Not Just Surviving—Thriving with Stage IV Cancer as a Parent with Elissa Kalver

The Space Between

What happens when a terminal diagnosis meets the heart of motherhood, advocacy, and resilience?

Elissa Kalver, founder of WeGotThis.org and author of We Got This: How I Learned to Thrive with Terminal Cancer, shares how living with metastatic breast cancer has redefined her life, her parenting, and her purpose. Diagnosed just before her daughter’s first birthday, Elissa opens up about navigating treatment while raising a toddler, launching a nonprofit, and embracing the messy, beautiful reality of living fully in the face of uncertainty.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The emotional impact of parenting with cancer: Elissa talks about the challenges of caring for a young child while undergoing treatment—and how honesty, creativity, and humor helped her communicate with her daughter.
• Why asking for help doesn’t have to feel heavy: Learn how Elissa created a nonprofit cancer registry that gives patients an easy, empowering way to get support from friends and family.
• What thriving really looks like: Elissa challenges the idea that surviving is the goal. Instead, she shares how she’s learned to live with joy, purpose, and unapologetic intention—even in the hardest moments.

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Intro

(02:07) Elissa's cancer reveal story

(05:24) What metastatic breast cancer really means

(07:32) Getting diagnosed as a new mom

(14:14) Talking to her daughter about cancer

(21:20) Balancing parenting and treatment

(24:22) Living life fully with terminal cancer

(25:18) A dedication to her daughter

(26:26) The story behind Elissa’s new book

(29:30) How cancer changes your empathy

(31:21) Launching WeGotThis.org

(34:37) Creating a “thriver list” and registry

(39:21) Why joy and fun are essential to healing

(42:59) What thriving means beyond the diagnosis

(45:22) Final thoughts for parents with cancer

Resources:

• Visit Elissa’s site: https://www.elissakalver.com/
• Get the book We Got This: https://www.elissakalver.com/we-got-this
• Connect with Elissa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elissakalver/
• Connect with Elissa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elissakalver/?hl=en
• Learn more and start a registry: https://wegotthis.org
• Connect with Amri on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amri-kibbler-71333b15/
• Connect with The Space Between on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespacebetween_cancer.family
• Connect with Amri on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amrikibbler/
• Amri’s official website: https://www.amrikibbler.com/
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