I went in to see Dr. Welk this morning so he could take a look at my skin graft. I was instructed to keep the dressing over the graft all of this time so this was an “unveiling” for me, as well. He took off the dressing and said, “Looks good.” I was relieved since I thought the color and texture did not look so good. But that’s the way it’s been all along. When I think it looks bad, the experts think it looks good and when I think I know what kind of bad-looking tissue is actually well-healing tissue, I am told, “I’ve never seen this before.”
After Dr. Welk cleaned up the area a little, I could see that it was healing. I also saw that the shape of the graft was more of a pointed ellipse than a 1 cm by 2 cm rectangle, as I had thought previously. What I was seeing before was the color and outline of a sponge that was put directly over the graft. Seeing the shape of the graft I joked to Dr. Welk, “Hey, cool that looks like a little eye ball. I could get an eye ball tattoo there.” As soon as I saw his face I said, “Kidding, kidding, kidding. Tattoos are not really my style. But I guess that is not a great joke to make in Seattle.” (For those of you in other parts of the world, tattoos and body piercings are quite the rage in these parts.)
Speaking of tattoos, I recently learned that a new business, a tattoo place, is moving into the space above the offices that I share with two other psychologists. We’ve been in our ground floor space for many years and there’s been a good deal of turnover upstairs. The last business was a day spa and before that, it was a chiropractor’s office. So, it has a lot of little rooms in it. Now the rooms will be filled with people getting inked. The teens that see us in the psychology offices will be thrilled. I am hoping they don’t blast loud music or anything. I am also hoping that there aren’t a bunch of people with scary piercings. I see preschoolers, after all. I think it will probably be just fine. My biggest fear is that a coffee shop or restaurant would move in upstairs. We would hear footsteps, the sound of the steam wand, and talking, all day long. Not to mention the impact on the parking situation. Our building is a cute house built in 1917 so it would have appeal for these kinds of businesses. Fortunately, when the chiropractor moved in, she totally remodeled the place, removing the kitchen, not to mention putting little exam/treatment rooms everywhere.
And if I ever do want to get that eye ball shaped tattoo…
My Eyes Are Up Here 
Hopefully, it will be an artist who specializes in butterflies, flowers and other non-violent tattoos.
That would be cool.
Good luck with the ongoing healing process, it’s sounding very positive 🙂 My brother bought me a book (http://www.boudicawithin.com/the_book.htm), there’s a lady in here who had a fairy tattoo across her reconstruction instead of a nipple tattoo. Personally I’m not brave enough for either but the art work is pretty impressive as are all the women in here. I hope your new neighbours turn out to be quiet, relaxed and free of serious piercings.
I’ve seen some really beautiful tattoos, on breasts and otherwise. The breast tattoos I saw on the Internet. I can understand why there is a demand for this kind of ornamentation and I agree with you that some of the art is lovely. But more needles, I’m with you. No thanks.
And thanks for the well wishes for the neighbors. I think they will likely be fine. They’ve been busy upstairs moving in. When things settle down for them a little I’ll go up and introduce myself. I’ll say, “Welcome to the building. No loud death metal please!” I kid.
I was hoping it would be someone who doesn’t specialize in butterflies, flowers, etc! :- ) I see SO many tattoos in my work, and women seem to cling to gender generic tattoos…hummingbirds, roses, Tinker Bell (really? You wanna evoke a jealous, bitchy fairy?), etc. It’s considered tacky to comment on someone’s tattoos since our goal is to help them recover from injuries, traumas, stress, etc. I couldn’t help myself when one client had a Mondrianesque tattoo on her arm. It was beautiful, vibrant, and masterfully inked. I love my tattoos and would happily get more, but they’re expensive, and finding someone who does good work can be tricky. I’ve seen legions of really, really crappy tattoos that were not done well to begin with and have not aged well either.
Liz, just for fun, you could get something air-brushed on…
Sorry Beth..didn’t mean to offend. I don’t like anything violent so mentioned butterflies as an example of peaceful art. I know nothing about it.
I see lots of tattoos in weird places on my job, and sometimes comment on them – but only if I have something positive to say. Hope I’m not being too tacky.
I also often tell patients that their incision or wound looks great and they are surprised, as they thing it looks horrid. I guess I have a different perspective.
Hi Joanna! I don’t think you are tacky at all. I actually appreciate it when I’m told that ______ “looks great.” My frustration is lacking the medical knowledge for my self-assessments.
Auntie Marti, you better apologize, you totally offended me. :- D I just see too many stereotypical girly tattoos.
I love scars and incisions, too. Especially really gnarly scars…like the former rodeo bull rider with a perfect bull hoof-shaped scar on his calf (and accompanying missing chunk of muscle). I compliment incisions or talk about the difference in techniques when I see them, but tattoos can be slippery slope sometimes. Some clients have had repeated surgeries over time, and it’s interesting to see the advancement of surgical techniques played out across their bodies.
Liz, now i know what I’m getting you for your birthday….