Stage 4, But Not the End of the Story

A quiet note from someone who chose a different path

Photo by Tim Marshall on Unsplash

Lately I’ve been watching TikTok videos from women going through stage 4 breast cancer. Some are young. Some are still figuring out their treatment plans. Some are sharing updates from infusion chairs or scan day check-ins. Others are showing the more personal stuff — how it feels, what’s changed, what they’ve learned.

As someone who’s also been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, I just want to say: I see you. And I’ve been there too.

This diagnosis is a lot. It’s more than just a medical label — it affects how you see yourself, how others see you, and how you navigate your daily life. There’s no script for how to handle it. And there’s certainly no one “right” way.

For me, healing meant doing things differently. I took a more alternative path — one that included daily detox routines, nutritional changes, and supplements that helped support my body. I stayed consistent. I stayed curious. I asked questions. I looked for tools outside the standard playbook, and slowly, I started seeing results.

And today? I’m not just surviving. I’m living. I’m healthy. I beat stage 4.

That’s not to say it was easy, or that I have all the answers. But I do know that what we’re told isn’t always the full story. There are options out there. And it’s okay to explore them. It’s okay to listen to your instincts and take a path that feels aligned with what your body and mind need.

Watching so many of you share your stories — your honesty, your humor, your fear, your strength — reminds me how important it is that we keep talking about this. That we show the full picture. That we remind each other that we’re not alone, and that healing is possible in more than one way.

If you’re in it right now — whether you’re in treatment, trying something different, or just trying to get through the day — I want you to know there’s still a future for you. It doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. You get to write your own story.

I’ll be here quietly rooting for you. From one stage 4 to another — keep going.

XOXO-Annie