In the high-stakes world of pediatric oncology, “peace” is often a relative term. It isn’t found in the absence of struggle, but in the moments of stillness between battles. Today, in the Roberts household, peace looks like a teenage boy fast asleep on a living room couch. After the clinical chaos of hospital corridors and the aggressive infusion of life-saving medicine, Will Roberts is home. He is “knocked out,” and for his family, watching his chest rise and fall in a natural, peaceful rhythm is the greatest gift they could receive.
1. Facing the “Red Devil”
To the outside world, the term “Red Devil” sounds like something out of a storybook. But for those in the cancer community, it is the nickname for Doxorubicin—a chemotherapy drug known for its bright red color and its punishing intensity. It is one of the most powerful weapons in the medical arsenal, designed to destroy cancer cells with ruthless efficiency, but it often leaves the patient feeling as though they have survived a physical trauma.
Will faced the “Red Devil” this week. In the days leading up to it, there is always an underlying tension—a silent “what if” regarding allergic reactions or immediate complications. But the report today is one of pure gratitude: Administered without issues. No immediate reactions. No emergency interventions. Just a warrior taking his medicine and standing his ground.
2. The Five-Pound Victory
In a healthy teenager’s life, gaining five pounds might be a footnote. In the journey of a bone cancer warrior, it is a headline.
Cancer and its treatments are notorious for stealing the body’s substance. Nausea, loss of appetite, and the sheer metabolic tax of fighting a disease often lead to a frightening “wasting away.” But Will has defied that trend. Between his last hospital admission and today, he has gained another five pounds.
This isn’t just weight; it’s armor. It is a physical sign that his body is absorbing nutrients, holding on to its strength, and preparing for the final rounds of this fight. It is a testament to the care he is receiving at home and his own internal will to thrive, not just survive.
3. The Kidney Watch: Faith and Science in Balance
While the news is overwhelmingly positive, the path is rarely without its bumps. The family is keeping a close eye on Will’s kidney function. Chemo is a heavy burden for the kidneys to process, and his creatinine levels remain slightly elevated.
However, even in this concern, there is a silver lining. A recent ultrasound showed no visible issues with the kidneys themselves. They are healthy; they are simply working hard. The family remains vigilant, watching the numbers closely, and trusting that as the toxins leave his system, his levels will return to the safety zone. It is a reminder that healing is a process of fine-tuning—a delicate dance between aggressive treatment and careful recovery.
4. Restorative Exhaustion
One of the most heartening parts of this update is what is missing: nausea and sickness. For many, the days following a “Red Devil” infusion are spent in a fog of sickness. But for Will, the primary side effect so far has been exhaustion.
This is what we call “restorative exhaustion.” It is the body pulling all available power away from the muscles and the mind and redirecting it toward the internal repair shop. Seeing him “knocked out” on the couch isn’t a sign of defeat; it’s a sign of a body doing exactly what it needs to do. It is the deep, heavy sleep of a soldier who has returned from the front lines and finally feels safe enough to close his eyes.
5. The Heart of the Home: Charlie and Granny
While Will fights his battle, the family ensures that childhood joy continues for his sister, Charlie. One of the quietest tragedies of childhood illness is the way it can pull focus away from siblings. But the Roberts family is intentional.
While Will recovers, Charlie is enjoying a precious “one-on-one” experience with her grandmother, Dorothy Darby Johnston. This “Granny time” is essential. It provides Charlie with a sense of normalcy, laughter, and focused affection. It allows her to be the center of someone’s world while her brother is the center of the medical storm. It is a beautiful reminder that a family’s strength is found in how they care for every member, ensuring that no one is lost in the shadow of the diagnosis.
6. The Finish Line is Flickering
Every milestone mentioned in this update—the weight gain, the clear ultrasound, the successful infusion—is a step closer to the finish line. We often speak of the “marathon” of cancer treatment, and if that’s the case, Will is in the final miles.
The family’s gratitude to the community remains the bedrock of their strength. “Thank you for holding us up with your prayers,” they say. They know that these updates aren’t just shared with friends, but with a global “prayer chain” that acts as a spiritual safety net. When the family feels weak, the community holds the line. When Will is exhausted, the prayers of thousands act as a second wind.
7. A Moment of Gratitude
Tonight, the Roberts home is quiet. The TV might be on low, the lights are dimmed, and the “warrior” is resting. There is a profound beauty in this domestic scene. It is a victory over the sterile, cold environment of the hospital. It is a victory over the “Red Devil.”
We continue to watch, we continue to pray, and we continue to celebrate the five-pound gains and the clear ultrasounds. Will Roberts is teaching us that even when you are “knocked out” on a couch, you are still winning. You are winning by resting. You are winning by healing. You are winning by being home.
👇 Will and his family draw so much strength from your words. Let’s keep the momentum going! Please leave a ❤️ or a prayer for his kidney levels to stabilize and for his sleep to be deeply healing.
