Missy Diggs

Well, I probably should have known. But I was so inspired by the images I have seen of women who had tattoos designed for their unreconstructed post-mastectomy chests that I decided pretty early on that I would do that too. I have spent some sad hours cheering myself by looking at pictures of other people’s tattoos and researching tattoo artists who do this sort of work. It seemed like a way to reclaim that part of my body, to transform the scar into something beautiful and meaningful, to use it to create a story about this experience that ends with strength and beauty.

It also seemed like it would make it more fun to go topless, which I apparently can do now, and might even give me the courage to try it.

Also, Mr. B really liked the idea.

But, the other day I graduated from my physical therapy at the lymphedema clinic. I asked the doctor and therapist a bunch of questions about traveling to the mountains, about caring for my bandages, about how I would know when it was time to make a return visit.

and I asked about some advice I had been given by my breast surgeon and other breast cancer survivors, regarding the little poochy pads of flesh that remain under my arms, like little nippleless armpit breasts. So far, everyone has told me in a very offhand way, “Oh, Liposuction will take of that. Just come back in a year or so and we’ll zip it right out of there.” So I asked the Wound Care and Lymphedema doctor about that. “Doesn’t liposuction,” I asked, “disrupt the lymphatic system?”

Well, smart readers, I’m sure you can guess what the answer to that was, just as I had already guessed it. The doctor went on to remind me of all the horrible things that can happen as a result of liposuction, and then of all the dangers of any surgery: MRSA, for example, failure to heal, “bleeding difficulties,” etc. He strongly advised that I strenuously avoid any surgical or medical procedures that are not in the direct interest of saving my life. (In other words, biopsy okay, nose job –or lipsosuction to correct appearance after bilateral mastectomy– very bad idea.)

Well, this advise is pretty much in line with my usual practice, so I felt pretty comfortable with it, but when I got home I started thinking, “But what about my tattoo?”

I am in a bit of an unusual situation, and I seem to make fairly unusual choices, so it is no big surprise to me that there is not a whole lot of information out there about the question of whether people with lymphedema can safely get tattoos.

But I did find this:

Tattoos for the Lymphedema Patient
When considering a tattoo, particularly in tissues with lymphedema, or at risk of developing it, the client should seriously consider the above concerns plus these additional warnings:

Anything that involves a needle stick into an affected limb is an invitation to infection. This risk is even greater when having a procedure performed that involves multiple needle sticks and in which the sterility of the equipment cannot be guaranteed.

Tattooing puts added stress on the lymphatic system in the affected area because 90% of the dye goes into the lymph nodes and stays there.

The swelling of lymphedema distorts the tattooed image. The resulting image may be very unsatisfactory.

The laser treatments required to remove a tattoo could be harmful to tissues that are already damaged by lymphedema.

from this site: http://www.lymphnotes.com/article.php/id/211/

So, as you can see, the answer is NO.

The good news is that thinking about the tattoo I wanted gave me some peace and a feeling of control when I really needed it. It also gave me a look at the faces and bodies of women who are dealing with what I am dealing with, and who have found a way to embrace their own bodies, their own realities. And I surely did need that!

And I guess in a way I am losing the dream of a fabulous tattoo when I don’t really need it anymore. I am feeling more comfortable in my body, I definitely feel that the choices I’ve made are in the best interest of my HEALTH, which is the most important thing to me, and I even have managed to find some clothes that fit and flatter as they say. I’ve also come to the realization that most people absolutely do not notice that I don’t have breasts, even people who haven’t seen me for a long time, since when I did. Even women in the locker room, glancing at me when I’m changing my shirt, have had no reaction to the sight of the flat, wrongly curved, deeply scarred and mottled skin on my chest.

So, no tattoo? No big deal. I was going to have to save a bunch of money for it anyway. Now if I save a bunch of money I can spend it on something else…..