A Statistic of One: How Elise Tedeschi Beat Stage IV Pancreatic Cancer as a Mom of Two

When Elise Tedeschi was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer, she was told the odds were stacked firmly against her… and she still had two young children who needed their mom. In this deeply personal conversation, Elise shares the long road from months of unexplained pain to a life-altering diagnosis, aggressive treatment, and ultimately becoming what her doctor called “a statistic of one.” Now a 13-year survivor, Elise reflects on motherhood as her driving force, the emotional and spiritual toll of cancer, the importance of self-advocacy in the medical system, and how faith, mindset, and community support carried her through when statistics said survival was unlikely. This episode goes beyond cancer care to explore fear, purpose, and what it truly means to keep choosing hope.