Dear Silicone Survivors and Friends:

I am writing this newsletter on the 6th anniversary of my breast cancer surgery. I have been officially in remission from cancer for a full year. You must be cancer-free for five years to be in remission. If only I had never had those darn implants!! I could be healthy today!!!

As you may know, I was in Hawaii (Big Island) for a much needed rest. I had been working very hard and was burned out. I came back relaxed and refreshed. In a health food store (Kailua-Kona) on the cover of a magazine entitled Delicious, was Todd Nelson's (my Naturopathic Doctor) picture. It brought me back to reality for one tiny moment, but I escaped into fantasy again.

I will be out of town from Feb. 13th to Feb. 27th for the Australian conference. Seven of our North American experts will also be there to present data and information to Australian doctors ( 2 day conference) and to Australian consumers ( 1 day forum). I will be there longer and will, along with two other doctors, speak with health leaders in New Zealand about a research project they are planning about women with silicone implants. I plan to take time to visit some of New Zealand, especially the parts I have never seen.

We have heard of 5 more women who have died from silicone-related illnesses this year. I know there are many more that we have not heard about. We must continue this effort to inform all persons of the dangers of any implantable silicone device.

Look for the February issue of Options Magazine (British publication) for my story. Although they cut it down a lot and although they made one glaring error when they did, it was not too bad. They listed a referral for women in the United Kingdom. This magazine is available at larger magazine outlets in the U.S. and may be widely available in countries like Canada, Australia, and NZ. For a copy, send $1.00 and SASE.

Our Internet address for the newsletter: http://www.siliconesurvivors.net Our E-Mail Address: coss@siliconesurvivors.net For an Internet Support Group, check: Usenet News: atl.support.breast-implant

From Impact: The Independent Women's Forum, 1319 18th St., Washington, DC 20036, Phone (202) 833-4553 has come out in support of tort reform. We need to educate them on just how tort reform will affect women who are ill from implants, children who are ill from implanted mothers, and families of these victims. We need to inform them of the economic impact of families who lose the breadwinner from illness, go on SSD or welfare or other aid, cannot work, and need Medicaid and Medicare to pay the bills for their injuries because the manufacturers will not be held accountable if tort reform is passed. They have called tort reform good for women, pointing to the breast implant scare as one of the worst examples of the exploitation and cynicism that underlies the current liability system. Please write them, en mass, to let them know that breast implants are the worst product ever on the market, that they exploit and victimize women at the hands of doctors and manufacturers, and that the next generation will continue to suffer from the effects of pregnant and nursing mothers with implants. Make it succinct, sincere, and dramatic. Give them something to think about! We must change their minds.

From USSM Newsletter: The FDA has finally forced three NY State doctors into signing consent decrees agreeing to stop injecting liquid silicone into patients to correct wrinkles and other deformities. These three doctors will not be allowed to use injectable silicone unless the FDA approves this product. A California doctor has also had an injunction filed against him for using this same product. Use of injectable silicone is illegal.

The NBITF will meet in Atlanta Feb. 16-18. Unfortunately, I will be in Australia at that time, so cannot attend. It will be at the Sheraton Suite Gallery (770) 955-3900, rooms are $129.00 per day for up to 4 persons (this includes breakfast). Guests will be Ralph Knowles, Rick Ellis, Mike Hugo, Rick Laminack, Gayle Troutwine, and Mike Williams. Contact Janice Ferriell at (407) 791-2625 or Kathy Johnson at (314) 445-0861 for more information.

UPCOMING EVENTS: February 27th on Frontline (PBS) there will be a 90 minute program on silicone issues. Check your local listing for times. Please, somebody tape it and send it to me as I will be on my way back from New Zealand and Australia. The latest word we have on this one is that it will be another 60 minutes debacle. Let's hope not!!!!

