Support Ali’s Explant Surgery - A BII Journey

To my wonderful friends and family,

I write this with tears in my eyes, swallowing my pride, because I don’t like asking for help. And to be frank, this topic is controversial. But I ask you to stay and read a brief story of my journey to where I am now.

After being a very healthy little girl saved by adoption, I developed a viral infection at 15 that changed my life. After months of being sick, multiple doctors and testing, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto’s. It was only the beginning of a lifelong battle living in a body that attacks itself.

Throughout the past 15 years I have been diagnosed with other autoimmune diseases and have gone in waves of being really sick, but I’ve never felt like myself again. In 2016 I made the decision to get a breast augmentation; I think at the time it was my way of being in control of what my body was doing and how it looked.

I did a lot of research and spoke to my doctor in depth about my health issues, we proceeded without a hiccup and I was left feeling extremely happy with the results.

Fast forward to 3 years ago- I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl; something I was told by multiple doctors would never happen. This started a new health journey I could have never imagined. Severe postpartum depression and an autoimmune flair up later and here we are… very sick once again.

Shortly after Kennedy’s second birthday, the depression and fog of postpartum started to lift and I caught my reflection in the mirror at Planet Fitness. I stopped at stared at the stranger looking back at me in the mirror for what felt like an hour. It was an out of body experience where I genuinely didn’t know who was looking back at me. I packed up my belongings, power walked to the car and sobbed. That moment unlocked something in me that told me I needed to heal. So I started yet another healing journey.

I got a therapist to help me work through the trauma of my adoption, family and health, I hired a trainer to hold me accountable with food and workouts, I started prioritizing self care, I slowed down to embrace and enjoy this beautiful life with my daughter and I’m proud to say I’m down 45 pounds and I’m starting to see someone I’m proud of in the mirror again.

It’s been clear something is still very wrong so I dug my heels in and found the answer that could be the solution to why I’m still feeling so crappy every single day.

I was told almost 8 years to the day after getting implants that I had developed Breast Implant Illness.

The next steps? Specialized blood work to look at the toxins in my body and a consultation with a plastic surgeon to get them removed. My constitution is scheduled for March 12th.

The cost of this surgery is high. My insurance won’t cover the surgery even when deemed medically necessary. We are doing what we can to save for this surgery to be done asap, but we need help. The medical debt I have racked up for our family is high and we are tapped out. There’s never a good time for financial emergencies, but this surgery is necessary and so important.

The best gift I could receive from you all is support through this process. The support people are able to give looks different for everyone, but whether that be financial support, sharing my story to help others who may be suffering in silence, emotional support, or prayers, I thank you in advance.

If you prefer to donate directly to me you are welcome to Venmo me ❤️

@alijandreasen

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for your consideration in supporting me through this healing journey to a happy, healthy, natural version of ME.