Also within 6 months I had my first episode of bronchitis, which was treated with antibiotics. Two more episodes of bronchitis and treatment occurred within the next 6 months. Then for 2 more years I coughed up heavy phlegm every day, but had no more episodes of bronchitis requiring treatment. Then such symptoms completely stopped.

In 1978, at age 38, I developed dry eyes and high blood pressure. By 1991 the blood pressure was 40 to 60 points higher in the right arm than in the left.

During the 1980's I told every doctor I talked with that I felt as if I had a mild case of flu at all times. I was diagnosed with chronic cystitis, migraine headaches, neuropathy (by EMG), cysts in my thyroid gland, and "equivocal" cyst on the pineal gland in my brain... "having much the same characteristics as cerebral spinal fluid.... (by MRI), brain lesions (by MRI) and loss of memory. Since I had never heard anything negative about breast implants, it never entered my mind that my health problems might be related to the implants.

In 1989 I had the first implants replaced because the hardening had become so severe that I developed sore chest muscles each time I used my arms in exercise. The new implants were covered with polyurethane and were invented, I was told, to minimize hardening. I was not told that the polyurethane would decay and be absorbed by my body. The hardening did not begin for one year, but in 1997 the doctor diagnosed Baker IV contracture. Four months after the surgery, a doctor diagnosed chronic fatigue. That same month I developed an abscessed tooth followed by four more abscessed teeth during the first 19 months after the surgery. (I'd had one abscessed tooth as a child following an accident to the tooth.) At 4 months after the replacement surgery I also developed severe sinus problems (I'd never had that before) which was diagnosed as chronic sinus infection in early 1991. I also developed severe allergy by 1991. In mid-1991 I developed the first 2 (now 6) swollen finger joints (both swelled on the same day) and that was diagnosed as osteoarthritis. X-ray shows subchondral cystic formation in the finger joints.

In 1992 I was no longer able to work and was granted total disability by Social Security.

In 1993 I developed sunken areas in my right breast. The plastic surgeon I went to said he thought the polyurethane had gone through the scar capsule and was destroying the breast tissue.

In 1993 I was diagnosed with pleurisy. In 1993 I was diagnosed with lymphadenopathy (large lumps were growing in both axillas and both groin areas). In 1994 I was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, oral ulcers, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, and parotiditis, as well as "... other signs and symptoms consistent with Sjogren's Syndrome." In 1995 I developed hair loss, scalp lesions, and rashes.

Although I have always been slender, weight loss began in 1995 at this time totals 36 pounds -- 138 lbs. down to 102 lbs. at 5'7" and doctors have not found a cause.

In 1996 I had surgery twice to remove very large lymph nodes in my left axilla (one time included a breast lump as well) and the lab reports showed granulomas and foreign material. At that time the surgeon recommended removal of the implants, saying "I believe your lymph system is picking up the bleeding silicone and causing this problem. This can turn to cancer and I recommend that you have the implants removed." Since my only income was from disability pay, I did not have the money to have the implants removed.

In 1997 I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse (I have never taken diet drugs) and osteoporosis.

In 1997, after I learned that Medicare would now pay for removal, the implants were removed. The left implant weighed 300 grams and the right weighed 309 grams from the original 310 grams. The lab reports showed: "Left breast tissue, capsule - fibrous capsule with foreign body histiocyte reaction and foreign body." The right breast capsule showed the same. The removal of the implants left me terribly disfigured.

In June 1998 I was diagnosed with pericarditis.

On 8/24/98 I had surgery again. This time to remove a 1 1/2" diameter mass in the left breast which was present when the fluid subsided following implant removal surgery (about 4 months) and also to remove tissue from the many large lymph nodes in my groin. Of course, the doctor is concerned for cancer. The tissue from this surgery as well as slides from the two 1996 surgeries was sent to University of Florida because they have the equipment and expertise to detect silicone.

Left groin biopsy - 1998: Lymph node with paracortical hyperplasia and pigment suggestive of dermatopathic lymphadenopathy.

Left breast biopsy - 1998: Breast tissue with fibrosis and triangular fragments of tingible foreign material consistent with polyurethane foam. See comment. There is associated dystrophic mineralization and foreign body giant cell reaction fragments of silicone adhesive are present.

Left axillary lymph node biopsy - 1996: Fibrovascular tissue with central cavity containing cellular debris, fibrin, and amorphous protein. Surrounding the cavity are numerous multinucleate giant cells and scattered lymphocytes and eosinophils. Foamy macrophages consistent with fat necrosis are present. Some palisading of histiocytes is present. Strand-like foreign material is identified with granulomata. Special stains for fungi are negative. See Comment.

Breast biopsy - 1996: Breast tissue with fibrotic stromal expansion and cystic dilation of ducts, benign. No foreign material identified.

Left axillary lymph node biopsy - 1996: Hyperplastic lymph node with vacuoles of water clear foreign material consistent with silicone. In addition vacuolated macrophages containing refractive foreign material consistent with silicone are present.

Following the 8/24/98 surgery, the surgeon after consulting with the pathologist, recommended that I have a mastectomy. He said he thought that was the only was to remove all the silicone from my little remaining breast tissue. He said he thinks that is the only was to stop my lymph nodes from continuing to enlarge.

EXAMPLES OF WHY AN ATYPICAL DISEASE CAUSED BY SILICONE HAS NOT BEEN POSITIVELY ESTABLISHED.

In 1996, a specialist in internal medicine x-rayed my painful finger and toe joints. The x-rays showed subchondral cystic formation. The doctor said this looked liked connective tissue disease and told me he would test me for that. The blood test was negative so he returned to the diagnosis of osteoarthritis.

Most doctors do not seem to understand, or do not wish to understand, that this disease is not typical.

The surgeon who recommended in 1996 that my implants be removed told he thought my problems were being caused by the implants. In 1998 the same doctor recommended mastectomy to remove all the silicone saying that was the only way to stop the problems. Yet, I feel sure that he has never reported this to the FDA or any other central reporting agency. I have reported to the FDA, but nobody seems to take the women seriously.

There are approximately one million women going to many different doctors in the United States. We are alone with our symptoms, pain and disfigurement. It is only rarely reported by doctors. Therefore, unless a law is passed requiring this reporting, thousands more women will join us each year. They will begin the long journey of slow and total destruction of their health and disfigurement of their bodies. Many, by the time the implants are removed (in my case 24 years) will be totally disabled. They will have lost their job because they can no longer do it, their medical insurance because it is usually connected to employment, and their income. Many will be faced finally with that day when she must look in the mirror for the first time after explantation and see the devasting disfigurement of her body, then join those of us who have gone before her in that first silent tear.

And the plastic surgeons will cry for us all the way to the bank!