Please help me get my life back!
Donation protected
"Do your boobs hang low?" YES! Mine sure as heck do, and sadly, they are not just uncomfortable, I know they are poisoning me!
In the year 2002, I was a mother of two and a part-time swimsuit model. I had lost a significant amount of breast tissue due to extreme exercise. Because I was so flat-chested, I was often depressed due to not feeling "womanly." I used push-up bras, and silicon "fillets" in my bra, but I still didn't feel "adequate" enough. I spent almost one year deciding on whether to get breast implants or not, and I finally bit the bullet.
My surgeon was one of the best around at the time, and did an absolutely fabulous job. I had 360 cc silicon, textured, tear-drop implants made by a company called "McGhan" (now owned by "Allergan") At the time, I was not told that implants could possibly cause any health issues down the track.(How wrong I was!)
The first three years I was healthy, happy and thrilled with the money I had spent, but around 2005, whilst living in San Francisco, I started to notice I was always tired, my joints started to hurt, and skin rashes would come and go. I put the tiredness down to being a mother (of now three children), but then noticed other symptoms appearing. I would often have "brain fog", mood swings, anxiety, and some days I couldn't touch my skin without being in extreme pain. I went to countless doctors and specialists, but no one could explain why I was getting a plethora of other physical symptoms. My blood tests would show inflammatory markers and infection, but no one (including a Professor of Immunology) could figure out what it was. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, sjogrens syndrome and arthritis; but at one stage they thought it may have been lupus and even Bechet's disease.
I returned to Australia in 2009 and my health was the same. Some days better than others, but I would never wake up feeling "good", even after having great sleep, being on a great diet, and exercising.
Over the last few years my health has deteriorated substantially, and in particular, the past year.
My symptoms include-
* chronic fatigue * anxiety *rashes *eczema
* fibromyalgia * nerve pain in all extremities and my face
* strange rashes * inflammation of my rib cage
* an itch under my left arm at night * difficulty breathing
* digestive issues (gastritis) *thyroid issues * headaches
*muscle spasms * blurred vision * depression *dry eyes
* dry mouth * mouth ulcers *mucous membrane issues
Sadly, a few of these symptoms are with me daily. Some other symptoms rear their ugly head when I flare, and there's no telling when. Sure, I have "better" days than others, but it's incredibly difficult to function most days if I can be perfectly honest. Even if I'm smiling and look like I'm healthy and happy, I can assure you, I'm not. (I think I missed my call of being an actress ;-p )
I never thought about correlating implants with any illness until I started seeing a number of things on social media where most of us all had the same symptoms,( or at least a few.) Women were getting their implants out ("explanting") and seeing a huge change in their health as well as their looks. (Some within hours, some took a few months, and sure, there were a few ladies who didn't notice much shift at all)
I saw a plastic surgeon here in Brisbane early 2017 to start to process of what I needed to do. I knew it was going to cost a small fortune, and unfortunately, "Breast Implant Illness" is not yet recognised in most of the medical establishment as a "health problem." It's incredibly sad, because millions of women around the world are all suffering and so many can't afford to get them removed with the hopes of "living" again.
I am a single mother and haven't worked in five years due to being so unwell. I'm hoping that once I have these removed, I can gain my life back to be a better mother and to get back in to the work force. I truly miss being happy and having a life. I won't miss carrying these bowling balls on my chest that literally weigh a ton though!!
It's taken me everything I have to swallow my pride to do this page, hence why it's so late in me publishing it. I don't like asking for anything off anyone, but I always like to help others when I can, so I'm hoping we can all pay it forward. The cost for my surgery is as follows:
Plastic surgeon $5,550.00
Hospital and theatre fee $4,462
Anaesthetist $1850
Compression bras $200
Pathology TBD but could be up to a few hundred dollars
Carer support $TBD but I won't be able to lift my arms for a few weeks and although I have children, I will still need help with my four year old.
Any money left over, if I'm lucky enough to raise it all, I will pass on to one of the beautiful ladies I know through the Facebook Breast Implant Illness awareness page. (A lady and I have become good friends but have never met, and I would love to help her!!
My biggest concern is that the implants I have are linked to the breast cancer, BIA ALCL and they have been recalled. The company responsible for these implants ("Allergan") will NOT cover any cost to do with explanting, they will only replace them. (no thanks!!) I will be tested (hence the pathology price listed above), and am sure I'll be okay, but would like to get the "green light." When I saw my plastic surgeon two weeks ago, he told me my left breast has changed and he is concerned it may be ruptured and stuck to my rib cage.
My surgery is BOOKED for October 25th 2019 here in Brisbane, and I'm having two nights in hospital because my surgeon uses drains and the thought of coming home to children the day after surgery terrifies me. (lol)
I am meant to pay the surgeon his fee's on OCT 18th, so I'm really cutting it fine.
I have pretty much "bared my soul" on here so you can get an idea of what I go through. I'm forever grateful for any help, and I promise, once I'm living again, I WILL help others.
