It has been a little over a month since our last update. We intended to share sooner, but cherished the brief respite between Owen's treatment phases.

In anticipation of Owen’s upcoming delayed intensification phase, we spent our remaining savings on a trip to Orofino, ID, where Grandpa and Grandma Watson awaited. It had been since last Thanksgiving since they last saw Owen. With the uncertainty of the coming months, we seized this moment of normalcy to visit.

During the visit, Owen relished being a spirited 4-year-old again, free from the lingering effects of his induction medications. Grandpa Watson reintroduced Owen to his favorite quad bike, a Christmas gift, which became the centerpiece of joy, wheeling around the driveway under the Idaho sky. These precious days allowed Devin's parents to see Owen not as a patient, but as their vibrant grandson. It was a heartwarming respite for all of us, briefly stepping away from the routine of hospitals and treatments.

However, reality beckoned, and we hurried back, timing our journey to accommodate a pivotal doctor’s appointment in Portland.

The results were mixed; Owen's liver enzymes were elevated, a common aftermath of induction therapy, delaying further treatment.

Back home, as summer heat enveloped us, we set up a small inflatable pool for Owen, which became his new favorite retreat.

Even amid routine checks—where his liver values continued to challenge us—Owen's spirit remained unbroken, buoyed by visits from family friends like Jennifer, a steadfast support to our family for years. She gifted Owen a toy set once cherished by Devin, adding layers of history and love to our simple joys.

Owen’s days soon filled with daycare and fort-building adventures with his cousins, thanks to Devin's cousin Brittany’s help. These moments of play were his little victories, his laughter a balm to our weary hearts.

Then came the start of delayed intensification, a critical phase designed to eradicate any stubborn leukemia cells resistant to previous treatments.

This phase mirrors earlier treatments but includes a potent combination of medications:

• Vincristine
• Dexamethasone, a necessary evil that had previously caused Owen much distress
• Doxorubicin, likely to result in hair loss
• Calaspargase Pegol, a drug critical yet fraught with risks of allergic reactions

Owen faced these challenges bravely, even as the Dexamethasone sapped his energy, leaving him couch-bound and us heartbroken.

Then, the worst case scenario struck. During a routine administration of Calaspargase Pegol, Owen suffered an anaphylactic reaction. It was swift and terrifying. Within moments, his face flushed a deep red, his small body wracked with coughs, tears streaming down as he cried out, "My mouth hurts!" But the medical team was swift, administering Benadryl and placing him on oxygen, their quick actions averting a crisis. This harrowing experience underscored the unpredictability of treating leukemia and the importance of emergency preparedness, something we learned firsthand.

Reflecting on this episode, we are profoundly grateful for the medical foresight that had us keep an epipen ready—an invaluable lesson in preparedness.

Now, with alternating weeks of treatment and recovery, Owen enjoys brief respites. Devin often mans the grill, turning our backyard into a haven of normalcy where Owen can splash in his pool and we can momentarily forget the trials of leukemia.

With the relentless heat pushing us to cooler sanctuaries, Owen now sleeps in a cot beside our air-conditioned bed, his presence a constant reminder of the battles we face together.

As we prepare to return to Portland for the next phase, we remain hopeful, drawing strength from Owen's resilience and the incredible support of friends like you.

Your generosity has been our stronghold—allowing Devin to balance work with being there for every hospital visit and enabling Melissa to maintain her part-time status to be by Owen’s side.If you are able, your continued support would mean the world to us. It would alleviate some of the financial pressures, especially since the donations received thus far have been utilized to help with our expenses and driving to and from Portland. It would continue to allow us to focus more on Owen and less on making ends meet. Every little bit helps us keep fighting.

We thank you for your enduring support and promise to keep you updated on Owen’s brave journey.

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