Our favorite day of the week, Monday Meet a Moms! This week we are sharing Michelle Chester, a Haslett mom of two beautiful girls who also has started a valuable support group for people with genetic predispositions to breast and ovarian cancer.
Breast and ovarian cancer are very prevalent in Michelle’s family and at the age of 18, Michelle made the challenging decision to undergo genetic testing. Her result of a BRCA1 mutation launched her into discussions with her doctors about increased screening for breast and ovarian cancer and recommendations for preventative surgeries.
After years of increased breast cancer screenings, Michelle decided to have a prophylactic mastectomy with reconstruction. Going through that process made her realize how isolating it could feel and how much of an emotional journey it was. She wants other women in her situation to have access to support and to know they are not alone!
More information about the support group can be found on the flyer below.
Welcome to Greater Lansing Area Moms, Michelle💚
Please introduce yourself, where are you from, where do you reside now, where you went to school, etc? Please give us an overview of all things, Michelle!
My name is Michelle, and I am originally from the Chicago area. I came to Michigan to attend MSU where I met my husband. We now both work at MSU and have lived in East Lansing ever since!
Rose Memories Photography
How old are your children?
We have two daughters: Evelyn (9) and Julia (6)
Where did you and your husband meet? Or a first date if local?
We met through church while we were both students at MSU. Our first date was just before Christmas and my husband didn’t tell me anything other than to dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes. He took me to Frankenmuth, which I did not know about before, having not grown up in Michigan. We got dinner, walked around, and talked a lot. We had a great time and now have been married for 12 years!
What do you think is one of the best parts about being a mom?
Watching my kids grow up into some of the kindest and most empathetic people that I know is a great privilege. As a mom, you pour everything you have into your kids, so watching the fruit of those efforts develop is extremely rewarding.
What is a piece of advice for new moms you wish you would have known when you were a new mom?
The early days are so exhausting physically and mentally. On the days when all you manage to do is feed and hold your baby, you have done the most difficult and important job in that season of life. You are doing great!
You have been so open and honest about being a carrier for the BRCA1 breast cancer gene. How did you discover this?
Breast and ovarian cancer are very prevalent on my mom’s side of the family, with my grandmother, three aunts, and two cousins having had either breast or ovarian cancer. After my third aunt was diagnosed, she had genetic testing done and the rest of the family followed suit after she tested positive for a BRCA1 mutation. I had my blood drawn for the genetic test the day before I turned 18, it was the first document I legally signed for myself.
We would love to know more about the support group you have started for people with genetic predispositions to breast and ovarian cancer. Who is this group for?
This is a patient-led group intended for women living in Michigan who have a genetic predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer and who have not received a cancer diagnosis. It includes those who are currently undergoing cancer screening, those who are undergoing prophylactic surgeries (prophylactic mastectomy and/or prophylactic oophorectomy), and those who have completed their prophylactic surgeries and are navigating life after. The goal of the group is to provide a safe and supportive space for members to connect with others both in-person and virtually who are living with the same risk, share local resources and recommendations, and learn from and support each other.
What does the structure of the support group look like? What kinds of resources does the group include?
The group is organized through a private Facebook group where members can post their experiences and questions at any time, but we also have monthly meetings, either virtual or in person, for members to connect with each other, share how they are feeling, and ask questions. Additionally, we have special sessions where local health professionals attend to give a presentation relevant to the group and answer questions.
In the Facebook group, we have resources including questions to ask your surgeons, a list of doctors that members recommend, resources on finding genetic counselors and menopause specialists, research studies members might be interested in participating in, and more!
What made you decide to start this group? How did it get started?
As I was going through the mastectomy and breast reconstruction process, I realized how isolating it could feel at times and how much of an emotional journey it was as well as a physical one. I thought that if I, who had fifteen years to try to prepare for this surgery and who had a wonderfully supportive community of family and friends had these feelings, surely others would too.
I asked my plastic surgeon if there were existing avenues within the hospital system that would allow me to support other women going through this process prophylactically and there weren’t any. There were supports in place for patients diagnosed with cancer, but not for those living with a high risk who have not had a cancer diagnosis. To help meet this need, I decided to try to start a group on my own. I connected with a few individuals through other groups and we started sharing our stories and supporting each other. My plastic surgeon and the rest of my medical team have been incredibly supportive, acknowledging its importance, encouraging me to continue pursuing its development, sharing information about the group with patients who may be interested, and offering to share at one of our special group sessions. Their support has truly been invaluable.
Meet a Mom Michelle Chester
What challenges do people who have a high risk of breast and ovarian cancer encounter?
Knowing that you have a high risk of cancer is a heavy burden to carry and can cause emotional distress and anxiety. Individuals often feel alone in their journey as their experience and decision-making process are not the same as someone diagnosed with cancer. Up until a few years ago, I had not met anyone else in person, other than my family members, who also had a genetic predisposition without a cancer diagnosis.
Navigating conversations about a positive genetic test with family members and partners can be challenging. Depending on the stage of life you are in when you find out, it can greatly influence life decisions, such as when to start having a family or whether to have biological children.
The increased screening that is required can be anxiety-provoking as well. Every 6 months beginning at the age of 25, there are appointments and tests done to monitor for cancer, including physical exams, mammograms, MRIs, ultrasounds, and CA-125 blood tests. The stress of waiting for the test results and hoping that nothing suspicious is found, this time, is very real.
For women who choose prophylactic surgeries, there is a greater potential for regret as they are choosing to remove healthy tissue and must come to terms with a body that looks and feels different. Women who choose to have a bilateral oophorectomy experience surgical menopause, which can be extremely challenging to navigate.
What steps do you recommend for people who receive genetic testing?
The first thing I recommend is to meet with a genetic counselor. Your results, along with your family history, can help the counselor give you an accurate assessment of your cancer risk, provide screening recommendations, and help you determine the best next steps for you.
Here are a couple questions to get to know you better 🙂
Coffee or tea?
Occasionally tea, never coffee
Favorite account or two on Instagram?
Sweat, I love its messaging surrounding women’s health and fitness
Last book you read?
Radical: The Science, Culture, and History of Breast Cancer in America by Kate Pickert
Favorite baby product that you have used?
The Lillebaby carrier, my second born practically lived in it the first year of her life.
Are you a morning person, or a night owl?
Definitely a morning person
Where are some of your favorite places locally to spend time with your family/family favorites – restaurants, attractions, events, parks, etc?
We like to spend time on MSU’s campus, walking through the gardens and woodlots and of course visiting the Dairy Store!
Do you have a favorite Fall activity?
I love taking walks to see the beautiful fall foliage.
How do you prefer readers to connect with you if they would like more information or would like to connect?
They can email [email protected] or scan the QR code on the group flyer that will take them to the Facebook group where they can request to join if they would like!
Thank you for joining us, Michelle! We appreciate your openness and honesty in sharing such a personal experience. This support group is invaluable for anyone going through an emotional and difficult journey.
Meet a Mom Sponsor information
Today’s Meet a Mom was brought to you by Boji Group. Boji Group specializes in Private-Public Partnerships, has offices in both Lansing and Birmingham and is headquartered in downtown Lansing.
Are you interested or know of someone who would make a great GLAMoms Meet a Mom? Send a message to [email protected] and we will take it from there!
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