When Polly started feeling unusually tired in April of 2023, her husband Mike encouraged her to check in with her doctor. She had already been managing low iron for a few months, and while she wasn’t one to complain, something felt different. Still, they never imagined that within just 26 days, or 624 hours, from her diagnosis, Polly would be gone. 

This is the story of a woman who brought joy to everyone she met and the husband who walked beside her through every moment of their unexpected and heartbreaking journey. 

  A Sudden Spiral 

Polly was admitted to the hospital on April 28, 2023, after her fatigue worsened. That same day, they received devastating news: Polly had cancer. While her exact diagnosis was unclear at first, scans showed the disease had spread, and her calcium levels were dangerously high. A lymph node biopsy was performed, and she was referred to a comprehensive cancer center for further evaluation. 

Through every test, delay, and unknown, Polly remained optimistic. “I’m ready to fight,” she said with conviction, leaning on her deep inner strength and Mike’s unwavering presence. 

Over the next several days, Polly experienced physical and emotional challenges, from a hospital transfer that took longer than expected, to a difficult bout with delirium likely triggered by a combination of medications, stress, and environmental discomfort. There were moments of hope and laughter between the challenging moments, nurses who called her “the sweetest,” and Polly herself making others smile even in the hardest hours. 

  An Answer, But No Time 

By mid-May, the diagnosis became clear: endometrial carcinoma, a type of uterine cancer. The cancer had already spread to Polly’s bones and bone marrow. Her medical team worked to develop a treatment plan, including radiation, but the disease was aggressive, and time did not seem to be on their side. 

Despite everything, Polly remained vibrant in spirit. She cracked jokes with nurses, reassured her loved ones, and even got to spend a cherished hour outside in the sunshine before transitioning to hospice care at home. 

 On May 24, Polly passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by family and love. 

Reflection and Advocacy 

There’s no easy way to make sense of a story like Polly’s. Her illness progressed rapidly, and her loved ones were left grappling with the speed at which events unfolded. While Mike is candid about his heartbreak and frustration, his story is not about assigning blame, it’s about raising awareness. 

“There’s so much we didn’t know,” he reflects. “And we don’t want anyone else to go through what Polly went through—not without answers, not without time.” 

Polly’s story highlights a critical reality: there is no routine screening test for uterine cancer. Diagnosis often relies on recognizing symptoms and advocating for further evaluation when something doesn’t feel right. Symptoms like abnormal bleeding, fatigue, pelvic pain, and bloating can sometimes be overlooked or attributed to less serious causes. 

  A Call to Listen and Act 

 For patients and families, Polly’s story is a necessary reminder to listen to your body and speak up when something feels wrong. For providers and health systems, it’s a call to continue striving for clear communication, timely diagnoses, and compassionate care, even in the most complex situations. 

Uterine cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer in the United States. As rates rise, especially in younger individuals, we must continue to elevate stories like Polly’s that teach, inspire, and spark action. 

Polly was deeply loved, and in sharing her story, her voice lives on. 

 

If you or someone you love is facing a uterine cancer diagnosis or wants to learn more, we encourage you to explore our free, downloadable guide, available in English, Spanish, Mandarin, and Arabic. The FWC also offers other trusted educational resources and survivor stories to guide you.