When Rosalie went in for a routine checkup with her primary care physician, the doctor noticed a problem. He referred her to a cardiologist for further testing, where she was told she would need a cardiac catheterization.
At Cooper, a worried Rosalie was able to have her catheterization performed through the arm instead of the groin, a less-invasive approach referred to as radial access. However, her doctors soon discovered that Rosalie would also need to have cardiac bypass surgery due to substantial blockages in her heart.
After a successful surgery and routine follow-up, Rosalie began noticing a pain in her chest. Following a CT scan, another situation arose with an unexpected diagnosis of lung cancer. Dr. Frank Bowen, the same cardiothoracic surgeon who performed her prior surgery, was called upon once again to remove the cancerous part of her lung.
This is the story of a remarkable recovery for a woman whose spirit shines through, and the routine doctor’s visit that led to her early diagnosis and life-saving surgery.