When life gives you lemons....

Earlier this year our friend and fellow school mum Becky was diagnosed with Stage IIb Cervical Cancer. Becky is 32 and is a proud mum to Maila who has recently turned five. After her diagnosis, Becky astounded us with her emotional strength and positive attitude and we watched her go through weeks of difficult chemotherapy and radiotherapy at The Christie in Manchester. Becky, her friends and family and the wider community all hoped that in a few months time the tumour, nicknamed “the lemon”, would be no more.

Becky is a single mum with a huge support network of family and friends. With them by her side, she threw herself into memory making and adventures with Maila over the summer. These two beautiful girls have more energy than the rest of us put together.

Sadly, at the beginning of September after her follow up scan, Becky was given the news that although the original tumour had all but disappeared, the cancer has now spread to her spine, pelvis and lymph nodes. As devastating as this news is, Becky is however optimistic that the cancer can be managed for some time into the future.

She has already successfully endured another cycle of difficult radiotherapy, managing the school run and all that entails combined with a social life along with the pain, nausea and other symptoms she has on daily basis.

We are very fortunate to have Becky as a friend. She is always smiling, even at the worst of times and has an extraordinary way of coping with all that life has thrown in her direction with dignity, grace and humour. Our children are equally lucky to have Maila as their friend, a happy and caring little girl who has the brightest of futures ahead of her.

Becky is focused now on the memories she can make with Maila, the fun they can have together, the adventures they can go on and how to best equip Maila for what lies ahead. With this in mind we hope to raise as much money as possible to help fund these fun times and adventures.

We want this to be a flexible gift to Becky and Maila, money to help them fit in whatever day trips and holidays they desire which are also achievable in-between treatments and alongside the unpredictable nature of this disease.  You can be assured that Becky will use any money raised wisely and any remaining funds will be put in a Trust Fund for Maila’s future.

Please help Becky make as many wonderful memories with Maila as possible. She is hoping to get to Lapland before Christmas as their first trip. Please follow her memory making on her Instagram account bexlemonlife.

With love and many thanks

Caroline, Sophie, Karen, Kelly, Steph, Ruth, Jo, Emma, Vicki and the rest of Becky’s School Mums