Fight with Robbie

04/27/2026

Back to reality.

Day 1 of Radiation, the next step to kick this thing’s b***y!

He walked in like a boss with seemingly no fears.

We will be here 5 days a week so if you have any suggestions on little “side quests” we could do after treatment some days let us know! 🩶💛🧠

**Treatment is at MGH because they are the only hospital who has the machine that he needs.

04/21/2026

Sneak peak!

Robbie had ONE WEEK off from ALL treatment!
He finished Chemo, not scheduled for any labs or follow up visits. Radiation starts the 27th… counts are good because they are 5 weeks after chemo. He already had his lumbar puncture and post chemo MRI.

We knew we had ONE WEEK to feel like we are a normal family again before he has radiation 5 days a week. We had to take advantage.
Although he is still restricted, we are spending this week relaxing in Florida in the warm weather. 🌴☀️
More pictures to come. 📸

04/16/2026

Received GOOD and BAD news today.

1. The good; Robbie’s MRI showed no new areas of involvement and the tumor is minuscule/ maybe non existent.

2. The bad(ish); they had a meeting of many doctors (specialists) this morning across multiple fields and discussed Robbie’s case for treatment going forward. They say that they have never seen a tumor like this that has had so much Thalamus involvement so they can’t tell if it actually originated from the pineal gland or the thalamus. Because of this, they want to increase the amount of radiation that Robbie receives in total.
☹️
Just an update for the day, we just want it gone and to never come back. 💛🩶

04/15/2026

Yesterday we had a spread between appointments in Boston.
We started with MRI and ended with Opthamology.

Robbie got to have himself some Mama time (I’m really the lucky one) and we enjoyed Time Out Market thanks to The Ober family who gifted us with a gift card. 😋

We then walked to Fenway and chatted it up with some of the tour guides.
Robbie’s personality is infectious… everywhere we go we get at least one “I love this kid” 😄

Back to Boston today for a lumbar puncture to check for traveling cancer cells and Audiology to monitor the toxic effects his chemo can have on his hearing. 🩶💛

04/10/2026

Update: ❤️

Hello Everyone!
It has been a while for an update. We have had LOTS of ups and downs. For one, we finished chemo! It is still wreaking some havoc on his body and he has had to have many blood and platelet transfusions. His attitude has stayed great through all of this. He is such a special boy.
He has had the opportunity to go to Red Sox spring training and sit courtside at the Celtics thanks to the Jimmy Fund Clinic and generous donors.
Most recently unfortunately, Robbie has overdose with IV CT contrast while getting fitted for his mask for radiation. He is being closely monitored but is not out of the woods yet.
He now has to receive another brain and spine MRI next week and a lumbar puncture to check if cancer cells traveled to his spinal cord.
Then we have one week off and start radiation April 27th which is 5 days a week.
Our family wants to thank you for helping provide the ability for us to be by Robbie’s side during this trying time. Every donation, prayer and share has helped so much. ❤️

Robbie’s Unexpected Diagnosis Our sweet, energetic, and beloved 13-year-… Lauren Kantak needs your support for Support Robbie’s Fight Against Brain Cancer

04/07/2026

Today tested my emotions in so many ways. Robbie’s as well. 😔
I had a horrible feeling going into today even though it would just be a routine CT scan to simulate his mask. Easy peasy, right?
I had this burning feeling of anxiety that I don’t usually get and I couldn’t shake it.
Maybe it was because it was going to be a new place for us with different providers or perhaps I was having mother’s intuition.

Unfortunately today during his CT scan, Robbie received TWICE as much IV contrast than he should have for his weight and age.
This coupled with having recent chemotherapy puts him at even greater risk of kidney damage. It’s a pretty big deal.
The staff was beside themselves.
I was angry, scared, helpless. I AM angry and scared.
I am told there was supposed to be a “second check” on the dosage for pediatrics that was never performed.

They immediately consulted the radiologist and nephrologist and Robbie has been getting fluids and labs to make sure we get the contrast out and watch for damage to his kidneys.
They are immediately implementing new protocols so it doesn’t happen to anyone else.
For now, we have done what we can and we wait and pray that he doesn’t have any damaging effects.

04/01/2026

Just a little platelet boost for the weekend.

Platelets were 35, recheck and CT simulation for future radiation on Monday.

Gem art for the zen win! 💎

03/29/2026

Rough day for Robbie 💔

H/H: 6.7/ 18.8
Platelets: 15
ANC: 210

Earned himself a platelet transfusion and 2 units of blood.

He was vomiting for some unknown reason as well.
Good part is that we get to go home and he had a little buddy to watch over him
💛🩶
Thankful for donors ❤️❤️❤️

03/21/2026

Holy MILESTONE!!!

I can’t believe we are here. 🥹

Bittersweet because we are starting radiation at MGH and we will not be seeing our new Jimmy Fund family as often. 💛🩶

On to the next step, thank you all for your continued prayers and support!

03/18/2026

I’ve been posting a lot of positive happenings…
While this is still positive because we have completed the day and we are one step closer, it was a GRUELING one.

Out of the house at 6:15am, pulled in the driveway at 7:15pm.

New clothes from vomiting all over the ones he had on, new hardware in his chest (port accessed), hours of labs, premeds, chemotherapy x 2, x-ray, Endocrinologist to plan for long term side effects, anxiety, dizziness, nausea…

He didn’t complain ONCE.
Still cracks a smile even though you can tell he is suffering.

He is my HERO 🦸‍♂️