A Memoir That Dares to Hope – Discover the Power of Survival in “Terminal Hope” by Cheryl Stratosv
What happens when you’re told that your life, as you know it, is about to end?
In Terminal Hope: How A Clinical Trial Saved My Life, Cheryl Stratos takes readers on an extraordinary ride through one of the most harrowing and life-defining moments anyone can face: a terminal cancer diagnosis. But this is not a story about surrender—it’s about defiance, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of life through a Phase I Clinical Trial, even when the odds are crushing.
Cheryl was a vibrant, fit, 45-year-old wife, mother, and business owner when she received a shattering diagnosis—Stage IV metastatic melanoma. With cancer spread across her lungs, liver, and lymph nodes, doctors gave her just a few months to live. But rather than give in, Cheryl and her husband Mike went into battle mode, diving deep into research, knocking on every medical door, and eventually finding a clinical trial for PLX-4032 involving a groundbreaking BRAF-inhibitor drug: now known as Vemurafenib (INN), sold under the brand name Zelboraf.
The result? A miraculous turnaround. Cheryl became what researchers call a “super responder,” shocking even the experts. But her memoir doesn’t just focus on beating cancer—it explores the terrifying maze of misdiagnoses, broken medical systems, and emotional whiplash patients face while seeking answers.
Told with brutal honesty, piercing insight, and a surprising dose of humor, Terminal Hope reveals what it truly takes to advocate for yourself when your life is on the line. Cheryl doesn’t shy away from the ugly parts—the anxiety, the red tape, the days when hope feels impossible. But through it all, she finds her voice, her strength, and a purpose that goes far beyond survival.
Today, Cheryl is a passionate patient navigator and advocate working with 1104Health to help other patients gain access to clinical trials that could change their lives. She has also served on the board of the Melanoma Research Foundation, currently a Patient Ambassador for the National Foundation for Cancer Research and remains a vocal leader in health equity and awareness.
Terminal Hope is more than a memoir—it’s a manual for surviving the unthinkable, filled with practical wisdom, deep love, and unwavering courage. If you or someone you love has ever faced a life-threatening diagnosis—or if you just want to witness the incredible strength of the human spirit—this book is your must-read.
