I received my "new improved" silicone gel implants in 1978 . . . Within weeks I began showing signs of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. Not knowing what it was, I was treated for allergies for years as my sensitivities increased to include a broad range of chemicals and substances.

 

As time went by, I began to hurt . . . first my shoulder and neck, eventually all over. I was fatigued, depressed, and probably worst of all, I couldn't think clearly. I couldn't do the simplest job right. Everywhere I could go, everything I could do was controlled by my chemical sensitivities. By the time I made the connection between my health issues and breast implants, and had them removed, I was unable to work or live normally.

 

By the Grace of God, sixteen years later (1994) I was led to a doctor who removed my implants properly (en bloc/total capsulectomy), and began my journey of healing. I was eventually able to return to work and get my life back.

 

Along the way, I've met thousands of women through support groups, like Yahoo's SalineSupport, who experience the same wide range of health problems unexplained by tests or physicians. What is gratifying, is to see these women get their lives back after explanting and detoxing. Unfortunately, while women may get much better, it appears they must be extraordinarily watchful of their health the rest of their lives - or experience flares and setbacks that mimic their earlier problems.

 

At the outset of my implant awareness, I watched a group of young mothers discover, for the first time, the unusual health problems their children suffered, were shared by the children of other implanted mothers. Watching the shock, horror, fear and guilt expressed by those mothers is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life. Their children had rashes, digestive problems, joint and muscle pain that were unexplainable by doctors.

 

Since that time, I was moved to start a support group for the families of children affected by silicone . . .Yahoo's SiliconeKids. While I thought I knew some of the problems the children were experiencing, I learned that the issues were far more serious. . . serious skin disorders (scleroderma), deformed extremities, cognitive and emotional problems . .. the list goes on.

 

Nevertheless, women are STILL being told that breast implants won't affect their ability to conceive (Wrong), likelihood of miscarrying (Wrong), or the health of their children (Wrong).. . Women are being told that, while the likelihood of being able to nurse may be diminished (Right), their milk is safe for their babies (Wrong). . . Children are being nursed by women who have ruptured implants, implants full of mold or other dangerous organisms. . . The platinum used as a catalyst to change liquid silicone to a semi-solid is leaching from the implant into the woman's body, as well as crossing the placenta to the child. Ionized platinum, found in implanted women and their children, is an extremely potent neurotoxin. CANDO is offering free Platinum testing for women and children. Please check this website.

 

Ironically, after forty years the widespread use of breast implants, there STILL aren't any studies being done on SICK children born to implanted women! . . . I find this outrageous! The unjustified guilt these mothers experience is horrendous. The burden of caring for a child with multiple health issues is tremendous.

 

Recently, I'm getting reports that a THIRD generation of children are being affected . . i.e. the grand children of implanted women are experiencing the same health issues. If this isn't outrageous, I don't know what is.

 

There is an effort to register birth defects in a national data base. www.birthdefects.org. . . There is a place at the end of the survey, "Other" to write either "Silicone Gel breast implants" OR "Saline breast implants". One need not prove the connection . . . That's the purpose of the survey. First the survey must indicate there may be a correlation between the health problems and the presence of implants. Ilena has more information on her website ... click here.

 

To date, the FDA has refused to protect this countries women and children. Opting instead, to protect the manufacturer's and plastic surgeon's from liability by requiring that women sign "Informed Consent" forms that do little to protect women, and much to protect those who would perpetrate this disaster. Hundreds of thousands of reports about health problems implanted women experience have been submitted to MedWatch. Hundreds of reports have been submitted on behalf of the children. . . Regardless of these reports, the FDA chose to approve another generation of breast implants on the eve of the Congressional December holiday recess.

 

Please contact your Congressmen and women . .. Please contact the media. Please tell your friends and family that breast implants aren't simply risky . . . They are downright dangerous. They threaten the health of women and children. . . They pose a burden on public educational institutions, on SSDI, Medicaid, Medicare and all other public welfare programs. . . Even if YOU don't have breast implants, YOU are paying the costs. . . costs this country can't afford financially or in human terms.

 

Thank you for taking the time to read this . . . and thank you even more if you take the time to get involved to stop this nightmare!