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In this deeply moving episode of Still I Rise, Allison Spampinato shares her story of living with metastatic breast cancer while carrying unimaginable grief, fear, and responsibility. Diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Allison fought through chemotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery, and radiation — only to face a devastating turn when the cancer spread to her brain shortly after losing her father to metastatic pancreatic cancer.

As a mother of three, a wife, and a lifelong caregiver, Allison carried far more than illness. She carried grief, expectation, and the unspoken role of being “the strong one” for everyone around her — even after brain surgery and during ongoing chemotherapy.

Using the powerful metaphor of a shield and a trembling sword, Allison reflects on fear, resilience, and the slow, sacred process of learning that strength doesn’t mean doing everything alone. This episode explores stage 4 breast cancer, caregiver burnout, anticipatory grief, and the courage it takes to ask for help.

If you are navigating metastatic cancer, caring for others while silently breaking, or learning how to live alongside fear without letting it consume you, this story will remind you: you are not alone — and strength can be found even when the weight feels unbearable.

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Still I Rise features stories from You Night's STORY CRAFTING COMMUNITY. To read additional stories, visit our Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/YouNightStories. Would you like to participate in a 6-week Story Crafting small group experience so that you can share your story? Write to us at teamyounight@gmail.com