These past few weeks have felt like the calm in the eye of a storm, a brief respite amidst the chaos of Owen's journey. One of the highlights was seeing Owen's face light up when Dad took him to his first movie, "Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace." It was a nice Dad and Owen date while Mom got to go a concert planned last year. They even played pretend video games in the arcade afterward, a compromise to a theater clearly in decline which hosts games with no way to get coins to actual play, unless of course you bring cold hard cash (who carries Cash anymore? 🤣)

Owen’s bravery knows no bounds; he made a new friend, a spider, without a hint of fear.

Our drives to Portland for Owen's treatments have become routine, almost like second nature. But we took a break and ventured to Florence for a family trip. Watching Owen build sandcastles and share ice cream with us brought a sense of normalcy and joy that we desperately needed.

Owen's newfound adventurousness with food has been a delightful surprise. He's trying venison and chicken with sauce, a far cry from his usual pickiness.

Returning to part-time daycare has been a blessing. Thanks to Dad’s cousin Brittany, Owen has a friend in Karigan, who sent him heartwarming videos while he was in the hospital. Seeing him play and interact with other children again is a gift.

During one of his infusions, Owen met Quinn, a Dalmatian who visits the kids. The joy on Owen’s face as he petted Quinn was priceless.

And the good news keeps coming; his blood counts are improving significantly, and his immune system is bouncing back after each chemotherapy session. However, his liver levels are a concern, prompting the doctors to skip a week of infusion.

They also performed an electrocardiogram to establish a baseline for his heart, preparing for the new, aggressive phase of treatment known as Delayed Intensification. This phase feels like the last big hurdle, with Dexamethasone and Doxorubicin on the horizon.

To cap off this period of relative calm, we're visiting his grandparents in Orofino, Idaho, before heading back to Portland for his final infusion of Interim Maintenance.

Seeing Owen so happy these days has been a balm to our hearts. He’s playing and whining like a normal 4-year-old, taking risks by climbing on top of his table, enjoying short bursts of running, and relishing all the toys he’s accumulated from doctors, friends, and family. Mom has returned to work part-time, and we are grateful for her employer’s flexibility, allowing her to ease back into it and still be able to care for Owen.

We are incredibly thankful for the outpouring of love and support we’ve received. Messages from other parents who are also navigating this journey, some with even greater challenges, have been a source of strength. Random messages on our phones, like the one from Jennifer, lift our spirits:

"Thinking of you and the family. I hope the summer has some fun in your new yard, BBQ’s are popular around here :) I have no advice or judgments, just love and support. I think you all deserve some peace and joy in your life ❤️." Jennifer

In the eye of this storm, each day brings a mix of hope, fear, and gratitude. As we brace for the challenges ahead, we hold onto the strength and courage Owen shows us every day. His journey is a testament to resilience and the power of love and family.