Marie Welsh

[Guest guest]

Thank you Lea,

This is a letter from an implant sister, Marie Welch.

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I am frequently asked by first time callers what is my

motivation in doing this. For those of you who do not

know me or my background, I too am a victim of

silicone breast implants. I had a promising career as

a securities broker and eventually succumbed to the

disease and was placed on permanent social security

disability.

As a result of my discovery of the manufacturer’s

involvement in suppressing all the information

regarding the dangers of silicone, I became outraged

and thus started my crusade. Many operations and years

of treatment, being diagnosed with silicone adjuvant

connective tissue disease, the disfigurement in my

breasts, dealing with chronic pain on a daily basis

and listening to women who are in my same position,

have motivated me to initiate and maintain this

nationwide support group. It was very clear to me that

if someone didn’t start this effort and fight the

daily fight, no progress would be made on behalf of WE

VICTIMS. My future goal is to find the information

that’s going to help us all get well and get on with

our lives.

To update you on the results of the surgery, cancer

was not found. What they did find, however, was a

sheath of crystal which had formed along my rib cage,

involving my lymph nodes, necessitating a lumpectomy.

At the same time, biopsies were done on the black

spots on my vulva and lesions were cauterized in my

vagina. As a result of the completion of tests, it was

determined that all of this is related to a fungus. I

am in the process of having my blood cultured to

narrow it down.

Why the fungus? It was explained to me by Pierre Blais

that many implants, both saline and gel, were

manufactured in nom-sterile laboratory conditions. It

takes a long period of time for the fungus to develop

and spread systemically. What can be done? Once the

funguses are identified, a treatment plan can be

developed. If you have any reason to suspect that you

have the symptoms of an infection, consult with an

infectious disease doctor who will culture the blood.

This can be serious if it is not treated aggressively.

Marie