Compassionate care at Riverside Cancer Institute

A cancer diagnosis can turn life upside down in a moment. For Ericka Esters, a mother of five from Kankakee County, that moment came after months of severe symptoms and uncertainty. What followed was a challenging treatment journey supported by a team she says made all the difference.

When answers finally came

Esters’ symptoms began with extreme bleeding that often caused her to lose consciousness. Ambulance rides from her home or work became routine.
“There was nothing I could do to stop the bleeding,” she says. “It just had to resolve on its own.”
Emergency room visits and blood transfusions became part of daily life. Initial concerns pointed to fibroids, but additional testing revealed the true cause: cervical cancer.
Her gynecologist referred her to Summer Dewdney, MD, a gynecologic oncologist from Rush University Medical Center who also sees patients at Riverside Healthcare. Even before a biopsy confirmed the diagnosis, Esters sensed what was coming.
“I could already tell that it was cancer,” she says.

Finding comfort in unexpected places

Walking into Riverside Cancer Institute for the first time felt overwhelming.
“Every time I heard the name, I thought, ‘This is really happening,’” Esters recalls.
What she found, however, surprised her.
“It’s not a sad place to be,” she says. “You would think it would be, but the staff are always positive and caring.”
From reception staff and volunteers to infusion nurses, she felt supported from day one. Team members remembered her favorite snacks and drinks, helping create a sense of normalcy during treatment.
“They’d ask, ‘Are you ready for your Oreos? Are you ready for your Pepsi?’ It made me feel comfortable.”
That compassion extended to every interaction. During an early consultation, radiation oncologist Issra Rashed, MD, recognized that Esters was feeling overwhelmed and paused the conversation until she was ready to continue.
“I really appreciated that,” Esters says.

A comprehensive treatment plan

Esters’ treatment included radiation therapy five days a week for six to weeks, along with weekly chemotherapy treatments.
Chemo days often lasted several hours, so she came prepared with books, work, coffee, and anything else she needed to pass the time. Throughout treatment, nurses explained each step before it happened.
“They always told you what they were doing and what medication they were giving you,” she says. “That was reassuring.”
After completing chemotherapy and radiation, Esters underwent two Brachytherapy procedures that delivered radiation directly to the tumor. Today, she continues immunotherapy treatments every six weeks, with care expected to continue through summer 2027.

Leaning on others

Support comes from every direction. Family members have stood beside her, co-workers from River Valley Special Recreation and Kankakee Public Library checked in regularly, and friends organized meal deliveries and gift cards.
Both employers reassured her that her job would be waiting when she was ready to return.
“Cancer takes you out of your comfort zone,” Esters says. “You realize how much you need other people. I couldn’t have done it alone.”

Celebrating progress

When Esters completed radiation therapy, her care team surprised her with a bell-ringing ceremony to celebrate the milestone. They also presented her with a diploma recognizing her accomplishment.
“It was just so beautiful how they all made me feel,” she says. “They really care about their patients.”

Make your health a priority

Talk with your primary care or women’s health provider about routine screenings, such as Pap smears. For more on cancer care at Riverside, go to myrhc.net/cancer or call (815) 214-9076.

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