Charli writes book to comfort her daughter after second cancer diagnosis

A young mum from Devon she has channelled her experience of an incurable cancer diagnosis into writing a book.

Charli Lee, supported by FORCE during her cancer journey, created One Wish to comfort her daughter and other children in a similar situation and is now looking for a publisher.

This is Charli’s story in her own words.

“In 2016, at 31 years old, I was diagnosed with primary breast cancer. My daughter was only two. I was lucky in many ways; they said the cancer hadn’t spread to my lymph nodes, my Oncotype DX score was low, and I didn’t need chemotherapy. After a lumpectomy and radiotherapy, I believed I could close that chapter of my life.

“Famous last words.

Dread

“In 2023, a persistent pain in my arm sent me back and forth to the GP. The pain spread to my back and neck and a year after my first symptoms, I was referred to the hospital. I walked in feeling calm, but after the biopsy, as I waited to see the consultant, a wave of dread hit me and I broke down in the middle of the waiting room. My husband sat with me as the consultant confirmed what I already sensed: It looked like the cancer had come back.

“I was terrified. I’d had symptoms for so long that I feared the worst, yet I clung to hope. Maybe the biopsy would be benign. Maybe, like before, I’d just need radiotherapy and surgery. I didn’t yet know that secondary cancer is incurable.

“When we met the surgeon, I was told my care would be palliative. I was thirty‑eight. My daughter was 10. Palliative care was something I associated with my grandfather in his eighties, it wasn’t for someone like me.

“I’m frightened for myself, for the future I may not have and for the moments I’ll never reach. I want to be able to guide my daughter into adulthood and see who she becomes. I want to grow old with my husband so I can drag him to every social event in our care home. My greatest worry though, is how my diagnosis will impact my daughter’s life. I tried writing her letters for after I’m gone but imagining her reading them without me there to comfort her was unbearable.

Precious

“Instead, I focused on what I wanted her to know; that our time together has been precious and the love I’ve given her will stay with her, always. I decided to weave that message into a fictional story. While writing, I sadly lost a friend to cancer. Her son was still a baby and my heart broke for the memories he would never have of his wonderful mum. Thinking of him, and of my daughter, I began writing One Wish.

“I was incredibly fortunate that a Raw Writing Writing for Young People course began at the Phoenix Centre in Exeter just as I was drafting, which helped me shape the story into its best version.

“One Wish is written for middle‑grade readers and has friendship dramas woven through the emotional core. I’m now polishing the manuscript before sending it to agents. Becoming a published author is something I dreamed of long before my diagnosis, but cancer has turned something I wanted to achieve into something I feel I need to do.

Legacy

“What a legacy it would be to know my book was helping children navigate loss. I know the industry is competitive and I’ll self‑publish if needed because I truly believe in the reassuring message in One Wish.

“When I received my secondary diagnosis, I spiralled. The wait for scan results is a particular kind of horror I wish no one else had to know, but sadly too many people do.

“While I waited for those first results, to see how far the cancer had spread, I visited the FORCE Cancer Charity Support Centre. I broke down in front of a lovely volunteer, crying for someone to help me.

Support

“That moment changed something. I realised I had people beyond my friends and family to turn to. People who would support me in ways I hadn’t expected, through therapy, massage and more cups of tea than I can count (with the odd biscuit, of course).

“My experience would have been so much harder without charities like FORCE reminding me, at my lowest, that I don’t have to face this alone.

“If you’re able to, please follow my journey on Instagram: charli_lee_writes or Facebook: Charli Lee Writes.

“I started writing One Wish for my daughter, but I hope it can find its way into the hands of any child who needs the same message.”