Full Breakdown
A Mother’s Journey Through a Child’s DIPG Diagnosis and End-of-Life Care
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Diagnosis and Progression
Annie Snoots, a 33-year-old early-childhood education director from Vancouver, Washington, recounts that her son Townes began showing concerning symptoms on October 18, 2023. After repeated medical visits that offered reassurance, his condition escalated with frequent falls, slurred speech, and eye-movement abnormalities. On September 22, 2025, Snoops sent a video of Townes’ rapid eye crossing to his pediatrician, prompting an urgent appointment. Two days later, on September 24, Townes underwent a CT scan that revealed a large brainstem tumor later identified as diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). The neurologist described the tumor as “very large” and inoperable.
Timeline of Key Medical Events
- October 18, 2023 – Initial troubling symptoms observed.
- April 8, 2025 – Fall resulting in an eyebrow laceration; treated in urgent care.
- September 22, 2025 – Rapid eye movements noted; video sent to pediatrician.
- September 24, 2025 – CT scan performed; diagnosis of DIPG confirmed.
- Same day, September 2025 – Shunt placed to drain hydrocephalus; high-dose steroids administered.
- November 14, 2025 – The account states Townes died at 11:58 p.m., six days after his fifth birthday; the date ledger lists this as a scheduled date, creating a discrepancy.
Medical Context and Statistics
The narrative explains that DIPG is a fast-growing brainstem cancer. The account notes that approximately 300 U.S. children are diagnosed with DIPG each year. Tumor size was described as roughly the size of a lime and centrally located in the brainstem, making surgical removal impossible. Townes’ oncologist estimated a survival window of four to twelve weeks, most likely about eight weeks.
Impact and Ongoing Advocacy
Following Townes’ death, Snoots gave birth to a second son, Angus, two weeks later. She emphasizes that her experience has driven continued advocacy for children with DIPG, a disease where most patients survive less than two years after diagnosis. She urges broader awareness and support for families confronting similar terminal diagnoses.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The source narrative reports Townes’ death occurring on November 14, 2025, yet the date ledger classifies that date as “scheduled,” indicating it was a future plan at the time of reporting. This inconsistency highlights a gap between the personal account and the ledger’s categorization of the event’s timing.