A New Chapter for Amos

Posted on by William A. Ross

Dear friends and family,

A long time has passed since we last posted on this website. A few years, in fact. The simple reason for that is there was nothing to report. Scans came along, results were clear, and life went on for Amos and for our family.

But now that has changed, and we are beginning a new chapter for Amos.

Last week, after a routine MRI, we received the news that Amos has had a recurrence, and there is a new tumor present in his brain. Of course, this was a big shock to us, and we are still reeling in many ways. It has now been almost nine and a half years since Amos completed chemotherapy (see here). Having a recurrence this long after the fact is very unusual. The new tumor is small, about a centimeter, and located on his brain stem, the same location as his initial (much larger) tumor. This is a very delicate place for surgery for obvious reasons.

Things are now moving rapidly, as you can imagine. Amos will have brain surgery at Duke Children’s Hospital in Durham this Monday, March 17th. Of course, we do not know exactly how things will go, and so we don’t know how long he will be inpatient there. WE don’t even have a procedure time yet. Surgery will almost certainly be followed at some point by radiation, though again we don’t have details about that yet.

Although we do not know this for sure, there is a very high likelihood that this new growth is the same type of cancer that Amos was originally diagnosed with, which is called anaplastic ependymoma. We will find out more after the surgery.

We’re so thankful that, amidst all of this difficult news, Amos is feeling completely normal. He is his usual, goofy, 12-year-old self. It was so hard for Kelli and I to have to tell him about this tumor. Amos does not remember much about his original treatment all those years ago. But his hope is in the Lord, just as ours is, and we trust Him in these new circumstances.

Please Pray

Would you please join us in praying for Amos:

  • For an extremely straightforward and successful surgery
  • For zero additional mental or physical impacts on Amos due to surgery
  • For a brief stay at Duke next week and the blessing of being home promptly
  • For full recovery from the procedure and total resolution to this new issue
  • For Kelli and I to have the Lord’s wisdom as we talk to Amos about what lies ahead
  • For Amos’s younger siblings, Luke (10), Sam (8), and Phoebe (5), who are along for this ride in very different ways

We are leaning on this verse as we head into next week:

This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; 
he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. (Psalm 18:30)

Plans for the Future

We are planning to use this website as a centralized place for updates about Amos, just like we used to do. If you haven’t already, you can subscribe using your email address to get new posts in your inbox.

We are so grateful to have many people here in the Charlotte area who know and love Amos, but who did not know him during his original treatment in 2015. You can read more about those days here on this website.

36 thoughts on “A New Chapter for Amos”

  1. So sorry to read this news, Will & Kelli. The CVC Chestnut Hill Community group will be praying for each of your requests tonight. Love to you all

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  3. We are saddened to read this and our hearts go out to you all. We followed Amos’s journey prayerfully those years ago and will do so again. The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deut 33.

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  5. Will and Kelli,

    Words cannot express the anguish I feel for you both as parents. My heart aches knowing that you and Amos must travel this path again. Keeping you all in my prayers and holding you close in my heart while you find answers and Amos receives care to relieve him of this.

    Please reach out if there is anything I can do to help. I am less than an hour from Duke and may be able to ease some burdens you may encounter.

    Amos is a strong and amazing boy!

    Cindi

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  10. Oh so shocked and saddened to read this, and will commit to praying daily for you all. I’m sure Amos doesn’t remember our fun physio sessions all those years ago, but I do with enormous affection – please send him my love even if he doesn’t remember! And so much love to you all too xxx

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  11. Vince had a patient very much like Amos. He operated on him multiple times and he was doing well way into his 20’s when Vince retired. Will keep you on our prayers
    Sent from my iPhone

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  13. The Brinkerhoff clan will be lifting your family up in prayer. My brother, Peter, lives 10 minutes from the hospital and is happy to help with anything you may need. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us for his contact information.

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  14. I will be praying for a successful surgery. I remember your time at CHOC and still attend Redeemer OC. Love from Orange County. Andrea

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  15. David and I are heartbroken getting this news. I’m enlisting my friends and family who prayed years ago for you all to pray once again that precious Amos would come through the procedures and any and all treatment with a speedy and complete recovery. Praying His comfort floods you all and courage fills your hearts. Love you all.

    David and Danielle Newell

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  16. Will and Kelli, we heard the news from “Daddó” and “Dearma” and are absolutely devastated. He was their first “grandbaby” after all. We still talk about what a sweet season in Philadelphia it was!

    Will, I recently heard you on LBE with Kevin DeYoung and couldn’t help but praise God for you and your precious family. We are in this with you, “holding the rope” and interceding on your behalf. Love, KC and the Jones family.

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  17. Sweet Amos. I’m so sorry that you all have to go through this again. Sending prayers for the Lord to be near you all and hold you all in his loving arms at all times.

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  18. Dear Will and Kelli,

    My heart hurts that Amos needs to face this procedure again. My prayers to you both, your kiddos and to sweet Amos. Prayers this surgery goes exceedingly well, that the growth is non cancerous and Amos has a full recovery.

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  20. You will be in our prayers, just as before. May the Lord show his faithfulness in healing Amos and bring strength and peace to all of you throughout the journey.

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  23. We will be lifting Amos and each of you up in prayer as you navigate these next steps. May God give you a peace that passes all understanding. I am so sorry he is going through this.

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  25. Hello Ross! David John made us aware of this situation in our Global staff meeting yesterday, where we all prayed for Amos and you and your whole family. I and my wife and all the folks at Mint Hill Presbyterian Church are praying for all of you as well and for a good outcome on Monday. May God keep you in His perfect peace as your minds are stayed on Him!

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  28. We will be praying fervently for your sweet Amos and your family. May the Lord sustain you with His perfect grace. I’m so sorry.

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  29. Dear Will and Kelli,

    I am so sorry to hear of this news. It can only imagine the shock and how difficult this is for all of you and for Amos. I am glad that Amos will have surgery right away. Please know that I will be joining you in prayer. May the Lord surround you with his strong and loving arms and give you his peace.

    Grace and peace, Rebecca

    >

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  31. prayers for your family. Reoccurrence hits so differently and God will take good care of your family through it. Prayers for Tuesday to be successful and a plan in place to provide the best treatment immediately.

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  32. David and I will be praying for your family. This is a shock. Trusting God alongside you and praying for surgery on Monday.

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  33. The entire Chittick clan has been praying and will continue to pray for Amos and your sweet family. May God hold you all tenderly and grant you His perfect peace at this difficult time. Love to all….

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  34. Zach and I will be praying in the morning. Kelli and Will have established a worldwide praying network. Thus, we are praying that the surgery is clean and is without any difficulties. We are thankful that Amos is at Duke. Psalm 121 – Lift up your eyes unto the hills. Love Carol

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