Mary Selden
By Previve on October 9, 2010 | Category: Previvor Stories | 3 CommentsMy mom died at age 40 from breast cancer. She suffered with it and complications from it for 6-7 years. That was 19 years ago. So for the past 19 years I have had this in the back of my mind, “when is it my turn to get cancer?”
In Feb. 2009 I had some back issues and saw a neurosurgeon. He read my history and asked if I had ever considered Genetic testing. Apparently, he had treated a few women who died shortly after from cancer. He wanted to treat the whole person. So he gave us a business card for WNY Breast Health. It was up to us follow up. My husband and I decided to check it out.
After a few days and lots of crying, my husband and I did lots of research. I was done having children so it was decided that for Easter I would have my ovaries and tubes removed. This sent me into early menopause. I was blessed to not have many symptoms. I was determined to keep my breasts. But as the summer wore on my mind had begun to change. We also spoke to a friend who had breast cancer but had under gone a TUG. She introduced us to Diep flaps. I thought, this would be a good way to go, a tummy tuck and a breast lift. So we researched plastic surgeons and found an expert to perform the surgery. I was to undergo 8 hours of surgery. They were going to removed both breasts and then take fat from my tummy and rebuild my breasts. I don’t remember much of the next few weeks. And I’m glad I didn’t, my husband says there were days he was beside himself trying to help me feel better.
But here I am now, almost a year later. I have great breasts, that now have nipples and they look great. Most people can’t even tell that they are not my natural first breasts. I now also have like a 1% chance of ever getting breast cancer. I have a new outlook on life and I try to take on new challenges every day. And you know what, I have now outlived my mother. Every day is new ground for me.
Mary Selden
Orchard Park NY
Previvor
3 Responses to “Mary Selden”
Leave a Reply
Recent Comments
- on A Previvor at Last!
- on RESOURCES
- on Here Goes Nothing
- on RESOURCES
- on MEDIA
Categories
- Claudia's Blog (19)
- Previvor Stories (23)
- Webisodes (9)
Mary selden
October 9, 2010 at 12:56 pmI didn’t mention that I am BRCA 1 +.
I have three biological sisters. Two got tested negative but one hasn’t been tested. I still think that she doesn’t even want to acknowledge it.
sherry talbott
October 11, 2010 at 4:28 amdid insurance cover you to get the brca 1 test or did you have to pay out of pocket?
Previve
October 11, 2010 at 3:53 pmHi Sherry! Most insurance companies will cover the costs of genetic testing. It also depends upon how much you want tested. For instance, my grandmother’s genetic test cost a lot more than mine because they looked at her entire BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. It’s like looking for a misspelling in an entire encyclopedia! Since they were able to locate my grandmother’s mutation, my genetic test was less expensive. For me, it was like pulling Chapter 10 out of that encyclopedia and looking for a misspelling. Either way, insurance should cover the majority of the cost. For more information, and you may already know this, but you can definitely contact FORCE at http://www.facingourrisk.org and of course you ask your insurance provider. Because of the recent 2008 GINA Act (genetic information non-discriminatory act), they cannot discriminate against you in any way, so feel free to ask away!