Stage IV Breast Cancer: Elissa's Patient Story
This breast cancer diagnosis at a glance
- Stage at diagnosis
- Stage IV
- Sex
- Female
- Outcome
- Living With Cancer
What happened, in summary
Elissa Kalver was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer just before her daughter’s 1st birthday. The diagnosis brought the shock of Stage IV cancer together with the everyday responsibilities of caring for a very young child. One of the hardest parts was not only facing treatment and uncertainty, but also figuring out how to ask for help. Friends and family wanted to support her, yet she saw how difficult it could be for patients to explain what would actually make daily life easier. That experience led Elissa to create We Got This, a registry designed for people with cancer and their caregivers. The idea was simple and practical: let patients name the kinds of support they need, from useful items to services that make home life more manageable, so loved ones do not have to guess. Her story centers on living with metastatic breast cancer while turning a personal need into a broader support tool for others. The practical focus matters because support can otherwise arrive as well-meaning but mismatched help. As of April 2026, Elissa was described as a metastatic breast cancer thriver and advocate, using her experience to help patients feel seen, supported, and less alone during cancer care.
Where this story comes from
This is a lay summary of an account first published by Dear Cancer, I'm Beautiful (LBBC). Read the original in full
How we source and attribute stories Accuracy and limitations
These are lay summaries of published cancer stories, for information only. No two cancers behave the same way, and nothing here predicts your own diagnosis or replaces advice from your oncology team. Read the full disclaimer