What happened, in summary

Nina was diagnosed with small-cell lung cancer in early 2014. She began standard chemotherapy and radiation and continued through about 14 months of treatment. The treatments caused side effects, including hearing loss, and eventually stopped controlling the spread of the cancer.

Her oncologist referred her to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for an immunotherapy clinical trial. Nina approached the trial as another chance to extend her life and trusted the enthusiasm of the doctors coordinating her care. Her siblings supported the decision, even when she privately doubted that she would become a long-term survivor.

Within weeks, the tumors were shrinking enough for Nina and her doctor to celebrate with a high-five. She remained on the trial for three years and reported no treatment side effects during that period. What she had initially hoped might provide another six months or a year gave her substantially more time and a much better quality of life than the earlier treatment schedule.