnosis.
That is the very short version of what has been an exceptionally long 6 months.
I will share more with you during Danny’s hospital stay, so subscribe or keep checking back. Please feel free to leave a comment here. Danny will see them all! You can also text or call him anytime!
And please keep the prayers, good thoughts, and healing energy coming our way.
Comments
49 responses to “How we got here”
Still thanking and praying for you hammer
Hey Danny, get well soon. Thanks for letting me stay with you in Austin .
Your friend,
Brett
I am thinking of you. Sending love from Ohio.
Your mom and I have been friends since high school and I’ve been getting updates on your health from her regularly. My husband Adam and I are sending healing hugs to you for a speedy recovery. You can beat this thing! 💗
Wishing all the best with this fight brutha. I anyone can kick its azz, it’s YOU🤘 -kt
No one plays your drum set Snicka! I hope you’re feeling better and we’ll see you soon.
T Mo
Danny,
Sending all the love and healing vibes straight to you! Take care, be strong and I’ll go donate some blood on your behalf.
Peace, love and drums! RA
Thinking of you everyday. Love you both.
Hi Danny…you have been in my thoughts and prayers ever since I found out about your diagnosis. I haven’t seen you in many years but It is obvious you are strong and a true fighter and I know in my heart you will beat this! Sending you even more strength, much love and so many positive vibes!!!!! ♥️ -Nina
Danny, New Jersey is rooting for you! You are a winner and you will beat this disease forever. Keep the faith and think of all the people who love you and need you. I remember you in the crib when u were born and I remember you not sharing your toys with James!!! We are praying all day for you.
Danny –
Two things:
1. I believe you have the power and spirit to beat this shit.
2. I believe that because I’m lucky enough to know you.
There’s never been a bigger sound than one coming from your kick drum. Stronger than all homie. Love and focus.
Danny, I pray for you to recover. My families thoughts and prayers are with you. Keep the faith as I know that there is always hope for a recovery.
I know it’s been 100 years since I’ve seen you but your mother and my mom have been friends forever.
James
We love you Danny. You’re needed back on those drums and I intend to hear more TBD! Plus, SOMEONE needs to push the rest of the band to get shit done. So kick its ass and get back to making the the badass music.
Peace, love, warmth and healing comin attchya! Feel it! See it!! Believe it!
I remember when your Aunt Paula told me you were born…Danny is a special name in our family, so I always thought about you during these years even though I never met you. So you, your mother, Aunt Paula and family should know that you are thought of and are wished you recover from this nightmare here in White Plains New York!
Both Dan, my husband and I continue to say a Mi Shebeirach: The Jewish Prayer for Healing for you in our temple here in White Plains…..
Fondly Janice and Danny
I have been kept up to date through Aunt Paula, my BFF since we are 12. Our prayers have been been said since the beginning. Jennifer, I had the pleasure of meeting you at Larry’s shiva. I had the pleasure of meeting Danny at Craig’s bris in Florida! So you know how young he was!
Our love is being sent for Danny at this time. 🤞🙏🤞🙏🤞🙏
Danny, PJ and I never had a brother until you became part of our family and you are the best brother anyone could ever ask for. You are one of the strongest people we’ve ever known, yet your strength and your toughness is tempered with a kind heart of gold, compassion and a servant’s heart. Such capable humility seems to be a rare jewel in today’s society. And you’ve already had to call on that quiet strength to fight for your health more than a young man should have had to, and yet, we all implore you to call on it again. You are a badass and you will beat this. We are all praying for you. We are sending good thoughts and the entire pantheon of all of us combined, including God, Christ, Yahweh, Alla, the Creator and the Tao are being called upon by us daily to refill that well of strength within you and to heal you. And we are all praying for Jennifer as well, who has turned out to be the strongest woman we know. Danny, we know you can do this. And PJ and I are proud to call you our brother. We still have much to do, my brother, so let’s beat this thing and move on with those plans! We love you. Clint and PJ
Thank you, Jennifer, for the update. Please know I am saying a Mi Sheberach prayer for Danny at the synagogue as often as I can. May you be comforted as you go through this challenging time. Linda and I send our love.
Thinking about y’all, praying and sending positive healing energy your way. We’re here for you.
Have everyone in my thoughts and prayers
November 22, 2022
Dear Danny,
Our thoughts & prayers are with you, Jenn, and the rest of your family for your swift and total recovery.
