Ok so, back to the msg he sent...any thoughts on how I should handle this?
Tell him the results like you would a acquaintance or co-worker. "I didn't get the news I was hoping for but I can handle it. Thanks for asking." No need for details, if he really wants to know let him work for it.
Cheers
M22,H45,W45 S21/18D12 Retain faith that you will prevail in the end, regardless of the difficulties and at the same time confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.