Dani's Life-Saving Surgery_Breast Implant Illness

Hello, my name is Danyelle, but most people know me as “Dani”.  Let me start off by saying how humbling and embarrassing this request is for me, but I have run out of all other options. You see, 14 years ago after I gave birth to my 3rd child, I was left with little breast tissue and eventually, to feel “normal”, decided to get breast implants.  I was told when I got them, that these were safe, but I’ve learned the devastating reality that this was not true and my need to conform to social standards has now left me very ill.

For the past 10+ Years I have struggled with ongoing, chronic health problems. I have been to many, many doctors and naturopaths. But this past year my health has drastically declined. After extensive research and with the help of family, friends and various doctors, we’ve come to the conclusion that my body is rejecting the implants and reacting to the many chemicals that comprise silicone, something called Breast Implant Illness, "where the breast implants cause endocrine disruption and immune system dysfunction and steadily deteriorate in your body, where silicone particles, toxic and carcinogenic chemicals and heavy metals in the silicone damage your body glands, organs and good health processes."

Most of my days now consist of extreme joint, muscle and nerve pain. In addition, I have severe chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, loss of memory, cognitive problems that cause me to get overwhelmed easily, and probably the worst has been severe depression, anxiety and multiple panic attacks.

Other symptoms I experience regularly include:

-Early Menopause (age 38)
-Ringing in ears
-insomnia
-major brain fog
-unexplained weight gain (60 lbs)
-serious digestive issues
-bloating
-excessive dry skin
-extremely itchy skin with unexplained rashes
-heart palpitations
-hair loss

Many of these symptoms together indicate some sort of auto-immune disorder but aside from elevated ANA (antibodies) all the tests came back negative. Several doctors explained that my body is working overtime trying to rid itself of the foreign objects causing my body to be in a constant state of fight or flight, a constant state of inflammation, taxing my adrenals, thyroid, and immune system.... Basically, wreaking havoc in my body.

For this to be rectified I need a surgery that specifically focuses on removing the implants and all surrounding tissue, getting out all the toxins, called a total capsulectomy, en-bloc, and muscle repair. This may also include scraping the ribs and whatever else the surgeon finds when he gets in there as fragments can be found in other areas. It will take time and there is more involved in getting my health back to 100% but I'm told this first step is an absolute must.

My heart’s desire is to be out of pain and able to return to work and life, (I am no longer able to work as my job as a medical assistant requires long hours on my feet which was becoming severely debilitating). I am also a new grandparent and look forward to spending quality time with my little Lilah Kate!

Unfortunately, insurance does not cover the cost of this surgery. I’ve consulted with several surgeons and the approximate cost of this procedure is $9800. I am scheduled for surgery with Dr. Rankin in Jupiter, FL on August 4th, 2021 but have been placed on a priority wait list as my illness is so severe.  All the funds raised through this GoFundMe will be put toward the cost of surgery. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and consider how you might be able to help, if anything I would greatly appreciate your prayers.

As for those who might be considering getting breast augmentation or if you’ve been experiencing health issue since you’ve gotten breast implants, please check out this website here as well as the support group, breast implant illness on Facebook for similar stories:

https://www.breastimplantillness.com/ 
https://healingbreastimplantillness.com/breast-implant-symptoms/
https://healingbreastimplantillness.com/