After completing 12 rounds of chemo, Ester Gardner (right) was delighted to ring the bell at the MRH Infusion Center

In 2024, Ester Gardner had been living with colon cancer for three years when metastases showed up in her liver.

“It was a shock,” said Ester, who was a resident of Vernal, Utah, for many years but relocated to Craig to be near her daughter, Heather Curtis. Heather is an emergency room tech and family practice LPN at Memorial Regional Health.

Under the care of oncologist Dr. Alexandra Donovan, who sees patients both in Craig and Glenwood Springs, Ester began coming to the MRH Infusion Center every other week to receive three chemotherapy drugs.

“My care at the MRH Infusion Center was wonderful,” Ester said. “I had exceptional nurses. They made me feel right at home. They took such good care of me.”

Each of the 12 times she received chemotherapy at the MRH Infusion Center, Ester spent most of the day there. It took many hours each session to receive the three medications through her IV port.

Ester pictured with her daughter

But Ester said she enjoyed those days. Her partner, Keith, accompanied her, and the infusion nurses made sure they were both comfortable.

“They give you a nice warm blanket and a pillow each and every time you go,” Ester said. “You also get to pick something to eat from the breakfast and lunch menus. I drank passionfruit tea. I ordered it every time I went in, so they knew me as the tea girl.”

While Keith read a book, Ester listened to her ‘60s music. “It’s a beautiful facility. It was like leisure time for me,” she said of her chemo sessions. “I didn’t feel sick, and I didn’t lose my hair.”

Halfway through her chemotherapy treatments, Ester underwent surgery to have part of her liver removed. Then after a break she resumed chemotherapy and was able to finish the 12 courses of chemo on November 27th, right before Thanksgiving.

“I got to ring the bell,” Ester said. “I kept watching that bell throughout the months I went to the Infusion Center and told myself I’d get to ring it—and I did!”

Ester remembers the infusion nurses with great fondness. “I’d like to give a shoutout to Jo, Erica, and Anne,” Ester said. “Also Bridget, who’s an oncology PA. She was a big part of my recovery, too. My children Juston, Chris, Kevin, and Heather were also my supporters along with my brother, Berry, and his wife, Shelly.”

Now Ester is in remission and sees Dr. Donovan every six months for follow-up.

“MRH is a wonderful place,” she said. “I found such wonderful care there. They’re really good at what they do. They know how to treat patients with care and respect. The other day I went to the Infusion Center for a port flush and they told me they miss me.”