Jade is a 56-year-old from San Miguel de Allende. She got her tattoo to cover the scars from a double mastectomy, stating, “It gave me back my confidence and freedom to not focus on what I didn’t have, but to focus on the cool artwork I did have.” She said the tattoo design was a collaborative venture with tattoo artist Nancy Abraham from Mexico City. The third eye represents seeing the future, and the Chinese symbol for “wood” means new growth, positivity, and the future. “The tattoo was originally going to say ‘warrior,’ but it took on a whole new meaning and evolved into being more optimistic and promising.”
Jade explains that when she was told she needed a mastectomy, she originally asked for both breasts to be removed. However, her surgeon feared she would regret that decision. After she lived miserably for a year with one breast and was not a candidate for reconstruction, he agreed to remove her other breast. “I was miserable with one breast and much happier without any.” Her tattoo artist was thrilled to do this tattoo for her. “I could not wait to get it done, I hated looking in the mirror (and avoided doing so).” She said once she got the tattoo done, she showed it off to anyone that asked. “I was proud of what Nancy had done, and my confidence and moxie went up 100%. Now I love having it peek out of my t-shirt and talking about it. I don’t concern myself about what others may think when they realize I don’t have breasts – I just flaunt the tattoo.”
“I hope it encourages other women to take charge of their bodies and not to be afraid.”
STORIES FROM THE SKIN 