Becki Lucas, from Gloucester, has always been close to her younger sister, but they now share more than ever before. After Becki, 35, was diagnosed with a rare cancer and told she may only have a year to live, Sarah, 32, gave her a life-saving stem cell donation. Becki shares their inspirational story...
I know it may sound strange, but as I sat in the consulting room holding my mum Pauline’s hand, hearing the “C word” was somehow a relief as well as a nightmare. I’d finally get treated. I had no idea what my prognosis was and I’d certainly never heard of BPDCN before. Neither had my consultant, who handed me a leaflet. I read with horror that the average survival time was just 12 months.
Over the following months I had a series of seemingly ineffective chemotherapies and each time they hit me harder. I wrote my will to prepare for the worst, but I also started a gratitude journal, to create a positive mindset around the horrible situation. I also practised daily affirmations, such as, “I am cancer free. I am in remission. I am grateful for the treatment.”
I had no idea then that my one final hope would be my sister, Sarah. When she proved to be a match she didn’t hesitate. We’ve always been close and she’s the best possible aunt to my kids. I had two days of chemo after the transplant to remove mismatched cells that could potentially kill me. Thankfully, it all seemed to go OK for both of us and after a few weeks in hospital I was allowed home. Yes, I had to isolate for the next 100 days, but I could be with my kids, which was all I’d dreamed of.