O'Neill seventh grade teacher returns strong after battling cancer
Kate Nickell possesses the ability to put anyone at ease. She greets others with a smile and a warm welcome. An O’Neill seventh grade English-language arts teacher, she comes to work early, leaves late and always does her best. Her energy seems endless.
“Kate is one of those people who is truly dedicated to teaching and her students, often going far above what is expected to help her students be successful,” says O’Neill Principal Matt Durbala.
For example, when a teacher needed someone to cover his Early Bird class this week, Nickell did not hesitate to lend a hand.
“Kate was the first to respond and offered with a huge SMILE. Kate is always going the extra mile to help others,” says O’Neill Assistant Principal Melissa Sawisch.
Yet, there is more to Nickell than meets the eye. This past year, she fought – and more importantly, survived – acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a rapidly-spreading cancer that affects blood and bone marrow.
She received the devastating diagnosis just after Labor Day 2014 from Dr. Katy Goldsborough at Good Samaritan Hospital.
“I froze in time. I looked at my mom and the tears came. I was in utter shock,” Nickell recalls of her diagnosis. “When I asked about losing my hair, I just lost it. For some odd reason this was the thing I freaked out about. Not my life, my hair. Hair is something so tangible and relatable and made me immediately realize the gravity of the situation.”
But Dr. Goldsborough also offered hope. Not only was the cancer treatable, it was curable. She referred Nickell to Northwestern Hospital for the best treatment available.
“After three hours, I stopped crying and decided right then and there: this cancer is curable, so I will fight it, and I will win,” Nickell says.
Nickell completed the first stage of chemotherapy and returned home in October 2014. Chemo depleted her immune system and made her weak. She sterilized her home, stayed indoors and avoided germs. Yet, in December, Nickell’s temperature spiked to 103, and she rushed to the emergency room. Doctors found several infections that her immune system could not defeat. This setback kept Nickell at the hospital for the holidays and derailed her original plans to return to work post spring break.
She never lost hope, though, thanks to the support of her incredible mother, stepfather, extended family, friends and, of course, her O’Neill family.
“The support I received during the course of treatment has been unparalleled,” Nickell says. “My O’Neill family supported me with cards, texts, funny gifts and meaningful gifts.”
Jennifer Tartaglione, a District 58 gifted middle school teacher, visited Nickell at the hospital.
“Kate maintained this unreal, upbeat attitude through it all,” Tartaglione recalls. “Despite what she knew about her treatment and the disease itself, she continued to fight. She has this uncanny ability to persevere regardless of how painful her treatments are or how heartbreaking some of her results were.”
While recovering from this setback, Nickell developed a painful abrasion that a doctor identified as a bedsore. This diagnosis didn’t sit well with Nickell, and she asked her nurses’ opinions. They agreed and asked the doctor to reanalyze the wound. This time, they discovered a deadly E.coli infection that required two surgeries to remove.
“My three nurses saved my life, without a doubt. They noticed the E.coli infection when it went overlooked by others,” Nickell says. “I have the utmost respect for nurses. I’ve become such great friends with them; they still call me frequently, just to check in.”
Stacey Jakes, an O’Neill seventh grade math teacher, also noticed this camaraderie. “While visiting Kate at Northwestern, I observed how she interacted with the hospital staff,” Jakes says. “She loved, admired and appreciated everything they did for her. She was never short or crabby. Kate only showed gratitude, even pending an uncomfortable procedure.”
Nickell returned home but continued to receive weekly chemo treatments that left her weak and sick, yet even more inspired to fight.
“She always had a positive attitude and was fighting this every step of the way, even when she had barely any strength to lift her head,” says Chris Clavenna, former O’Neill assistant principal and current Pierce Downer/Hillcrest assistant principal. “When I left O’Neill, Kate was going through her phase four of her treatment but took the time to send me a beautiful email that I have kept.”
As spring turned to summer, Nickell slowly gained strength and returned to O’Neill two weeks before school started.
“My first time back, Durbala gave me a big hug,” Nickell says. “That’s the kind of support we have at O’Neill. Everyone here is so awesome. O’Neill is a great place to work; you couldn’t find a better place.”
Likewise, Nickell’s colleagues shared how Nickell supported and inspired them throughout her sickness.
“Kate’s battle with cancer brought out a trait in her that I don’t think any of us saw before,” Nickell’s teaching partner, Bev West, says. “She is a fighter, and the strength she has shown throughout this ordeal can be an inspiration to all of us.”
Clavenna agreed, adding, “Kate inspired me in a couple of different ways: in every negative/difficult situation find something positive and celebrate that and take time for people and let them know you care.”
During the Aug. 24 teacher institute at the Tivoli Theatre, the entire District 58 faculty showered Nickell with welcoming applause. And on Oct. 24, several teachers joined Nickell at the Light the Night 5K Leukemia & Lymphoma Walk at the Oak Brook Park District. Her team raised $1,020.
“I took my daughter (10) and son (8) with me,” says Sarah Brost, eighth grade social studies teacher at O’Neill. “It was important for my kids to see that cancer can be beat and to try to do something to raise awareness about those diseases.”
Today, Nickell is in the midst of stage 5 – the final, maintenance stage – of chemo. She still requires monthly treatment; yet, her attitude does not falter.
"I am not scared anymore," she says. "Having cancer and winning the fight has turned me into a fighter. There is nothing I cannot do and nothing I cannot accomplish. I have been to hell and back, and now I can see clearly through the clouds. To me, nothing is impossible anymore."