Help Brandi Get Needed Surgery

Hi Friends.

I am reaching out for help and started this GoFundMe after months of trying to find a way to get a much needed surgery. This is humbling and personal but sometimes ya just gotta put that aside.

I want so badly to be healthy again and active with my family.  I'm also hoping to bring awareness to others who have gone down a similar path.

Here’s my story. Twenty years ago this November I decided to get breast implants, specifically saline filled with a silicone shell placed under the muscle. I was told when I got them,  that these were safe but I’ve learned the devastating reality that this was not true.

At that stage in my life I believed I wasn’t womanly enough or attractive unless I could get my body altered in that way.  I've come to realize now I bought into the lie….and as we know the truth sets us free. Yet I am living with the consequences of believing that lie. My focus has shifted to the way God sees me, that He created me in His image and He says I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

For the past 10+ Years I have struggled with on going, chronic health problems, been to many many doctors and naturopaths. But this past year my health has drastically declined. Thankfully through the help of 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."

The many symptoms are extremely uncomfortable and most days have become debilitating, such as severe chronic fatigue, fibromialgia, nerve pain, loss of memory, cognitive problems that cause me to get overwhelmed easily, and probably the worst has been severe depression and anxiety and multiple panic attacks.
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 and thyroid, and immune system.... Basically wreaking havoc in my body.

For this to be rectified I need a particular surgery that focuses on removing the implants and all surrounding tissue, getting out all the toxins, called a total capsulectomy, en blonc, and muscle repair. This may also include scraping the ribs and whatever else the doctor 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 hearts desire is to be full of energy again for life, for my husband to be able to go back to working full time doing what he loves (my illness has greatly effected his capacity to invest in our church plant or to work outside the home as he cares for me and the kids), and for me to be active with my kids again.

Unfortunately at this time insurance does not cover the cost of this surgery. I’ve consulted with several surgeons the approximate cost of this procedure is $12,000 - $15,000.  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. Any support would be greatly appreciated.

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, www.breastimplantillness.com  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/