Love,
Susan Gruen & Tom McArdle
Thank you so much for the update, Jenn. Thank goodness you and Danny have each other. You both will always be in my prayers. Sending healing energy, big hugs, and my love your way.
Always in our hearts and prayers. Stay strong
All our thoughts are with you and Jenn❤️🙏🙏🙏
In my thoughts, in my prayers, in my heart.🫶 You rock Danny! 🥁 You got this! 💪 Keep giggling with Jennifer – 🌎 I know smiling is your favorite! 🧝
As your Mom’s friend, I have followed your very difficult experience for months. Your fortitude and love of life has brought you to this next treatment stage that hopefully will enable you to find finally rid your body of this angry disease.
Sending you my strength, love and hope.
I am praying for you guys all the time. Just know that everyone is thinking about you and we are all hoping for a complete recovery. With much love, Ricki Horwitz
Danny and Jenn,
It breaks my heart to hear the recent developments. Just know you have a lot of people behind you praying and I’m here if you need to talk. Love you both so much!!! You will kick cancer’s ass!! I know it! You have some angels above looking out for you!
Danny, we are praying for you! Keep the faith and BELIEVE!!
Love you guys !!
Danny and Jennifer,
Keep strong, we know you can beat this thing. Sending positive thoughts your way.
I would like to add my support to your warrior team! I am dedicating my meditations to you. Sending out peace and healing into the universe for you.
Namaste🙏❤️
Danny and Jen,
You are both in my prayers 🙏🏽
I am sending love your way and know that Gos is looking over you both.
Danny,
You are such a strong and amazing man. You will get through this and I know you have a very strong support system to help litt you during this difficult time. I want to help you find the best meatballs in Houston❤️😂
Please know we are with you! (And I’m around for Emotional Support Art visits on demand.) Seriously, though, F*** cancer.
Love you both! Thinking of you and sending all my love to kick cancers a$$! xoxo
I love you my sweet drummer boy. I am wrapping you in my arms, my heart, my love and my prayers now and forever. The positive energy that is surrounding you is so strong it will blast this disease into another galaxy!!!
As you know, your Jewish mother is taking a Catholic Bible study class.
I’ve got all bases covered!!
Love you always, MOM❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️🙏✡️✝️
I love you guys…I’m so sad that this is happen to you Danny. Stay strong brother. You don’t deserve this. I’m praying for the both of you!
Danny and Jennifer,
My blessings to you both as you endure this difficult fight. Be as strong as you can, Danny, and win this over!
Dan, All our thoughts and good karma are with you. You’re going to beat this!!
Love and positive will. Steve and family.
If it took love , care and positive thinking and prayers too, you would be cured already. But you must go through this process instead. But just think about the fight and strength you are going to experience to get back to being healthy again. Where there is a will to live, there is a way. We are all fighting with you. Hang tough. One step at a time.
We love you guys.
No doubt you’re gonna get kick this. I Just hate that you have to go through it.
Sending you all the love, prayers and support you can handle.
Thank you for keeping us all updated.
My prayers are with you, Jennifer and your family. Your Mom keeps me up to date almost every night. Stay strong.
Love, Sheila
May the Lord bless you with a speedy healing and keep your spirits uplifted. Lord, please guide the doctors minds and hands.
Love and prayers for all of you. You got this!
God’s blessings,
Ami, Darrell,
Chesney and Hunter Maze✝️❤️🙏
They say laughter is the best medicine, unless of course you have cancer, in which case chemotherapy is much more effective.
Damn the torpedoes, my brother. Full speed ahead.
We love you and will be with you every step of the way.
What can we do to help you and Danny on his road to RECOVERY?
Of course thoughts and prayers are with you both❤️
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Love you both!! Sending all the power your way to kick this cancers butt!!
Big squeeze, and f*ck cancer! I know you’re gonna kick some cancer booty.
L♡ve ya, DHand!
Lisa
Wishing you the very best on your road to recovery! Hang in there we are sending prayers and love! Jerry & Nancy
We love you Danny! If anyone can kick cancer’s a$$ I have no doubt it’s you! Love and prayers!
No one is more ornery and stubborn than you—and by that I mean if anyone can give cancer a whooping, it’s you! 😘 Love you! We’re totally here for you.
Danny & Jen,
My heart & every prayer are with you! This blog is a beautiful representation of the love you have for one another and life itself.
That love & all the love represented here and from those on your team will win the day and bring you back to you, healthy, whole & complete.
As our friend Lily states above BELIEVE!
Love triumphs ALWAYS! 😊🙏🧡