15 June 2018

After being diagnosed with a disease which was attacking and damaging her kidneys, Becky Carroll-Lees felt like she wanted to die.

Becky with her children Chloe and Liam

Despite having a young family, the formerly fit and healthy 37-year-old felt like her life was over as dealing with her treatment took its toll both physically and mentally.

But just six months on, Becky is preparing to walk 42 miles across the breadth of Wales to raise money for the team she credits with saving her life.

Last December, Becky, from Caersws, near Newtown, Powys, was diagnosed with Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a condition which causing scarring on the kidneys and affects the filtering units inside the kidneys which clean the blood.

Becky, who moved to Mid Wales from Coventry eight years ago, said: “I was in rapid decline, leading to emergency dialysis being needed. As you do, I went through the grieving process… denial, anger, depression.

“During my depression stage, I really did want to just die and get it over with; in fact, I asked to sign a Do Not Resuscitate order. I’m 37 with my youngest being only 10, but I felt like my life was over. I was on dialysis three times a week, which caused some vomiting and pain.

“I lost a lot of weight and all my muscle mass. No longer able to work, I lost the will to live.

“The renal team at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital could see I needed that extra bit of help, both physically and mentally and went way above what they get paid for to get me through it. I’m still here.

“The team has been amazing. Six months of dialysis and I’m now much healthier and in a better place mentally. Given all that they have to do already, the renal team are a big part in why I am still alive today, and that’s not an exaggeration.”

Now, “fitter than I thought I would ever be again”, Becky is planning to attempt the Rotary Across Wales Walk, a 42 mile trek which this year has picked Kidney Wales as its designated charity. The money raised from the £45 registration fee will go to that charity, but participants can also chose to fundraise for their own cause, with Becky collecting money for the Renal Unit at RSH.

Becky said: “I picked the Renal Unit as without them, my family would be grieving around about now, which would be devastating for them – even more so as my father in-law died on Christmas Day.

“This is a long walk which I have wanted to do for years. Last year, as I was ill, I only took part in the last eight miles with my 10-year-old daughter, Chloe. My husband, Malcolm, and my 18-year-old son, Liam, completed the whole 42 miles.”

Becky will tackle the challenge on 23 June. To sponsor her, visit her JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/becky-jane-carroll-lees