Phil Lago, a supportive and loving husband to Kim and dedicated father to 3 children, was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer in October 2021. Through chemotherapy along with a mighty prayer team behind him, through God’s gracious healing on March 16, 2022 Phil’s endoscopy revealed all visible cancer in his stomach and esophagus was gone! There were still some microscopic spots as well as a few small cancerous spots on his lymph nodes and lung that the doctors were watching and maintaining with low doses of chemotherapy, which continued to have side effects but they were minimal.

Fast forward to April 2023, after just over a year of hope Phil’s medical team found the tumors returned and were very aggressive. They immediately began radiation and a new type of chemotherapy. Through the previous rounds of chem Phil lost a lot of weight though and his strength had diminished making this round of chemo even rougher than the previous one with more side effects. Radiation was first then the chemotherapies (2 different types). Phil continued to lose weight and strength, during this time Phil’s ability to work was drastically impacted as he focused on getting through this tough time.

On September 23, 2023 Phil’s children arranged to take him to Hawaii, it would have been his first time flying with his children. His medical team completed hydration treatments, blood transfusions, and provided him with medications to take on the trip to make him as strong as possible to enjoy time with family. The morning of the trip Phil woke up to leave for the airport and began to vomit blood, thus had to head to the hospital instead of the airport. He was in the hospital for 2 weeks. Kim, Phil’s wife, took time off work and was able to be by his side during the whole stay. During this stay Phil’s medical team determined the chemotherapy and radiation were not working and the cancer was continuing to grow. The prognosis at this point is not good, his medical team gave him 8-14 months to live with treatment. Due to his tumors as well as ulcers from radiation that were bleeding, he needed surgery to stop the bleeding. Thanks to God, the surgery worked and he was able to go home to start a new outpatient treatment with less toxicity, though the prognosis remains grim.

Phil and family are grateful to God for giving him a year of being almost cancer free before the cancer began at full force once again. The doctors also stated that most people do not live through the internal bleeds he experienced, God yet again showed up with another miracle. The family continues to pray for further healing and strength as they navigate this challenging time.

The Lago family had savings and critical illness insurance that allowed them to pay for medical bills during the first round of treatments. When Phil was re-diagnosed he was not able to use that insurance again and the family savings began to dwindle quickly. As medical bills continue to pile up, your support will help to pay these bills relieving the finical burdens so Phil and his family can focus on being together and fighting this nasty disease. We do understand not everyone can contribute financially and that is okay but we do ask for support through prayer if you are unable to provide financial support at this time.

Thank you all for taking the time to read through Phil’s story and any financial support and prayers.