Recipient Spotlight:
Naomi
Naomi’s mastectomy scars greatly impacted her confidence, but tattoos helped close the book on cancer and change her outlook on life.
After her mastectomy, Naomi got tired of seeing cancer in the mirror everyday. She didn’t realize how much it was impacting her confidence and sense of self until she changed what her chest looked like. For Naomi, her mastectomy tattoos gave her her life back and closed the book on cancer. Naomi was a 2019 P.ink Day recipient in Denver, CO where she was matched with artist Justin Wild.
We interviewed Naomi to find out what her P.ink Day experience was like and what advice she has for anyone thinking about mastectomy tattoos or applying to the Personal Ink program.
How did you feel after your mastectomy?
I was tired of looking in the mirror at myself. I felt like less of a woman and more of a monster. I lost all confidence in myself and I was hoping that tattoos would help.
What were you feeling leading up to your P.ink Day?
I was scared, nervous, anxious, and consumed with anticipation. I had no idea what to expect. I had not let anyone see my scars. It was even hard to complete the P.ink application because I was fearful of sending pictures of myself. I felt that I had lost all of who I was as a woman, mom, and wife.
“When I first looked in the mirror, I felt 4 1/2 years of tears and pain fall from my shoulders. Cancer was gone, I won! I was beautiful, I was healed, I was complete.”
– Naomi
What was your P.ink Day experience like?
The experience was far beyond what I thought it would be. To have so many people who knew exactly how I felt about myself was so emotional. I hoped that these tattoos would help us all. I never imagined that they could give me my life back!
How did you feel when you first saw your tattoo revealed?
When I first looked in the mirror, I felt 4 1/2 years of tears and pain fall from my shoulders. Cancer was gone, I won! I was beautiful, I was healed, I was complete. The emotions that ran through me in a few minutes of looking in the mirror at myself were the most incredible feeling. I felt so overcome with emotions that I was crying, laughing, smiling, giggling, and shaking all at once. Goosebumps from head to toe.
How has your P.ink experience changed your life?
Everyday I look in the mirror and I say a little prayer for Justin. He has given me my life back and I can never repay him for that. I had not been back to work for over four years. Now, I work full time, I exercise, I’m doing yard work. I spend more time out of bed than in it with the curtains closed. I guess I thought that I was fine, I didn’t think I was the type of person to be depressed. My friends and family see the spark in me that was there before cancer. I am living my best life and enjoying every minute of it. All this from my beautiful tattoos!
What piece of advice would you share with potential future recipients?
If you have considered tattoos, DO IT! This is the most incredible self-care and healing that you can do for yourself. If you are not the tattoo type, like me, become the tattoo type, like me. You will not regret it! It has been the best thing that I have ever done for myself.