PS: I've held off sending my photos that I've shared with you to "Vogue" magazine for this year, but who knows? May be after explant, that will change! ;-)
Sincerely,
Monique xo
In the year 2002, I was a mother of two and a part-time swimsuit model. I had lost a significant amount of breast tissue due to extreme exercise. Because I was so flat-chested, I was often depressed due to not feeling "womanly." I used push-up bras, and silicon "fillets" in my bra, but I still didn't feel "adequate" enough. I spent almost one year deciding on whether to get breast implants or not, and I finally bit the bullet.
My surgeon was one of the best around at the time, and did an absolutely fabulous job. I had 360 cc silicon, textured, tear-drop implants made by a company called "McGhan" (now owned by "Allergan") At the time, I was not told that implants could possibly cause any health issues down the track.(How wrong I was!)
The first three years I was healthy, happy and thrilled with the money I had spent, but around 2005, whilst living in San Francisco, I started to notice I was always tired, my joints started to hurt, and skin rashes would come and go. I put the tiredness down to being a mother (of now three children), but then noticed other symptoms appearing. I would often have "brain fog", mood swings, anxiety, and some days I couldn't touch my skin without being in extreme pain. I went to countless doctors and specialists, but no one could explain why I was getting a plethora of other physical symptoms. My blood tests would show inflammatory markers and infection, but no one (including a Professor of Immunology) could figure out what it was. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, sjogrens syndrome and arthritis; but at one stage they thought it may have been lupus and even Bechet's disease.
I returned to Australia in 2009 and my health was the same. Some days better than others, but I would never wake up feeling "good", even after having great sleep, being on a great diet, and exercising.
Over the last few years my health has deteriorated substantially, and in particular, the past year.
My symptoms include-
* chronic fatigue * anxiety *rashes *eczema
* fibromyalgia * nerve pain in all extremities and my face
* strange rashes * inflammation of my rib cage
* an itch under my left arm at night * difficulty breathing
* digestive issues (gastritis) *thyroid issues * headaches
*muscle spasms * blurred vision * depression *dry eyes
* dry mouth * mouth ulcers *mucous membrane issues
Sadly, a few of these symptoms are with me daily. Some other symptoms rear their ugly head when I flare, and there's no telling when. Sure, I have "better" days than others, but it's incredibly difficult to function most days if I can be perfectly honest. Even if I'm smiling and look like I'm healthy and happy, I can assure you, I'm not. (I think I missed my call of being an actress ;-p )
I never thought about correlating implants with any illness until I started seeing a number of things on social media where most of us all had the same symptoms,( or at least a few.) Women were getting their implants out ("explanting") and seeing a huge change in their health as well as their looks. (Some within hours, some took a few months, and sure, there were a few ladies who didn't notice much shift at all)
I saw a plastic surgeon here in Brisbane early 2017 to start to process of what I needed to do. I knew it was going to cost a small fortune, and unfortunately, "Breast Implant Illness" is not yet recognised in most of the medical establishment as a "health problem." It's incredibly sad, because millions of women around the world are all suffering and so many can't afford to get them removed with the hopes of "living" again.
I am a single mother and haven't worked in five years due to being so unwell. I'm hoping that once I have these removed, I can gain my life back to be a better mother and to get back in to the work force. I truly miss being happy and having a life. I won't miss carrying these bowling balls on my chest that literally weigh a ton though!!
It's taken me everything I have to swallow my pride to do this page, hence why it's so late in me publishing it. I don't like asking for anything off anyone, but I always like to help others when I can, so I'm hoping we can all pay it forward. The cost for my surgery is as follows:
Plastic surgeon $5,550.00
Hospital and theatre fee $4,462
Anaesthetist $1850
Compression bras $200
Pathology TBD but could be up to a few hundred dollars
Carer support $TBD but I won't be able to lift my arms for a few weeks and although I have children, I will still need help with my four year old.
Any money left over, if I'm lucky enough to raise it all, I will pass on to one of the beautiful ladies I know through the Facebook Breast Implant Illness awareness page. (A lady and I have become good friends but have never met, and I would love to help her!!
My biggest concern is that the implants I have are linked to the breast cancer, BIA ALCL and they have been recalled. The company responsible for these implants ("Allergan") will NOT cover any cost to do with explanting, they will only replace them. (no thanks!!) I will be tested (hence the pathology price listed above), and am sure I'll be okay, but would like to get the "green light." When I saw my plastic surgeon two weeks ago, he told me my left breast has changed and he is concerned it may be ruptured and stuck to my rib cage.
My surgery is BOOKED for October 25th 2019 here in Brisbane, and I'm having two nights in hospital because my surgeon uses drains and the thought of coming home to children the day after surgery terrifies me. (lol)
I am meant to pay the surgeon his fee's on OCT 18th, so I'm really cutting it fine.
I have pretty much "bared my soul" on here so you can get an idea of what I go through. I'm forever grateful for any help, and I promise, once I'm living again, I WILL help others.
PS: I've held off sending my photos that I've shared with you to "Vogue" magazine for this year, but who knows? May be after explant, that will change! ;-)
Sincerely,
Monique xo
Organizer
Monique Catherine
Organizer
Tingalpa, QLD