Chris and Shanah Wilson: A Love Story Stronger Than Cancer

Twenty-four years ago in 1996 at the young age of 16 years old and 19 years old a love story started. Chris and Shanah needed each other then but more now than they ever could have imagined. Today as they celebrate their 24th wedding anniversary on December 7th; they share their hearts with us as they are in the fight of their life. This Christmas; we are “Lighting up and Lifting up” the Wilson Family for our Pay It Forward. This young family is facing some of the hardest times that no- one should have to face. Chris was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer in which his body is no longer responding to the chemotherapy.

Chris and Shanah moved to Arkansas in 2000 to start a new life with their young child; they have fought several battles throughout their love story including: eleven miscarriages, depression, alcohol abuse, PTSD, separation, trials and desperate cries. Today, they are surrounded by the love of a beautiful family: their oldest Amber, 23 years old, with her husband and new little baby boy “Harley” and their youngest “miracle son” Jacob, 11 years old.

At the age of 41, Chris caught what they thought was a “stomach bug” however after losing 30 lb of weight in two months, loss of color, exhaustion, and the knowledge/education that Shanah was learning in nursing school, the couple began to dig deeper about this health issue. In August 2018, Chris underwent his exploratory surgery and after several scans, labs, and tests cancer was found in his colon but also found in his liver. Doctors told Chris to “make your bucket list.”

By March 2020, Chris already had several rounds of chemo treatments, hours of chair time, numerous scans, tests and labs. Chris has battled issues with his liver prevented him from receiving the necessary treatments and surgeries needed for the cancer. The primary tumor had obstructed the large intestine and adhered to the small intestine, the colon had dilated with the right side completely dead and the walls of the colon dying along with bowel spillage. Chris had a major surgery this year which left him with a wound infection, an ileostomy and mucous fistula (non-functioning colostomy), weak with muscle loss, months of recovery, blood clots throughout his abdomen, and kidney issues. In September it was discovered that the cancer was back in his bowels and worsened in the liver because during surgery and recovery, he couldn’t receive treatment. Last Friday, December 4th, doctors told him that his body is no longer responding to the chemotherapy, as well as the liver masses and the new tumor in the colon have worsened and grown significantly. One of the masses has now caused partial obstruction in one of the kidney ureters causing urine to back-flow

Friday, December 11th, 2020; Chris will begin a new type of chemo infusions. A targeted treatment that should attack the cancer cells aggressively. They are approaching this new treatment plan with caution, with the obstruction of the ureter and tumor pressure this will be an extremely painful time for Chris. The increased fluids cause the urine retrograde due to this, kidney damage can occur. Along with this, the treatment has a risk of causing heart damage.

We are asking for donations for the family this holiday season; please donate at www.theorneryone.com/donate-pay-it-forward Every dollar makes a difference; Custom Dynamics has joined us & will be matching all of our donations $ for $, so NOTHING is too little. You can find more about their story on our website www.theorneryone.com and our Youtube channel www.youtube.com/theorneryone

The Wilson family is in awe from the response of our local community and our online motorcycle community; they would like for us to express their gratitude and appreciation. The family is currently in need of finding a home and would like to find their permanent home; in order to ensure comfort and invest their hopes and dreams. Let’s join together as we “Light Up & Lift Up” the Wilson Family this Christmas.