Although Kelli had quite a long and wakeful night (I’ll give you one guess as to who was the wakeful one), today was a fine day for Amos and me. Despite his lack of much meaningful sleep last night, Amos did quite well today with both radiation and other therapies. As we’ve mentioned before, things move very slowly and unpredictably on “hospital time,” so a 9:15am radiation appointment can easily drag on to 11am or later. We are getting used to it, and in some ways it makes the days go very quickly. You can see at the right that I’ve added a “Milestone” countdown to when Amos will be finished with radiation.
Amos continues to do very well with his physical, occupational, speech, and even musical therapies, all or many of which occur daily. Some things he enjoys more than others, such as playing anything as a drum, using his “wonder glass” (which is a toy magnifying glass), and giving his beloved Emma the stuffed bulldog intense hugs. We have been so thankful for the great people here at the hospital who let Kelli and me have fun participating with Amos in the therapies, too. We’ve had some very encouraging comments from our various doctors in the last day or so regarding Amos’ good progress. One of our oncologists said yesterday that she was inclined to think that Amos’ trach (the artificial airway in his throat) would definitely not be permanent. For that to happen Amos’ cough and gag reflex, and his vocal chords will need to recover, as we’ve mentioned before, but it sounds like that is well within the realm of possibility, and maybe even soon.
Please keep praying:
– That Amos would be strong each day, but also sleep soundly each night (for his and our sakes’!)
– That Amos would be patient and persistent in his therapies, not getting too angry or agitated with his own limitations, even as he improves daily
– That the radiation treatment would be timely each morning, and completely successful for Amos with no negative side-effects
– That Kelli and I would endure the many challenges each day, which include not spending much time at all together
– That, ultimately, Amos would be completely healed, the cancer completely destroyed, and that he would remain in excellent health indefinitely
-That there would be no infections at any of Amos’ surgical sites or as a result of the surgeries- particularly thinking of his shunt.
I was singing hymns with Amos tonight and was struck by this line (and many others) in Praise to the Lord, by Joachim Neander:
“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!”
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39)
Love in Christ,
Will, Kelli, Amos and Luke
Amos Ross Updates 
Dear Will, Kelli, Amos, & Lucas,
And so our lives are made up of nights and days, sleep and not, rest and wakefulness, weariness and rest. It is so good that you have each other, Kelli’s family near, and happy relations with Amos’s caregivers–all are good gifts of God in your need. And to hear of–and try to imagine–each tiny “Amos Victory” that you can celebrate together is a great encouragement to us all (and far more to you). This morning’s prayers from oremus.org included a hymn by Benjamin Schmoick that ends with these stanzas:
What our Father does is well;
May the thought within us dwell;
Though nor milk nor honey flow
In our barren Canaan now,
God can save us in our need,
God can bless us, God can feed.
Therefore unto Him we raise
Hymns of glory, songs of praise;
To the Father, and the Son,
And the Spirit, Three in One,
Honour, might, and glory be
Now, and through eternity.
May your day be blessed in this Father who does all things well for every one of his children.
With much love, in the peace of Christ,
fred (for all of us)
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Can’t wait to read your updates daily! David and I know how better to pray specifically as you share your requests with us. Your prayers, hymns and reflections are building our own faith and encouraging us to look to unto Jesus. I can’t tell you how many of my family and friends inquire about you all and Amos on a regular daily basis. Your circumstances, courage and faith are reaching so many more people than you will ever know this side of heaven. What a great day of rejoicing we will all share together in our Lord’s glorious presence!
Love you all dearly!
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