Coming full circle: Former Children’s Hospital New Orleans patient finds her passion as a nurse to help others in their cancer journey

Laura Shinn knows firsthand the lasting impact that nurses have on their patients. Their kindness, compassion and selflessness go a long way to show how much they care. When Laura was six years old, she was diagnosed with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of soft tissue cancer. She spent two years in and out of the hospital undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments at Children’s Hospital New Orleans. As a 42-year-old cancer survivor, Laura credits her nurses and care team for instilling strength and encouraging her to push through even on her toughest days.

“They made my personal journey with cancer less traumatic for me,” said Laura. “They were always kind, caring and compassionate. When things got tough, they encouraged me to stay positive. They would do little things to help me cope with my illness. I remember when I got my blood drawn, the nurse took me to the lab where I learned how to count my white blood cells and platelets. When I think back to how my nurses helped me, it was only natural for me to give back and help others.”

Today, as an oncology nurse, Laura provides care and support to her patients, and is a shining pillar of hope, courage, and strength for them at Children’s Hospital, the same hospital where she was treated 35 years ago. While she understands the anxiety and uncertainty patients and their families go through, she can’t help but think back to the days when she was in their shoes. Laura vividly remembers that moment when everything changed for her – it was Mother’s Day 1987.

“I was a few weeks shy of celebrating my seventh birthday,” said Laura. “I had a stuffy nose and a cough that wouldn’t go away. Since I had trouble breathing, my mom suctioned my nose with a bulb syringe, and to her surprise, she pulled a tumor to the end of my nose. My mom rushed me to an urgent care clinic. The doctor there suggested I see an ENT. After my ENT performed a biopsy on the mass, I was diagnosed with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma. Instead of a family trip to Walt Disney World, I was sent to Children’s Hospital to see an oncologist and undergo further testing.”

Dr. Rafael Ducos, an oncologist with Children’s Hospital at the time, explained to Laura’s parents that the cancer in their daughter’s left sinus – thankfully – had not spread to her brain, and surgery was not an option because of where the tumor was located. Over the course of 24 months, Laura pushed through her grueling rounds of chemotherapy and radiation like a fearless cancer warrior.

“My first chemotherapy began the week of my seventh birthday,” said Laura. “After I got out of the hospital, I was excited because my parents were taking me and my brother to Walt Disney World. The trip motivated me to get through my first chemo treatment. Later on, the side effects from chemo were starting to kick in. My counts started dropping and I was tired all the time. I couldn’t go to several parks because I didn’t feel well. A few days later, my hair began to fall out. There were many times when I felt scared, but I knew I had to just keep going. I had chemotherapy five days a week on an outpatient basis. My treatment also included six weeks of radiation as well.”

Dr. Ducos was really big on home care. As Laura’s cancer treatments progressed, she received her chemotherapy at home where a nurse practitioner administered the medicine via her port. This worked out well for Laura. It didn’t interfere as much with her schoolwork. She went to school in the mornings and left in the early afternoons so she could receive her chemo treatments at home.

“I was doing so well with my treatments until I developed a severe case of mucositis,” said Laura. “The inflammation caused painful ulcers to form in my mouth and throat, which was a complication of my chemotherapy and radiation treatments. The pain made it hard for me to eat. When I couldn’t eat anymore, I was put on TPN therapy (IV feeding) for five months. It was difficult but I got through it. Along with my care team, my parents were a big part of my support system. They always remained strong for me, even though I knew how hard it was for them to see me battle this horrible disease.”

For Laura – her treatments worked. The cancer in her left sinus had shrunk completely to the point where she no longer needed treatment. On June 2, 1989, Laura finished her last chemotherapy a day before her ninth birthday. It was the best birthday gift she could have hoped for. 

“We didn’t ring bells back then marking the end of cancer treatment,” said Laura. “Instead, my parents threw me a huge party to celebrate my two milestones – my ninth birthday and “no more chemo.” My school friends, other friends and family, my physicians, and several nurses were invited to the celebration. It was a day that I will remember and cherish forever.”

​When it comes to special milestone celebrations – a patient vigorously ringing the end-of-treatment bell or a cancer survivor celebrating another year of life – it reminds Laura of why she became a nurse. Her personal journey with cancer reinforced her calling to help others. From a patient to a cancer survivor to a caregiver, her life has come full circle. Laura found her passion and purpose.

“I always had this persistent need I had to fill,” said Laura. “I wanted to be there for these patients and give back everything that Children’s Hospital provided for me when I was a cancer patient. I had this strong calling to be there at the bedside and help these kids along their cancer journey. When I see our patients at their lowest point and then resiliently emerge from their journey as a stronger person, it makes me happy because I played a small role in helping them get there.”

Besides caring for children in the hospital, Laura is an active member of Camp Challenge, a camp for kids with cancer and hematology disorders. She serves as the infirmary coordinator during the camp session and is president of the Board of Directors. During the time Laura was receiving treatment, her parents were involved with the parent’s support group at Children’s for families impacted by cancer and were key players in the founding of Camp Challenge in 1988. In July, Laura led Camp Challenge, the same one-week camp she attended as a young cancer patient.

“I run the medical side of camp,” said Laura. “I recruit the nurses and physicians for camp and coordinate the medical needs for our campers, such as obtaining IV pumps or medications from our pharmacies and making sure we are equipped to care for all medical emergencies from the normal camp emergencies (insect bites/scrapes) to oncologic and hematologic emergencies too. The safety and care of our children at camp is our priority – and we want them to have the best camp experience while they are here. What makes this camp unique is that it allows siblings to participate as well. We want to give not only the patients but their siblings a week of normal life where they can be children and engage with other people who share same or similar experiences.”

Laura says helping these children take their mind off their illness and seeing the pure joy and excitement on their faces as they enjoy indoor and outdoor adventures while at camp – paddle boating, swimming, bowling, arts and crafts, playing games, and attending a camp carnival and talent show, among many other exciting activities – brings joy to her heart. It’s all about showing patients that they are bigger than their illness and they have people who love and support them.

“Cancer is a horrible disease, but it’s not the end,” said Laura. “There are bigger and better things waiting for you. As a cancer survivor, I want to be that bright light in the world. I want to give hope to other cancer patients. I made it through this process, and I want them to know they can as well.”

Each year in September, Children’s Hospital New Orleans recognizes Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Click here to learn more about our center, and how we are changing lives every day and providing hope for children and families impacted by pediatric cancers and blood disorders.