'I don't want my daughter to remember me as poorly'

A young mum diagnosed with life-limiting cancer says she hopes making a memory book for her daughter will help her to "remember all the fun stuff as well".

Beth, from Tonbridge in Kent, was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in October 2024, but despite chemotherapy and radiotherapy was told in August that she would be receiving palliative care.

The 27-year-old now says she wants to spend as much time as possible making memories with her four-year-old daughter, Willow, and has created a "read me when you need me" book for her to look at as she gets older.

Speaking at a hospice in Tunbridge Wells, she said: "I don't want to cloud her memory of me as just poorly."

Beth added: "I want her to remember all the fun stuff as well. We used to have so much fun before I was poorly.

"She has had to grow up a bit quicker but I think it has done her some kind of good because she is an amazing person."

In her late teens, Beth was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, but last year she was referred for a colonoscopy after her symptoms worsened.

She was diagnosed with cancer after the scan, which was later found to have spread to her lymph nodes, liver and lungs.

Beth, who is receiving care at the Hospice in the Weald, has now written personal notes to Willow on 120 topics inside the memory book.

In one extract, she writes: "When I brought you your milk I held your bottle in front of you and stroked your hair.

"I kept thinking 'she's so perfect and beautiful'. I kept thinking 'this world better be kind to you'."

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