The Women
Jamie
At 33, Jamie had a mammogram after feeling pain in one of her breasts. It revealed nothing. Two years later she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer on her kids’ last day of school.
After having a double mastectomy & reconstructive surgery she experienced what many women have called “the driveby,” where any walk past a mirror brought her eyes straight to her scars, reminding her that she was now different.
Not wanting to opt for further risky, more invasive reconstructive surgeries she instead turned to tattoo artist Shane Wallin, whose realistic areola tattoos might bring her a sense of closure and allow her to feel like herself again.
Brenda
While taking a shower one morning Brenda felt the tiniest lump in her breast. It was the size of a bb—far from the large ball she imagined—so at 34, she didn’t suspect cancer at all.
After learning she had invasive lobular and ductal carcinoma, Brenda underwent a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. Her treatment and recovery took a heavy toll not only on her physically, but also on her marriage, which ended when her husband left her and their children.
Dissatisfied with the results of her reconstruction, Brenda didn’t feel comfortable in her own skin and was hesitant to get back into the world & start dating again. She was shocked when she first saw a large, floral mastectomy tattoo & knew immediately that artwork like that could help her feel beautiful again.
Dianna
After considering it for a long time, Dianna had breast reduction surgery. Not long after, a followup exam revealed that she had ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)—something that wouldn’t have appeared had she had her reduction surgery earlier.
Fortunately it was caught early on and to treat it she underwent a surgery that involved removing the tissue behind her nipple. However, the same doctor that performed her nipple reconstruction also tattooed over it—in a single color—causing it to flatten out despite his assurances.
Ever since, she would hide herself around others, her hands rising to cover herself out of reflex in places like the gym. She knew she wasn’t her old self, but when she saw a floral mastectomy tattoo that covered a woman like a bra, she also saw a striking way that she could finally have a result she could love—and have a say in.
