In October 2020, while vacationing in Florida, Bethany experienced severe back pain that she initially dismissed as an injury. Despite assurances from her oncologist, her intuition told her otherwise. It took eight grueling months, multiple doctor visits, and finally, a scan, to reveal the devastating truth: stage 4 incurable metastatic breast cancer, having spread to her bones, liver, and lymph nodes.
The news hit Bethany hard, especially as she had meticulously followed an integrative approach to healing after her first diagnosis, including chemotherapy and a double mastectomy. Now 39, she felt a profound sense of injustice, having dedicated her life to supporting others in the cancer community. However, Bethany once again chose to focus on living. She underwent palliative radiation to manage the pain, started hormone therapy which led to menopause, and underwent chemotherapy. This eventually brought the cancer under control, leading to a period of "no evidence of disease" (NED).
Life seemed to be looking up as she got engaged to Tim in 2023 and began planning their wedding. But just a month before their June wedding, the cancer progressed again, causing familiar pain in her hip. Despite hospital visits for biopsies and the immense stress, Bethany pushed through. She started a new, gentler treatment two weeks before the wedding, allowing her to walk down the aisle and dance on her perfect day.
The battle continued, however. Five months after her wedding, the cancer progressed significantly, affecting her lung, liver, bones, and chest lymph nodes, and severely impacting her pelvis. The pain was so intense that she couldn't walk without medication, and a tumor blocked her ureter, requiring surgery. Thanksgiving 2024 was a moment of true fear and reflection for Bethany, as she wondered if it would be her last.
Yet, a beacon of hope emerged on December 6, when she began a new targeted chemotherapy called Enhertu. Miraculously, after just one dose, her pain vanished, and she was able to stop all pain medication. Christmas Day found her skiing with Tim, a moment of profound joy and disbelief. By February, her scans showed remarkable improvement, with her tumor markers returning to normal for the first time in years.
While her word for 2025 was "stability," Bethany found something even better: a miracle. On May 28, she received the wonderful news that Enhertu was continuing its powerful work, with the cancer stable, shrinking, and even disappearing. What was once a celebration of being cancer-free five years prior, transformed into a celebration of life, treatment success, and the ability to share her inspiring story on a significant platform.
Bethany acknowledges that cancer has taken much from her, but it has also given her an invaluable sense of presence and gratitude. She cherishes every moment, from hiking and skiing to spending time with family and waking up next to the love of her life. Through it all, she continues to openly share her journey on Instagram (@mygurucancer), aiming to offer strength, hope, and reassurance to others facing similar battles. Bethany Adair, a 43-year-old mindset coach and author, is a true embodiment of turning pain into purpose and living life to the fullest.
