Suzette “Suzy” Valladares has worn many hats throughout her nursing career—Pediatric ICU nurse, trauma specialist, hurricane responder, and now Director of Nursing for individuals with developmental disabilities. But in the fall of 2023, she took on a role no nurse ever anticipates: cancer patient.
Her story is one of grit, grace, and full-circle caregiving—making her the perfect honoree as this week’s Nurse of the Week.
A Career Built on Compassion
Valladares began her nursing journey in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, later transitioning to the high-stakes environment of the Surgical ICU at Charity Hospital in New Orleans. For over 18 years, she was a steady presence at one of the country’s most historic hospitals—until Hurricane Katrina forced its closure in 2005. She stayed in New Orleans, continuing her work in critical care, consistently placing her patients’ needs above her own.
But in 2023, after years of caring for others, Valladares found herself fighting for her own life.
The Pain That Changed Everything
What began as a nagging pain in her lower right abdomen became a life-altering diagnosis. “I have a pretty high tolerance for pain,” Valladares admitted. “Being the person that I am, I didn’t want to sit in the ER waiting room for 18 and a half hours.” Eventually, her primary care doctor insisted she head straight to the ER at University Medical Center New Orleans.
She underwent surgery for what doctors believed was appendicitis—but 10 days later came the call: she had appendiceal adenocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive cancer of the appendix.
“Everything they say about hearing that word—‘cancer’—is true,” Valladares said. “Your world just stops. It felt like I was pulled into a vacuum.”
Facing Cancer with Courage—and World-Class Care
With her friends Gaynell and John by her side, Valladares met surgical oncologist Dr. Omeed Moaven, who performed extensive surgery to remove her appendix, parts of her colon, ovary, peritoneum, and omentum, followed by a heated chemo perfusion treatment to eliminate any lingering cancer cells.
In February 2024, she began a grueling chemotherapy regimen under oncologist Dr. Thomas Reske—12 rounds of infusions and oral medications that tested her physically and emotionally.
“I wasn’t even finished with the first infusion when the neuropathy started,” Valladares said. “My hands, my throat — I couldn’t touch or drink anything cold.” With each round, the toll grew heavier, but Valladares remained focused. “I’ve always told my patients to stay positive. What was the point of preaching that if I wasn’t going to live it?”
Triumph, Thanks, and a New Chapter
On September 27, 2024, Valladares completed her final infusion and rang the end-of-treatment bell, surrounded by the care team that had become like family.
“I can’t sing enough praise for Dr. Moaven, Dr. Reske, Amanda, and all my friends and family,” she said. “At UMC, they treat you like family.”
Valladares’ April 2025 CT scan came back clear. Though neuropathy and recovery continue, she’s now in the five-year follow-up phase—and embracing every moment.
“I’m living life to the fullest,” she said. “It’s been a long road, but I have so much to be thankful for.”
From Nurse to Patient—and Back Again
Now cancer-free, Valladares is back at work as the Director of Nursing at a group home facility for individuals with developmental delays. Her compassion—sharpened by years of critical care and deepened by personal hardship—continues to guide her.
She also credits her recovery to the power of support and resilience. “Let your friends and family support you. That was really hard for me. I had to learn to accept help.”
As Dr. Moaven reflected: “Cases like Valladares’ remind us why we do what we do. Achieving such a positive outcome after a complex and rare diagnosis is the goal we strive for.”
For her decades of service, unwavering optimism, and incredible strength in the face of life-threatening illness, Suzette “Suzy” Valladares is our Nurse of the Week—a reminder that even the strongest caregivers sometimes need care and that healing is most powerful when it’s shared.
Nominate a Nurse of the Week! Every Wednesday, DailyNurse.com features a nurse making a difference in the lives of their patients, students, and colleagues. We encourage you to nominate a nurse who has impacted your life as the next Nurse of the Week, and we’ll feature them online and in our weekly newsletter.
- ChatGPT in Geriatric Nursing Education: Risks and Opportunities - May 12, 2026
- How AI Helps Nurses Cut Through Administrative Burden and Focus on Patient Care - December 31, 2025
- Back by Popular Demand: A Day in the Life: NICU Nurse - December 12, 2025