Pediatric Leukemia Patient Returns to Cancer Unit as a Nurse Tech

Shannon Spicer battled leukemia at age 9. Nineteen years later, she’s back at Mott helping kids with cancer alongside the doctor and nurse who cared for her as a child.

1:00 PM

Author | Beata Mostafavi

 

During a recent hospital shift, Shannon Spicer played peekaboo with a giggly toddler, held and rocked a crying baby and checked in on a teen who wasn't feeling well.

LISTEN UP: Add the new Michigan Medicine News Break to your Alexa-enabled device, or subscribe to our daily audio updates on iTunes, Google Play and Stitcher.

The nurse technician spends her days in the pediatric cancer unit at University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital, where she assists nurses and cares for families while also taking classes to help her pursue a nursing degree.

Working on the Mott 7 East unit has brought Spicer full circle, she says — 19 years ago, she was on the other side of care in the same place, battling leukemia.

"They were the rocks"

Spicer, who had been healthy all through childhood, was just 9 years old when aggressive flu-like symptoms sent her to the emergency room and led to a devastating cancer diagnosis.

The then-fourth grader spent two years in and out of Mott for treatment.

MORE FROM MICHIGAN: Sign up for our weekly newsletter

"As hard as it was, child life, nurses and doctors made every single stay feel like home. They were the rocks for me and my mom, and it was clear how much they cared," says Spicer, 27.

"I remember watching everything the nurses did and thinking I should take notes because I knew I wanted to do that someday."

Nearly two decades later, she's back in the same unit at the same hospital following that exact dream. 

And even after all of this time, there are familiar faces.

Just a couple of weeks into the job in August 2018, Spicer bumped into pediatric oncologist Rajen Mody – the doctor who treated her so many years ago.

"I was rounding on the floor when she introduced herself, and it took me a few seconds to realize who she was," Mody recalls. "And then I was like, 'wait, what are you doing here?' I was just thrilled to see how well she was doing and that she was working here."

"It's an oncologist's dream to see former patients thriving years later and chasing their dreams. To see Shannon pursuing a career helping other patients with cancer, it's just incredible."

During interactions with families of newly diagnosed leukemia patients, Mody has even asked Spicer to share her story with them.

SEE ALSO: 6 Cool Things to Know About Mott's Child and Family Life Team

"As doctors, we can tell families that leukemia is a curable disease and that we expect to be able to help their child go on to live a normal life," Mody says. "But I've had families tell me that talking to Shannon was the best thing to happen to them because instead of some abstract idea of success, they had a shining example standing right in front of them. Seeing is believing."

"She is such a tremendous success story that gives people hope and comfort."

And there's another influential role model from Spicer's childhood who she now gets to work with: her onetime primary nurse, Jamie Fernley, R.N.

Fernley had just graduated nursing school herself when Spicer was admitted to the hospital in 2000, and Spicer was one of her first patients. The Mott nurse still has Christmas ornaments Spicer made her and cards from the family.

"Jamie was not only able to give me care but my mother care," Spicer says. "No matter how sick I was or how upset my mom was when we came here, Jamie helped us feel better. That was a really important relationship to have here for mental and emotional support. It's what I hope to give patients.

"Dr. Mody and Jamie were like celebrities to me when I was little," Spicer adds. "To now get to work with them and learn from them, I can't even describe how meaningful that is."

"I've been there"

Spicer is currently working on prerequisites to get into a nursing program while working full time at Mott.

"One of the hardest parts of this job was realizing that not everyone has the same story as me and we don't know how everything is going to turn out," Spicer says. "It's also the most rewarding job. I put myself back to where they are now and hope I can be a light for them.

"From the day I started working on this floor, I immediately felt like I had found my purpose again," she adds. "I remember how much I needed the doctors and nurses. I come to work every day thinking how I can give back. How can I make a family feel the way I felt when I was here?"

As a nurse tech, Spicer helps with any daily tasks nurses need assistance with, including taking vitals, answering call lights, making beds and making sure patients get fed and take baths. She also goes on walks with patients in the hallways or just sits and plays with them when they need a distraction or parents need a break.

And her personal experience brings a valuable perspective to her work.

"I remember at times feeling like I was the only one. I hope it brings comfort to have someone be able to say to them, 'I've been there too, I've done that too, so let's take this road together,'" Spicer says.

"Every day I get to take care of some of the greatest kids I will ever come across. They make me grateful for my story. As much as they need me, I feel like I need them, too. They welcome you into their lives and you welcome them into yours. I can't even explain how much I truly love my job and am thankful to be a part of their journey."  


More Articles About: Children's Health CS Mott Children's Hospital Leukemia Hospitals & Centers
Health Lab word mark overlaying blue cells
Health Lab

Explore a variety of health care news & stories by visiting the Health Lab home page for more articles.

Media Contact Public Relations

Department of Communication at Michigan Medicine

[email protected]

734-764-2220

Stay Informed

Want top health & research news weekly? Sign up for Health Lab’s newsletters today!

Subscribe
Featured News & Stories woman pregnant sitting holding tea and glasses on brown hair
Health Lab
Revolutionizing prenatal care: new guidelines to transform 100-year model
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, which collaborated with Michigan Medicine teams, is recommending significant changes to the way prenatal care is delivered in the United States, according to newly released clinical guidance.
boy smiling
Health Lab
Teen’s journey with severe epilepsy inspires family’s mission for awareness
Teen has a severe form of epilepsy called Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, which involves multiple types of seizures and is one of the most challenging types to treat.
breastfeeding pump close up woman holding it close up
Health Lab
Study examines lactation in critically ill patients
University of Michigan research reveals that simple awareness from the hospital care team can help protect a breastfeeding relationship for patients in the ICU and their newborn baby.
blue cell and red cell merging on dark blue screen
Health Lab
New cellular therapy trials for brain tumors
Michigan Medicine experts discuss CAR T therapy, its use in other clinical trials at U-M and the new Phase I trials that started in March 2025.
Health Lab Podcast on a background of cells with a blue overlay
Health Lab Podcast
How parents are navigating bird flu in 2025
A new national poll on children's health shows that less than half of parents think they have accurate information about bird flu, 2 in 5 parents wish the government was doing more to prevent a bird flu outbreak and only 1 in 3 parents have taken action to protect their family against it. You can read the full article on the Health Lab website.
Health Lab
How LASIK surgery can help athletes perform at their best
Laser eye surgery can help improve athletic performance. Learn about LASIK eye surgery, including what to expect, side effects, and typical recovery times.