Shreveport, Louisiana: March 9, 1996. Information/Education Conference. This is a Saturday conference, 8:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. at Louisiana State Univ. in Shreveport. (The closest airport is Shreveport, but if you fly to Dallas or Little Rock and drive you will find the rates are much cheaper, even paying for a rental car. It is about a 200 mile drive. I will fly to Dallas the morning of the eighth and then drive, if anyone wants to ride with me.) Hotels are the Pelican Park Inn (800) 430-5275, $39.00 single or double, and the Ramada Inn (800) 228-2828, $56.00 single or double. Tell them you are with SSO of N. LA for this rate. Confirmed speakers are Dr. Britta Ostermeyer-Shoiab, Dr. Robert Lewy, Dr. Edward Melmed, Dr. James McNair, Dr. Andrew Campbell and Shirley Goodner of BIVA. Pending speakers are Dr. William Rea, Dr. Jae Chun and Dr. Melissa Taliaferro. Special guest speakers are John and Colleen Swanson (Informed Consent). They will be signing their book for those who purchase it or already have it. Cost of the conference is $35.00 per person, including lunch and breakfast. (Please register by Feb. 23.) Cost at door, $45.00. No refunds. You can go South while the weather is nasty up North, benefit from all these speakers, and have great food. If you have never been to a conference, don't miss the opportunity to connect with many other women who have had similar experiences with their implant-related problems. Call Sherry at (318) 742-5669, Glenda at (318) 798-3797 or Mary at (318) 798-1351 for information.

March 20-22nd Houston Conference put on by Silica Syndrome Reach Foundation. This is a conference for all women who want to make a statement about how they have been treated by the manufacturers, their attorneys, their doctors, and even our society. Registration: $25.00 by February 15th. After that date, the cost is $45.00. Non-refundable. Call (800) 231-0953 for more information or to charge your registration to MC or Visa. Continental Airlines will give a 5% discount. Call (800) 468-7022. Give them Reference #NH3X75. I bought a ticket from Denver for $162.00 on United, so ask your travel agent to watch for those one day specials that do come around. There are several thousand women already registered, so it will be a very empowering experience to have many women who have been damaged by silicone all together under one roof.

There seem to be a lot of rumors going around about this conference and its presenters. The first one is that the manufacturers are supporting the sponsors financially. This is untrue. The second is that these women will be personally keeping 15% of the total proceeds. They will be lucky if they don't come out $10,000 in the hole!!! Another is that they have received money from several different sources. They have personally put up the funds. Other rumors that I don't understand regard attorneys. We all understand all the frustration that women feel about the lack of contact with their attorneys. Many attorneys have had their hands tied by these settlement agreements. If you want to fire your attorney, please be sure that you don't still have to pay the percentage that your contract states. If you fire your attorney, then having someone else negotiate for you would be OK. You may be in a vulnerable position by opting-out and firing your attorney. Whether or not anyone at this conference can do this is a big question. Another rumor apparently is about the death of an attorney in a hunting accident rumored to be suicide (I haven't heard this one myself). Let's not spread rumors about the dead. That is unjust and unkind. We do not have all of the facts regarding this conference and that has lent itself to the spreading of rumors. I am aware of this. I do believe that these women are honest and have our best interests at heart. Please call and get the facts rather than believing or spreading rumors. I'm sure the manufacturers just love it when we do this and when we are belittling each other in this way. We play right into their hands. We owe it to the movement to continue to try to only pass out factual information. Attend the conference and find out for yourself just what is happening. If you live up North, you just might find a few days in Houston to be warming and wonderful. It was -16 degrees F here last night. It's warmer in Houston!

Watch for a conference coming up in the spring in Nashville, TN. This would be a good opportunity to catch a show!

LEGAL INFORMATION: Your packets from the claims office should have arrived by now. If not, call them. The only new information that I found in mine was that claimants against Mentor or Bioplasty will probably only receive funds if they have no claim against the other settling manufacturers. They said nothing about having a claim in the Dow Bankruptcy, but it may also include those women. That means if you have a Bristol, Baxter, 3-M, or McGhan implant (pre-1984 for sure), or if you are pursuing a claim against other manufacturers not in the settlement, you will probably not be considered for Mentor or Bioplasty settlement because of limited funds available to those who only have claims against these two.

A subrogation agreement is still being worked out whereby the manufacturers pay $$ to the insurance companies so that no $$ will be subtracted from the funds we receive. It may come about and it may not, but it is in process still. Say a prayer for this to happen!

Attorneys will attend a BILG meeting in New Orleans soon to gather information about this new proposal. Stay tuned.

We have the videotaped version of the Court TV segment. It does not seem to contain much information that is not included in the settlement packet you received. It just basically tells you to read the mailed out materials, call (800) 600-0311 with your questions, and don't make any decision until May. We can copy it if someone really needs or wants it. Call me, I will work out the cost.. If you want a tape that explains the settlement, call (800) 449-8143 & order Baxter Gentry's tape: The Breast Implant Revised Settlement Program.

