Amos Ross Updates

Dear friends and family,

Thank you all for your prayers these past few months! We hope you and your families have had a wonderful summer. We wanted to update you more fully on our last trip to CA for Amos’s health needs. As you know, the MRI again showed no recurrence of cancer – praise the Lord! We continue to be amazed by God’s provision for and protection over Amos in this most important area.

While in California, Amos also had his third eye surgery. As far as we understand, these surgeries have all been meant to correct his sixth nerve palsy which occurred in response to treatment for his brain tumor. The goal is to get Amos’s eyes aligned so that he can use his eyes together in binocular vision. Without this, Amos (and anyone in a similar situation!) will choose one eye to use and the brain will “shut down” use of the other. It probably goes without saying that we want Amos to be able to use of both of this eyes! Binocular vision also introduces the possibility of depth perception. Given all of his balance issues and physical weaknesses, depth perception will only help Amos better navigate the big picture as it unfolds around him. Another goal of the surgeries has been to increase overall range of motion to give Amos better peripheral sight as well.

It will take time to be sure, but we are thankful that this most recent surgery seems to have been helpful for all goals! The surgery took about twice as long as expected and was pretty rough on Amos. His surgeon said that there was so much scar tissue built up, particularly in his right eye, that she spent most of her time cutting that away so that she could then address the muscles she intended to address in the first place.  We would love to ask for specific prayer regarding Amos’s eyes:

• Please pray that the scar tissue won’t grow back in a way that restricts the movement of his eyes.
• Please pray that Amos will be diligent to use his eyes more instinctively and stretch his muscles as much as he can to try and hang onto the range of motion that he has right now.
• Please also pray for his right eye to be able to increase range of motion – particularly his peripheral vision.

The rest of Amos’s appointments were very useful. We saw his two other vision therapists who gave valuable input, gave Amos a fun new vision therapy computer game to play with his special glasses, and helped us think through all the different features of his care. We saw Amos’s original speech therapist, Annie, who taught Amos how to swallow and speak nearly three years ago! We also saw an orthopedic specialist who designed custom inserts for Amos to wear in his shoes to help correct his posture and give added support for balance. Amos was able to touch base with his oncologist as well which helped us think through lots of questions and big picture items related to changes in Amos’s care in the near future (more on that later).

We are always exhausted after trips like these but ever so thankful for the insight and care that these practitioners give. We have come away from all of these appointments blessed by the kindnesses shown to us and empowered as we think through how we can help Amos continue to grow in all of these things! A special thank you to Gigi and Grandpa also for hosting us and taking care of everyone in so many ways – love you guys!

Above all, we are mindful of our heavenly Father’s continued care as we navigate all these things. He has been and continues to be present in Amos’s life and in the life of our family. We are amazed by his grace and we hope and pray that we will continue to trust in his sovereign plan no matter what the future holds.

May the Lord bless you all! Love,

The Ross Family

A special shout out to Gigi and Grandpa for hosting us and keeping us all sane through the jetlag, appointments, and usual chaos 🙂

Amos right out of eye surgery

Luke in his happy place!

One of our California faves! Ruth!

Ready for his MRI with Gigi

Trying to open those swollen eyes…this was post-op day three…

Checking in with his rehab buddies at CHOC- they are the best!

The Three Musketeers

Grandpa and the boys at the Angels game

Gigi and Luke at the Angels game

Amos and Annie, his speech therapist. We’ve missed her!