Hey There Ladies. I hope you are all feeling "on the up" today. Good luck to all with appointments looming. I thought I would share some new with you. Now, I know this wont be to everyone's taste but it is to mine and here it is... 😂😂😂... I have only gone and booked an appointment for next March to begin a long (well, 3 month) task of reclaiming my chest from cancer. I am having a mastectomy tattoo. Going large across both breast sites. I will post a before and after photo at each stage. I have double and triple checked that this is ok with both GP and Oncologist... it is 😊😊😊 It will take 3 sessions with six weeks between each session. So will end in July.... just in time to get my chest out for the summer 😂😂😂 That will shock one or two 😂😂😂 On a serious note though, It is my way of not letting cancer define me and of still being that bit of a stubborn rebel at 50. If anyone is considering the same please search out a reputable artist and studio where the artist is trained in tattooing scar tissue. I had the choice of travelling to either the UK or USA for this. So UK it is as it os closer. I researched the artist having been given her details by P.Ink based in the USA. She is currently designing my work. I am.quite excited I wish it could have been sooner though 😊😊😊
Reclaiming my chest 😀😀😀: Hey There... - My Breast Cancer ...
Reclaiming my chest 😀😀😀
Good morning Lainey
I say good for you! Some of these tatoos are amazing! In fact I think this is a really good idea because it's, as you say, claiming back what's rightfully yours. What design are you going for? There are so many beautiful one's out there, it's like bringing beauty into an area of your life which has been quite dark and I image there will be great satisfaction to that. All dark places should be replaced by light and beauty because inch by inch that's how we win. Keep us up to date my dear. X
I am having a design made to include nature - flowers and birds. It will fit in with my half sleeve that I already have. I certainly will keep you all posted and am really looking forward to the end product. 😀😀
Sounds like it will be beautiful. We must see photos. I'm excited for you Lainie. I'm off to pack an overnight bag for my hospital appointment, although it should be a day case, hopefully. Lumpectomy here I come.....x
Hi Hidden
Good Luck 🍀 with your surgery, hope all goes well. Let everyone look after you over Christmas & spoil you.
All The Best for 2017 & let it be a Good Yest for Us All 💕
Morning MrsNails, yes I intend to let Christmas be orchestrated by anyone but me. I'm going to be a bit of a bystander who will just jump in on the good bits. I'm lucky I have family who are all chipping in. I think every lady on this forum deserves a bit of Christmas pampering plus if im honest I might not be up for too many "jolly' s" just yet, still a bit shell shocked. Still, at least the lump will be out for Christmas...yea
That's a The Spirit! I was one month Post Chemo last Christmas so really looking forward to this one!
Our Youngest Son & Daughter in Law arrive on Friday from France then our Eldest Son & Wife arrive on 27th they are currently in New York on Honeymoon Part 2
Let us know how you get on.
Good Luck 💐
I will my dear and thank you also for your kind thoughts x
Good luck for tomorrow Glenshellach. I am going to meet a friend for coffee later, and, if you don't mind, we are going to nip into the local church and light a candle for you. Take a book or kindle, or anything to take your mind off what will be happening just in case you have a long wait. I was terrible lol I had both book and Kindle, my laptop, headphones, rubick cube, sketching material and those "relaxing" colouring books to keep me busy. I used the time to update my blog, read and actually got round to solving the cube 😂😂😂 I was in for 7 days sent home on the Tuesday and by Friday readmitted with sepsis, pneumonia and neutropenia. I was hospital bound for just under a month... thankfully I am here now and all is good. It will be for you too. Take care and a big hug is winging its way to you as I type. Xxxx
Lainey, I would love that you light a candle for me. I believe in the power of prayer - More things in heaven and earth and all that. Yes, I've kept so busy this last few weeks, time has actually passed quite quickly. I've also lost a stone in weight on the stress diet....maybe not so good but I'm still plump round the edges. I can see how you have been through the wringer. No one should have to go through all that! It's a bloody awful disease. What makes me take heart is how you come on here and put yourself out in trying to help others. You're a good person lainey and cancer won't ever change that. I'm so full of fear in a way I've never been before but on this forum I feel others treat my fear as gently as they treat their own and that heartened me because I can see there are some things cancer has no power over. I will update everyone when it's over. Dye inserted tomorrow, lumpectomy day after, Christmas after that....onwards and upwards ladies, good health to us all in 2017
