APPENDIX 3
Memorandum by Mrs M. Parish (B 5)
I feel that I have been badly let down by the
NHS, or were they as naive as myself over the Silicone Implants?
I will never know. To be told you have breast cancer is a big
enough blow then to lose half your breast is another. I was asked
many times to think about an implant, Quote (I will just make
a small incision and pop it in) unquote. I lived without the implant
for nearly six years, then I decided to have the operation.
November 1983
Tumour removed plus half my left breast followed
by Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy.
February 1990
Had a Silicone Implant, told at the time it
could go hard but this was very rare.
September 1990
Lump appeared above my left breast, very red
and itchy also a very pronounced Collar Bone, given cream for
the lump, x-ray results show thickening of the bones.
March 1991
Lump getting bigger and much more sensitive
and very hot, could not wear a seat belt in the car or sit my
Grandchildren on my lap, if the lump was touched or knocked it
would burn and be very painful, had a biopsy, results inflamed
tissue, given cream.
March 1992
This was my yearly check-up.
I had seen the World in Action programme on
Silicone Gel and sent for the Dow Corning information pack, I
showed this to my surgeon who was very interested and asked me
where I got the leaflet as she would like a copy. Meanwhile the
lump was getting bigger and the collar bone thicker, she said
she thought the implant was too tight and made an appointment
for me to come into hospital to have a small piece of skin taken
from my back to give the implant more room.
April 1992
I arrived at the hospital and got into bed,
a young Doctor arrived to examine me he said, "are you aware
you are going to have major surgery?" I said, "I think
you have made a mistake" and explained what I was there for.
He said "have you seen the surgeon?" I said, "no"
and he left. The surgeon arrived not (Mrs Gilchick) but a member
of the team I had seen before she was so excited for me as they
were going to remove the implant they were going to tunnel a muscle
from my back into my breast and she was measuring my back so a
scar would not show in a swim suit, I asked why were they taking
the implant out. She replied it was for the best. I was in a state
of shock and I went along with it. I was never given a reason
for removing the implant just it is for the best, I was relieved
to have it out as I suspected it was causing all my problems.
1996
I had read about other women having problems
with silicone so I went and saw Dr Sarah Myhill in Wales. She
was very interested in the lump and said if I had it removed could
I get a sample to send to Professor Shanklin in America. Well
I had the lump removed and they were going to send a sample to
Wales. When I went back two weeks later I was told no results
were available and no sample was sent to Wales. (I still have
the letter). Many months later I was told the inflamed tissue
contained silicone.
1997
Went to hospital with pains in my chest; get
abnormal ECG readings. Angiogram results negative discharged.
1998
Breathing problems. X-rays clear except for
scarring from Radiotherapy. Test results blockage to the lungs
resulting in air and blood flow reduction, discharged.
1999
Now have a lump on the Liver. What this is,
is anyone's guess as they don't know. So now I am left with:-
shortage of breath, chest pains, burning pains in my chest and
breast, night sweats, chronic fatigue, bleeding gums, neurological
symptoms in left arm, reynards disease in my feet, lump on the
liver, anxiety.
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