Ally Polcari: A True Survivor

Ally Isabelle Polcari is a beautiful, infectiously bubbly 22-year-old college student. One look at her would lead you to believe she is the picture of health, not a four time cancer survivor. But at 19, Ally was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer and life as she knew it came to a halting stop.

It took Ally’s doctors two months to diagnose the cysts in her ovary as cancerous. She underwent surgery to remove her first ovary after radiation and chemo proved unsuccessful. However, doctors failed to remove a fallopian tube with cancerous cells, the cancer returned, and Ally went through a stronger dose chemotherapy.

In October 2007, an infected cyst in her remaining ovary burst causing her to be violently ill and forcing doctors to remove it as well. A few months later, she began to feel sick again. In February, more extensive testing revealed that she had endometrial cancer. Ally endured more sessions of chemotherapy and, in March, they removed her uterus. Ally says, “The most difficult thing for me to deal with is being unable to be pregnant and give birth. I always romanticized it in my mind and it’s hard to know that something you have always wanted, you can never have.”

Ally is presently working with her doctor to find a hormone treatment that she will use for the rest of her life. Cancer has sent this gorgeous girl into early menopause, but has also left her with an unshakable conviction to live a happy, healthy life.

“I have learned from this experience that women need to take charge of their health care. My original doctor made errors and it took months to determine what was wrong with me. No one knows your body better than you do and if you think something is wrong, go to a doctor and if you still are worried, go to another.”

Ally is a shining example of what it means to be That Girl. She is strong, optimistic, and a true survivor. She is a gifted painter and is currently completing a degree in art and education. After graduation, she will pursue a career as a 1st grade teacher. Ally will celebrate one year in remission in March.

cancer, health, ovarian cancer, That Girl