Carer Story: Bill Becket

Bill Becket describes how his wife Bonnie was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2017, just 5 years after undergoing treatment for thyroid cancer. This is their story.

Cancer has affected our lives twofold. On one hand, it has turned our normal lives upside down. On the other hand, it has caused us to be thankful and appreciative for the things that we have. I suppose you could literally call it a blessing in disguise from that perspective. That said, my wife Bonnie had thyroid cancer in 2012 for which she had a total thyroidectomy. We thought we were done with cancer. In 2017 she was diagnosed with pancreatic/liver cancer….stage four. It was devastating news.  Bonnie has had biopsies, radiation, chemo, etc. She’s been through it all and when you’re told that you will need chemo for the rest of your life… that is very sobering. We still have one son in high school but I am fortunate enough to be able to work a lot from home. This is extremely helpful since my wife has to receive chemo every week. Frequently, she feels weak, tired, and nauseous and we just aren’t able to do what we used to. But cancer not only wears on you physically but mentally and emotionally as well. We do our best and try to take things one day at a time. Most people not directly affected by cancer don’t realize the overall impact from a physical, mental, emotional AND financial standpoint. I was one of them until it entered our lives. I realize now.

I love my wife with all of my heart and soul. She is truly the definition of a soulmate. It pains me to think about ever losing her as much as it pains me to watch her suffer through this. My hope for the next generation is that a solution is found to beat cancer once and for all. Too many people suffer with this disease today and too many families have to endure the hardships along with those affected.