Today marks a week into Owen's leukemia treatment, and what a rollercoaster it has been. Waking up to his cheery "Hi!" echoing through the room brought a slice of normalcy back into our lives, a precious moment that felt like a gift. It's these small victories, his good spirits greeting everyone, that keep us anchored through this storm.

The day brought its share of medical updates - a necessary blood transfusion juxtaposed with the relief of Owen's phosphorus levels stabilizing, allowing us to wave goodbye to the renal diet restrictions. Yet, the introduction of a reactive chemo drug made us take pause, watching purposefully along with the nurse for any signs of anaphylactic shock.

The knowledge that today's absence of reaction doesn't promise safety next time adds a layer of differed anxiety.                    

Despite the medical undertones, we found solace in the simplicity of the day. Owen, lost in the adventures of his favorite Paw Patrol characters, provided us with a semblance of normalcy. This downtime also allowed us to launch a website and a Facebook page to keep our loved ones updated, alongside a donation page to help us navigate this unforeseen financial strain imposed on us. The reality of our situation - the mounting expenses and the adjustments we've had to make in our work lives - is daunting.

The evening was a testament to Owen's resilience. Encouraged by all of us, he took not one but two walks around the clinic, a milestone that filled us with pride. And then, witnessing him eat - truly eat - for the first time in days felt like a victory in itself.

Yet, amidst these highs, concerns still linger. The absence of a bowel movement since Feb 15 worries us and his nurses. And unexpectedly, we’ve notice swelling in Owen's scrotum, coupled with his discomfort during the nurses exam, a development that will be relayed to our oncologist team tomorrow.

As the day drew to a close, with steroids administered and Owen drifting off to the familiar sights and sounds of Paw Patrol, the support from our families, near and far, through video messages, texts, and facebook messages, felt like a warm embrace. It's been a week - a week that has both flown by and stretched out endlessly. Through the highs and the lows, what remains unwavering is our love for Owen.

Here's to tomorrow, to the small steps forward, and to the strength we find in each other and in the love that surrounds us. We're in this together, for Owen, every step of the way.

— Owen’s Parents