Cancer-inspired tattoo is ruling my world

Surviving
Written By Liz Salmi
PHOTO: Tattoo progress

PHOTO: Tattoo progress

Instead of having a surgery this year (like I've had for the past three years), I'm consenting to a brain cancer-inspired tattoo.

Unfortunately, this tattoo is so huge it takes multiple sessions, with a mandatory two-week waiting period between each session (at least).

What is wrong with me? Do I miss the torture of chemo and brain surgery? At least a seizure only lasts for a few minutes.

It seems as though the brain cancer tattoo is taking up half my 2011.

At least I am still alive.

And no, this is far from being "done."

Liz Salmi

Liz Salmi is Communications & Patient Initiatives Director for OpenNotes at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Over the last 15 years Liz has been: a research subject; an advisor in patient stakeholder groups; a leader in “patient engagement” research initiatives; and an innovator, educator and investigator in national educational and research projects. Today her work focuses on involving patients and care partners in the co-design of research and research dissemination. It is rumored Liz was the drummer in a punk rock band.

https://thelizarmy.com
Previous

The meaning of the cancer tattoo
Next

Use it or lose it: the no-exercise confession