A bitter experience as a patient often gives rise to a deep understanding that cannot be obtained from medical textbooks. This is proven by Ellie Waters-Barnes, a 25-year-old woman who has just graduated from the Keele University School of Medicine, UK, after successfully overcoming a critical period battling a malignant cancer during her teenage years.
Ellie's life journey changed drastically in September 2015 when she was diagnosed with stage four alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a type of highly aggressive soft tissue cancer. At the time, she was only 14 years old and doctors estimated her chances of survival to be only about one in five. However, the diagnosis did not break her spirit to keep surviving.
For 18 months, Ellie had to undergo a series of intensive treatments at Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham. The heavy treatment included nine months of intensive chemotherapy, 28 sessions of radiotherapy, and maintenance chemotherapy for a full year. The impact of this therapy was very severe physically, ranging from drastic weight loss, hair loss, to experiencing early menopause at the age of 15 due to the side effects of the treatment.
In the midst of an exhausting physical struggle, Ellie chose to make education a means of positive escape. She decided to repeat Year 10 and focused her energy on studying chemistry and mathematics to distract herself from the pain. This dedication paid off with satisfying academic achievements, paving her way to medical school.
Ellie's interest in the medical world actually grew after she completed her treatment. Through various medical documentaries and a great curiosity about the illness she once suffered from, she realized that her life's calling was to help fellow humans in their most vulnerable conditions.
Now, Ellie is ready to start her career as a Foundation Doctor at Royal Stoke University Hospital. She believes that her past health history is not a weakness, but a unique strength to understand the emotional and physical needs of patients more fully.