You have said some really lovely things there. Thank you. Yes that stress diet has a lot to answer for, for one I am 2.5 stone lighter, but still a big woman (except chest wise 😂) and down two sizes in my clothes. You have a right to have your fears, you wouldn't be human if you didn't. Try and not let that fear consume you though. For every negative try to look for a balancing positive. Its not always easy and sometimes that search can seem impossible. The more positives you can find the less that fear becomes. I just taught myself to think differently and adjust to my new life, the new me. Not easy but doable. Don't let this cancer drag you down into a 'black hole'. The minute that happens that is the time it has won. But you are stronger than that. You take this time to rest, to sit back and let others take the reigns for a while. You will soon be back in the driving seat and then there will be no stopping you. Good luck my friend. I am rooting for you xxxx
Morning lainey, hope you don't mind either but I also lit one in our local cathedral for you. I got my scan and was then released until tomorrow so I took the opportunity to have a quiet hour to myself and you and all the other ladies on here were in my thoughts.xxx
That was beautiful.of you - thank you xxx thinking of you today xxx
Well ladies, lump now out!! Thats got to take me a step forward! Wasn't as bad as I thought but tomorrow the bruising will come out. Many, . Many thanks for all your kind wishes and prayers. They helped me get through the day xxx
Hey Glenshellach ending lots of hugs and support for your op ❤️ Xxx
Hi Glenshellach, hope your surgery went well, take it easy over the next few days/weeks, I wish you a continued smoothish journey x
Good luck with surgery. ❤
Hi Lainey. I'm not a lover of tattoos myself but sounds a good idea in your case. Anything that makes you feel better is good. Roll on July. Best wishes xx
Thanks Chrissie 😀 I have quite a liking for tattoos. It started 29 years ago with a tiny rosebud on my shoulder. I was 21. My father found out about 5 years later and went totally nuts. After a dreadful accident in 2003 in which I broke my spine, I was told that there was a high chance of me never walking again - I did - so I had a dragon tattooed onto my back, after that, when my daughter was leaving home 5 years ago we had matching mother and daughter tattoos on our foot, so wherever I am she is and vice versa. Then I started on my half sleeve which is a family history through pictures. The latest I had added was when I finished treatment, a dream catcher with feathers entwined to represent the breast cancer bow. This mastectomy tattoo is likely to be my last. So ultimately it has to be my best. However I think my half sleeve will be hard to beat lol ... ps ... at ths stage my parents just shake their head, however this year when I underwent my double mastectomy, my father now 75, who dislikes the colour pink and does not like tattoos - surprised me by having the breast cancer ribbon tattooed over his heart and said to me... "honey, I will carry your scars with you!" Yes ... I cried. 😍
Lovely story. Respect to your lovely father
Loving your dad x
Oh my god.....respect to your dad. That just made me well up
Sorry about not replying sooner. I have had to collect my mum who lives 100 miles away and is 95 next month. She is really hard work and now she has a stinking cold. She sounds terrible. Hope it won't spoil her day tomorrow with her great granddaughter. I haven't had time to look at these emails for a few days and still they are not coming through automatically.
Back to my original comment I was going to make. I wiped a tear away too when I read about your father and his tattoo. Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year xx
Hi Chrissie2 I hope your Mum is much better soon and that it does not spoil hers or your Christmas. Have a peaceful and HapoynCjristmas and a healthy 2017 xxxx
Good for You Lainey66 🌺
I'm sure it will look Amazing, do let us see the results.
Best Wishes to You & Your Family for Christmas 🎄 & A Happy & Healthy 2017 to Us All 💐
Thank you MrsNails. Indeed I will keep you posted with before and after photos. This will be one for the history books. I also wish you and your family all the best for this festive season and an amazingly healthy 2017 for us all xxxx
Well done you! I'm doing the same next year after reconstruction and yes I'm to a rebel at 50. The chap doing mine is a old school friend who is based in eastborne can't wait! so sod let rebel together xx
I love it.... nothing like getting old disgracefully. I have decided to live a flat life and have surprised myself as to how comfortable I am with that decision. When are you getting your reconstruction? I am having my tattoo done in Shrewsbury in March. I was hoping it have it done over 3 consecutive days but 6 weeks have to be left between sessions for healing especially as it is scar tissue. Good luck with yours. I am looking forward to sharing pics. I am thinking of doing a "calendar girls" calendar and raising money for btrast cancer research too. 😀😀
I am booked for reconstruction in march than as soon as tissue settles down i'm having water colour tattoo. I will be waiting for your pics. I have put myself forward to calendar shots before and after surgery. I live life to the full and sod anyone who thinks I should be sitting in the corner knitting. I got my camper and motor bike and rebel spirit. xx
Good woman yourself😂😂😂 A woman aftwr my own heart xxx
Brilliant !! I am a coward.... Had the breast cancer ribbon tattood on my wrist it's only an inch long ! That was enough for me !! One of my daughters laughed ..she said. .. Mum you had 3 babies with no pain relief and you've just had your breasts off (she really said tits) and you say that little tattoo hurt !! 😂😂😂 you go for it girl !!
