My name is Max, and I’m raising funds to support my sister-in-law, Bec West — a dedicated high school teacher at Mount Austin High School in Wagga Wagga, previously of Kooringal High School, whose life changed in ways none of us could ever have imagined.
Bec has always been a steady, positive force in the lives of others. She pours her heart into her students, guiding them with compassion, patience, and a quiet strength that makes her loved by so many. Outside the classroom, her dogs and other animals are her world. They bring her joy, purpose, and companionship, and anyone who knows Bec knows how deeply she loves them.
After finishing teaching on the Friday afternoon Bec started to feel unwell. On Sunday, due to persistent vomiting, Bec took herself to Wagga Hospital. Over night she deteriorated and was placed in the Intensive Care Unit. The next day Bec's deterioration continued and she was flown to St Vincent's ICU in Sydney , where doctors confirmed she had HLH — Haemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis, a rare and aggressive autoimmune condition. Her body rapidly deteriorated as the illness escalated and Bec entered multi-organ failure.
Bec was intubated on the Saturday evening and placed on life support. Bec came terrifyingly close to losing her life and was in an induced coma for two and a half weeks. During this time she received over 150 units of blood products and had many staff saying they have never worked so hard before.
Bec underwent many tests during this time with many different specialists, who spoke to doctors throughout the country and the world. The tests revealed that the initial virus (Epstein Bar Virus, the virus that causes Glandular Fever) was the drive for the HLH, and it was proving difficult to treat as it had also infiltrated her T-Cells, causing Lymphoma (a type of blood cancer).
To fully treat Bec and understand the extent of the Lymphoma and provide targeted treatment, the doctors performed a Lumbar Puncture to test her spinal fluid. During this test an unfortunate and extremely rare complication occurred where a bleed into her spinal column occurred. This complication has led to Bec being unable to feel anything below the waist and paraplegia. It was the consensus of the medical team that Bec would not survive the emergency operation needed to fix this, due to the severe bleeding disorder her condition was causing. This has been an additional devasting blow that Bec did not need.
Bec's treatments remain complicated, protracted and sensitive. Bec still has organ disease with the liver being critically affected and also severe kidney disease. Bec requires dialysis 3x week. We will not know for months what the long term outcome will be for her kidneys.
Bec has a long journey ahead of her, as she continues to receive treatment, and we hope to begin the journey of rehabilitation and adapting to her new way of life. Bec is blessed to have her Mother, Father and Sister by her side whilst the family supports her.
We are seeking support from those who feel moved to help her recover and rebuild with dignity, comfort and independence.
Donations will go towards the practical and personal items that will genuinely improve her daily life and ease financial pressure during this difficult time.
With love, support and permission from Bec, I thank you for your time for reading the above and considering donating to our beloved Bec.
Max