Regional meetings (in every major region of the country) to explain the new settlement have not been set. We will publish the schedules when they are announced.

We lost a case in Florida against Bristol-Myers-Squibb. Most are settled out of court, however, so when we hear about losing we know these are just the tip of the iceberg.

In the Canadian case that I mentioned last month, Susan Hollis is receiving payment from Dow Corning of Canada. She has suffered a double mastectomy because of ruptured implants. She won this lawsuit in 1989 and is receiving her money now. She has a separate claim against her surgeon. The Canadian Supreme Court stated that the manufacturer had a duty to notify medical professionals of the potential damage its implants could cause. Yeah, Canada!! Yeah, Susan!!

MEDICAL INFORMATION: Mammograms, when they are performed wrong, (which is, unfortunately, the case too often) can rupture aging implants. Any implant is vulnerable. No implant should ever be squeezed or pushed far to the side to obtain a view of breast tissue. It is far better to do an ultrasound or an MRI with a dedicated breast coil (neither puts pressure on the implant) than to do mammograms that may cause harm. Ultrasound can cost twice what a mammogram does and an MRI with a dedicated breast coil can be around $1000 to $1300. Insurance may pay if you have a doctor's recommendation for these tests.

ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE: Some tips to help you take charge of your health, by Lara Pizzorno, in the February issue of Delicious Magazine: 1. Be decisive; this is a positive act. Indecision is a negative act. 2. Crowd out bad eating habits by starting good ones. Make your afternoon or evening snack fruit, not unhealthy food. 3. Substitute similar but healthier foods for bad ones, ie., sorbet for ice cream. 4. Try new healthier foods each week. Experiment to see which ones you like. Put at least one new healthy food in your shopping cart each week and try it. 5. Exercise more often, such as climbing stairs instead of taking the elevator, parking at the end of the lot, walking to the other stores in the mall instead of moving your car, etc. 6. Eat cancer-fighting foods, those that contain phytochemicals such as brussel sprouts, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, soy foods, garlic, green tea, and citrus fruits. 7. Increase intake of beta-carotene. Dark green leafy vegetables, cantaloupe, winter squash, and carrots are good sources. 8. Take adequate amounts of B6, B12, and folate. This reduces the risk of heart disease. 9. Consume 1/2 to one clove of garlic per day. If this doesn't agree with you, eat lots of onions. This reduces cholesterol and helps prevent blood clots. 10. Take Vitamin E. This inhibits the oxidation of LDL, the bad cholesterol. 11. For osteoarthritis, or to prevent it, take glucosamine, a naturally occurring substance found in high concentrations in the joints. It stimulates the production of substances necessary for joint repair and alleviates pain by helping to eliminate its cause. It may take several weeks to produce results. 12. For rheumatoid arthritis, eat cold water fish such as mackerel, herring, and salmon for the essential fatty acid EPA. If you are vegetarian, try GLA. In one study (Annals of Internal Medicine, 1993, Vol. 119), GLA reduced the number of tender joints by 36%. Borage seed oil was used in this study. 13. Decrease your intake of animal fats. EPA and GLA both work better when you limit animal fats. 14. Bromelain and curcumin are effective, natural anti-inflammatory agents which can help relieve arthritis (Journal of Ethnopharnacology, 1988, vol. 22). Curcumin is the yellow pigment in the spice turmeric, and has been found in clinical trials to be as effective as cortisone (Indian Journal of Medical Research, 1985, vol. 81). 15. If you have major digestive problems or ulcers, try drinking two cups of green cabbage juice daily for seven days. Ulcers are caused by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori. Cabbage has an ingredient that is a potent antibacterial agent and it fights this bacteria. 16. Avoid antacids. If you have bloating and gas, sometimes antacids are just the opposite of what you need. Too little hydrochloric acid (HCI) and/or digestive enzymes such as pepsin may be the problem. These substances decrease as we age. Powdered capsules of HCI with pepsin may help. 17. Bone health is affected by calcium consumption and also your body's ability to absorb calcium. Too much estrogen can interfere with absorption. Foods containing phytoestrogens, especially soy foods, have been shown to help lower estrogen levels. Vegetables of the Brassica family (broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts) also lower estrogen. 18. Post-menopausal women should consider the trace element boron to help prevent the loss of calcium and magnesium from the body. This may help with bone thinning and breakage. 19. To reduce the severity of allergic response, try quercetin. Take with an equal amount of bromelain to increase the absorption of quercetin in the body. 20. Work to discover the foods that your body reacts to and eliminate them from your diet. Most common offenders: Wheat and dairy products. 21. Nurture your body by taking beneficial supplements. Besides the ones described above, try lactobacillus acidophilus to restore the natural intestinal flora. Try taking FOS (Fructoogligosaccharides) to help feed the lactobacillus. 22. Take a good supply of antioxidants daily. Pycnogenols, Vitamins E and C, flavonoids, glutathione, zinc, selenium, copper, and manganese. 