Cancer Care that is with You Every Step of the Way
Meet Melissa
Melissa was living a healthy life — keeping up with regular checkups, never missing a mammogram or colonoscopy.
“I thought I was doing everything right.”
But one evening, she noticed a strange wheeze when taking a deep breath. It didn’t seem serious, but it was the first sign of something much more.
When steroids and allergy medications didn’t help, her ENT remained puzzled. Then came the cough, vertigo and persistent headaches. Doctors treated each symptom separately. But a visit to the Summa Health Akron Campus emergency department led to a life-altering diagnosis.
“I told the doctor everything, and the moment I said ‘headaches,’ his eyebrows shot up.”
A head CT led to the shocking truth — stage 4 lung cancer that had already spread to her brain.
“They found over 50 tumors. I was stunned.”
As a non-smoker, Melissa was desperate to understand the cause. That’s when she learned about radon — an invisible, odorless gas and the second leading cause of lung cancer. After speaking with her home’s new owners, she found out the house she’d lived in for 35 years had tested extremely high for radon. She’d had no idea.
Melissa immediately began treatment. She was hospitalized for five days to reduce swelling in her brain and underwent whole-brain radiation. Initial chemotherapy was started while she awaited results that confirmed her cancer was eligible for targeted therapy, an innovative approach that attacks cancer cells based on their genetic makeup. On her current course of treatment, she feels well enough to cook, be active — even plan to walk 18 holes at a golf tournament.
“Dr. Mahesh has been the most instrumental part of my care team. He’s incredibly compassionate and knowledgeable and in tune with every detail—he doesn’t miss a thing.”
Melissa credits her strength, in part, to a strong support system. Her husband of 35 years has been by her side every step of the way, and her two adult children, who live nearby, are always available when she needs them. Her mother, a cancer survivor herself, also offers unwavering encouragement.
Melissa is now using her voice to raise awareness about radon testing, which is free in Ohio at Ohio.radon.com.
“Every home needs regular testing. If I can help one more person discover radon before it becomes lung cancer, that matters. You just don’t think it’ll be you—but it can be. Early detection and knowing your risks can save your life.”
Every step of the way, the personalized cancer care Melissa received at Summa Health offered not just treatment — but the assurance that she was never alone.
Summa Health. All for the better.
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