Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Living fully with Stage 4 Lung Cancer led writer Joseph Monninger on a remarkable journey. Three days into his retirement, this former novelist and teacher at Plymouth State University was diagnosed with cancer by Konstantin H. Dragnev, MD, at the Dartmouth Cancer Center. Dr. Dragnev not only put the retired teacher and novelist on a medication that slowed the growth of the disease, but Dragnev also became a trusted resource for Monninger. The writer was then able to enjoy three-and-a-half years of a life that he did not think he would have. In many ways, it made for the most remarkable journey he had ever been on.
Dartmouth Health is New Hampshire's only academic health system and the state's largest private employer, serving patients across northern New England. Providing access to more than 2,000 providers in almost every area of medicine, Dartmouth Health and its more than 13,000 employees are deeply committed to serving the healthcare needs of everyone in the community and providing patients with exceptional, personal care.
Learn more at dartmouth-health.org/.
Living fully with Stage 4 Lung Cancer led writer Joseph Monninger on a remarkable journey. Three days into his retirement, this former novelist and teacher at Plymouth State University was diagnosed with cancer by Konstantin H. Dragnev, MD, at the Dartmouth Cancer Center. Dr. Dragnev not only put the retired teacher and novelist on a medication that slowed the growth of the disease, but Dragnev also became a trusted resource for Monninger. The writer was then able to enjoy three-and-a-half years of a life that he did not think he would have. In many ways, it made for the most remarkable journey he had ever been on.
Dartmouth Health is New Hampshire's only academic health system and the state's largest private employer, serving patients across northern New England. Providing access to more than 2,000 providers in almost every area of medicine, Dartmouth Health and its more than 13,000 employees are deeply committed to serving the healthcare needs of everyone in the community and providing patients with exceptional, personal care.
Learn more at dartmouth-health.org/.
