Re: Patty - story in testimony section

[Guest guest]

Patty,

I don't mind if you want to post my story. If these stories can prevent/help even 1 woman from having to experience what we did because of the lack of information it is a benefit.

----- Original Message -----

From: *~Patty~*

Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2003 6:19 PM

Subject: Re: Re: New to group...doing research, please help

,

Thank you so much for your post. Yours is another sad story of a life crippled unnecessarily by implants....if only the FDA, the doctors and the manufacturers would have hearts of flesh instead of stone....! Would you mind if I posted your story in our testimonies section?

Patty

----- Original Message -----

From: Lee

Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2003 10:05 AM

Subject: Re: Re: New to group...doing research, please help

- Thanks for the photo - What a lovely family!

Debbye - You're absolutely right! There wasn't much information available in 1991 when I was implanted regarding implants, however, I'm not sure that I would have listened anyway.

- I'm glad you found this group - keep reading and researching. Many of us have experienced similar symtoms related to their implants in one form or another. Here's my story:

I was implanted in 1991 with saline implants and wish I could erase those years off my life. I am tall and have always been very thin. As a child, kids would tease me because of my small chest and call me "flatsy". In my late twenties, I went to work for a large corporation I had Managers tell me what a great body I had - but I'd have to carry a gun if I had a chest. All of this stereotyping of how a women is supposed to look got the best of me. In 1991, I was 38 years old, 5'9" tall and weighed 125-130 lbs. I was in the best shape of my life. I worked out at the gym 3 - 4 times/week. I was in the process of restoring my victorian house in PA. I worked a full time job and part-time at a restaurant. I found out that a fellow co-worker at the restaurant had implants. We had similar qualities and she looked great. I wasn't married and figured I probably would not be having children, so I began my search. I thought, I take care of my body, can wear nice clothes and wanted to look good in them. I did enough research to know that I wanted saline vs. silicone. But when I read the articles about autoimmune diseases, I thought this wouldn't happen to me - I was healthy. Nothing was going to change my mind - I wanted to be able to wear nice bras, swimsuits, etc.

For the first 3 - 4 years I was ok. In 1995, I became very ill with Epstein-Barr virus and everything got progressively worse since then. I always had plenty of energy and now I am either always tired or become fatigued with over-exertion. From that point on my brain became foggy. I couldn't think or even talk right. I felt like the Epstein-Barr virus had caused brain damage. I still have difficulty keeping my attention straight and putting proper sentences and words together. I went through early menopause at age 45, had fibroids removed, have osteoporosis, joint & tissue inflammation, degerative arthritis in my lower back, my throid is not functioning properly, and I've gained about 50 lbs and feel horrible.

I decided this year that I was too young to continue to feel this horrible, began to do research and am very certain that my implants had alot of influence on my detiorating health. I was explanted in March 2003 and am beginning to feel better. My PS did not remove my scar capsule (he told me my body would take care of it). Now I have a large seroma (fluid sack) the size of a hamburger in my left breast. I am seeing doctors to get this taken care of.

I work a full-time job, am still single, so my responsibilities fall on my shoulders only. Some days are good - while the least bit of stress or over-exertion can make me feel like I have my mononecleosis back again. Slowly I hope to regain my health back to the degree that I can for a 50 year old.

- you are very wise to be researching. But my recommendation to you is to cherish your body that you have now. Your natural breasts may get larger anyway as you age. And as you can see by the many women posting to this website that we all have had similar experiences - and none of them are worth ruining your health or possibly your life.

I pray that you make the right decision.

God's peace to all