For a 12-year-old boy, Leslie Ross Scott is dealing with a lot, but his attitude and outlook are pragmatic and positive.

Currently, Ross is a patient at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. On the last day of school, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

This school year, Ross was sick frequently, JoAnn Taylor said. She teaches at West Madison Elementary School. “Ross is a very sweet, polite and well-mannered child. He likes to watch wrestling and read books and magazines.”

After numerous doctors’ visits, repeated rounds of antibiotics didn’t help. In May, his cough worsened. After lab and blood work at Huntsville Hospital, Ross was referred to St. Jude.

“Ross is already taking chemotherapy,” Taylor said. She and fellow teacher Pam Berry visited Ross at St. Jude this week. “Make sure that people at my school know I don’t have lung cancer,” Ross told Taylor. “It’s a tumor on top of my chest.”

Ross has a good sense of humor and is confident and upbeat. He hopes to be photographed with a celebrity, like patient photos in St. Jude’s lobby.

Ross maturely described chemotherapy and butterfly needles. “He’s so brave and isn’t scared,” Taylor said. The St. Jude staff has informed Ross about his treatment and he knows what to expect. “He is part of the treatment plan.”

Taylor and Berry said Ross actually looks healthier now. “… Now that they know what’s wrong and are treating him.” He isn’t concerned that his long, curly hair will be cut.

From chemotherapy, Ross is experiencing pain in his jaw, hip and lower back. “Yeah, my jaw does hurt,” Ross told Taylor, “but they told me that was normal.”

An account for Ross will been opened at Redstone Federal Credit Union during the week of June 4. Check future issues of the “Madison Record” for updates.

For seven weeks in Memphis, Ross will have extensive chemotherapy and medication. Back at home, he will have two years of treatment at Huntsville’s St. Jude clinic.

Ross and his family have moved to Ronald McDonald House at St. Jude. “He wants to hear from his friends and get cards,” Taylor said. The address is Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis, 535 Alabama Ave., Memphis, TN 38105.

When Ross returns to school, he will attend Discovery Middle School. His parents are Les and Anna Scott. Ross has two brothers who attend West Madison and Bob Jones High School.

In September, West Madison plans to conduct a walkathon for Ross.