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We Got This: How I Learned to Thrive with Terminal Cancer
Elissa Kalver is not shy about sharing the reality of her terminal cancer diagnosis and the transformation it has brought to her understanding of what it means to really live a full life. For Elissa, survival alone is not enough. In We Got This, she describes how having cancer has broadened her definition of what it means to "win,” urging us to reconsider our own conceptions of success and resilience.
Elissa openly explores topics such as chemo treatment, fertility preservation, what NOT to say to a cancer patient, caregivers as the “invisible patient,” fear around death, parenting with cancer, and so much more. Through her experience and insights, Elissa aims to inspire us to live our most authentic life possible—and cancer is not a prerequisite.
Elissa openly explores topics such as chemo treatment, fertility preservation, what NOT to say to a cancer patient, caregivers as the “invisible patient,” fear around death, parenting with cancer, and so much more. Through her experience and insights, Elissa aims to inspire us to live our most authentic life possible—and cancer is not a prerequisite.
- GenresNonfiction
224 pages, Hardcover
Published June 3, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 8, 2025
Uplifting, Honest, and Unforgettable!
What an inspiration! I read “We Got This” in one sitting — I couldn’t put it down. This book is a must-read for cancer thrivers, but truly, anyone can benefit from Elissa’s powerful, honest, and hopeful story. She writes with such warmth and authenticity, it feels as though she’s right there in the room, speaking directly to you.
Elissa’s reflections on resilience, success, fear, and what it means to live authentically are both moving and thought-provoking. The inclusion of insights from Dr. Alison Peck, Lauren LoGrasso, and Elissa’s loving husband and caregiver, Eric — in their own words — adds even more depth and richness to the narrative.
I learned a great deal — including the term AYA on page 138 — and came away feeling both informed and uplifted. I’m already planning to buy copies for friends and family. This is the kind of book that stays with you — and sparks meaningful conversations.
What an inspiration! I read “We Got This” in one sitting — I couldn’t put it down. This book is a must-read for cancer thrivers, but truly, anyone can benefit from Elissa’s powerful, honest, and hopeful story. She writes with such warmth and authenticity, it feels as though she’s right there in the room, speaking directly to you.
Elissa’s reflections on resilience, success, fear, and what it means to live authentically are both moving and thought-provoking. The inclusion of insights from Dr. Alison Peck, Lauren LoGrasso, and Elissa’s loving husband and caregiver, Eric — in their own words — adds even more depth and richness to the narrative.
I learned a great deal — including the term AYA on page 138 — and came away feeling both informed and uplifted. I’m already planning to buy copies for friends and family. This is the kind of book that stays with you — and sparks meaningful conversations.
January 11, 2026
We Got This is an honest, courageous, and deeply human book that goes far beyond a typical memoir. Elissa Kalver writes with clarity and emotional depth about what it means to live with terminal cancer, but what truly makes this book powerful is how it redefines what it means to “win” in life. Her story is not centered on fear it is centered on meaning, connection, and living with intention.
What makes this book especially impactful is its openness. Elissa does not shy away from the hard realities of illness, caregiving, and uncertainty, yet her voice remains compassionate, hopeful, and grounded. We Got This is a book that offers strength to those facing illness and wisdom to anyone who wants to live more fully and honestly.
What makes this book especially impactful is its openness. Elissa does not shy away from the hard realities of illness, caregiving, and uncertainty, yet her voice remains compassionate, hopeful, and grounded. We Got This is a book that offers strength to those facing illness and wisdom to anyone who wants to live more fully and honestly.
July 15, 2025
A very inspiring book and a reminder to live your life and do what is right for you in any given moment. I would have liked to know a bit more about the author and a bit less about the non-profit but nonetheless it was a valuable read that I recommend whether or not cancer has touched your life.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews