I hope I find everyone well today. We're taking it one day at a time; things aren't the best and we could really use some help. For those who may see this and do not know us; my name is Tara Harshaw and this is Chris "Gecko" Wilkinson. We have been together for almost 14 years,and never thought we would get a hit like this. For the last year we thought it was just back pain that kept him from sleeping. Also tied his pain as to why he was losing his appetite. I took Chris to the ER, in April, when his leg was swollen up to three times the size of normal in under two days time; where 2 blood clots were found in his right leg. July 1st is when I could finally get him back to the doctor. Where he was sent to the ER at St Francis Roper in West Ashley to get scanned and blood work done.

The Dr at the office visit could feel the clots up Chris's legs and at the ER they scanned him ways and found that the blood clots had become a dire issue. Before all the results came back, he was sent to the downtown Charleston St Francis Roper hospital to be admitted. The blood clots went from two in his leg- to all throughout his body. He had a couple circling the heart, in his lungs and through his hips and legs. The blood thinner they have had him on has been working and he can breathe easier and without pain.

Chris was scanned and x-rayed again after arriving Downtown; where they scanned deeper and broader in certain areas of his body. Where they found growths (lesions, nodes, masses) on several organs.

They diagnosed him with pancreatic cancer on the 9th. We are still waiting on his biopsy to come back with more information. However the Dr said Tuesday that pathology had to do another test, some disease DNA test, and they said that it will take another ten days for the growth of the test. He also said that the cancerous mass MAYBE secondary, and that this new test is supposed to tell us the original cancer. Chris started his treatment Tuesday, and by the time he is supposed to have his next treatment we will have the biopsy results and his treatment will be adjusted if needed then. That's in two weeks.

Also on the paperwork....." malignant neoplasm of pancreas unspecified location of malignancy (hcc)".

So they're also looking at liver cancer. We'll know in two weeks the name of the original cancer.

He's now been home for a week.

It's the day after his first treatment, and he is getting some sleep finally as I'm sitting here writing this. He has had a hard time with sleep and appetite for awhile now. He's mostly on protein shakes because otherwise he has no appetite to eat. Every now and again we'll find something that sparks a taste bud, but not often enough. In the last 2 1/2 months, Chris has lost between 40 & 50 pounds. I'm the least two weeks he has gained, kept and fluctuated with, five pounds. I really need a variety of the proteins shakes for him.

We have nurse that comes to the house twice a week while he is in treatment. Every two weeks is treatment, and I imagine at least once a month appointment is going to be the primary doctor. Been filling out paperwork for the last two weeks in hopes to hear something about medical costs and help with those.

This year has already been hard with only one of us working, and saving money for a doctor visits for both of us, a trip to see my daughter in Alabama, and the taxes for the house; while Chris was trying to look for employment. I have had my own hospital visits during the first part of the year, and prescriptions to get. One of our vehicles died and was scrapped a few months ago, and had to use that money and money that was set aside for property taxes for utilities, food, car payment, etc....

I almost had it put back in the savings, and now have needed it for food, gas, parking, and finding specialty items that may wake up Chris's appetite. I just put the rest my savings that I had left to finish paying off this months bills. Idk what I'm going to do for the property taxes anymore. Hopefully with all this paperwork something good will happen. However everything takes time, and I need help a little sooner than the red tape for all this paperwork to be approved or denied.

We need help!!! I cannot do all of this by myself, and he really doesn't need to worry and get so stressed out about the finances and things. All Chris needs to be worried about is healing and getting through these treatments. I don't know what we are looking at, nor how long. I do know that he has a longer road ahead. If I could please ask everyone if they might have any extra change in the couch cushions, or maybe change jars, that maybe you'll think of us and wouldn't mind donating what you can. Please. If all you can do is share my story around; I hope that maybe someone might be able. I would greatly appreciate that as well.

I'm trying my best to keep him and hope alive; please help! Thank you for anything anyone can do