Let Me Get This Off My Chest: An inspiring story of saving my own life and my journey to self love

by Tara Hopko

My story is about how I went from a fun, energetic, athletic women to falling into society's trap of believing I was not enough just as I am. This story will give you a glimpse into why I decided to alter my body with plastic surgery, and the devastating effects I suffered from that decision. No doctor was able to give me answers. Those answers had to be discovered through my own research and determination. In my journey to discovering what was wrong with me, I also found my faith. With my strong faith in God and my inner strength, I took my first steps in taking my life back. In my journey to healing, I also had to heal the insecurities that led me to this situation. I learned for the first time in my life to love myself. This story is a must read for anyone who has suffered or is suffering with Breast Implant Illness. This book will also speak to anyone who has ever been broken, doubted themselves, or felt insecure. You'll be inspired to truly love yourself for maybe the first time in forever. We all have scars, seen and unseen, and we must embrace the fact we are all beautifully broken.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health

132 pages, Paperback

Published January 29, 2019

About the author

As a thirty something working mom I never thought life's journey would lead me here, writing my own story, let alone reaching so many people with my words. With my story "Let Me Get This Off My Chest", my hope is to inspire women to embrace their journey and love their perfect, just as God made them. I have become an advocate for all women suffering from breast implant illness in hopes that future generations will not feel the need to alter their bodies in such life threatening ways.

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un-put-down-able.

This was a very well-written book. This author has an important story but she's also a very good writer and should consider writing more books. Back to the book itself: This is the type of person who I'd love to be friends with! She is a good and strong person to her core! I loved reading about the body building. That is perhaps a side to the story but none the less was quite interesting to read about. As far as the main topic of this book, she did an amazing job of showing how "lifetime safety devices" are truly "toxic bags of sh_t." She will help and change many women's lives because of this. On another note, I do not have implants nor am I considering them but I felt like her struggle from unknowing victim to powerful warrior was inspiring to me in my own challenges in life. Her story and her strength will stick with me, and for that I am grateful.

[Jennifer Jaynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Thanks for sharing your story! I am happy you are doing so much better. I am explanting in seven days ... on March 25. I’m excited and nervous. I’m hoping that my brain fog lifts and my cognitive issues dissolve. I am a writer who has not been able to write for six months due to this Horrific sickness. Thanks so much for spreading awareness. You are making a huge difference for people like me. ❤️

[Jessica Romo · Rating 5 out of 5]

So moving and beautifully written I could stop reading.

It’s been a while that I’ve read a book in a day but I couldn’t stop reading. Her story is raw, real and well written. This is a book that anyone who has breast implants or has a loved one who has them should read. Thank you to the author for being so brave to share her story. I know this will inspire so many women and bring comfort to many more.

[Robyn Towt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read and very well written. It was remarkable to see Tara’s symptoms that were so similar to mine. I am so grateful to amazing and selfless women like Tara who are brave enough to share their story so that other women can be informed and do not suffer. I highly recommend this book.

[Margaret J. Aull · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story of courage

Tara has written about her life before, ,during and after breast implants. She wants her story to help others help themselves. She has told her story in a way that others will be able to relate too. Prayers to you, Tara.

[Trish G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can relate soooo much to this story as a BII survivor myself so how could I not love it. I suffered 16.5 years which is much longer than Ms. Hopko but I'm so glad that she found answers much sooner. She is an inspirational, strong warrior and I wish her a full recovery.

[Jane Rimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just wept. Except for the slight age difference, this is my story. Written with authenticity and passion. A must read for anyone who has implants—and friends and family.

[Nancy Bellers]

I cannot say enough about this book. It was an amazing read. I know the author. I am so very proud of her for sharing her story. She is so right. We as women should be proud, accepting, and loving towards ourselves, no matter what our outward appearance is. We need to empower girls and women not to be defined by their looks, so that they are no longer under pressure to enhance themselves with breast augmentation and plastic surgery. It will be a long uphill climb for society as a whole to achieve, but we have to try. The sentiments expressed in this book are a first step towards that goal.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 (rounded stars up) - due to the emphasis on God. Excellent book about breast implants & breast implant illness/silicone toxicity. So glad it was on Kindle Unlimited. I was afraid to read, even though I already was going to be explanted )remaining capsules) a couple weeks later. (Implants removed 5 yrs earlier from infection). Then recovery. I do see some improvement but having pre-existing conditions, I’ll always be sick. Excellent last chapter. I’ll add to this review when I can. Need to rest. Thank you Tara!

[Maggie Pruitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Star reading⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tara Hopkins is an Amazing, Beautiful, Caring Woman that I am lucky enough to call my friend .

The struggle she has had to endear is a tough one that I’m not sure all of us would share to save other people. Tara tells her lowest low and what it took to pull herself up and conquer that not everyone would have been able to do.
This book is not only about breast implants but about a Strong Woman, Mother, Wife, Daughter, Friend Etc. that beat the devil that knocked her down.
Read her book you will not be disappointed