Becky’s battle with colon cancer.
Donation protected
For those of you who know Becky Pacella, you know that strength and determination are one of Becky’s most notable traits. She is first, a wife to Eric and a Mother to Seth (24), Alexis (19), and Peyton (8). Becky is one of the bravest people I know. I will share with you Becky’s Journey which illustrates just how strong and determined she is to win the battle of her life.
In 1993 at the age of 20, Becky was involved in a drinking and driving car accident that crushed both of her feet. Surprisingly, Becky would be able to walk again; however, due to the damage she sustained she would never be able to run.
Fast forward 20 years in late 2013 and in the best shape of her life, Becky decided to train for a 5k run that would raise money for cancer. Running was still very hard for Becky; it was more like a hobble. If anyone knows Becky, this wouldn’t stop her. Becky was determined to do this 5k race, even if it meant she was going to hobble the entire race to do it come hell or high-water.
On January 23rd, 2017 accomplishing what she set out for Becky was able to hobble the full 3.1 miles on her treadmill at home. The following morning, Becky woke up with horrible back pain. At that time, Becky thought she overdid it on the treadmill and that her body wasn’t capable of handling the exercise routine she was putting herself through. Little did Becky know, this was just the start of a bigger battle she was about to face. That same morning, Becky was standing in her kitchen when it happened. It was a sharp pain in her lower back, followed by the feeling of something running down her legs. Becky was soon standing in a pool of blood that was getting larger by the second. Becky would hemorrhage through the morning hours before being admitted to the Hospital for Blood transfusions, a colonoscopy and other testing. On February 6, 2017 Becky was officially diagnosed with Stage IV rectal Cancer that metastasized to her liver. This was a devastating blow to Becky and her Family. Becky would soon have her rectum removed and was told she would be on a colostomy bag the rest of her life. Becky endured months of sickness from the radiation and chemo. Many nights during these times, Becky’s daughter Peyton would spend her nights on a blanket next to her Mother who lied on the sofa enduring the nasty side effects of her treatments.
More recently, the cancer spread to Becky’s lungs and in April she had a lung wedge resection to remove it. Becky stormed through this surgery and tolerated the pain without the assistance of pain meds.
On May 9th Becky received news that her scan results were clear, with one exception. The cancer spread to Becky’s Pelvic which brings us to where Becky is now. Due to scar tissue damage caused by radiation and previous surgeries, surgery to remove the tumor is not an option.
On Wednesday, July 17th Becky went to Memorial Sloan Kettering to have radiation seeds implanted in the tumor. When Becky arrived her blood pressure was abnormally high and she was in Critical Hypertension. The implant was delayed. After two days at Sloan, they transferred her to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. At that time they said she had a brain bleed and they would be better equipped to handle it. Becky is still in the hospital, many MRI’s, Cat scans, and other testing have occurred and she still doesn’t have any answers.
Even being in the hospital, fighting every day for her life, Becky is still more concerned with the well being of her Family. Unfortunately with Doctors visits, and hospital stays comes the mounting medical bills. I am asking that you please consider helping to alleviate some of the financial strains that come with Becky’s battle.
In 1993 at the age of 20, Becky was involved in a drinking and driving car accident that crushed both of her feet. Surprisingly, Becky would be able to walk again; however, due to the damage she sustained she would never be able to run.
Fast forward 20 years in late 2013 and in the best shape of her life, Becky decided to train for a 5k run that would raise money for cancer. Running was still very hard for Becky; it was more like a hobble. If anyone knows Becky, this wouldn’t stop her. Becky was determined to do this 5k race, even if it meant she was going to hobble the entire race to do it come hell or high-water.
On January 23rd, 2017 accomplishing what she set out for Becky was able to hobble the full 3.1 miles on her treadmill at home. The following morning, Becky woke up with horrible back pain. At that time, Becky thought she overdid it on the treadmill and that her body wasn’t capable of handling the exercise routine she was putting herself through. Little did Becky know, this was just the start of a bigger battle she was about to face. That same morning, Becky was standing in her kitchen when it happened. It was a sharp pain in her lower back, followed by the feeling of something running down her legs. Becky was soon standing in a pool of blood that was getting larger by the second. Becky would hemorrhage through the morning hours before being admitted to the Hospital for Blood transfusions, a colonoscopy and other testing. On February 6, 2017 Becky was officially diagnosed with Stage IV rectal Cancer that metastasized to her liver. This was a devastating blow to Becky and her Family. Becky would soon have her rectum removed and was told she would be on a colostomy bag the rest of her life. Becky endured months of sickness from the radiation and chemo. Many nights during these times, Becky’s daughter Peyton would spend her nights on a blanket next to her Mother who lied on the sofa enduring the nasty side effects of her treatments.
More recently, the cancer spread to Becky’s lungs and in April she had a lung wedge resection to remove it. Becky stormed through this surgery and tolerated the pain without the assistance of pain meds.
On May 9th Becky received news that her scan results were clear, with one exception. The cancer spread to Becky’s Pelvic which brings us to where Becky is now. Due to scar tissue damage caused by radiation and previous surgeries, surgery to remove the tumor is not an option.
On Wednesday, July 17th Becky went to Memorial Sloan Kettering to have radiation seeds implanted in the tumor. When Becky arrived her blood pressure was abnormally high and she was in Critical Hypertension. The implant was delayed. After two days at Sloan, they transferred her to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. At that time they said she had a brain bleed and they would be better equipped to handle it. Becky is still in the hospital, many MRI’s, Cat scans, and other testing have occurred and she still doesn’t have any answers.
Even being in the hospital, fighting every day for her life, Becky is still more concerned with the well being of her Family. Unfortunately with Doctors visits, and hospital stays comes the mounting medical bills. I am asking that you please consider helping to alleviate some of the financial strains that come with Becky’s battle.
Organizer and beneficiary
David McGovern
Organizer
New Windsor, NY
Rebecca Pacella
Beneficiary