save current clipboard contents to another variable, then use copy, save to variable, put original clipboard contents back. Url: https://www.autohotkey.com/board/topic/39280-get-selected-text/

get-selected-text-ask-for-help-autohotkey-community.ahk

#c::
oCB := ClipboardAll  ; save clipboard contents
Send, ^c
ClipWait,1

< do whatever you originally wanted with selected text in "clipboard" variable >

ClipBoard := oCB         ; return original Clipboard contents
return