Flagler County cancer patients could soon see some relief from traveling outside of the county to see the doctor.
Florida Hospital Flagler is now expanding their cancer unit to help reduce the patient commute.
Visiting the Florida Hospital Flagler’s care center is Theresa Marchesani’s daily routine.
She has breast cancer and most of her appointments are spent in the center’s radiation treatment machine.
“It lasts anywhere from 10-15 minutes,” said Marchesani.
Like Marchesani, dozens have to make the trip to the hospital’s cancer center every day.
“Cancer takes up so much of your time it takes up so much of your life it seems like cancer takes center stage,” said Marchesani.
Soon there will be two of the machines that techs use now to serve patients.
The hospital is set to begin a $4.5 million construction project on a new vault that will look much like the one it has now.
Doctors said it will allow for shorter, safer treatments with fewer side effects.
Currently the now the hospital serves about 40 patients a day but once the area is complete it'll add 2,000 additional square feet and will be able to serve more people.
“There's more demand for cancer services in our county,” said Dr. Luis Carrascosa.
A demand, Dr. Carrascosa said keeps their unit busy.
“Historically a lot of people had to travel long distances to receive good cancer,” said Dr. Carrascosa.
“When you're sick and you're not feeling well and getting into a car having to deal with traffic and to have it so close in the area that you live in it makes a world of a difference,” said Marchesani.
A huge difference for Marchesani who said she's traveled miles in the past. She said the expansion will be a blessing to all local cancer patients.
“I'm seeing the finish line basically and to make that easier that's great,” said Marchesani.
The new true beam machine the hospital is getting will be the only one serving Flagler, Volusia, and St. johns counties. The hospital said construction should be completed by the end of the year and will begin early spring.