I have received weekly chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments at UNC Rex Cancer Center as a Metastatic Breast Cancer patient for the last two years. While I have had the privilege to be under the care of many exceptional nurses, there is one nurse that absolutely stands out in my mind. That nurse is Leslie Neal.

I met Leslie before my treatments started. I was in the clinic for pain management from major gastric issues. Leslie was the clinic nurse for the day and the “lucky” recipient of giving me a rather fun shot to aid in getting my bowels moving! While this could have been an extremely awkward meeting, Leslie was professional, cheerful, and turned it into a get-to-know-you and welcome-to-the-center type visit.

Being one of the youngest patients in the Cancer Center setting can be depressing. I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb. I also have major anxiety when it comes to medical settings and being in the spotlight. From the get-go, Leslie has been there to walk me through procedures, calm my nerves, and most of all, be my biggest cheerleader.

Leslie has gotten to know me as more than just a patient. She takes extra strides to know me as a person. To hear about my family, my job, as well as my likes and dislikes. Even on the busiest of days, when I am not her assigned patient, she takes the time to roll up a stool and genuinely check in on me and ask what’s new with me. This extra step in caring helps squash any nerves that I may be having.

Now that we are in the new main Cancer Center, I do not get to see her as often. However, Leslie keeps tabs on me. Knowing where I am in my care, the chat cycle I am on, and the symptoms I may be having. She is only a portal note away. She will often stop by the wing that I am on to quickly check-in before going back to her patients for the day; many times, I think she takes part of her small lunch break to find me.

Leslie is an extremely hard worker, always pushes herself to be her best and gives 100% effort, and is persistent in getting things right when it comes to her patients, including being a problem solver. Not only does she give her all to her patients but helps and supports her fellow nurses as well. I have watched her train new nurses as well as move into a care coordinator. She does all of this in stride, with respect, integrity, and a smile on her face.

She works so hard during working hours, on top of going to school at night for her advanced nursing degree. I have watched her interact with numerous patients, nurses, and doctors over the past two years, and she is nothing short of extraordinary. She goes beyond the surface level to get to truly know, love, and give only the utmost care for her patients. She is one of the main reasons that I look forward to going for weekly treatments instead of dreading them.