Gabby Fishman Needs Your Help

This is very emotional for me, so just gonna say it: I’m having a double mastectomy in January. 

I grew up seeing my mother’s mastectomy scar across her chest. Her breast cancer eventually returned more aggressively and, by the time I was 10, I had witnessed chemo ravage her body before cancer eventually took her away from us.

 

In 2012, I was asked by my then doctor whether I’d like to take the BRCA gene test. Carriers of this gene put them at a 50 - 80% higher risk than the general population for ovarian and breast cancer. Did I want to take this test? Not really. Up until that point, the only thing I knew about the gene was the glamorous Angelie Jolie had it. What did this gene have to do with me? I looked at the test as a way to courageously face what was likely responsible for my mother’s death. OK, Yes, I want to know. I tested positive for BRCA1, and now breast and ovarian cancer wouldn’t sneak up on me like it did with my mother...

 

Fast forward through the next 10 years of mammograms, MRIs, transvaginal ultrasounds, countless doctor appointments, countless scares and a biopsy. Surveillance for this gene requires appointments and imaging every 5-6 months and there’s always the waiting for results where I’m carrying the weight of “will this be the time they

find something?”

 

These have been some of the most challenging years of my life, and yet somehow through all the difficulties and doubts I am finally able to say I am ready to follow through with my prophylactic mastectomy and hysterectomy surgeries in order to join Angelina and get ahead of the statistics. I want to be a previvor.

 

I will have the first of multiple medical procedures on January 17. I will be in the hospital for three days and recovering from my double mastectomy and reconstruction for approximately six weeks. There will be additional revision surgeries before my hysterectomy, but I’m told recovery from each should be milder than the first surgeries.

 

As you may know, hair stylists--both independent and those employed in salons--are still not entitled to paid leave (thank you, Joe Manchin!) and don’t get vacation days or PTO. This is why I have very very humbly set up this GoFundMe to get help with my living expenses, medical supplies, meals, and doggy care while I will be unable to work. I would be beyond thankful if you are able to donate or even share this with others.

 

It’s really hard for me to talk about the BRCA gene, surgeries, etc. one-on-one. If you’re interested in learning more about what I’m going through:

 

https://www.komen.org/breast-cancer/risk-factor/topics/brca-genes/#BRCA1-and-BRCA2-gene-mutations-women

 

 

https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/what-is-brca

Oh, and adding in this link for Mixed Connective Tissue Disorder (https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/7051/mixed-connective-tissue-disease), which I was recently diagnosed with and to manage it will be taking Plaquenil aka Hydroxychloroquine (thanks, Trump!) and NSAIDs for the rest of my life. Yay.

 

Asking for help does not come easily to me so I would just like to say thank you for even taking the time to read this and help me along my healing journey.

 

I love you all,

Gabby