Woman diagnosed with rare condition that causes organs to harden
Becky Unwin, 34, was devastated to be diagnosed with systemic sclerosis after a routine blood test
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Your support makes all the difference.A woman was diagnosed with a devastating and rare autoimmune condition that hardens her internal organs after a routne blood test - and took control of her life by having a Lord of the Rings-themed wedding, complete with hobbit centrepieces and elven lanterns.
Becky Unwin, 34, was over the moon when fellow Tolkien enthusiast, Jack, 28, a senior projects engineer, proposed in Edinburgh in May 2017, welcoming a son, Albert, now four, just over a year later in July 2018.
But in January 2021 the family was struck with heartache when Becky was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune condition, systemic sclerosis, that causes the hardening of her internal organs, prompting the pair to book their wedding and make the most of life.
Tying the knot in front of 40 family and friends on December 1, 2022, the Lord of the Rings-mad couple agreed the only suitable theme for their wedding would be the famous fantasy films, creating centrepieces, flower arrangements, cakes and signs to represent their shared love.
“My son, Albert, already requests to watch it,” laughed Becky.
“I think I would be a dwarf and Jack would be an elf, because he’s tall. We’re always listening to the books or watching the film.
“There was no question it was going to be part of our wedding day.”
Meeting Jack whilst the pair worked at a hotel in the Peak District, the couple fell madly in love.
“I was the hotel manager and Jack worked there, so I was his boss,” said Becky.
“Lord of the Rings was one of the first things we talked about.”
In May 2017, Becky was over the moon when Jack proposed, and the pair decided to start trying for a baby right away.
“I got told when I was in my 20s, that it would be hard to conceive,” she explained.
“So, we initially started trying thinking that we would get married after Jack finished university and then by that time, we would have been trying for at least a year before seeing a specialist.
“But I got pregnant straight away. Jack lived in London for university while I lived in Sheffield.
“I lived by myself for most of my pregnancy, so Jack bought me two gerbils. We named them Gimli and Gandalf, after the characters in Lord of the Rings.”
In July 2018, Becky gave birth to their son, Albert.
“Albert was born by an emergency c-section,” she said.
“He wasn’t breathing when he was born and then had strep B, so we stayed in hospital a few more days, but he was fine.”
New arrival Albert was quickly introduced to Lord of the Rings, with Becky saying he has quickly fallen in love with the epic tales.
“We watch them frequently, not every week, but enough to know the extended editions word for word,” laughed Becky.
“It’s always playing in the car or on the TV and we’re always quoting it. My favourite part of the film is Legolas and Gimli’s friendship.”
“Its just part of our everyday life and Albert loves it too.”
However, in January 2021 the family were devastated when Becky was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune condition, systemic sclerosis, after a routine blood test.
Systemic sclerosis is an auto immune condition that deposits collagen in the skin and tissue – while some forms can be mild, Becky’s condition causes the tissue of her internal organs to harden.
“I go to the hospital every three months to be checked out and go for scans and stuff,” she said.
“I’m not going to tell Albert until he’s old enough to understand or if it gets to that point where we know I’m on my last legs.
“I could have many years ahead in which case he is going to be old enough to understand.”
But the couple refused to let Becky’s diagnosis affect them and the pair decided that life was too short and booked their wedding for December 1 2022.
“Sadly Jack’s grandma and my grandma passed away so we were both left a bit of money,” said Becky.
“After my diagnosis we decided to book the wedding. We used £1,000 from the money to put a deposit down on a venue.”
Meanwhile, there was no argument over what the theme of the big day would be – sourcing decorations, however, proved a more difficult task.
“Before Rings of Power came out a lot of stuff was hard to get hold of,” she said.
I’m just making the most of everything
“I had to get a lot of things from eBay and we made a lot ourselves. My mum and dad did Lord of the Rings invitations and we made our own themed signs throughout the venue with Tolkien’s maps on.”
She added: “Everything was the same green from the film, including the bridesmaid dresses. The flower girl and my son both had action figures, one of Arwen and the other of Aragon.
“My bridesmaids carried elven lanterns down the aisle and each table was a different part of Middle Earth, so the centrepiece was a model of that. That took a long time to make.
“The wedding cake had Sam and Rosie wedding toppers. My father-in-law made busts for our place setting of Arwen and Aragon.”
“And Gandalf was the topper for our cheesecake for the evening.”
Just like the original one ring, Jack’s wedding ring was forged for him.
“Jack’s dad used a signet ring and a pair of his grandmother’s earrings to make his wedding ring,” added Becky.
A savvy saver, Becky thrifted many items, saving over £5,000 on dresses, suits, decorations and the venue.
“Our venue cost £2,200 instead of £3,400 because of a last minute deal,” she said.
“My wedding dress was only £600 but it would have been £3,000 new. I even managed to get a 1950s style dress for the evening for £60 on eBay instead of £1,000.”
“My six bridesmaid dresses were £13 each, reduced from £90 and Jack’s suit was reduced by £200.”
Tying the knot in front of 40 friends and family, Becky and Jack showed that one ring really does rule them all.
“We walked down the aisle to ‘Concerning Hobbits’ from the film,” said Becky.
“The day was just perfect. We wanted it to represent us and it did.”
Now, Becky is focusing on making memories with Jack and Albert and the trio are jetting off to sunny Mexico in June this year for a belated honeymoon.
“It’s a honeymoon for all three of us,” said Becky.
“I’m just making the most of everything. After my diagnosis, I decided to get a professional photo taken of us every Christmas, so that both Jack and Albert will have precious memories to look back on.”