Josh Ross Fund

On Thanksgiving morning most of us were starting the turkey or traveling to spend the holiday with family and friends, not the case at the Ross house.  Joshua Ross is a happy and usually very healthy  17 year old senior at Kearney High.  On Thursday morning he complained to his mom, Salli that he wasn't feeling well, had been throwing up for an hour and was having a hard time breathing.  She rushed him to the ER at Good Sameritain Hospital here in Kearney.  That was at 10:30 am.  After waiting several hours for test results and answers  Joshua was admitted to the ICU at around 2:30 pm. His pulse is 188. Not good. He has pneumonia and having a really hard time breathing. They put in a breathing tube and are putting him to sleep till morning so he doesn't have to work so hard breathing. At 6:30 pm things keep getting worse... He has coded twice. He is in surgery right now.  All we know is he has pneumonia and his organs are all shutting down. He needs lots of prayers.  At 9 pm they had Josh on an ECMO machine. He's stable but that's all they've told his mom. He's being closely monitored. Still very critical. And no where near out of the woods.

At 6am on Friday... Joshua had a good night. The Dr took away the paralyzing medicine just to see if he'd move on his own and he did better than that. He opened his eyes. His Dad asked him how he was and he shook his head and rolled his eyes. His heart rate went up when he woke up so they put the medicine back on. Thanks for continued prayers.

But by noon...They will be transferring Joshua to UNMC. They have the resources to monitor Joshua on the ECMO machine for days. GSH has been awesome but they just don't have manpower. Josh's heart function has not changed and he needs the support for longer than they had hoped. Keep the prayers coming please.  Josh's mom received a call from the flight nurse. Joshua had an uneventful flight and they woke him when he got there and he responded to basic commands.

As of 10 pm on Friday night, no change in Josh. They are doing a whole set of tests here and another Echogram in the morning. His heart and lungs still aren't functioning by themselves. They still don't know why. Hopefully, tomorrow and the days to come we'll have some answers. They have him completely sedated as he needs to rest so he can heal.

His mom and a few friends are in Omaha with him.  The cost of medical treatment as well as food/lodging/gas will not be easy for the family.  I know with the holiday season upon us we are all a little strapped for cash but I ask you to please help support this family.  They have been a part of my life for more than 20 years and my heart breaks for them right now.  Please give what you can and if you can't, please send prayers.  There is nothing more powerful than prayer.  I can't thank you enough for any and all help and support you can give this wonderful family.