About Becks
Hey there, I’m Becks Wagoner.
I was born with Bladder Exstrophy. This is a birth defect where the bladder is on the outside of the body, inside out, and the pelvic bone isn’t fully formed.
My first surgery occurred at two days old and it lasted five hours. I was born early, at only 36 weeks into gestation. None of my mother’s ultrasounds during her pregnancy showed any irregularities and she wasn’t prepared for anything other than a healthy baby. Then again, most of life’s greatest challenges aren't ones we're prepared to face.
I was extremely lucky that I had a mother who didn’t blindly follow whatever the doctors said. She knew when we had a doctor that didn’t have my best interests at heart and knew when it was time to find a new one. She listened to her gut when things weren’t quite right and I’m so fortunate that it turned out to be the right decision.
We began to see a specialist at the Seattle Children’s Hospital when I was three years old. Not only did he specialize in Bladder Exstrophy, but specifically in females. At this point in time, because this defect is more common in males, most studies and research were based on male anatomy. Does anybody else see the problem here? It was a turning point. My mother recalls that first appointment and from the moment the doctor stepped into the room, it was a relief. He was the missing piece in my medical journey.
Not everyone will be so lucky to find their perfect doctor or have the courage to follow their instincts when something isn’t right. Even with these things, we muddled our way through. We had no support groups. My doctor was two states away. Both my mother and I had so many things going on in our lives that our friends (and family to a certain extent) just couldn’t understand. That’s why I started Body Talk with Becks. This is not a Bladder Exstrophy-specific podcast. This is for anyone who has any kind of childhood illness and for their parents. No one should have to go through it alone. It’s scary enough already!
I had to homeschool my way through part of middle school and all of high school due to medical-related issues. I went to community college and obtained an AA before going away to college and receiving a BA. I’ve moved from California to Virginia to Seattle. I have not outgrown my health issues. They continue to morph and grow with me. However, I have adapted habits, learned to monitor certain things on a regular basis, and proactively reach out to doctors when I notice something amiss in my own body. The scariest part of growing up and becoming an adult was learning how to make my own medical decisions and learning how to navigate all the forms and insurance and how to handle speaking with doctors, and nurses, and other hospital personnel. It’s certainly a learned talent, and something I wouldn’t have accomplished without many calls to my mother for advice.
Throughout the podcast, I will touch on all these different aspects, what worked and what didn’t. My hope is that this will help you and your family on your journey to a healthier and happier life. Follow along wherever you listen to podcasts and join the conversation on social media, you can find me on Facebook and Instagram under Body Talk With Becks.