Polly Stone Polly Stone

To our friends and family: We hoped and anticipated that 2017 was going to be a much better year with regards to Polly’s health. However, the Lord has other plans for our family this new year. Several days before the National Championship game, Polly was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, a common form of breast cancer. We were on a path to start 20 weeks of chemotherapy the first week of February, followed by a lumpectomy. During the final preparation and workup for this therapy, the Lord directed other plans for our family. On Wednesday, January 18, Polly had a CT scan and a bone scan. The CT scan came back normal with no signs of cancer in any major organs or anywhere else in the body. The bone scan however, revealed a single spot in Polly’s sacrum—the lowest bone in the spine. A biopsy of this new site revealed that this spot was a metastasis from her original breast cancer. This means that the cancer is considered Stage 4—but it is unusual in that it is only in a single site (oligo-metastatic).

Thankfully, the cancer in both areas are both estrogen and progesterone receptor positive, and the therapy is now focused at suppressing the estrogen production in Polly’s body. Polly will start with surgery and endocrine therapy, which is a medication used to block additional estrogen produced in the body. Chemotherapy at this point is not going to be part of the initial treatment, but might be later on. There are several more tests that she will undergo in preparation for this treatment and then she will be monitored for signs of response with CT scans and bone scans.

The love and encouragement we have received from you all in these early weeks have been so uplifting and sustaining. While we continue to be in shock and disbelief—your prayers and support have helped us through these first days and weeks of our journey. We are hoping that this site can keep you updated on the details of Polly’s treatment, and to know how to best pray for her and for us. We hope to update this CaringBridge site for many, many years to come.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33