Amelia’s Cancer Journey - Amelia Strong!

Amelia Josephine is a sweet, smart, and spunky 2 year old girl. 2 days before Christmas she was diagnosed with the flu. As her parents, Kelly and Matt, cared for her they had a feeling something else was wrong. Kelly’s maternal instinct led her to John’s Hopkins ER on Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024, as Amelia had spiked a fever in the morning. The doctors initially told the parents that Amelia had “flu encephalitis” and were ready to discharge her. Kelly's mama bear instinct kicked in and she advocated for her daughter telling the doctors she was worried. They ended up doing an MRI and found a large mass in her brain. These are the words that no parent should ever hear. After another scan the doctors confirmed that it is cancer, likely aggressive and fast growing. Amelia underwent an extremely complex brain surgery on January 5th and the amazing surgeon was able to remove all of the tumor, a true miracle. Since then, she has experienced complications including an IV infiltration, leakage from her surgery site, and currently has an infection. Labs have struggled to determine the exact type of tumor, and ongoing results were sent to a national lab which will take another two weeks. Please pray that the results are more favorable than expected.

We ask for prayers, love and support for Amelia and the whole family. Amelia is Kelly and Matt’s only child and going through this journey is unimaginable for them. It will be a long road of chemo and treatments. Doctor's anticipate that by the end of January, they will be starting Proton Radiation in DC for 6 weeks, 5 days a week. Likely Kelly and Matt will have to take extended leave, or quit their jobs to care for their daughter. Medical bills could be astronomical. Financial struggles are the last thing this family wants to worry about as they focus on their angel baby’s survival. Kelly and Matt are good, caring, and giving people, who have given back to the community for their whole careers. Kelly (Dr. Parsons) puts her heart into her life’s work of helping others as a licensed clinical Psychologist (she owns a private practice providing counseling to children, adolescents, couples and families). She also works full time as a Psychologist for the Maryland Department of Health. Matt is also a civil servant and works for the Maryland Department of the Environment. Now THEY need to be the ones asking for help. This news is beyond devastating for them to process. For anyone to process. Kelly is one of my best friends, and I want to share her story and this journey as she navigates the unthinkable.

As they wait for the results of the biopsy and future treatment options, the family needs prayers. They need hope, love, miracles. Please support them and keep them in your thoughts during this devastating time. They appreciate all of the love and prayers they have received thus far and truly believe they have seen miracles everyday. Let’s continue to lift this family in prayer and hope for Amelia. Amelia strong!

Father, Thank you that when your Son graced this earth He welcomed the children and blessed them. Thank you that the same power that raised Him from the dead Is at work within Amelia now. Lord, we give you Amelia. We invite you to come by the power of the Holy Spirit and restore this beautiful child to life. Come and pulse through her body by your Spirit. Bring your healing and strengthen her being. We ask that in the name of Jesus this sickness would leave her body now. Thank you that you hear our prayer and no matter what happens You cherish Amelia and hold her in the palm of your hand now and always. Amen.