If you know me, you know I absolutely never ask for help. So I am humbly coming to you guys today to ask if you feel inclined, please donate anything you can.
A little history of Becky.... I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 1996. Over the years I've been on every medication, and biologic known to help with symptoms. To no avail, I was running out of options, I entered into a clinical trial. Needless to say, the clinic cancelled the trial and sent me on my way. I still have no idea if I had the placebo or the actual drug.. fast forward to 2013 I was getting sicker and sicker, I traveled to Mount Sinai hospital in NYC where a gastro doctor told me he thought a loop ileostomy would give my large intestine some time to heal eventually leading to a reversal once it was 'safe' to do so. He said I would regain some 'life' with the surgery. Having the ileostomy, I suffered many leaks, mostly in public areas. As you can imagine, I was mortified at the way my life was. My body looked different, the way I functioned was different. I was fighting just to stay norished even having to take liquid meds so I would absorb them. I begged my "at home" colorectal surgeon to reverse me after 4 treacherous months. He agreed and performed the surgery. Back to the biologic and pill galore regimen, I was placed on Stalera. For the first time in 21 years I found remission! It lasted from 2017 to 2023. In summer 2023, I started see changes in my bowel habits, something I had never experienced before. After some tweeks to the meds, it continued getting worse. In October 2023 I had my colonoscopy, I was so constricted I need to be dilated just to perform the procedure. After I woke up the doctor told me I had a mass and that it would be tested. Came back that it was cancer. I started 12 cycles of Chemo, ringing the bell when I was done. After the post chemo scans (CT and MRI) it confirmed that the cancer has spread to nearby lymph nodes and started invaded my vaginal wall.
If you're reading this far, thank you.
As most of you know I will be undergoing an APR surgery which means they will be taking all the diseased parts out of my body and sewing EVERYTHING up. I will need a permanent colostomy bag. I will also get a hysterectomy and vaginal reconstruction. I'm scared. I'm mad. I'm depressed. You name it, I'm experiencing it. And so is my family. When you donate, know the money will be used for ostomy supplies and monthly bills. I am fortunate enough to be on permanent disability but it still isn't enough. Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, and donations. I appreciate the outpouring of love that has come out of this. And while I never asked for this life, I hope something beautiful becomes of it. <3