Your Metastatic Bestie 💗✨

💗 About Me

Hi, I’m Gillian—aka Your Metastatic Bestie.

At 31, I was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer (ER+/PR+, HER2-low)—a life-changing moment that shifted everything I thought I knew about life, hope, and what it means to live fully.

This space is where I share the raw, the real, and the resilient parts of my journey. From treatment days and scanxiety to joyful moments, kitchen experiments (yes, I post recipes!), and all the messy middle in between—I’m here to say: you’re not alone.

At first, I started sharing on social media to make connections—to find peers who understood what it meant to live with metastatic breast cancer. I needed a place to feel less alone.

Over time, it evolved into something more. Your Metastatic Bestie became a space where I could share my life—my honest feelings, moments of joy, favorite recipes, dark humor, and everything in between.

What I didn’t expect was how deeply fulfilling these connections would become. I’ve been told my words bring comfort to others, but the truth is, I receive just as much comfort in return. The relationships I’ve built through this blog and social media have given me a sense of purpose I never imagined.

My hope is to thrive inside this diagnosis—and to help others feel seen, understood, and a little less alone.
Cancer is the worst thing that ever happened to me.
But somehow, the community it’s led me to has been the most meaningful experience of my life.

You’ll find my thoughts, vlogs, comfort food recipes, tips I wish I’d known, and maybe a little dark humor along the way. Because yes—we can talk about cancer and still laugh.

Whether you're newly diagnosed, caregiving, curious, or just cancer-adjacent and kind—I’m glad you’re here.

You're not alone.
And you’ve got a bestie in this with you.

💗
Gillian
(she/her)

My Diagnosis

In March 2025, I was told I likely had Stage 1A breast cancer. I underwent two surgeries with the hope of early-stage treatment and a manageable recovery. But shortly after, a PET scan revealed bone metastases in my right femur, left iliac wing, and spine (T12).

On May 21st, 2025, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer—an incurable but treatable diagnosis. My cancer is ER-positive, PR-positive, and HER2-low.

My Treatment Plan

I’m currently being treated with a combination of targeted therapy, hormone therapy, and bone-strengthening infusions. Here's what that looks like for me:

  • Kisqali (Ribociclib) – A CDK4/6 inhibitor that helps block proteins involved in cancer cell growth.

  • Letrozole – An aromatase inhibitor that lowers estrogen levels in the body.

  • Lupron (monthly injection) – Suppresses hormone production through the pituitary gland.

  • Zometa (every 3 months) – Helps strengthen my bones and reduce further degradation caused by bone metastases.