“Being a paramedic in Bonnyville, it saved my life.”
Becky Burgess has helped save thousands of lives. Now, it's her turn to ask for help.
Becky is a 32-year-old paramedic in Bonnyville, a wife, and a mother of two. She works hard to provide for her family, all while continuing her battle with breast cancer.
She was first diagnosed five years ago with stage two breast cancer when she was a paramedic student working as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in Bonnyville.
Through chemotherapy at the Bonnyville Covenant Healthcare Centre, and a tremendous amount of support from her family, friends, and coworkers, she was able to continue her studies and eventually graduate while undergoing treatment.
She would work a night shift and go to the hospital for chemotherapy, spending the next few days recovering, only to start the process all over again.
“It took a lot, but it was easier because I was surrounded by people who cared and loved me, and really wanted me to succeed. They would do anything for that to happen,” Becky expressed. “I wouldn't have made it if it wasn't for them.”
Bobby, Becky's husband, described how doctors were encouraging her to put schooling on hold until after she had completed treatment.
“She refused to do that. She continued to go to school, go to work, and she just refused to have this disease alter her life,” he said.
It was the endless support she received that kept her going, Bobby added.
“I don't know how she did it to be honest. I know if I was going through that I couldn't see myself going to work. She was feeling ill from chemo and was still finding the strength to get up and go to work and continue with her schooling.”
On Aug. 25, Becky went in to see her family doctor after injuring her back at work, and learned they found more than a sprained muscle.
Becky was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, which is a cancer that has spread beyond the breast and into other organs of the body. In Becky's case, that meant her liver and spine.
She was given a prognosis of one to two years to live. However, Becky and her husband refuse to accept it, and are seeking treatment beyond Canada's borders.
“We're going to Mexico to see what they can do for me as far as time wise, because here they're giving me one to two years. I have heard a lot of good things about going to the United States. People 15 years later are still here who have had the same diagnosis as me,” Becky said.
Bobby added, “It was either sit around and do absolutely nothing or try and fight this thing.”
The family has started a GoFundMe page in order to help with the cost of treatment.
So far, it has raised nearly $54,000.
“We knew these treatments could be very costly. Depending on where we went they could be anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000 with accommodations and everything,” Becky explained.
The couple decided to create the page with the help of Becky's sister after receiving endless phone calls, texts, and Facebook messages from friends and family encouraging them to just try.
Within 24-hours, they had nearly reached their $50,000 goal.
“This is a huge stress reliever. There is no way we could have done this without them,” said Becky.
Bobby is a member of the Elk Point RCMP detachment. He explained how he often gets “choked up” talking about the support they have received from even his coworkers.
He started his career with the RCMP at the St. Paul detachment in 2007. One-year later he met Becky.
Along the way, the couple made friends who they consider family. Once they heard the news of Becky's diagnosis, they pulled together and offered donations, support, and anything else they could offer.
Becky won't know exactly how long the treatment will take. But, they were told the initial stint could last about 21-days.
They will stay in the U.S. in San Diego, CA, walking across the border to Mexico every day. The clinic where Becky is being treated is only three blocks from the border.
“This is the start of our journey. We have a lot ahead of us. People need to realize that just because a doctor in Canada tells you to give up there is still hope and there are other places that are willing to help you and have proven they can help people,” expressed Bobby.
From there, they will work on a treatment plan that Becky will follow for the rest of her life.
Becky offered some words of advice for those who may be experiencing something similar.
“Just stay strong and keep moving forward. We are all dealt a hand in this life and all you can do is play it.”
To donate, visit https://www.gofundme.com/rebecca-burgess-cancer-treatment.
