My tattoo is of a butterfly with a pink ribbon as it’s body. The word “survivor” follows the outline of the upper part of the wings. It is my first tattoo and it symbolizes my journey through breast cancer. The tattoo sits upon my upper right breast, which was the one that had the tumor in it. I got it for a couple of reasons. Mainly, I wanted it to act as a conversation piece with the hope that others would see me as approachable to discuss their own diagnosis’ and battles. (I had always wanted a tattoo but was too much of a wimp to get one. After all I had endured during my battle against breast cancer, I figured I could probably stick needles in my own eyes – so I opted to get the tattoo!). I felt that I was not only “ready” but deserving of this tattoo. My 91 year old grandmother couldn’t understand why I would want to “mark up my body” in such a permanent way. I reminded her that the scars I have all over my chest from a chemotherapy port incision and a double mastectomy are permanent and I had no choice about those! This was something I had a choice about and it was beautiful. I had the tattoo done by Mariah Rose at White Tiger tattoo in Webster, NY. I will definitely get another tattoo….I just won’t tell my grandmother.