Danny, an otherwise healthy 37-year-old, is a father of two young boys, Rory (6) and Remy (3). He is married to his high school sweetheart, Courtney. They have lived in Abington for six years.
On September 3rd, 2024, after dropping our son off for his first day of kindergarten, Danny went to urgent care due to a persistent cough and loss of appetite. We assumed it was nothing serious but felt it was worth checking out. To our shock, the chest X-ray revealed a large mass in his chest.
He was sent to South Shore Hospital for further testing, and on September 6th, we received the devastating diagnosis: a malignant germ cell tumor located near his heart.
After consulting with an oncologist at Dana-Farber, we developed a plan to start chemotherapy in two weeks, pending additional tests. However, Danny’s symptoms worsened rapidly, forcing him to return to the South Shore Hospital emergency room.
While the care at SSH was excellent, it was determined that he needed to be transferred to Brigham and Women’s Hospital. The cancer had spread to the lymph nodes above his lungs, where he also had a pulmonary embolism. The tumor was also creating pressure on his heart, which led to a fluid buildup that needed to be drained immediately.
At Brigham and Women’s, we met with a new oncologist specializing in testicular cancer, a category to which germ cell tumors belong. The team decided to begin inpatient chemotherapy as soon as Danny was stable. After 10 challenging days in the hospital, Danny completed his first round of chemo. Despite the complications, he was finally able to return home to rest before starting his next cycle, with the support of his loving family proving to be the best medicine.
Unfortunately, after just a few days at home, Danny got pneumonia and was readmitted to the hospital for another seven nights. He managed to spend a brief time at home before returning for a second week-long hospital stay for his second round of chemotherapy.
During his second round, Danny experienced an allergic reaction to one of the chemo drugs—a frightening experience—but we were grateful for the exceptional medical team that acted swiftly.
To date, Danny has completed three rounds of chemotherapy, with a fourth planned, followed by updated imaging to see what the next steps are. Through it all, we have remained hopeful and confident in a positive outcome.
Courtney has been unwavering in her support, standing by Danny every step of the way. The outpouring of love, prayers, and encouragement from our community has been overwhelming and deeply appreciated. It is this incredible support network that continues to carry us through these difficult times. We are truly humbled and thankful to be a part of the Jolly Jump tradition.