Cancer doesn't get the last vote. For Deb Krier, that wasn't just a motivational statement. It was something she said when doctors weren't sure she would survive. In Episode 49 of Rebuild & Fulfill, Kelsey Dunbar sits down with Deb Krier, a Stage 4 HER2-positive breast cancer survivor, entrepreneur, speaker, cancer advocate, and host of The Business Power Hour, for a conversation about cancer survival, resilience, self-advocacy, mental health, identity, and choosing to live rather than simply trying not to die. In 2015, Deb's life changed when a Stage 0 breast cancer diagnosis progressed to Stage 4. What followed included additional cancers, septic shock, seven weeks in the hospital, and 34 surgeries requiring anesthesia. At one point, a surgeon didn't believe she would survive another three hours. Deb's response? "Excuse me, I get to vote." But this conversation goes far beyond the medical challenges. Deb opens up about living with cancer while still having responsibilities, relationships, a business, and a life that doesn't stop because of a diagnosis. She shares the emotional toll of serious illness, the friends who disappeared, the importance of showing up for someone who's struggling, and why asking for help is a sign of strength rather than weakness. We also explore her platform, TryingNotToDie.LIVE, and the difference between spending your life trying not to die and making the conscious decision to actually live. In this episode, we discuss: Living with Stage 4 breast cancer and facing life-threatening complicationsSurviving septic shock and multiple surgeriesCancer, identity, and refusing to be defined by a diagnosisThe emotional impact of serious illness, including grief, guilt, and isolationSelf-advocacy and learning to speak up in medical situationsWhat to say, and what not to say, to someone facing cancerWhy specific offers of help matter more than good intentions aloneThe importance of humor, relationships, and maintaining your sense of selfHow cancer affects entrepreneurs, business owners, and organizational leadersAsking for help, building support systems, and learning to delegateMoving beyond survival and choosing how you want to liveDeb also shares her L.I.V.E. framework: L — Lead Your Tribe I — Invigorate Your Soul V — Voice Your Feelings E — Elevate Your Mindset These aren't just lessons for people living with cancer. They're lessons for anyone navigating adversity, uncertainty, major life changes, or circumstances they never expected to face. One of the most powerful moments comes when Deb explains what cancer did not take from her. Her humor. Her personality. Her voice. Her identity. Cancer changed Deb's life, but it didn't get to decide who Deb Krier would be. Whether you're facing a cancer diagnosis, supporting someone who is, or working through unexpected challenges, this episode is a reminder that you may not control everything that happens to you, but you can still have a voice in what happens next. Connect with Deb Krier: Trying Not to Die: https://tryingnottodie.live/ The Business Power Hour: https://thebusinesspowerhour.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahkrier/ About Rebuild & Fulfill Real conversations about resilience, transformation, mental health, overcoming adversity, and rebuilding a meaningful life when things don't go according to plan. Subscribe, share this conversation with someone who may need it, and join us for more stories of rebuilding and fulfillment. #CancerSurvivor #Stage4BreastCancer #CancerAwareness #Resilience #RebuildAndFulfill