lcmh.com 19 also become a permanent part of Memorial’s history. She was the first patient to undergo radiation therapy using the hospital’s new Varian Edge Linear Accelerator, the only system of its kind in Louisiana. Getting the best possible care Varian Edge Linear Accelerator is a radio surgical system designed to deliver precisely targeted radiation beams that destroy cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue and surrounding organs. For patients, that can mean shorter treatments, fewer side effects and better quality of life. For Cooley, it meant advanced cancer care was available just around the corner from her home. Radiation therapy is demanding. It takes time, energy and consistency. For many patients who must travel back and forth to other cities, treatment becomes even more exhausting. The drive, the unfamiliar beds and the hotel stays all add stress at a time when rest and routine matter most. Staying in Lake Charles allowed Cooley to focus on healing while sleeping in her own bed each night and staying connected with her family and friends on a regular basis. Like stained glass, Cooley’s treatment required precision, patience and the skill to bring many pieces together into one picture of hope. Her care team—oncologists, radiation therapists, nurses and technicians—have worked seamlessly, each playing their part in the design of a plan for recovery. Trusting the process The Varian Edge began operating the same day Cooley began her radiation therapy. While she was nervous to start, she took comfort in knowing that she was in trusted hands and wouldn’t have to leave home to receive advanced care. Cooley hopes that by sharing her story, she can encourage other women—especially older women—to stay current with routine gynecological exams, including Pap smears. She admits it’s easy to put those appointments off, particularly when life feels busy or symptoms aren’t obvious. But she believes preventive care matters at every age and encourages women to keep those conversations going with their doctors. Today, Cooley continues her chemotherapy and radiation treatments and is looking ahead with gratitude and optimism. The colors of her life may have shifted, but like her art, the light still shines through. The Varian Edge Linear Accelerator is designed to deliver precisely targeted radiation beams.
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