Treatment
Rowen's Treatment
A simple guide to what Rowen is going through, where we are right now, and what comes next.
Treatment Roadmap
How the plan works, simply
- Chemotherapy first, to shrink the tumor.
- Surgery next, to remove the tumor.
- More chemotherapy after surgery, to get rid of any cancer cells left behind.
- Radiation at the end, only if his doctors decide it's needed.
Induction Chemotherapy
In ProgressApproximately 9 weeks
Surgery
UpcomingTiming TBD — after Cycle 3 or Cycle 4
Rowen will have surgery to remove as much of the tumor as safely possible. His team will decide whether it happens after Cycle 3 or after Cycle 4.
Additional Chemotherapy: Cycles 4–6
Planned3 cycles · about 4 weeks each
Cycles 4, 5 and 6 are about 4 weeks each:
- 🏥 About 1 week inpatient
- 🏠 About 3 weeks outpatient
Depending on when surgery happens, Cycle 4 may come before or after surgery.
Possible Radiation
To Be DeterminedRadiation may be recommended toward the end of treatment depending on Rowen's response, scans, surgical results, and overall treatment plan.
Original hospital & home plan
Currently: Inpatient
- Sep 18 – Oct 16Hospital — Cycle 1 & start of Cycle 2
- Oct 16 – Nov 3Home — about 2 weeks
- Nov 4 – Nov 10Hospital — Cycle 3
- Nov 11 – Nov 24Home — about 2 weeks
- After Nov 24Surgery — after Cycle 3 or 4, date TBD
Dates are estimates and may shift by several days depending on Rowen's blood counts and recovery.
Days in hospital
–
Currently: Inpatient
Chemo Cycle
2 of 6
Next Key Milestones:3rd MRI ~Nov 22 / Surgery TBD
Rowen's journey so far
Brave by the numbers 💛
Chemo doses
Trips to the OR
NG tube pulls
Transfusions
LPs (spinal taps)
Central line procedures
MRI
Symptoms & Daily Changes
This section tracks how Rowen is feeling and functioning throughout treatment.
Some symptoms are related to the tumor itself, while others may come from chemotherapy, procedures, infections, medications, or being in the hospital.
We are tracking them over time so we can see patterns, improvements, and changes throughout his treatment.
Symptom Chart▾
Times per day
Last 14 days. Tap a symptom to see just that one.
How bad (1–10)
Average score each day.
Daily Symptom Timeline
Vomiting · Severe · 1:50 PM
In the last 24 hours, row has thrown up several times
Symptoms We Are Currently Tracking
Positive Signs & Improvements
We also want to track improvement — not only symptoms.
Examples include:
- Using both hands again
- Increased movement of his left arm or leg
- Better head control
- Improved facial movement
- Less drooling
- Better secretion control
- Stronger cough
- Improved swallowing
- Increased alertness
- More play and interaction
- Sitting, crawling, standing, or walking
- Improved appetite
- Less vomiting
- Less diarrhea
- Reduced oxygen needs
- Better sleep
- More smiles, babbling, and engagement
These changes can help us see Rowen's recovery over time alongside the harder days.
More Than Chemotherapy
Treating Rowen's cancer involves much more than giving chemotherapy. His care team is also supporting his nutrition, breathing, movement, development, comfort, and immune system throughout treatment.
🍼 Nutrition & Swallowing
Because Rowen's tumor has affected his swallowing, he is currently receiving nutrition and hydration through an NG tube.
Speech and feeding therapy continue to evaluate his swallowing and help him safely regain oral feeding skills.
🧸 Physical & Occupational Therapy
PT and OT are helping Rowen maintain and rebuild strength, movement, coordination, and developmental skills affected by his tumor and treatment.
💬 Speech & Feeding Therapy
Speech therapy is helping monitor Rowen's communication, swallowing, oral motor skills, and development.
🫁 Respiratory Support
Rowen has needed oxygen, high-flow nasal cannula, suctioning, albuterol, and nebulized saline at different points during his hospital stay because of his secretion burden and breathing needs.
What His Team Is Monitoring
🩸 Blood Counts
White blood cells, red blood cells, hemoglobin, and platelets.
💧 Kidney Function
Especially important during cisplatin treatment.
⚖️ Electrolytes
Including sodium, potassium, and magnesium.
👂 Hearing
Cisplatin can affect hearing, so Rowen had a baseline hearing test before treatment and will continue to be monitored.
🧠 Neurologic Function
His strength, facial movement, alertness, movement, and other neurologic changes.
🔍 MRI Imaging
Used to see how the tumor and other areas of concern are responding to treatment.
💦 Cerebrospinal Fluid
Lumbar punctures help monitor his CSF and may also be used to administer intrathecal chemotherapy.
🛡️ Infection
Because chemotherapy lowers immune defenses, Rowen is closely monitored for infection.
Current Medications
Medication information changes frequently during cancer treatment.
Hospital orders can change throughout the day based on his symptoms, labs, and treatment needs.
An "as needed" medication means it is available to his medical team and does not necessarily mean Rowen is receiving it regularly.
Rowen receives several medications during treatment. Some directly fight cancer, while others help prevent or manage side effects such as nausea, pain, infection, breathing problems, electrolyte changes, and low blood counts.
His medication list changes frequently depending on his treatment schedule, lab results, symptoms, and how his body is responding.
What Comes Next
- Cycle 1 chemotherapy ✓
- Cycle 2 chemotherapy ✓
- NowCycle 3 chemotherapy (started November 2)
- MRI and treatment response evaluation
- Surgery (timing TBD — after Cycle 3 or Cycle 4)
- Cycles 4, 5 and 6 — about 4 weeks each (1 week inpatient, 3 weeks outpatient)
- Possible radiation
Right now, our focus is getting Rowen safely through Cycle 3.
Cancer treatment is not always a straight line. His schedule can change based on scans, blood counts, infections, side effects, and how his body responds.
We will continue updating this page as his treatment plan evolves.