When Caley Ashpole paints, she is transported to another world, briefly escaping the reality of stage 4 incurable breast cancer. The 41-year-old mother of two has found solace in art after being diagnosed on Christmas Eve 2024.
A Devastating Diagnosis
Caley discovered an abnormal lump in her breast, and by Christmas Eve, her doctor confirmed it was cancer. Determined to protect their children, she and her husband Brad, married for 15 years, continued with Christmas celebrations for their sons Ike, 12, and Moss, 10.
In early January, their worst fears were confirmed: the cancer had spread to her torso, hip, spine, and the base of her skull, transforming an initial stage 2 HER2-positive diagnosis into stage 4 metastatic disease. Her oncologist estimates she has three to five years to live.
Finding Escape Through Art
Amid uncertainty, Caley turned to painting. “When I paint, I don’t think about cancer,” she says. “It gives me a break from everything.” What began as a coping mechanism became a dream realized when her work was featured in British Vogue in March 2025.
She shaved her head before starting weekly chemotherapy and immunotherapy, a confronting loss that marked a deeper shift in confidence. “The past year has been about confidence in how you live your life,” she explains.
Living with Purpose
Being given a timeframe has ignited a fire in Caley. She no longer waits for the perfect moment. “You stop waiting until you’re better or ready,” she says. “You realise you don’t know how much time you have.”
She treasures ordinary moments, like watching an elderly couple hold hands, knowing she may not grow old with Brad. “There’s beauty in the everyday,” she reflects. “Life is such a blessing.”
Hope for the Future
Despite her prognosis, Caley remains hopeful about medical advances. “Our generation could either be the last to die from this disease or the first to be cured,” she says.
For now, she paints not just as an escape but to create something meaningful for her loved ones. Her artwork is available at caleyashpole.com. “Nothing matters more than the people you love,” she says. “I want to spend my time being present and making it count.”
