Phil & Robin’s Story

Site created on February 7, 2021

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Cancer. Nobody ever thinks it will happen to them. It's always something that happens to someone else. Until one day, when everything changes. Until the day you sit waiting for the oncologist to come into the room while you listen to the clock ticking on the wall and try not to think about the future. Philip Malcolm has lung cancer. Metastatic Adenocarcinoma, Stage 4. This particular form of cancer is one of the deadliest, especially in people who have never smoked. We already knew it when we went to the doctor today. We had seen the pathologists report. We expected to hear "we'll do the best we can for you." Instead, the Lord graciously granted us hope. What we didn't know was that among non-smokers, lung cancer is often caused by a cellular mutation. If this is the case with Phil, and if we can identify the mutation, there have been large advances in treating these kinds of cancers with drugs that target the mutation. (As opposed to general chemotherapy.) Essentially, block the mutation, the cancer dies. We don't have a lot of information yet about what we can expect, how long it may hold the cancer at bay, etc. But we have a spark of hope. So, this is where we are at. Phil's biopsy specimens have been sent out to test for mutations. We should have those results in a few weeks. In the meantime, we are meeting with a radiation oncologist to talk about whether radiation treatment is appropriate. It sounds like the goal would be to alleviate some of the pain Phil is experiencing. Please continue to pray for us. We believe that God's hand has been in and through this whole process, and so we continue to trust Him for the future as well.

Newest Update

April 6, 2022

Journal entry by Phil and Robin Malcolm —

By now, most of you have likely heard the news. But I need to put it up here for those not already connected to another network. 

Yesterday morning, April 5, at 1:25 AM, Phil won his battle with cancer and stepped into heaven. He was at home, and I was with him, holding his hand. 

At this time, I have no words. I am confident that he is no longer suffering, he is cancer-free, and he is happy. But the loss left behind feels unbearable. 

My family and I would like to thank you for the love and support over the last fourteen months, and for the tremendous outpouring of love and prayers over the last six weeks since the brain tumors turned the tide. We have felt the love and support, and have read every single note, sometimes too choked up to read them out loud, but treasuring them. 

I will come back with details about a memorial service, and about memorial donations, but right now we are still working on plans. 

Thank you. Thank you for loving us well. I just keep holding on to Psalm 116:15: "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." I know that God holds the pain of our loss as something precious. 


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