In this picture, it shows the work that was done yesterday, August 6, 2011. We are adding more to the bottom of the tattoo (underneath the phoenix and dragon ... stay tuned :), so we didn't do any more of the black shading. Instead, we started the coloring!!!! So far I have the lily completed, and the peony started (it stills needs to be completed and lots of shading done). We also decided to try a new technique with my old tattoo cover up ... whiting it out! As you can see (maybe not so clearly), white was used to color over the old tat. Sadly, the black lettering covered better than the actual pink and greens. I loved the design of my old tat, but after having it completed 2 times, it still turned out hideous! It was supposed to be a realistic lily ... instead it turned more into a pink, lumpy, splotchy blob with green things sticking out of it! I think my new lily looks a million times better!
I still have another 4 sitting at least to complete it. Next sitting we will be completing the peony, adding the rest of the piece under the dragon, and hopefully completing that. I'll need another sitting for the dragon and another for the rest of the shading ... and a final one to tighten it all up!
Can't wait to see the finished product ... I'm getting really excited now that there's coloring going it!! HE HE!
I know a lot of people don't like tattoos, and especially the size that I have, but I've been addicted since my very first one ... and this isn't the last. I get a lot of questions about why I would do something like this, and also lots of questions about tattooing post-transplant.
My reason for doing this is ALL FOR ME! I absolutely love tattoos and see them as a work of art. All of my tats have meaning to me, and none have been done just to have them (well, except for one which was done spur of the moment, and I just loved the design). The rest have been designed and well thought out.
The new one symbolizes everything I've been through since 2006, and when I look at it, I had great meaning to me. As for my transplant and having the tattoos ... my team was NOT in support of any tattoos; however there are a lot of things that they are against and warned me about. This being said, I wouldn't put myself in any blatant danger, as this has been the GREATEST gift ever. But in saying that, I also can't live in a bubble. I worked very hard to get where I am, and in thinking/getting my tattoo, I also did a lot of research and thinking about it. First off, I waited a year before even thinking about it (well, not really ... I thought about it all the time). I know a year is not a long time post-transplant; but at that point I did not have any rejection or signs of any issues *knock wood* and really wanted to do something for me and my donor.
I worked with my tattoo artist and we discussed what I wanted and how to eliminate any infection. We decided that doing the tattoos a little at a time and allowing extra time in between sittings to make sure everything was healed, would be the best route. So far, things have worked perfectly for me. He makes sure to clean the area really well before, during and after ... and I follow a strict cleaning routine.
It's still not something the docs want to see ... but I'm also not supposed to have plants/flowers in the house, pets, eat rare meat, sprouts or sushi ... just to name a few things. I'm not saying it's silly, as they all have reasons as to why, as a post-transplant patient, you shouldn't do/have these things ... but again, I've never been one to follow rules around my health very strictly ... and this has worked for me throughout my life thus far, and I don't plan on changing it.
We're put on this earth for a purpose, and for me I have a second chance to enjoy even more of my life (or experience 2 lives if you look at it that way) ... and I'm living it to the fullest! By no means am I ignoring my health or gift ... but I'm not isolating myself in spite of it. :)!