Go for it girl.
Am sure it will be brilliant.
Look after yourself and have a fab Christmas with your family. 🎄🎉
loving your idea lainey. When i've had my reconstruction next year and its settled down, i am having a tattoo to detract away from not having a nipple, dont want to start harvesting skin from other parts of my body to make one! my sister is an excellent artist and designed her own tattoo few years ago so i've requested a phoenix with the breast cancer ribbon in its claw. its something to look forward to isn't it?
best wishes with it all, heres to 2017!! x
It is indeed. I had a dream catcher done earlier in the year with the feathers forming the breast cancer ribbon. This chest piece is something to look forward to xxx wishing you all the best for 2017 😀😀
Sounds like a great idea Lainey, after completing a 6 week living well after cancer course 18/12 ago I thought about having a tattoo on one of my scars (I don't have any at the moment), but the more I thought about it I'm not brave enough so have decided against it x
You are right not to make hasty decisions once it is there it is there for life xxx hope all is well with you and life looking a whole lot better xx
Hi Lainey, life okish, minor eye surgery last week after much faffing around by the hospital, another check up next week when I'm hoping to be back driving as I've hardly used my car this year, look after yourself x
Amazing can't wait to see it Elaine well done!! B
Wow! That's a big project ( and close to your❤ Forgive the pun). I hope it brings you much pleasure when it's done. I understand why. I only have one boob missing, just three months ago and I still find looking at myself confronting. Brave lady! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
It was somewhat difficult looking at myself in the mirror as all I saw was my 'old' self the morning of my op. It has taken the bulk of this year for me to now be able to stand there and look at myself saying "Jaynee Missus, despite what you've gon6e through your not too bad looking!"
Good for you. I think the breast tattoos I have seen look great and send a big f**k you message to cancer. Xx
Well, I thought I was brave thinking about having a nipple tattooed,but yours sounds amazing,is it wrong to say,I can't wait to see it! Good luck and merry Christmas and a healthy new year.xxx
Lol not wrong at all. I cant wait to show it off 😂😂😂😂😂 you have a great Christmas and New Year too xxx
Good for you, I think anything positive is good, and if this is what you want to do then great, they do look fantastic when done xxx
Good for you Lainey! Not my thing but a huge admirer of the artwork as its a real skill and I'm sure it will look fabulous, can't wait to see it 😄.
Happy Christmas to you and all the ladies here👼✨⛄🌟🎁🎄
Thanks Emonty. I am like an impatient child waiting for the date to arrive 😂😂😂have a great Christmas and New Year, Good health to us all xxx
Merry Christmas and wishing us all a healthy 2017 x
I definitely echo that 1508. Hope all is good with you xx
Not doing too badly thanks twelve months today finished radiotherapy following chemo_left side mastectomy and although still can't do what I used to do am accepting the new normal - and that's nothing compared to what you went through looking forward to seeing that tattoo roll on the summer take care xx
So glad you have it all organised something you really want to do and yes why not kick its ass. Looking forward to hearing how it all goes
Keep well and have a great festive season xx
Thank you Gypsywhyte. Please God it will all go well now and we are all on the up and up. You have a great festive season too. Xxxx
Good for you Lainey! Seen pictures of women with tattoos and they are beautiful. I was going to have one done until I had the 3 tiny tattoos for radiotherapy and changed my mind!
😂😂😂 Oh Lorraineam you just made me laugh. 😂😂😂
Go Lainey, great to hear that you have managed to fulfill this. Looking forward to hearing the story. Have a lovely Christmas and new year, bit different from last year.
Hi lainey ,
Thats great news had my belly button pierced for my 30th birthday and i think that is as far as i could go !pain wise ,love the idea best wishes to you and merry xmas you have your tatoo to look forward x
Hi Lainey-
I personally wouldn't do tattoos, but I am happy for you. Whatever makes an individual feel good, that is what they should do. I am currently in the hospital. Just had my single total mastectomy this morning. Have had my loving support group with me all day. Just sent them all home so they don't lose sight of taking care of themselves too.
I hope your tattoo turns out exactly the way you want. Glad you're doing something for yourself.
Happy Holidays!
Hi Blossom1966. I hope all went well with your surgery and that all cancer was removed. Remember to do your exercises as otherwise you will have problems moving your arm. Yes I have given this a lot of thought and am looking forward to having it all done. Do take care and I hope you have a peaceful relaxing Christmas and a clean bill of health for the new year xxxx bug hug coming your way right now xxxx
Finding happiness after bc
Hi my name is Susan and I'm 51 yrs old 
My Mother’s BC
