And She Lived Happily Ever After

Volunteers transform young leukemia survivors room into fantasy world

After a day exploring Carlsbads Legoland, the Beckler family of Dana Point, pictured (L to R) Greg, Raelyn and Rebecca, return to find Raelyns room made into a fantasyland straight out of dreams by the nonprofit Special Spaces. Photo: Andrea Papagianis

By Andrea Papagianis

Raelyn Beckler stretches out on a snow-white shag rug. Arms spread wide, the vibrant 5-year-old moves her limbs in synchronization. Its snow, she proclaims. Im making an angel!

An hour earlier, Raelyn was surrounded by guests. Now, she is alone in her space, exploring each nook and cranny, examining every colorful toy, story-filled book, sparkling dress and family picture, feeling the materials and soaking in the new features of the bedroom created just for her.

Theres been a lot of change in her young lifeone filled with experiences well-beyond her five years.

Raelyn was just 2 when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a rapid-progressing cancer that attacks the bodys blood and bone marrowthe flexible tissue inside bones where red blood cells are produced. Raelyns parents took her to the doctor with a 104-degree fever that wouldnt break. When medications didnt combat what doctors believed to be a cold, and the young girl became lethargic, she went back. Several tests and office visits later, she was diagnosed. It was February 2012.

For just over two years, the young girl, nicknamed Warrior Princess by her father, battled the disease.

Her parents Greg and Rebecca Beckler by her side, Raelyn underwent monthly chemotherapy treatments at Childrens Hospital of Orange County, took daily doses of oral chemotherapy drugs, steroids and numerous other medications to fight off infections and mask side-effects of the treatment.

With high dosages of steroids running through her small body, Raelyns match with cancer took a hit when she suffered from bad reactions and developed a rare condition referred to as steroid psychosis.

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And She Lived Happily Ever After