UPDATE

Yesterday (30th June), Charlotte and I met up with Becki for a coffee. There she told us that she is wanting to focus on quality of life, she wanted to say 'yes' more.

As this was unexpected both Charlotte and I took the news very hard, however as Becki was positive and as happy as can be, we took this opportunity to ask her what her bucket list was, it took a lot of encouragement and spitballing as Becki has gotten used to living between her house and hospital appointments, but we got some ideas out of her!

Here are some of her goals:

. To get her own house.

. Visit TwyCross zoo.

. Get an electronic wheelchair.

. Have a ‘normal young person holiday’ (not in England).

. Dye her hair purple.

. See the piano guys.

. Get a tattoo.

. Go on a Disney cruise.

AND MORE.

To be clear, Becki still doesn’t know that we are raising money for her, so please do not mention this.

If you wish to get in touch with her/reconnect (which she would love!), try using facebook messenger (she has deactivated her facebook but keeps messenger to communicate with people still), or contact myself and we can arrange something in person or maybe gathering with a few people.

ORIGINAL

Becki (left of the photo), is our friend of 22 years. We are Charlotte and Lesley, who are the people doing the fundraising (middle and right in the photo). This photo was taken in 2014 when Becki’s condition was manageable.

We met in our first year of primary school aged 4, and have been friends ever since.

Becki started to show signs of gastroparesis in primary school, but because it is so rare it went undiagnosed for nearly 10 years. As Becki’s condition went undiagnosed and untreated, it worsened.

Gatroparesis is an ‘invisible illness’, it is a chronic condition which paralyses your stomach meaning that eating and drinking is no longer something you have the privilege of. Only 1.5% of the world’s population suffer from Gastroparesis.

Becki has undergone many attempts at relieving her symptoms and trialled different pain managements and treatments.

She has undergone botox into her stomach, had 2 gastric neurotransmitter pace makers fitted, nasal gastric feeding tube, nasal jejunal feeding tube, jenjunostomy feeding tube and most recently started parental nutrition.

When Becki had her temporary gastric neurotransmitter pace maker fitted (to see if it would work making her eligible for a permanent one), she was actually able to consume so food! (YAY!), but by the time came for her permeant pace maker her condition had worsened which meant that not even 2 of the pace makers would stimulate her stomach.

Becki is often is admitted to hospital with severe infections which is usually caused by infections at the sites of her feeding tubes, this results in extreme weight loss and is usually followed up with a painful and invasive procedure or operation to refit her feeding tubes.

Alongside gastroparesis Becki suffers from Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)), Joint Hypermobility Syndrome, and more. Becki’s life consists largely of doctor’s and nurse appointments. The pain alone causes each day to be a struggle, not to mention her nausea and black outs! 😞

Becki is the most kind, caring, positive and strong person we know and it pains us to see such a wonderful person going through such trauma.

We wish to give Becki either a little more independence through the purchase of mobility aid equipment or a change of scenery in the form of a holiday of a lifetime!

Charlotte and I are undergoing numerous challenges to raise money for Becki.

Charlotte: Bake sales. Bungee jump.

Lesley: Bake sales. 24 hour National 3 peak challenge. Shave my lovely long hair off if needs be! (Much longer than in the photo!) 😞

x 🙂 x