by Bill Shaw

This feature is a continuation of the Front of the Pack article on Esther Ellis in the October 2002 issue of Runner Triathlete News. To get the "rest of the story" on Ellis, please read the Front of the Pack article in that issue.

Esther Ellis was the outstanding female triathlete of Texas in 1986. Her life and marriage to John Ellis, fellow triathlete, was going well when she and John journeyed to Tucson, Arizona, in May of 1997 to enter the triathlon competition in the National Senior Olympics. She placed fourth.

Disturbing news awaited her when she returned home. Her yearly Pap test was "abnormal." Her gynecologist gave her the diagnosis, adenocarcinoma, and referred her to a gynecological oncologist.

"I was so scared, I asked, 'Does that mean I have the C word?' When she (the gynecologist) said yes, I asked for a copy of the report and left with it and her referral," says Ellis. "I rode the elevator downstairs, found a phone, and called John. I must have sounded shaky because he left work to look for me. I went shopping and bought a pastel turquoise suit that I still wear and call my 'cancer suit.' I felt guilty that I had not told him what I was doing to reduce my fears."

The oncologist set the surgery date for July, and Esther grew angry and paranoid. The physically fit Esther thought her 19- year physical fitness regimen should have immunized her against cancer, and she resented cancer's getting in the way of her goals. She wondered if doctors were conning her about the operation to collect the insurance. She felt no symptoms. But the Pap test results could not be denied.

Fearing the specter of death, Esther faced the surgery hopefully and vowed to fight cancer and win.

"I decided to follow the doctor's post-op orders and let her know I wanted to return to the active lifestyle I was enjoying as soon as possible," says Ellis. "She told me I would be wearing a catheter for two weeks, but the collection bag would be attached to my leg so I could walk. So I registered and paid my money for the marathon-training program with Northwest Fit at the Cypress Creek YMCA before the surgery and told them I would come back and join the walking group when the doctor said I could walk."

Ellis awoke from the surgery physically depleted.

"I had no physical energy and relied on my decision to come back," says Ellis. "I thought I couldn't get any lower than helpless in bed attached to so many machines."

Tests confirmed the surgeon had removed all the cervical cancer. Esther Ellis was ready for a comeback.

"With the catheter I walked a small loop in the neighborhood and worried that my strength and endurance were so low," says Ellis. "The Saturday after the catheter was removed, I drove over to the Y wearing my heart monitor to walk with the walkers. The plan called for seven miles, and I told myself to listen to the monitor and slow down if my heart began working too hard. I walked seven miles. The next week I walked and ran seven miles with my heart-rate monitor. I ran more each Saturday while staying in the aerobic zone. My body recovered from the surgery and grew stronger while I listened for the alarm of the receiver to tell me when to slow down."

In September, Ellis completed 14 miles of the Portland Marathon in hopes of finishing her tenth Houston Marathon in January 1998 and becoming a Houston Marathon "veteran." Plantar fasciitis struck in December and slowed her progress, but in January of 1999, she did finish her tenth Houston Marathon and has gone on to finish additional marathons in Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, as well as several others in Texas.

Pronounced "cured" in her five-year check-up in July, Ellis shares her experience, expertise, and spirit in encouraging and teaching novice marathoners and triathletes as a certified coach through the Triathlon Academy in Sugar Land and Leisure Learning Unlimited in Houston.

Esther Ellis is a survivor, and she wants to live her life encouraging others.

"I find great pleasure in sharing my experiences with others," says Ellis.

Esther Ellis--marathoner, triathlete, coach, and cancer survivor.