Tattoos

Anonymous

Tattoos

JanaGail

Hello - I went thru treatment for breast cancer 2 1/2 years ago. I had six nodes removed on my left side. Ive done good except for a fall last March which cause some minor swelling in my thumb. I have been wanting to get a tattoo on my left wrist, maybe the three triple neg ribbons, but I am wondering if it is safe since technically they say no blood pressure or iv draws on that arm. Thoughts?

Moderators

Hi JanaGail-

That's a good question! If you haven't already, we would suggest running the idea behind your doctor for their opinion and/or advice. Hopefully someone in the community can speak to their own experiences and offer some insight as well!

The Mods

hugz4u

It’s great to finish treatment and move forward and what a nice way to celebrate.

Seeing that you have swelling in your thumb (your whole profile is not listed so I don’t have all your specs ) and I don’t know if you have been diagnosed with lymphedema I would be very careful about tatts. Reason being is that it is a puncture in your skin allowing a possible infection to brew in your all ready compromised lymph system.

Some docs can show you studies proving otherwise but Dr. Nudlemen (sp?) who herself has lymphedema devotes much time to show it’s wrong to puncture skin. I saw her video and I hope someone here comes on and posts the link as I have forgot.

It does sound like you do have lymphedema and some girls here do get tatts without trouble so it’s something to think about. Reconsider getting it on another place on your body. Perhaps other wrist if unaffected. I’ve considered nipple tatts but just can’t bring myself to it, seeing that I have le in breast trunk and arm.

Meanwhile do go get evaluated by a lymphedema therapist. Google stepup-speakout.org a fabulous site our girls here made and get educated on le. You can find a therapist near you on that site.

If it is le and you catch it early enough it’s reversible otherwise is a mean beast to deal with as it just progresses into nastiness.