23. Get the rest you need. Valerian and melatonin are good sleep aids. Taking a quiet time just before bed may help. Guided imagery and relaxation techniques are good sleep aides. A warm bath or shower may relax you. Try to get to bed at a decent hour so that you have enough time to sleep. Daily exercise helps promote better sleep. 24. Folic acid deficiency is common in the U.S. It is the most common of vitamin deficiencies. Persons with depression that have folic acid deficiencies often have more severe depression. Liver, green leafy vegetables and asparagus are good sources of Folic Acid. 25. Vitamin B6 can help reduce pain because of its relationship to serotonin. B6 is required by your body to produce tryptophan. Soybeans, fish, meat, and dairy products contain B6. 26. For localized pain, apply a cream containing the botanical extract capsaicin to the skin. An alkaloid in pepper, capsaicin helps stimulate and then block pain fibers by depleting them of a neurotransmittter called substance p. 27. For many, Chiropractic treatment and acupuncture may help with pain relief. 28. Excess intake of refined carbohydrates (sugar, white pasta, etc.) increases the loss of magnesium from your body. This may cause PMS. Vitamin B6 supplements may help, and magnesium is in dried apricots (unsulphured are best), fish, nuts, whole wheat, and green vegetables. 29. Try daily EPO supplementation (Evening Primrose Oil) for an excellent source of gamma linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid that works with B6 to decrease the production of inflammatory prostaglandins (hormone-like compounds that can cause PMS symptoms such as breast tenderness and depression). 30. Eighty percent of migraines are due to food allergies. Avoid foods containing vasoactive amines. These are chocolates, cheese, beer and wine (esp. red wine). Try the herb feverfew. In an study in London, this herb effectively reduced the number and severity of migraines. It inhibits the release of blood-vessel-dilating substances from platelets, inhibits production of inflammatory substances and reestablishes proper blood vessel tone. Homeopathic remedies such as belladonna, nux vomica or bryonia will help relieve the majority of headache symptoms according to Dana Ullman, M.P.H. of Berkeley , CA. Belladonna is for intense throbbing pains and extreme sensitivity to light, smell, touch or motion or for headaches with fever. Bryonia is more for motion irritation. Nux vomica is for headaches brought on by too much concentrated or prolonged mental work, too little sleep, too much food, alcohol, coffee, or drugs. 31. For chronic fatigue, increase your energy with a combination of malic acid and magnesium. These help the body produce ATP, the body's recyclable energy source. ATP increases energy and reduces muscle pain says Dr. Paul Cheney, M.D. of Charlotte, NC. Take calcium to help with proper metabolism of magnesium. Calcium citrate is best, and is generally taken an hour or two before bedtime. Supplement with Coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant involved in 95% of a cell's metabolic reactions. The sublingual form (under the tongue) is best. Try 6 weeks to see benefits. 32. Exercise, exercise, exercise. Most people think they get enough exercise doing their daily tasks, but that is woefully untrue. Find something that you enjoy doing. You can vary the regimen as long as you exercise for at least 20 minutes three times a week. Forget the excuses (the weather, the kids, we're too tired, we don't have time, etc.). We are robbing ourselves of our good health if we fail to exercise. 33. Consult a Naturopathic Doctor or other professional for more tips and for support and information on how to improve your health.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: Q. I am asked this question many times daily! Why should I stay in this new, revised settlement? A. Check the pro's and con's and talk in depth with your attorney. If you have an excellent case, without any history of problems (psychological, drug/alcohol, marital, family, or previous medical problems) that can be used against you, then perhaps you have a better case than some women. Bear in mind that we lose two to every one we win in court. Many are settled out of court, however. If any weakness is found the manufacturers will exploit these. Every case has weaknesses, even if we are unaware of them. The manufacturers will decide by the evidence and by your deposition just what kind of witness you will be. It could take years to get to court or reach a settlement. You must be very certain that you have an attorney who will go all the way through this process with you, including any appeals if you finally do win a court case. It takes as long as three years to receive any money if you win, because the manufacturers always appeal. If many women finally opt-out, the other manufacturers may also choose bankruptcy (they may be forced to). We were told not to worry about Dow Corning taking out bankruptcy, and look what happened. Eventually many women may collect something from Dow Corning, but that will take years. Many women may die or give up on collecting anything. Those that hold out for as much as ten years may finally collect a settlement worth something. If you can withstand all of these problems, then perhaps you should look at opting-out of this settlement. If you have Mentor, CUI (Cox-Uphoff) or Bioplasty, you are probably out of luck if you do opt-out as they have no funds. Other companies have few funds also.

