Phil's Ultimate Golf Outing

Phil was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) on 12/27/19 at the age of 3. We remember the attending oncologist saying, “We know what this is. We know how to treat it.” Phil began treatment right away, following a 2.5 year treatment protocol for his leukemia type and risk level. 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!). There really was something so special about him. 

Phil was scheduled to end treatment in March of 2022. But just two months before, 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. All we could think was what happened to knowing how to treat this?

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 to be with Jesus. 

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 the putting green and whacking golf balls at the driving range. We know he would love a golf outing in his honor! 

Thank you for being a part of Phil’s beautiful story and thank you for being a part of an even bigger story - a story of making a difference in the lives of families and children impacted by childhood cancer.