Phil Secord’s leukemia saga comes to an end
Just shy of two years after being diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia, Phil Secord has lost his battle at the age of 32.
Secord, whose story has been often told in this newspaper, died last Wednesday.
He leaves behind his wife Amberley and 21-month-old daughter Ellie.
Amberley said that his downturn came out of nowhere.
“We were positive, and he was supposed to start a new trial drug that had shown a very positive response for people with his condition.
“He was feeling really good. Even with travelling back and forth from Toronto a couple of times a week, he was as healthy as someone in his situation could be.” Two weeks earlier Phil was at home when he passed out as a result of a brain bleed.
“That came out of nowhere,” Amberley said. “It really damaged his left side, but yet again he bounced from that as much as he could, progressed well enough that he could leave ICU.”
But an infection developed that wasn’t being treated by some of the antibiotics he was on.
“I could tell things were really bad, and doctors tried an older type of antibiotic they said could have severe side-effects. I was expecting him to say ‘I’m done.’ He was not in good shape, but he wanted to go down swinging.”
Amberley could tell he was really struggling, especially with his breathing.
A decision was made to unhook everything and just manage his pain.
“He was completely coherent right until the very end, and he passed in my arms,” said Amberley.
“I told him that it was time to let go and watch over Ellie and me.
“He said OK and passed away in my arms.”
Phil’s story captured the attention of readers across Niagara and beyond.
“It was amazing. He had this knack of touching people and inspiration. People you don’t even know do fundraisers. Our community in general raised close to $90,000. Phil would not have made it as far as he did without the community.” Diagnosed on Sept 22, 2015, he then was given six months to live.
“He never accepted it,” said Amberley.
“Through this whole journey he technically died twice, but his courage and his strength were still there even throughout this whole process.”
“Even though I lived it and breathed it with him, I can honestly say there’s no way I could have done what he did. The medicine, the procedures, everything. It takes a certain special kind of person to be able to do that.”
His greatest joy was the time he spent with his young daughter, seeing her turn one, and learning to walk and talk.
“Being so young I didn’t think she would realize, but she definitely knows that he’s not here.
“It has to be one of the hardest things in my personal life.
He has a coat hanging up at the front door; she hugs his coat every night and says, ‘I love you, Daddy.’” Visitation will take place at George Darte funeral home, 585 Carlton St., St. Catharines, today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
A celebration of Phil’s life will take place in the funeral home ceremony room on Wednesday at 11 a.m.
Memorial donations can be made towards a fund for Ellie or towards the funeral cost. btymczyszyn@postmedia.com Twitter: @bobtym