I think there are other aspects to also consider in trying to respond to this question. Have you had enough of this BS yet? Are you going to let your life be controlled by your anger with these manufacturers? Just how many years of your life are these callous companies worth? Are you more concerned with having justice than in trying to regain your health and get on with your life? Just what is it worth to you to continue to fight for extremely scarce dollars? Is it worth two, three, four or more years of your life? Do you have medical and personal bills that you just cannot pay that you could pay with any moneys you received from this settlement? Can you wait to pay them until you possible receive a settlement if you opt out? Can your health, mentally and physically, take this strain? Can you accept the settlement amount, release your anger, and then get on with your life? You have to make this decision for yourself. Your attorney can't make it, I can't make it, and even your significant other or family members can't make it. It's your life, and if you choose to fight this battle to the end, that is what you should do. If you choose to take what you can get, deal with your anger, and do your best to try to regain your health as soon as possible, that is what you should do. I choose the latter, as I have only one life to live, one chance to spend time with my beautiful grandchildren, one chance to make a difference in other people's lives, and I do not care to spend my time chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. It may be there, but I'm not going to chase it. I have more important things to do.

Please don't take this as selling out or as telling you that you should do what I do. I am only making my stand. Many of you have not been in this struggle for 6 years as I have. Many have been sick much longer than I have. I know these manufacturers are making a lot of money and that we are being revictimized by them. I know that some attorneys will come out of this with more money than any of us will ever dream of getting. I know that my company, Mentor, has made a lot of money since they have settled with the class action. Many women are more angry than I now am. I am still outraged at the injustice of this whole situation, but I think that we need to work from the human point of view (informing consumers of dangers, helping women become educated and explanted, giving them support, educating young girls and boys to the dangers of altering their bodies to try to fit an impossible image, etc.) If we truly wish to make a difference, we must all take a stand and try to change the way we are viewed in this society that caused us to want to have implants in the first place. Perhaps that is the greatest gift we could leave this world. I think that is what I will try to do with my energy. In the end, justice will be done--if not in this life, then perhaps later. You cannot go around spreading bad will, lies, committing fraud, etc. and not have some of it come back on you. Weigh carefully the reasons why you feel you need to continue fighting this battle and make sure that it is a battle you can fight and win. If you fight and eventually lose, what emotional trauma will you suffer? Can you deal with that trauma? All these factors should be weighed in making your decision! It is not a black and white situation; there are more gray areas than anything else. Your decision should be based on all possible factors.

INFORMATION AVAILABLE: We have books on obtaining Social Security or Supplemental Security Insurance. These are extremely helpful if you are considering or have filed for these benefits. Send $12.00 including postage to address at top of newsletter. Immune System books, explaining the workings of the immune system are also available. Send $10.00 including postage.

PERSONAL COMMUNICATION: Mary White Stewart, PhD and Jodi Ross, her Research Assistant are conducting research on the experiences of women with breast implants and would like your help in providing in-depth, real life information about your experiences with all facets of this experience, including your decision making process, your experience with family and doctors, and your current situation. Please write or call us and they will send you a questionnaire. Write to Mary or Jodi, Dept. of Sociology, Univ. of NV, Reno, NV 89557-0067. Inquiries and information they receive will be confidential.

If you had a Simiplast Implant, please contact Jean Craig, 9601 Middle Fiskville Rd. #G-8, Austin, TX 78753-3835. Fax (512) 837-0628 Attn.: Jean Craig #G-8.

Thousands have been helped by Super Blue Green Algae, many of whom suffered from Arthritis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Lupus, Fibromyalgia, etc. Let's see what it can do for you. Money back guarantee. Call or write for info: Penny Kane, (407) 795-7333, 108 Wild Oats, Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411.

