First Cardinals Game! 11/22/15

First cardinals game! Thanks Andre for the tickets. A little VIP treatment.

Grateful 11/20/15

Today Iam thankful for specific blessings in my life. One is the blessing that Mason's counts are good and he was cleared to travel home for Thanksgiving! He is still on chemo but doesn't have to be back to Houston until after Thanksgiving. The other two blessings are my children. With so much focus on Mason, I rarely comment about my beautiful, tender hearted, warrior of a daughter that I have. The last 3 years of her life have been nothing short of terrifying. Filled with so many unknowns and so much heartache along with so many blessings. Not only did she have her mom battle cancer but now she worries about her brother and his fight. Even though she may not physically be diagnosed with cancer she feels every pain and suffering as we do. She is stronger than any 10 year old girl I've ever met and Iam so proud to be her mom. While her dad and I travel back and forth to Texas to be with Mason she often stays in Arizona with her aunts. I know this is hard on her and there are many days she just cries her heart out, but she picks herself up and keeps going and fighting right alongside her big brother. Madisen you amaze me! You are a special daughter of God and Iam so happy I get to call you mine and you chose me to be your mom. I❤U

Baybrook Ward 11/18/15

Thank you to the Baybrook ward youth for welcoming Mason with open arms. Even though Mason has some physical limitations, he never allows that to dictate his happiness. He isn't the least bit afraid to go and meet new people and have fun. And as his mom I couldn't be more thankful to kids that love and accept him no matter what. Nothing about what Mason is going through is easy and these new friends have made all the difference. There is so much good in this world!

Switching Donation Site to YouCaring

We are switching our donation site to YouCaring, they have less fees. Mason is still out in Houston and has 5 more months of treatment out there. His deductible will start over in January and I don't need to go in details of how financially draining this has been. The good news is he is getting chemotherapy treatment that his doctors believe will be effective and he is tolerating it pretty good. 

https://www.youcaring.com/mason-rowley-468523

Thank you for your support and love. He knows people all over the world are praying for him.

Stupid Cancer 11/12/15

Stupid cancer! This is what chemo does to him. Wipes him out. I hate cancer! He just finished his second week of chemo. My fighter ❤

Check Him Out! 11/5/15

Check him out!! 
This is huge improvement!
He is determined to walk again. 
I wouldn't expect anything less.
Click HERE to view video.

Addis Faith Foundation 11/8/15

One of the Foundations that have helped us is Addi's Faith Foundation. They held an annual run and Mason was one of the kids that was spotlighted through them. They made this awesome poster all about him and they are displayed during the event each year. Jesse and Mason were able to get onstage and thank everyone for all their support to us and many other families fighting through pediatric brain cancer. We couldn't bear these trials without the amazing people that have so selflessly given us much needed support and prayers. We love you ALL!

Click HERE to view video

Support Mason with Chilis! 11/02/15

We would love to see all of our IronMason fans! Me and Madisen will be at the Cooper and Baseline location. If you have an Iron Mason t-shirt please wear it and lets show Mason how much we love him. Remember to bring the flyer and let your server know your there for Mason.

Thank You for your support!

A Thank You 10/25/15

I want to thank Addi's Faith Foundation  Smiles For Sophie Forever  Heroes for Children and Reflections of Grace for there support of Mason and our family. These trials were never meant to be walked alone and we are grateful for your love and kindness.

-The Rowley Family

Visit to the Beach 10/14/15

We went to the beach today and Mason got to put his toes in the sand. Some days the reality of everything he's faced with hits him really hard. Today was emotional for him, all he wanted to do was get up out of his wheelchair and run in the water on his own and be back to the way he was before his stroke. All I can do is hug him and hold him and reassure him I will be right by his side no matter what. There are no words to express how my heart aches for him. No more than six months ago he was running track and riding his skateboard and all of that was taken away so quickly. He now depends on us to help him even do the simplest of things like walking. Don't ever take these simple things for granted. Mason is an amazing young man and I am so proud of how he is handling all of this. I would do this all over again even if I was given the choice. He has taught me what true happiness is and I only hope to be as strong as he is! 

