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Calling all family and friends who are family, as most of you already know Dan and Diane have been in the battle of two lifetimes the past year and half. If you aren’t aware, I am sorry to be the one to report, the following is, in no great detail, a summary of what has been going on.
In spring 2020 Dan was diagnosed with early stage pancreatic cancer. We were told it was treatable and the odds of beating it, at the time, were high. Early summer of the same year, Diane was diagnosed with uterine cancer and we were, again, told it was treatable and likely curable.
Dan’s chemotherapy battle was excruciating, to put it lightly, though he fought long and hard! The chemo seemed to have done its job, and he went in for what the doctors called Whipple procedure that went extremely well. Meanwhile; Diane had gone in and had a hysterectomy and started her scheduled course of chemotherapy. Putting up just as much of a fight against cancer as Dan!
I feel it worth noting that I am not trying to minimize the struggle and hardship that Dan, Diane and close family have gone through during their treatments, there is just no concise way to explain briefly what this family… my family… OUR family has endured.
Fast-forward to recovery, pre-August 2021 Dan and Diane are cancer free!
But not without other obstacles to overcome. Diane has developed a rare Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) which is a condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves; along with (CIPN) chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. These diagnosis have left Diane near paralyzed from the hips down, along with with pain, numbness and tingling in her hands, legs and feet which subsequently means she is immobile and dependent on assistance around the clock, though, the doctors have said with hard work and determination along with physical therapy she should be able to make a full recovery.
In early August, Dan went in for his post cancer check and the results are not what any one of us had hoped or prayed for, the pancreatic cancer has metastasized to both of his lungs.
What does this mean? Stage 4, terminal cancer.
Per the doctors, without treatment Dan would likely be with us for only 6 more months, with treatment starting Aug 16th he has a 30% chance to live for two more years… to live for 24 more months.
Twenty four more months to live, and laugh, and sing and drum.
Two more years to be with his wife, his love of his life.
This is where my plea for help comes in.
If you are only able to help monetarily you can find our gofundmepage here https://www.gofundme.com/wilkins-cancer-care-and-rehab *The only reason I’ve created a gofundme account is because I know there will be people who want to help and will be unable to physically, any money donated will go toward medical bills, care and coverage*
With Dan’s fate being so close, and Diane's physical health in unstable condition and needing full time care and assistance I am asking for help. To those near and far if you feel like you might be able to help please let me know at [email redacted] p(248-982-5324, Jillian) at a very near future *DATE TBD* I will be putting together a detailed scheduled calendar, to those that are able to volunteer, to go to the Wilkins household in Pateros WA to help in Diane’s recovery and rehabilitation and to support Dan through his treatments.
Super briefly - It will likely look like weekly rotations with scheduled minor PT work, for Diane and household assistance, cleaning and cooking. This is new to us all and quite honestly I am not sure what I am doing other than helping my family, those I love and care for, Dan and Diane Wilkins - two people who we all love and care for. Trying to keep them together and to help Dan be able to live the remainder of his years doing what he loves, with the people he cares for. It takes a village, let us build that village together.
I know this is a lot to ask of anyone - we all have our own lives to take care of, our own medical issues, our own families to look after.
If you cannot help, that is okay! We don’t want to put anyone out or be a burden. Having said that PLEASE DO NOT BURDEN Dan or Diane with overwhelming response to help, please reach out to me directly at the aforementioned email or phone.
In spring 2020 Dan was diagnosed with early stage pancreatic cancer. We were told it was treatable and the odds of beating it, at the time, were high. Early summer of the same year, Diane was diagnosed with uterine cancer and we were, again, told it was treatable and likely curable.
Dan’s chemotherapy battle was excruciating, to put it lightly, though he fought long and hard! The chemo seemed to have done its job, and he went in for what the doctors called Whipple procedure that went extremely well. Meanwhile; Diane had gone in and had a hysterectomy and started her scheduled course of chemotherapy. Putting up just as much of a fight against cancer as Dan!
I feel it worth noting that I am not trying to minimize the struggle and hardship that Dan, Diane and close family have gone through during their treatments, there is just no concise way to explain briefly what this family… my family… OUR family has endured.
Fast-forward to recovery, pre-August 2021 Dan and Diane are cancer free!
But not without other obstacles to overcome. Diane has developed a rare Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) which is a condition in which the immune system attacks the nerves; along with (CIPN) chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. These diagnosis have left Diane near paralyzed from the hips down, along with with pain, numbness and tingling in her hands, legs and feet which subsequently means she is immobile and dependent on assistance around the clock, though, the doctors have said with hard work and determination along with physical therapy she should be able to make a full recovery.
In early August, Dan went in for his post cancer check and the results are not what any one of us had hoped or prayed for, the pancreatic cancer has metastasized to both of his lungs.
What does this mean? Stage 4, terminal cancer.
Per the doctors, without treatment Dan would likely be with us for only 6 more months, with treatment starting Aug 16th he has a 30% chance to live for two more years… to live for 24 more months.
Twenty four more months to live, and laugh, and sing and drum.
Two more years to be with his wife, his love of his life.
This is where my plea for help comes in.
If you are only able to help monetarily you can find our gofundmepage here https://www.gofundme.com/wilkins-cancer-care-and-rehab *The only reason I’ve created a gofundme account is because I know there will be people who want to help and will be unable to physically, any money donated will go toward medical bills, care and coverage*
With Dan’s fate being so close, and Diane's physical health in unstable condition and needing full time care and assistance I am asking for help. To those near and far if you feel like you might be able to help please let me know at [email redacted] p(248-982-5324, Jillian) at a very near future *DATE TBD* I will be putting together a detailed scheduled calendar, to those that are able to volunteer, to go to the Wilkins household in Pateros WA to help in Diane’s recovery and rehabilitation and to support Dan through his treatments.
Super briefly - It will likely look like weekly rotations with scheduled minor PT work, for Diane and household assistance, cleaning and cooking. This is new to us all and quite honestly I am not sure what I am doing other than helping my family, those I love and care for, Dan and Diane Wilkins - two people who we all love and care for. Trying to keep them together and to help Dan be able to live the remainder of his years doing what he loves, with the people he cares for. It takes a village, let us build that village together.
I know this is a lot to ask of anyone - we all have our own lives to take care of, our own medical issues, our own families to look after.
If you cannot help, that is okay! We don’t want to put anyone out or be a burden. Having said that PLEASE DO NOT BURDEN Dan or Diane with overwhelming response to help, please reach out to me directly at the aforementioned email or phone.