Meet Nick’s House Guests Dan and Julie

Dan and Julie’s journey with leukemia brought them from Arlington, Virginia, to Boston and then ultimately to Nick’s House Swarthmore for critical cancer treatment. Their story is a testament to the physical and emotional toll of fighting a serious illness, and how crucial a support system is during a cancer fight.

Their journey started in June of 2020 when Dan noticed a bruise on his leg that wouldn’t heal. He had been going for runs, but his leg wasn’t recovering the way it should have.
“I felt something wasn’t right, and then one night, while watching a movie, I thought I was having a heart attack,” Dan recalled. The pain he felt wasn’t in his chest, but in his chest bones—a result of leukemia cells overwhelming his bone marrow.

That night, he ended up in the ER where doctors quickly diagnosed him with leukemia after seeing an alarming number of abnormal white blood cells. The timing was especially difficult, as it was during the height of COVID-19 and Dan had to be hospitalized alone due to restrictions. He spent his 50th birthday in the hospital alone.

Julie stayed by his side through it all, juggling the stress of her husband’s condition, work, and the challenges of the pandemic. The first months were tough, but they quickly learned to adjust, relying on family and the support of friends.

He first underwent chemotherapy, followed by a stem cell transplant. The treatment took a toll on his body, but he remained hopeful. Their journey then led Julie, Dan, and their son Dominic to Boston for a stem cell transplant, as they were concerned about the local options in Virginia. With family nearby, they stayed in Boston for six months where Dan continued treatment and recovery.

However, every time they thought Dan was in remission more cancer showed up. After exhausting other options, Dan and Julie found themselves at a crossroads. His doctor at Johns Hopkins gave them little hope for a cure, but they were encouraged to try a clinical trial for CAR T-cell therapy, an innovative treatment where the body’s immune cells are re-engineered to fight cancer at the University of Pennsylvania here in Philadelphia. “It’s a complicated process,” Dan said, “But I’ve had two rounds now, and each time I’ve responded better.”

At Penn, Dan became patient number three to receive this new treatment for leukemia. While the process was grueling, the results so far have been promising. The CAR T-cell therapy has allowed Dan to push forward, and for now, there is no evidence of leukemia in his body.
“I felt pretty good during the treatment,” Dan said. “I was walking laps around the hospital, trying to stay as active as possible.”

Nick’s House provides more than just a place to stay. It offers a sense of community, a respite from the clinical coldness of hospitals, and a warm, welcoming space for families to stay together. For Dan and Julie, this is not just a place to stay while Dan underwent treatment, but a critical part of their cancer journey.

“At first, it was a bit of an adjustment,” said Julie. “But the sense of calm and the welcoming environment at Nick’s House made it a lot easier than the hospital-associated accommodations we had been used to.”

They had spent some time in a hospital-affiliated apartment in Baltimore, but it was a different experience. “It was connected to the hospital, and while that was convenient, it was also very isolating,” Julie explained. “You didn’t interact with others much, and it felt clinical and draining. But at Nick’s House, you’re surrounded by others going through similar experiences. There’s a warmth and openness to it that’s been really healing.”

The feeling of community at Nick’s House is powerful. Families gather in the shared spaces, provide support, and connect over their shared experiences. This sense of connection is key, especially during the uncertainty that comes with cancer diagnoses.

While Dan’s treatment has had its ups and downs, he credits the help from his community—including the staff at Nick’s House—for getting him through tough times. “When you’re going through something like cancer, it’s easy to feel alone,” he said. “But here, there’s always someone to talk to, whether it’s the other families or the staff. That makes a huge difference.”
“We’ve found that connecting with others who understand what you’re going through, without having to explain it all the time, has been really important,” Julie agreed. Sometimes, you just need someone to sit with you, and that support is invaluable.”

Through it all, Dan and Julie remain hopeful. While treatment has been a long road, they know the journey isn’t over. “We’re always looking forward to the next step, the next chance,” Julie said. “We know it’s not an easy road, but we’ve been lucky to have people like those at Nick’s House supporting us along the way.

Nick’s House is more than just a place to stay during treatment. It’s a beacon of hope, a symbol of the power of community, and a safe space where families can focus on healing together. Whether it’s the physical comfort of a place to rest or the emotional support of people who truly understand, Nick’s House provides a lifeline for those in the midst of their battle with cancer. In a journey that can feel isolating, Nick’s House reminds families that they are not alone.