News

A cancer survivor's story: The provider becomes the patient

Ellen Reed

By UNC Health Pardee, Published: June 9, 2023

In the 10 years she worked as a director at UNC Health Pardee from 1995-2005, Ellen Reed spent much of her time as part of a strategic committee that had a goal of one day creating a comprehensive cancer center for the organization.

Today, that dream is a reality as the Pardee Cancer Center opened its doors in 2016. And while it’s been astonishing to see this vision come to fruition, Ellen never imagined that she’d end up there as a patient.

The provider becomes the patient

An advanced practice nurse, Ellen, 75, is a profoundly driven woman who worked and traveled well past the “retirement age.” As she finally decided it was time to take a step back and begin to enjoy the golden years of life, life threw her a curveball.

As a clinician, you’re used to taking care of people and not always prepared for a role reversal. In the fall of 2018, Ellen went in for what she thought was a routine hernia surgery but turned out to be one of the most difficult days of her life.

“I woke up expecting to hear that I had been healed,” Ellen said. Instead, the news she got was nothing she could have ever imagined: You have cancer, three of the most gut-wrenching words a person can hear.

“Just before the surgery, I was thinking about retirement and the next chapter in my life,” Ellen said. Instead, she found herself back at the hospital, but this time as an advanced-stage ovarian cancer patient.

The fight of her life

“How many years?” That’s the first thing Ellen asked her oncologist, Dr. James Radford, who told her he thought she had about four years to live. “It was like a bullet through my forehead,” Ellen recalled. “That’s not enough time, I need more time.”

What followed was a grueling four years of chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments. When reflecting on these last several years, Ellen expresses gratitude for the Pardee Cancer Center team. “The care has been amazing,” she said. “Sometimes it’s overwhelming to think about how different my experience could have been if it wasn’t for Pardee.”

Ellen shared that what’s helped keep her alive this long through this grueling battle is being able to be home and by her family – an option that hasn’t always been available. “It’s wonderful and convenient to be able to have all your care and all your physicians in one place,” she said.

A legacy of love

Ellen reflects on her journey and cancer battle as she considers the question, what would you do knowing your life will be shortened?

“I gave thanks for my many blessings and then began reaching out to family and friends,” Ellen said. “I was determined to let them know the meaning they brought to my life and expressed my love and appreciation.”

“We’re all going to die,” Ellen said matter of factly. “There’s a beginning and an end, but it’s what you do in the middle that really counts.” Ellen has penned a book and several encouraging articles in hopes to leave her legacy of love and resilience. She says she’s going to spend the time she has left honoring her reason for being here and all of the cancer warriors who stand beside her and do what it takes to stay alive and enjoy life.

A hopeful mindsight

This year, National Cancer Survivors Day was celebrated on June 4 to honor cancer survivors like Ellen, raise awareness of the ongoing challenges cancer survivors face and celebrate life.
“It gives me hope,” Ellen said, on what Cancer Survivors Day means to her. And while she is still in the midst of her battle and recognizes that cancer may one day take her life, she says she wakes up every morning grateful and proud to be a part of this world.

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Pardee Cancer Center is a comprehensive cancer center that provides services patients will need during a cancer journey —  under one roof. In addition to diagnosing and treating specific types of cancer, Pardee has a seasoned and highly skilled support team to guide every step of the process. To learn more about cancer care at UNC Health Pardee, visit www.pardeehospital.org/care-treatment/cancer/