IMPORTANT: Representative Traficant has sponsored a bill called the Breast Implant Accountability Act (HR 2796) to make manufacturers accountable for their actions with breast implants. Congressional Republican Henry Hyde is meeting with representatives from the manufacturers and stated that he has not heard from anyone who supports HR 2796. Please call, write or fax The Honorable Henry Hyde, 2110 Rayburn Office Bldg., Washington, DC 20515 Fax (202) 225-1166, Phone (202) 225-4561. Thank him for being a co-sponsor of this bill. Tell him how important it is to you, your family, your mother, your husband, your _____!!!! Tell him how much God will bless him for sticking up for those who have been victimized by implant manufacturers. Write whatever you want, but let him hear from you so that he knows that someone out there supports this bill.

Soybean implants are hot in England. Manufacturers, including Silimed are pushing implants in Brazil. Polytech Implants (Polyurethane coated) are being pushed in Germany. Bristol-Myers-Squibb (under another name) is the manufacturer. Also, polyurethane implants are available in England. The battle is not over; it has just begun. Our sisters around the world are just beginning to feel the tremendous pressure to shape up with silicone.

Please, when you want to have implants removed, don't call your insurance company to ask if they will cover it. Have your surgeon submit two letters (from two doctors) stating that the surgery is medically necessary for the reasons you have (abnormal test results, pain, autoimmune disease, leaking/ruptured implants, etc.). If you call the insurance company, they will more than likely tell you that the surgery is not covered, which may not be the truth.

BOOKS: Torn Illusions is again available. This is a story of a woman who became extremely ill from her silicone implants. It is well researched and well-written. I have known Pam for years, and this book details her story. Hard Cover $17.00 (minimum donation), soft cover $12.00 (minimum donation) includes priority mail delivery. Check or money order to Pamela Stott-Kendall, P.O. Box 030153, FT. Lauderdale, FL 33303.

Surgery Electives: What to know before the doctor operates, 2nd Edition is now available. Besides the valuable information on plastic surgery and other forms of optional surgery, this book lists hundreds of Internet addresses of health organizations and over a thousand phone numbers of health organizations. To order your copy directly from the publisher, send $19.95 + $3.00 S& H to Carmania Books, P.O. Box 1272, Santa Monica, CA 90406-1272. C.O.S.S. is listed as a resource.

We still have a few of the International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Toxicology. They are available for $38.00 including postage.

We have a few copies of Frank Vasey's book, The Silicone Breast Implant Controversy at $23.95 (includes S& H).

We have a few copies of Henry Jenny's book, Silicone-Gate at $22.95 (includes S& H).

We have some copies of Theresa Hill Story's book Beyond the Myths at $22.95 (includes S& H). For a copy of The Untold Truth, send a check for $25.00 to Untold Truth, PO Box 26923, Charlotte, NC 28221 or call Patio at (704) 366-4708.

You may charge items that C.O.S.S. has in stock, including our newsletter (minimum $25.00 on any charge). Just call us with your card # (MC or Visa only), expiration date, full name on card, and your phone #. When the charge is approved by the company (usually the same day), we will mail your materials. You may also charge the same materials by calling (303) 499-3250. Your charge will be listed under COSS Newsletters.

PRODUCTS AVAILABLE: We have 8 bottles of Citrimax plus ChromeMate weight loss formula (Chromium + Hydroxycitric Acid--which comes from Garcinia cambogia extract), the product that helps your body metabolize fat and helps you lose weight. They are $19.95 each. We will not have any more when these are gone, so if anyone wants them, please contact me.

NEW FEATURE: WOMEN RELATE THEIR PROBLEMS WITH IMPLANTS: Lisa was 23 years old when she received her implants. After consulting with a plastic surgeon, she was told that the implants would most likely last a lifetime, that there was a possibility of a rupture after ten years or so but that only two percent of women experienced ruptures. Her saline implants would merely allow the solution to harmlessly enter her body if this occurred. 13 months later her right implant ruptured. She had both implants replaced, was assured that this was a fluke, and that the chances of it happening again were slim. After another year she had another rupture and had it replaced (at her cost, again). She was again told that this was an uncommon occurrence. He reassured her that the implants were safe and that the chances of another rupture was very slim. Besides his failure to warn her of potential medical problems and ruptures, what he failed to also tell her was that the company supplying the implants was in bankruptcy. In less than a year, a third implant ruptured. The company and plastic surgeon agreed to replace this one free if she accepted responsibility for other complications. Unfortunately, the other complications were severe enough to require emergency surgery immediately after implant replacement, costing her over $8000.

