Healing for Rowan

It was supposed to be just another routine medical check up for Rowan Dodge, but the news was devastating. After a short remission, her cancer had returned.

The vivacious Stowe first-grader visits her oncologist every four months for an exam, X-ray and ultrasound scan.

In November 2012 she was diagnosed with Wilms’ tumor, a kidney cancer that affects young children. After undergoing surgery to remove her right kidney and a six-month course of chemotherapy, her doctors declared her cancer-free.

That changed in July when doctors told Rowan’s mother Aimee Green that the latest scan had revealed a localized reoccurrence of the cancer.

During surgery to remove it, they found that it was wrapped around her liver and spine and couldn’t be completely excised.

Now, Rowan faces a 24-week course of intense inpatient and outpatient chemotherapy and radiation. Green went to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston this week for a second opinion.

The reoccurrence is not unusual; children who recover from Wilms’ tumor face a 15 to 50 percent chance it will reoccur.

“I’m hoping for a full recovery this time,” said Green Thursday.

She shared the news of the cancer’s reoccurrence on Facebook. Rowan smiled broadly on the first day of school in a photo posted last week. Another photo shows her with her two older brothers.

Neighbors and friends have been essential to Rowan and her family as they face down cancer, providing every kind of support imaginable. A friend created an account with mealtrain.com, a website that allows volunteers to sign up to cook a meal, walk the family dog, or do household chores while Green is caring for Rowan.

Another friend created an account on the Crowdrise donation website.

Boy Scout Troop 876 and leader Steve Nutting have offered to split and stack Rowan’s family’s delivery of winter wood later this month. Meanwhile, local jazz singer Audrey Bernstein has offered to sing at an upcoming fundraising event.

Julia Campagna is among those heading up the volunteer efforts.

“Two years ago when the community reached out I participated, and she’s been on my prayer list ever since,” Campagna said. “There’s a group of women from Stowe doing a variety of things.”

Volunteers are working to organize a large-scale fundraiser, possibly a dinner and concert that will be held at a Burlington venue that could accommodate a large crowd.

“There’s a lot going on,” Campagna said.

Rowan started first grade last week, but will miss most of the school year. She’ll be hospitalized for weeks at a time and the chemotherapy will temporarily destroy her immune system, making it dangerous for her to interact with peers who are sick.

“I’m going to try to keep her life as normal as possible,” Green said. “There may be times when she has to live in a bubble for a while for her own safety. I’m trying to figure out how to best care for her through this.”

An aspiring ballerina who has studied at Stowe Dance Academy for the past few years, Rowan will celebrate her seventh birthday later this month.

Despite the support, cancer is a scary foe, challenging victims and their families physically, emotionally and financially.

Green is careful to give her information a little at a time so that she’s not overwhelmed. She has already let Rowan know that she’ll have to have a port installed to administer her chemotherapy.

Fundraising will play a huge role in Rowan’s recovery and her family’s ability to carry on during her treatments.

“What feels most scary is how I’m going to handle the medical bills, commuting back and forth, complementary medicine, and changes to her diet, in addition to taking off chunks of time from work,” Green said.

The community has already started to reach out.

“I’ve already received a lot of support,” Green said. “People have been bending over backwards asking what they can do.”

Green is a busy working mom. In addition to Rowan, she has sons aged 11 and 12.

She’s relying on continuing support to get her family through the next several months.

“I was blown away last time around, and I’m very grateful for where I live,” Green said.

How to help

To volunteer to make a meal or help with household chores, visit bit.ly/rowanmealtrain.

Monetary donations can be made online at bit.ly/princesswarrior.

To donate by check, make it payable to Healing for Rowan and send it to Stackpole & French Law Offices, P.O. Box 819, Stowe, VT 05672.

For updates on Rowan and the latest fundraising efforts, join the Facebook group Rowan Rocks!