10/31/2025
begins her story with her mother, a breast & ovarian cancer survivor who was BRCA1➕️
When her mom passed in June '17 after a 2nd breast cancer battle, Helen’s world changed forever.
In '07, she tested positive for the BRCA1 gene 🧬 & was told she’d need to choose between preventative surgery or strict monitoring.
Having already started mammos at 24, she planned to remove her ovaries after having a child.
She decided to start a family sooner rather than later. Every decision became rooted in urgency & prevention. After years of screenings & 2 biopsies, she welcomed her daughter through IVF 👩🍼
During another round of testing, she reached her breaking point. Sitting at home holding her baby, waiting for results, she decided to take back control.
By 33, she'd undergone an oophorectomy & met with her surgeons to plan the mastectomy but had to postpone after her daughter was hospitalized 🏥
On 12/19/12, she had her DMX with implant-based reconstruction. Although she initially wanted a TDAP flap, her surgeon advised implants for a shorter recovery & lower risk.
For the next several years, her body repeatedly rejected her implants 😥 In '15, she lost her right implant to infection & endured oxygen therapy to heal.
Her daughter saw her chest & innocently asked what happened. Helen said, “They deflated like a balloon, but the dr will fix it.” She smiled & said, “Mom, you’re so beautiful.” 🥹That moment stayed with her forever.
By '20, after years of pain, she decided she no longer wanted implants & chose to go flat. Her plans were delayed by the pandemic, leaving her in pain 😭 In Oct '22, an MRI revealed a ruptured implant.
Through FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered), she learned about The Breast Center of New Orleans & Dr. Sullivan, who specialized in advanced flap reconstruction. In Feb '23, she underwent TDAP flap surgery, followed by 2 more procedures, but this time healing came with peace 💝
More of her relatives have tested positive for BRCA & faced their own battles. After losing both her mother & aunt to treatment complications, Helen remains steadfast in her belief: “I’d rather be a Previvor than a Survivor.” 💖
