My name is Stephen, and this is my Summit Cancer Center story.

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In November 2018, a chest X-ray revealed a large tumor in my left lung. I was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer, which progressed to stage four. My treatment at Summit Cancer Center began aggressively, with 37 radiation sessions combined with chemotherapy. These treatments were effective for a period of time.

Later in 2019, doctors identified a mutation in my cancer, and my treatment plan changed. I transitioned from infused chemotherapy to oral medications. I went through three different types of oral chemotherapy, but my kidney function began to decline. Eventually, I had to stop treatment to allow my kidneys to recover.

During that time, the cancer returned and became more aggressive, spreading further throughout my body. Once my kidneys improved, I was able to begin a new treatment—immunotherapy with Keytruda. This was considered my last and best option.

After about four treatments, my doctor told me that I had been very close to dying, and that the immunotherapy had brought me back. My wife considers it a miracle. While I am not officially in remission, the cancer is no longer active, which is what matters most.

In 2020, my wife and I prepared for the possibility of end-of-life. However, since my recovery, we have been able to focus on living again and creating meaningful experiences. I was able to return to activities I enjoy, including a fishing trip to the Clearwater River and the Grande Ronde River with my son and a friend—something that seemed impossible less than two years earlier.

I would recommend Summit Cancer Center based on my experience. The staff, including nurses, lab personnel, and my doctor, provided direct and honest communication throughout my treatment. That approach, combined with the care I received, played a significant role in my recovery.