Troy Becktel's Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Hi, my name is Sally Becktel, and I'm fundraising for my husband, Troy Becktel's CLL treatments.

My husband and I found each other like the storyline of a Hallmark movie. Our two youngest pushed us to date; therefore, creating profiles on Christianmingle.com was the beginning for us. Neither of us was ready after barely surviving gut-wrenching divorces. Troy was my first date, and I was his second. It was meant to be, and our combined family is terrific.

We honestly expected that we would have the opportunity to make the best of the remainder of our lives as we eat healthily and are active. Unfortunately, it didn’t take long for us to experience some of life’s challenges. Troy went to the doctor for a routine physical and returned with more questions than he had answers. He was asked to do blood panels for three months to confirm their worry. They were right, and our lives were about to change.

Troy was eventually diagnosed with CLL (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia), a disease where they tell you to go home and live your life as it grows inside you. We have now had three oncologists tell us that everyone has cancer cells in their body, and there is always an event that allows them to multiply. It would seem that divorce is the gift that keeps giving. Since his diagnosis, he has continued to be a strong leader, father, grandfather, and husband. But, the thought of what you can’t control growing inside is a lot more than frightening. He also hasn’t shared this diagnosis as he doesn’t want to be defined by it.

He goes in for bloodwork on a regular schedule. We schedule it for Monday mornings, so his staff doesn’t have to see the anxiety on his face as we do on weekends. Now, things are changing as his blood counts are going the wrong way. He is so exhausted every morning, yet he pushes himself out of bed and keeps going. The doctors have explained to him how it will progress and given him a couple of options:

1. Traditional – wait for the disease to advance, then get hammered with chemo and radiation and hope that the poison doesn’t kill him.

2. State of the art Immunotherapy – where they remove your blood and convince the fighter cells that the leukemia cells are bad and to kill them.

We want to pursue Immunotherapy, but insurance doesn’t pay for it or the other combined therapies. Just the Immunotherapy itself is $30,000. The treatment protocol is three weeks long and will cost as much as a new vehicle ($40,000). And, there are no local facilities able to perform them. But, we found it at Chipsa Hospital and have a real shot at a cure for the first time.

I know that this is a very humbling story. However, we are appealing to everyone's compassionate side. What would you do if you were given a death sentence? I would hope that you would fight to survive. I have seen how much my husband cares about others, and I hope you feel the same way toward him! He is both a fixer and a giver, always putting others first. Please help us win this fight by donating and sharing this Go-Fund-Me request. Maybe even take on an event at your place of employment as your contribution when you cannot afford to give yourself – so please help give the gift of time and love.

Thank you,

Sally Becktel

Wife, Mother, Grandmother