New cancer hospital opens in Tulsa

Learning a loved one has cancer is one of the most terrifying things a family can experience, but thanks to modern technology, a diagnosis doesn't mean a death sentence. <br/><br/>A new, multi-million

Friday, April 29th 2005, 10:27 am

By: News On 6

Learning a loved one has cancer is one of the most terrifying things a family can experience, but thanks to modern technology, a diagnosis doesn't mean a death sentence.

A new, multi-million dollar hospital is now open in Tulsa, specializing in a different approach to cancer.

The News on 6's Heather Lewin says the hospital near 81st and US Highway 169 is celebrating the opening of Oklahoma's only major hospital totally focused on cancer.

The idea behind Cancer Treatment Centers of America was to create a better experience for patients in the biggest battle of their lives. Sarah Cooper: "I was getting ready for a marathon and I thought, I don't have time for this. I'm healthy, I'm active, I eat right, I can't possibly have cancer." But she did. Diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago, at first Sarah Cooper and her loved ones were devastated. Sarahâ€™s husband Bruce Cooper: "Your first thought is, my wife is going to die."

The Coopers contacted Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Sarah: "I came on a Tuesday, I was operated on Thursday and I came home on Saturday and that began my cancer journey." It's a journey she did not take alone. Now that's she's won her fight. Sarah sits proudly among hundreds of fellow survivors and staff members to christen a new treatment facility.

Hospital directors say the key is focusing entirely on the patient, with a multidisciplinary path to beating the disease. The treatment combines state of the art traditional medicine along with nutrition for the body and soul. Sarah: "I've been empowered as a patient; I made choices in my treatment decisions." Bruce: "Just to sit together the companionship that you might kind of take for granted, before the diagnosis, before cancer that you just kind of savor the moments now.â€

The picture with her daughter is Sarah's image of hope. To show what their strength is built on, the hospital combined thousands of such images into a permanent mosaic of its logo. Each piece, a snapshot of a survivor's life, touchstones for future patients. Sarah: "I relate it to being in a marathon, doing a race. When I completed my chemotherapy, I crossed the finish line."

The hospital will start treating patients on Monday. It will serve an estimated 2,300 patients a month. Another unique thing about the center, patients were involved throughout the planning process.