Elizabeth McSpadden

After seeing how palliative care helped me through cancer, I now advocate for these services to other patients.

My metastatic breast cancer has caused metastases to my brain, so it's important I advocate for my brain when symptoms arise.

When I found out I had a metastasis to my brain, I felt so uncertain, until I learned more about leptomeningeal disease.

I've found a little bit of joy in naming the six active tumors in my body.

Soon after experiencing headaches and other symptoms, I spoke up to my oncologist — and I’m glad I did.

Who knew how impactful socks could be!

This is how I accepted that I am running out of time and options.

I didn't have a choice but to get tattoos for my radiation.

A year ago, I attended a cancer camp called Camp Make-a-Dream, and I found a specific calling: creativity in jewelry.

The statistics for metastatic are grim, so I made a list of my own numbers instead.

Who would have thought that a small dinosaur toy helped give me the strength to fight metastatic breast cancer?

I'm thankful that I spoke up about my bone pain related to cancer metastases.

When I was first diagnosed, I wasn’t sure what kind of support to ask for, but now I’m thankful to have many wonderful forms of support around me.

Here are a few ways I stay grounded throughout cancer.

I didn’t think that I’d lose my hair again after starting my latest breast cancer treatment, but I did — and with that hair loss came both new and familiar feelings.

After I was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, clinicians told me I wouldn’t make it to my 35th birthday, but I recently did — and look forward to celebrating many more.

Last month, I learned that the treatment for my metastatic breast cancer stopped working, but was thrilled to learn about Enhertu — a new drug for a new subset of patients with breast cancer — as the next line of therapy.

As we enter 2023, I’m looking at life a bit differently, and will prioritize things that make me happy.

After being diagnosed with cancer, my love for December is not just Christmas.

I’ve realized that my forgetfulness and business of working multiple jobs through cancer might have actually helped my mental health.

Since I have stage 4 breast cancer, I wanted an oncologist affiliated with a research institution. However, I hated the prospect of frequent long drives for care. Luckily, I got the best of both worlds.

On the same day that I learned of my cancer progression, I also found out I had COVID-19. Here’s how I handled that dark period of life.

I’ve channeled my cancer-related anger into advocacy, and made a “living list” of things I want to accomplish.

As I reflect on four years of “warriorhood” since being diagnosed with cancer, I wrote a letter to my younger self and others who are just receiving diagnosis.

Losing my hair from breast cancer treatments was an emotional experience for me and helped me empathize with others who also lost their hair.

After experiencing complications from breast reconstruction, I’ve decided to go “fabulously flat” and evict my implants.

As I reflect on the month of June, I see it as my “rebirth,” as four years ago, I was diagnosed with cancer, and my life has not been the same ever since.

After being diagnosed with breast cancer, I struggled to discuss what was going on, but once I started a blog, the sunshine began to pour in.

Getting other medical opinions for my cancer diagnosis not only saved my life but also taught me self-care.

I let go of knowing I won’t ever be without anxiety of my cancer growing again and let go of the idea of any “old me” returning. I was now focusing on the “new me.”