Click HERE to view video.

Return to Texas 10/12/15

We are back in Texas! What a great week we had at home. Had a much needed weekend at a cabin with family watching conference. We were able to visit with lots of neighbors, friends and family that we are so grateful for their support and love. The highlight of our time home was being able to celebrate the life of our dear friend Andy Moss. Him and Mason have a special bond and Mason looked up to him so much. Iam grateful for his example to Mason of what a true hero is and how to always see the positive in every situation that he's faced with. Mason has another angel watching over him to help him in his fight with stupid cancer. Mason is armed and ready to continue this battle. Even though these times are beyond difficult he nows he has an army of people praying for and supporting him all the way.
‪#‎ironmason‬ ‪#‎kickingbraincancersbutt‬

Recovery from Surgery 9/30/15

Less than 48 hours after brain surgery! He is up and doing therapy already. Mason is amazing! We love Ray, Physical Therapist, he has worked with Mason since we got here back in July and is astounded at his progress!

Surgery Update 9/28/15

Surgery is done! Doctor is very pleased with results. 2 of the tumors are completely gone and the one close to the brain stem is about 70% gone. He could not remove anymore for risk of bleeding. Mason should recover to the same baseline he was previous to this surgery (with continued progress as before). Next step is chemo starting in two weeks. We are hopeful that chemo will take care of the rest or at least keep it stable. Doctors have spent that last two months testing the genetic makeup of his tumor in order to have the right drug to target this exact tumor. Thank you for all the continued prayers!

Surgery day! 9/24/15

A Day in the Life of Mason 08/12/15

A day in the life of Mason. His days are pretty busy! Today we were at appts. for about 4 hours. Some of the days consist of multiple doctor appts., physical and occupational therapy and everyday is radiation and chemo. He only has 10 more radiation treatments to go!! We still don't know how soon we would be back in Arizona after he's done. We take it one day at a time. 
* this pic is him getting ready to have radiation. The mask was specially molded for him. He wears it for every treatment and it's locked down and he cannot move for about 5 minutes. I get chills even thinking about having to wear that. He's so brave and strong, he says it doesn't bother him!

Marvel Loot 08/06/15

This was the loot from the package Marvel sent him.

"Home" 07/30/15

Yes this really happened! After 60 days straight in 3 different hospitals, Mason finally gets to come "home"! We are still in Texas living close to the hospital but at least we are a complete family again. He was more than ecstatic to leave! Me on the other hand am so glad to have him out and with us but Iam beyond nervous about this new transition. Mason is still not walking on his own and depends on us for complete care. We are in charge of getting him back and forth to radiation everyday, taking him to therapy, giving him multiple meds a day and giving him his chemo everyday. Also managing his tube feeds along with making sure he's hydrated. And to to top it off he is nauseous all day long so it takes some very fine tuning on keeping him comfortable and not vomiting. If you can't tell I'm a little overwhelmed! Even though this is hard we will get through this together on day at a time!"

Marvel Mason 08/06/15

Marvel sent Mason an original drawing from one of their artist made just for him! Thanks uncle John John Carpenter for contacting them for Mason. He loves it!

3 Years Ago 08/05/15

Facebook pulled this picture up for me showing me what I was doing 3 years ago today. I couldn't help but get a little emotional to see our sweet Mason without a care in the world and with legs and a body that worked (bottom row). I'm still fighting for you Mason! You have already done amazing things!

