Following is where to find Phil's obituary that was posted last night.  Arrangements are listed at the bottom of the page.

https://www.kranzfuneralhome.com/obituaries/pastor-phil-burkett

Phil took his shepherd's hand and moved into his heavenly home this morning (Friday, Oct. 4) about 8am.  Thank you for all your prayers and support through this journey.  We will post arrangements when they are made.  

The past couple of days, care in the home has become increasingly difficult.  Therefore, yesterday, the decision was made to move Phil into the United Hospice Service Residence of Marlette.  Please be in prayer for wisdom and peace during this transition.  Thank you.

Phil has now been on in-home hospice for one month.  We are so thankful for the wonderful care he is receiving and how their services make life a lot easier for us.  He continues to grow weaker but is glad for short contacts with friends.  Please check with us (Darlene) in advance to see if it is convenient.  
Your prayers are appreciated.  We need wisdom, grace and God's continued peace.  He is still our Good Shepherd and we continue to trust Him one day at a time!

The last couple of weeks have been challenging!  Phil has been dealing with side-effect infections which made it impossible to continue infusions.  That means that all "treatments" have been stopped.  Because of his increasing weakness, infections and cognitive issues, we have begun to need in-house health care help.  Two days ago, Phil was officially put on In-house Hospice care. This will supply extra support in our home at this time.  
Please pray with us that God will give us wisdom as we make decisions and continued grace and peace.
Thank you.

A recent MRI indicates there is no significant tumor growth since the last MRI.  However, several difficult side effects from treatment require changes in the treatment.  We have completed Cycle 5 of the chemo pills and will not be doing any more cycles.  We will be tapering down on the steroids Phil has been on since last December.  Infusions have begun again and will continue for a while.  Physical therapy at the rehab facility was too much for Phil.  After each session, he was pretty much out of commission for a couple of days so that was discontinued.  He works at a few exercises at home.  The kids flew in for a few days in July which was wonderful to share time together!!  
Our main prayer request is that Phil's body will adjust, as God sees fit, to all the changes in medications and treatments that will be happening in the next few weeks.  Thanks for continuing to lift us up!  

Well, a month has passed since our last post.  The root canal was completed and is now history.  We are in the middle of cycle 4 of the chemo pills.  Infusions have not started up yet.  Phil has begun some physical therapy to counteract the muscle deterioration but that has been really wearing him out.  
We plan to be with family on the July 4th holiday and our kids will be flying this way later in July for a few days together.  Yeah!!  
Please continue to pray as we face changes along this journey.  Thanks!  God is still good!!    

Results from the 5/29 MRI are mixed.  There is no new tumor growth and some of the inflammation seems to be less which is good news!  However, Phil is experiencing quite a bit of muscle deterioration in his legs/thighs due to being on the steroids for so long.  
Root canal is scheduled for June 7.  A new round of chemo pills will begin on June 10 and an infusion will be scheduled as soon as the dentist clears him.  
Pray for us as we continue to deal with short-term memory and cognitive issues as well.
God is still providing peace!  Praise Him!  

About a week ago, we found out that Phil has an abscessed tooth!  We have been able to get him on an antibiotic to fight the infection and at this point, the pain is managed.  His infusion treatment has been postponed and we need to wait 6 weeks from his last infusion before he can have a root canal.  Root canal is scheduled for June 7.  Pray for this situation to be managed well and wisdom for decisions toward future treatments after results of the MRI scheduled for May 29.  Thank you for your prayers!  

This has been a week of adjusting to new medications (infusion on last Monday).  Weakness and being shaky are Phil's main issues besides short term memory loss.  Four and a half weeks yet until the next MRI which will give us information on the progress of the brain tumor. Thanks for your continued prayer for wisdom and peace. 

Thank you for your continued prayers!  We can feel that God is sustaining us as we face challenges each day.  Phil continues cycles of chemotherapy and will begin a new type of treatment to take over when the steroids are removed to counteract the swelling in the brain.
Prayers would be appreciated as we face the decline of mobility and memory.  In the midst of everything, we still see our Shepherd holding us in His hand and guiding us along the way.
 

It has been a month since we have posted.  Much has happened.  Phil's MRI on 4/3 showed the tumor is stable at this time.  Chemo will be continuing and adjustments made to other meds to try to manage symptoms.  

We have just spent 4 days down in Indiana continuing to work on future plans for Darlene. Thanks for continuing to pray for wisdom, peace and strength!
 

UPDATE 3/7/2024

We both seem to be over Covid Symptoms.  Praise the Lord!  Now, Phil is in "waiting mode" to gain some strength back and until it is time for another MRI.  Thanks for your prayers!

We made the last of our daily trips to Ann Arbor for radiation treatments this past Wednesday.  Yeah!!!  
However, Covid caught up with both of us last weekend.  We were able to get Phil on Paxlovid right away.  We are both still dealing with symptoms but seem to be getting a bit better each day.  Please pray for symptoms to disappear and a return of energy for both of us.  Thanks!

One more week down and only three more radiation treatments to go!!!  Wednesday will be the last radiation and chemo medicine for now.  There is a four week break of no treatments.  Towards the end of that, an MRI will be taken and decisions made about further chemo treatment.  Pray that Phil's energy level will improve during this break.  We will keep you posted.  

Another week done!  Only 8 more radiation treatments.  Then there will be a 4 week break from radiation and chemo before a new MRI will be taken.  
We continue to thank those who have helped to drive Phil to Ann Arbor, bring in meals and send encouraging notes.  We know your prayers are part of what God uses to give us strength and peace.  Thank you again!!

We are now past the half-way point of radiation treatments!!  We praise God that he has kept us safe on the road through some tricky weather.  Fatigue still remains the main side effect though the treatments have begun to take a toll on Phil's curly hair.  (They say it will grow back.)     :)  
Thanks for your continued prayers!

Phil is just a little over 1/3 of the way through the radiation treatments.  Fatigue is still the only major side effect he has to deal with.  Praise the Lord!  We continue to be amazed at all the love and support we are getting.  Thank you so much!  It is wonderful being part of the family of God!  

Phil has now completed 7 radiation treatments and 11 days of chemo medication.  This week has gone fairly well.  Fatigue is beginning to kick in so pray for him to have the strength he needs.
The help we have received from meals brought in and drivers to Ann Arbor as well as all of your prayers and encouraging words have been much appreciated.  Thank you!

Phil now has completed three days of radiation and chemo treatments and is experiencing very few adverse side effects.  Thanks for your prayers!  

We are now scheduled to begin radiation and chemo therapy on December 27, 2023.  Your prayers are appreciated for these next 6 weeks of treatments which will involve a lot of driving to Ann Arbor.
Thanks,
Pastor Phil & Darlene