Amos Ross Updates

Today was Amos’ first day of radiation treatment. Thank you to all those who prayed for us as we took this important next step in this process for Amos. We began the day with an early morning ambulance ride across the street to the treatment center. Amos seems to really like the ambulance ride and seeing the palm trees. He didn’t seem too thrilled about radiation but I think he’ll get used to what Daddy is calling “our new routine”. Every morning we will trek across the street for his treatment. Each session shouldn’t take more than 2 hours, with transit and recovery taking up the majority of that time. Amos will have to be put to sleep for each session but the anesthesia used is light and wears off quickly. This is what we’ll do the next six weeks- not sure how long we’ll be in the hospital still but for now, we are here. Room #548.

Our doctors said today that the immediate side effects of radiation will likely be some fatigue. Usually week 3-4 will bring increased fatigue and lack of forward progress in therapy and then we will swing gradually back towards movement in the right direction. Hopefully we’ll also be seeing the end of the posterior fossa syndrome by that time too!

Amos did a really great job in therapy today despite his busy morning. He is a tough guy with some strong determination. The therapists said that his head and trunk strength is improving significantly. It was so sweet to see him playing with toys and following commands today even when we all knew he was so worn out from the day already. I love seeing Amos persevere and be diligent in the face of so much hard work. I’ve also been impressed with his decrease in frustrated episodes. We are thankful for that and pray it continues! He’s also showing signs of laughter on occasion- silent laughter but laughter all the same. We can’t help but be thankful to see Amos taking pleasure in things.

We continue to be thankful for all of you. Amos is so encouraged when we share your greetings with him! Thank you. Please continue to pray for

-effective radiation and no more cancer, ever.

-continued healing for Amos’ body and even significant progree in therapy during all 6 weeks of radiation.

-for posterior fossa syndrome to end soon.

-for Amos to continue to be diligent and patient. For him to trust us and to trust the Lord to care for him.

-for Will and I to work well together as we care for Amos and Luke.

-for rest and peace.

“Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits,
³ who forgives all your iniquity,
    who heals all your diseases,
⁴ who redeems your life from the pit,
    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
⁵ who satisfies you with good
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

Psalm 103:2-5

In Christ,

Kelli, Will, Amos, and Luke