Mom with terminal cancer writes cards for toddler to open throughout life

When Heather McManamy received a terminal cancer diagnosis, she worried about not being there for her 4-year-old daughter's milestones. So she began writing cards for the toddler to open throughout her life.

"They're like this physical representation of 'this is all of the stuff I'm going to miss,'" she told ABC News. "I'm going to miss everything and I never like missing anything. I'm always the last one to leave the party."

The Wisconsin mom, 35, was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in April 2013 and was told it was terminal in August 2014. She's in her fourth round of chemotherapy out of a total of nine rounds.

"It's in my liver, my bones, my skull, it's everywhere," she said.

But don't get her wrong: McManamy said she's going to be there for Brianna as long as she possibly can.

"I will do anything and everything to be here for my daughter and my husband," she said. "Every one of these that I get to hand out in person will be an accomplishment."

McManamy said she has written more than 40 cards for Brianna's wedding day, when she receives her driver license, her first breakup and even just words of encouragement on a bad day. She also made a video for Brianna to watch when she is older.

No matter what, McManamy wants Brianna to be happy and stay true to herself, she said.

"She grew up with mommy having cancer as normal, but she's so happy and hilarious. That kid loves to dance and shake her butt," she said. "She's a special, empathetic kid and she really cares for other people."

McManamy, who has been married for 13 years, said she hopes her cards will inspire other parents with cancer to leave something behind.

"It's really painful to know that they're going to be sad and I won't be there to comfort them," she said. "I guess I still have hope. I'm just not ready to say goodbye yet."

Read more about McManamy on her GoFundMe page.