Dawn's Explant Surgery
"We are all just walking each other home." -Ram Dass.
*UPDATE. I am so overjoyed and so immeasurably humbled to share that my explant surgery is now booked and paid for because of the outpouring of your support, your donations and your LOVE. The "toxic twins" will be evicted come February 2021 and I can't fully put into words how liberating this is and how deeply grateful I am to each and every one of you.
I am keeping the GoFundMe open to continue to raise funds for my post-op healing journey and to rise even more #BII awareness. "Thank you" is an understatement.
Well hello there friend :)
I was scared, but SO inspired to create a video to tell my story.
To share, to inspire, uplift and spread not only some love, but some "Breast Implant Illness" (BII) awareness too.
Feel free to check out the video!
Telling the story of how I went from healthy, to very sick.
In a scary, challenging, but oh so strengthening 5 year journey.
Breast Implant Illness. (BII) -or "poisoning by implant."
Yeah. I know right?
No idea this was even a "thing" until recently.
BII Awareness is on the rise and I am so humbled and so happy to be a part of this movement. Shining light on the extremely serious impact that breast implants can have on your health and your WHOLE being- mind, body and spirit.
With a body slowly shutting down, feeling sicker and sicker by the day with no answers, I was doing my best to stay positive and patient, but I was losing hope...
And fast.
Not one of the wonderful medical professionals in my corner could figure out why my body was essentially attacking itself, no matter what we tried.
I eat super clean, drink plenty of water, no alcohol or caffeine. I rest, practice yoga and hike in the forest everyday. Sauna, cold showers, meditation, breathing exercises, dance, art, laughter....these are daily practices for this gal.
Heck, I'm the sickest healthy person I know! :)
Since getting the implants in 2015 I have experienced:
Unintentional weight loss.
Chronic pain and weakness in my muscles and joints. (I hurt, all the time).
Several food intolerances (I eat the same 7 foods everyday at this point).
I was hospitalized for a heart arrhythmia "usually only seen in 80 year olds" in 2019, weighing just over 100 pounds. scary.
Breathing issues.
Insomnia.
Inflammation.
Daily heart palpitations.
Skin issues.
Depression. Brain fog. Migranes. Anxiety.... just a handful of the symptoms that developed and are worsening in the last 5 years.
Because BII awareness is still on the rise and not recognized by all medical professionals YET (remember folks....smoking in delivery rooms and family restaurants was once acceptable) I have the option of either being put on a 2-3 year waiting list for the explant surgery that insurance can help cover, OR I can have the explant done ASAP in a private clinic, paying out of pocket for the surgery.
Yeah, not even a question.
I needed these "toxic ta-tas" out YESTERDAY.
So, it is with vulnerability, deep courage and bravery, I am asking for your help.
Whether you can donate to the explant surgery, perhaps share my video/ story, maybe talk to a friend or to your kids about body image and self love, add me to your prayers or simply send some "good vibes"...
Anything helps and it ALL is so appreciated by this (very) grateful gal.
I am not the same girl I was when I got the implants back in 2015.
I had an insecurity and I chose to put a bandaid (two very expensive, toxic bandaids) over that insecurity.
I have no regrets, no shame and no guilt. Only Love.
This journey has made me strong by first making me weak. It has given me perspective and taught me so much. About myself, about life and how precious it really is.
So here's to health. To happiness. To brave boobies, toxic free ta-tas and chemical free cans ;) Here's to the chance to get my life back.
If you are silently suffering, or have any questions know that you are not alone.
It's okay to be scared and it's okay to reach out and ask for help.
You have a friend in me.
Big love, biggest gratitude.
Dawn