Friends, as many of you know, Dina moved to Sedona in the summer of 2025 with her mom, Debbie. Dina started having some health issues soon after arriving and learned there was black mold in their house. Her health continued to decline over the next several months as they waited on, and then completed, remediation and repairs to remove the black mold. Dina thought her health issues were due to the mold, which can cause neurological issues, and anticipated her health would improve after the remediation was complete. It did not.
Dina went to the hospital this past week at her mom’s request, where scans revealed that Dina had 3 polyps on her brain. Dina has fought cancer several times in the past, and it has returned and has metastasized. Dina was taken to the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix (https://www.barrowneuro.org/) where she underwent brain surgery to remove one of the larger polyps and to drain fluid that had accumulated on the brain. The other two polyps were not removed. She also has a nodule in her chest and on her pancreas. Dina has elected not to go through chemotherapy again, but will be undergoing radiation therapy. She is still at Barrows and has been moved to a regular room, but it is anticipated that she will be transferred to a rehabilitation clinic that is closer to home sometime in the next week or so, where she will continue her recovery.
Dina is currently alert and is verbally communicating. Her mom said that sometimes when Dina speaks that things come out clear, but other times she is unable to understand what Dina is saying. Dina will be undergoing speech therapy as part of her rehab. Debbie has said that Dina is in good spirits, but that a current hurdle is getting Dina to eat more so that her body can start regaining some strength.
Dina has been unable to work for quite some time now. Her mom has been caring for Dina, so has also been unable to work. Things are, financially, very tight for them right now. Her mom has submitted paperwork for Dina to get assistance, but they have no timeframe for if it will be approved, when it will be approved, or how much assistance Dina will qualify for. It could be weeks until they know more. Therefore, we have set up this GoFundMe page for Dina, in hopes that we can all band together to help ease the financial situation for them. Debbie has expressed that this is the best way people can help right now. Any money that you donate will go directly to Dina and Debbie, minus the fees that GoFundMe automatically deducts from donations.
Please send your prayers to Dina, and we will post updates as we know more. Also, her mom has said that visitors are welcome (Dina is currently on the 7th floor), should anyone be able to make the trip out there. Thank you all!
Melita and Jen