Phil's Story

Phil was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) at the age of 3 on December 27, 2019. Phil underwent surgery for a mediport placement and treatment quickly began. We rang in the new year in the hospital and Phil began a 2.5 year treatment protocol for his leukemia type and risk level. Thanks to advancements in medicine, Phil had a positive prognosis and we were told he had a 90% survival rate. The road would be long, but we had hope and our faith in a good and loving God carried us through. With every hospital visit, chemotherapy infusion, medication, procedure in the OR, or “job” he was told to do, Phil smiled, he laughed, and he cooperated (with a little encouragement and bribery of course!). He really was incredible. 

Phil pushed through the hardest phases of treatment while we navigated the Covid-19 pandemic together. We were grateful Phil was responding well to treatment and maintaining his remission status. Phil was scheduled to end treatment in March of 2022, but just two months prior, on January 7th, it was confirmed that Phil’s leukemia had returned and he had relapsed. Our hearts were broken and the fear of relapse that lived deep within us became an awful reality. This was a shock to everyone, including Phil’s medical team, and Phil’s prognosis instantly worsened. 

For the next 8 months Phil was hospitalized while he was given a variety of chemotherapy and immunotherapy combinations and endured side effects and complications from those treatments. He spent only 4 weeks at home. Genetic testing done that summer provided Phil’s team with new information about an abnormal amount of mutations on his leukemia. There were also a few found mutations that were known to be treatment resistant. No one could explain why Phil's leukemia had mutated the way it did. Phil’s medical team continued to work tirelessly to find a cure, but in August all reasonable options were exhausted and we were told there was nothing more that could be done for our sweet, brave boy. Phil was brought home where he enjoyed ten beautiful days with his family before he was called to his eternal home with Jesus. Phil died on September 1, 2022.

Phil was a bright light to everyone he met. He had a deep belly laugh and the best smile. He loved his brothers, cousins, Lego’s, superheroes, “bad guys", and bacon, but we believe his most favorite thing was the outdoors. You could always find him collecting sticks, pushing his little lawnmower around the yard (and hospital!), or using his leaf blower to keep the yard clean. Phil was beginning to learn and love golf, just like Daddy. While in the hospital, he spent a lot of time playing a game on his iPad called Ultimate Golf. Just a few days before Phil died, he was practicing on a putting green and whacking golf balls at the driving range. We know he would love a golf outing in his honor! 

The loss of Phil will be something we grieve for the rest of our lives, but in the midst of our grief The Incredible Phil Foundation was formed and with it a deep desire to give back and help others. Thank you for being part of Phil’s beautiful story.