-Love Aunt Catie

A Letter for Mason 08/15/15

Mason this is for you!! Madi's first day of fifth grade. She wanted to show how proud she was of her big brother! I know things aren't fair. While your friends are starting off their high school years, you are fighting the battle against an ugly thing called "cancer". I know you were excited to be starting high school, you have always had a love for learning and it came so natural to you. But, over your cruddy summer break I know you have learned things about yourself that you could never have learned in school. You gained something higher and more special than any schooling could ever give. You are showing everyone that you have an amazing will and strength about you that is beyond measure. I couldn't be more proud of the young man you are.
Love, MOM

Uncle Kenny is Back 08/03/15

Mason had a really good weekend! He was so glad to see his uncle Kenny after 2 long years. We went to the aquarium and he was so happy to just be out doing something. Everything takes a lot of preparing now just to take him anywhere and he gets tired after a few hours but if it makes him happy we will do it. I asked him if he had a good time and this is what he said.
"Yes, it was fun all except the part where I just see peoples butts the whole time." 
Being in the wheelchair that's pretty much eye level. He is constantly making us laugh!!

Mason and them Texas Girls! 08/15/15

Mason met some of them Texas Gals!! Y'all

Cardinals Fans at a Texans-49s game! 08/15/15

We got free tickets to the Texans-49ers game. Great seats! Mason loved it! We are still Cardinals fans no matter what.

4 More Days of Radiation 08/24/2015

Only 4 more radiation treatments left!! Mason is finishing it off strong!!
*we took an outing to the 60th floor of a downtown building, it was an amazing view. Oh how I love this boy so much!

New Buddy 08/26/2015

Mason made a new friend while staying at the Ronald McDonald House. Mogie the dog lives at the RMH and makes new friends all the time with families always coming and going. He's also the star of a children's book series, the proceeds of the sale of which help support the RMH. Mason asks to see Mogie everyday and will definitely miss him when he leaves. It's an indication of how much he misses his precious Recon. But, I think I will buy Mason Mogie's books to remember his friend who helped him get through difficult times while staying in Houston.

Last Day of Radiation 08/26/15

Today was his last day of radiation!! We get to come home on Saturday and Mason gets a month long vacation!! We are so happy!! Time to party!

COMING HOME! 08/29/2015

We're coming home!!

Mason was so excited to go visit Andy Moss! 09/17/2015

Mason was so excited to go visit Andy Moss! The calm, quiet peace that you feel when around these two extraordinary guys is like no other! 

It has been a great week at home all together! 09/07/2015

It has been a great week at home all together! Mason has done a lot of visiting and catching up with his friends. We took him to the movies for the first time in 3 months and he loved the theatre lounge chairs. The best part was being able to take him to church. He's ready for another fun week!

Back to Houston 09/15/2015

Heading back to Houston. Prayers for Mason that he will be comforted and not worry. That his MRI will go smoothly and his doctors will be guided to know the next plan of treatments that is best for Mason.

Yes, we are scared out of our minds but we are not giving up this fight. 09/24/2015

With a heavy heart and a whole different realm of emotions, the news this week isn't what we wanted to hear. Mason's cancer has relapsed in such a short amount of time. He has three tumors all in the same area of the original one where he had surgery, one of them being on the brain stem. He is scheduled for surgery on Monday! And then he will be doing more extensive chemo after that. This has all happened so fast! One day at a time is all we can do. Yes, we are scared out of our minds but we are not giving up this fight. We know who is ultimately in charge and we just pray that we can find peace and comfort at this time, especially for Mason. No child should ever have to feel this scared or go through this but Mason is a fighter and he has so many angels watching over him.

I am Iron MAsoN Video 07/26/15

Thank you Aunt Catie and Aunt Retta for  helping to put together the perfect video for Mason's Fundraiser last night! It's so fun being reminded how sweet, kind, and how much fun we have with Mason. We can't wait to get our Mason back home!

Also- everyone that participated to make the fundraiser happen-- THANK YOU! Pictures to come...

Now- please grab some tissues and make time in your life to watch this video about 20 times.

WE LOVE YOU MASON.

"At the Car Wash!" 07/25/15

We had a fantastic turn out at the carwash for Mason!
Many thanks to all those that came out to wash cars or to get their cars washed!  It was a lot of FUN!
We love you Mason!!