So many of you have been reaching out about Dj, and instead of answering everyone individually, I wanted to share what’s been going on—and why your prayers mean so much to us right now.

What started as a simple road trip to Pennsylvania (to visit the Amish and get the pretzels —IYKYK … and yes, we even planned to feed hippos for Valentine’s Day) quickly turned into something we never could have imagined.

On the way there, Dj started having abdominal and back pain. Being Dj, he brushed it off and kept going. Looking back, I should’ve known something was wrong when he didn’t eat at Bob Evans… because if you know him, that never happens.

After a quick adventure in Philadelphia (and successfully securing a WICKED lot of pretzels), we headed home when my gut told me something wasn’t right. Thank God we did.

By Sunday, Dj asked to go to the hospital. Five days later, we heard the word no one is ever ready for: cancer.

Dj was diagnosed with neuroendocrine carcinoma.

At first, the plan was major surgery (the Whipple procedure), but after more testing, we learned the cancer is involving major blood vessels and behaving more aggressively than expected. For now, surgery is off the table, and the plan is chemotherapy—hoping to shrink the cancer so surgery can still happen down the road.

In the middle of all of this, we made a decision that felt really important to us—we eloped on 03/04/2026 at the Navy Shipyard in Charlestown in front of one of our favorite Hippopotamus statues. We didn’t want to spend another second not being husband and wife.

Shortly after, on 03/17, Dj was readmitted to the hospital with shortness of breath and was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism, severe anemia (requiring blood and iron transfusions), and now congestive heart failure. He’s been through more in a few weeks than most people face in years.

On top of everything, we’re currently dealing with an insurance delay that has left us with around $40,000 in medical bills already—and treatment is just beginning.

If you know Dj, you know he’s the guy who shows up. No questions asked. Any time, any place. And now, he needs a little help—something he’d never ask for himself.

If you’re able to donate, we are beyond grateful. If not, your prayers, shares, and support mean just as much to us. We’re holding onto hope that chemo will do its job and that surgery will be possible soon.

Thank you for loving us through this. ❤️

—Amanda & Dj