It's been a while between posts, but that's good news. It means nothing too eventful is happening. That treatments are just ticking over - going smoothly and being nothing more than a slight inconvenience.
Since my last post I've had one blood test, one treatment and one zoladex injection - all straight forward.
Today however was a tad exciting. Almost one year post mastectomy it was time for me to have a nipple tattooed on my implant side. The 'official' name of the procedure is a "Unilateral areola and nipple micropigmentation".
I was referred by my plastic surgeon to a wonderful lady called Catherine who's business is Flõrêns - Cosmetic Tattoo by Catherine. She operates out of The Elements day spa in Birkenhead. Catherine also does brows, eyeliner, lips and scar camouflage, you can find her here https://www.florens.nz/
Catherine is also a theatre nurse as well as a cosmetic tattooist. She is the sweetest, kindest person who was so incredibly thoughtful, honest and sensitive throughout the whole procedure. Her eye for detail was second to none. I really appreciated the time and dedication she took, crafting the most symmetrical shape and colour matching to my skin tone.
I'll spare you the photos of my actual boobs, but the people that have seen the photos are rather impressed. The procedure is done over 2 - 3 sessions depending on how well your skin holds the pigmentation. Given I'm on blood thinners, we aren't super optimistic that much will hold after the first round, and I will probably need 3 sessions to achieve the desired outcome.
The process begins with a 30min consult. Catherine checks out your boobs, to see what she's working with. You discuss expectations, wishes, wants and Catherine gives you realistic outcomes. She then pulls out her magic pen and begins drawing. Once she is satisfied with the symmetry, shape and location Catherine begins colour matching. This part takes the longest (aside from the actual tattoo). There are eight pigmentation colours to work with. Combining them in just the right amounts is a science!
Next is anaesthetic cream and waiting until that takes effect. My implant side is mostly numb anyway but this cream makes it so you can't feel a thing, which comes in handy as the longer the tattoo, just like normal tattoos, the more sensitive and painful the skin becomes.
The actual tattooing itself takes approximately 1.5 hours. Catherine works with the pigmentation colours she has chosen and constantly checks that she is matching your good boob. Catherine's attention to detail is amazing. She is a very clever and talented lady. Some cream, gauze and a waterproof dressing are placed on your new tattoo and you are sent off with aftercare instructions. The dressing should be left on for 3 days, then pawpaw cream applied twice a day until fully healed. The instructions are very similar to regular tattoo aftercare, aside from the dressing. All things going to plan, healing takes between 5 - 14 days depending on the person, and the aftercare you give it. Session 2 is booked in for October school holidays.
I hadn't been too phased about only having one nipple, until I saw myself with two today. I didn't really know or understand what I was missing or how important it was to me, until looking in the mirror post tattoo today. I was flooded with feelings of being complete again. I thought to myself.. ahh there she is, there is the body I recognise again. I hadn't realised how disconnected from my body I had been feeling. How I had packed these feelings in a box and hidden them away, maybe as a way to protect myself? I have often said my body doesn't feel like my own much these days, given the poking, prodding and access you have to give to others - it had become just a vessel, a shell. Until today, where I became a little more me again.
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