Prior to the implants, she had never had a serious illness and had not required any significant medical treatment for eight years. After the third rupture she was seeing doctors at least once a month for various illnesses, especially upper respiratory infections and flu. She never guessed that the implants were related to this because her plastic surgeon had failed to warn her about the potential complications of implantation.

After the third rupture, she sought legal counsel. She had called the company that had manufactured her implants and was told that her implants had been tested after removal and no defects were found. These same implants were sent to an independent lab and found to be significantly flawed. They contained a yellowish milky substance. Apparently the sterile solution was no longer sterile.

Her attorney gave her access to a large amount of information that showed a connection between her medical condition and implants. She has been diagnosed with ACTD (Atypical Connective Tissue Disease). She states that she cannot even begin to describe the anger that she felt toward both the doctor who implanted her (three times) and the company that manufactured her implants.

She doesn't want millions of dollars to compensate her or her family, but she believes that Dow Corning falsely misrepresented their products and put her at risk by doing so. She is outraged that they would now point the finger at her and other women who are ill and want to sue them and say that we are hysterical and greedy. They can use their influence and resources to sway the public to believe that they are not responsible for what she and others have endured, but the facts are undeniable. They sold faulty products and their faulty products caused health problems. They admit their problems break and leak, but deny these defects cause any problems to consumers or their unborn children.

Lisa had a little girl just fifteen months after her last rupture and replacement. She was told by her doctor that she would be able to breast feed her children and that the implants would not affect her unborn children. Her daughter was extremely ill when born (bad heart, feeding problems, a comprised immune system, and many other problems). There were no genetic family problems but her child continues to suffer.

Lisa just wanted to look better and feel better about herself. She would never have had implants if she had truly been informed. She feels totally betrayed, defrauded, and insulted by the lies and cover-ups. She feels that the manufacturers, with their influence over the media and their manipulation of scientific data, are getting away with what they have done to her, her body, her family, her bank account, and her life. She feels that Dow and other manufacturers must all be held accountable for their mistakes (or downright fraud?) and not allowed to railroad people like her into acceptance of this injustice. It isn't fair to those who have been injured, defrauded and victimized that Dow can escape accountability for their deception by taking out bankruptcy. She feels that women need to stand together in the media and the community to fight for our rights as consumers and human beings.

Lisa is typical of young women with ruptured saline implants. The public is not yet aware of the extreme danger these silicone shell--saline filled devices cause. Many women are not aware of the high rupture rate of saline implants. Because she is speaking out, perhaps more young women will learn about these dangers before they have implants and before they have children born while implanted. We hope so.

PREVIOUS NEWSLETTER INFORMATION: Previous issues of newsletters are available for $2.00 each U.S., $3.00 Foreign. January 1993 is the first available issue. Please indicate months' desired and enclose $2.00 (US), $3.00 (Foreign) each. Some subjects covered have been: Auto-immune (1/93); Fibromyalgia (2/93); Medical Testing (3/93); Sjogren's (4/93); Vasculitis (4/93); Arthritis (5/93); Chronic Fatigue (6/93); Lupus (7/93); Irritable Bowel Syndrome & Inflammatory Bowel Disease (8/93); Miscellaneous Medical Information (9/93); Multiple Sclerosis (10/93); Spasmodic Torticollis (10/93); Hypoglycemia (11/93); Antibodies (12/93); Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (1/94); Insurance (8/93,9/93); More Miscellaneous Medical Information (2/94); Scleroderma (3/94); Costochondritis (4/94); Peripheral Neuropathy (4/94); Class Action (5/94); Fungal Infections (6/94); Hypercalcemia (low calcium) (7/94); Raynaud's Phenomenon (8/94); Fibromyalgia Update (9/94); Sarcoidosis (10/94); Free Radicals (11/94); Porphyria (12/94); Interstitial Cystitis (1/95); Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (2/95); Flap Procedures (3/95); Even More Miscellaneous Medical (4/95); Thyroid Disease (5/95); Stress (6/95); Natural Healing (7/95); Adrenal Malfunctions (8/95); Multiple Myeloma (9/95); DHEA (10/95); Chelation Therapy (11/95); Sleep disorders (12/95); Menieres Disease (1/96); Legal, including updates on MDL-926 (most issues); & Alternative Medicine (most issues).

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