I’ve Been Inked

I made a trip into the city today for the final step in my reconstruction – my tattoos. Just like every other phase of the entire breast reconstruction experience it was kind of weird. I didn’t get Celtic knots or targets or even a rebel flag and a girl duck (Dixie and Daisy). I chickened out and didn’t even ask.

I have to go back in four weeks for touch ups and I’m going to start laser hair removal of my underarms at that time. I’m so excited. I think insurance should pay for that as well since the need is a result of the mastectomy, but they don’t see it my way.

Every time I look at my new chest I’m put in mind of hobbits. Why? Because when they were filming the Lord of the Rings movies they used the belly hair of a Yak on the hobbits’ feet. When my surgeon grafted skin from my tummy to make a left breast I ended up with belly moles, stretch marks and some hair I hadn’t even realized had been on my stomach.

**My boobs don’t resemble the feet of hobbits and the hair doesn’t look like Yak fur. I don’t have Magnum P.I.’s chest now and there is no cleavage plumage or anything like that. Just so you know.**

Having the image of a hobbit pop in your mind when you see yourself in the mirror is a little disconcerting. The technician told me today she would remove that hair without charging me or insurance for it. YEA!

All this excitement has exhausted me so I’m going to bed now. But I leave you with a few snapshots of Valley Forge. I took pictures of my tree but they didn’t turn out very well. The sky was too blue and the sun was in the wrong spot to show the contrasting colors of the branches and trunk. I’ll have to go back when it’s earlier in the day and a little more dreary.

I must have seen 100 deer today and it wasn’t even dusk. You have to be very careful driving through Valley Forge because there are herds of them and they will run out in front of you.

I just can’t figure out why the Continental Army starved back in 1776 with all this venison around!

An original farmhouse that was used by the Continental Army.

Reproductions of the bunk houses used by the soldiers. I thought the snow lent a special touch.

21 Comments

  1. Becky on February 25, 2008 at 11:37 pm

    ROFL! I was all over the place with this one, Jenster…lol!Celtic Knots and the belly hair of a Yak!Good stuff…and it simply MUST be put in your book in exactly this way!~

  2. Tanya on February 25, 2008 at 11:49 pm

    Daisy & Dixie made me think of this video.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxIAg-lMd-U

  3. His Girl on February 25, 2008 at 11:52 pm

    I am convinced beyond reason that if I am ever struck by anything majorly rough in my life, I will have to fly you out to my bedside to help me look at things through your eyes. your sense of humor blesses me beyond reason, and I suspect it would hit the spot 🙂

  4. Gretchen on February 26, 2008 at 12:08 am

    I know you probably have a flood of differing emotions, and I would too, I think. Congrats on one more step along the way this journey of yak hair and Celtic knots. Much love. But I wish there were pictures, quite honestly. ;)oh, how I kid.I’m not kidding about having to hide Valley Forge pics from History Boy. He’d have us on the next flight out to PA. Which isn’t a bad thing…just not in the cards at the moment.

  5. Dee on February 26, 2008 at 12:43 am

    LOL @ the jsyk. Don’t hate on the yaks!

  6. Rosie on February 26, 2008 at 1:02 am

    Gives a whole new meaning to “do you want to see my tattoo?” doesn’t it?

  7. KT on February 26, 2008 at 10:47 am

    Hi Jen, congrats on moving along with the boobage process. Glad to hear you are making progress. Also laughed at the belly hair! When we were thinking about reconstruction (which I haven’t started yet), and the 1st plastic surgeon I met with told me I didn’t have enough belly fat to build new boobs, my husband volunteered his belly fat. Of course they don’t use donor tissue, but still I was really grossed out by this thought! I said thanks but no thanks, dear, I don’t want your belly hairs all over my chest! Didn’t realize that maybe my own belly would bring some hairs too! Something to look forward to, if/when I get my new boobs!Thanks again for a great read! Katie

  8. Em on February 26, 2008 at 11:19 am

    LOL…I’m sure you don’t look like the feet of a yak! But I’m also sure it can be disconcerting to see body parts relocated. But it is one more step along the way and you must feel good about the progress.So you didn’t get ducks or Celtic knots….are you gonna write a post about what you did get???

  9. Monnik on February 26, 2008 at 11:20 am

    bwahah. hobbit feet breasts. that’s funny.Love the pictures!

  10. Katybug on February 26, 2008 at 1:10 pm

    **My boobs don’t resemble the feet of hobbits and the hair doesn’t look like Yak fur. I don’t have Magnum P.I.’s chest now and there is no cleavage plumage or anything like that. Just so you know.**WHEW!!!! I am SO GLAD you clarified that!!! It was the first thing that popped into my mind, and I was worried!!! 😉 Girl, you are a hoot!! Enjoy your nap. You’ve earned it!

  11. KATE on February 26, 2008 at 1:21 pm

    That must be hard & a little exciting to get to focus on the “steps” on this side of treatment! Congrats to you!! Yay for your new boobs! Woo Hoo!!I’m glad they don’t look like HObbit feet, that was too funny! Have you had laser hair removal before? I’m having it done right now on my face (yes I was blessed with a Man-Lip!) anyhow, it’s so exciting to know that it’s going to be gone for good! Yay!Loved the pictures from Valley Forge, you live in such an amazing part of the country! How fun!

  12. The Daily "B" on February 26, 2008 at 2:02 pm

    HAhahahahahhah!!! I burst out laughing! I love the pictures!

  13. Jenster on February 26, 2008 at 3:03 pm

    Becky – Yes, ma’am! Funny thing is I was so tired when I was writing it I felt like I was just “phoning it in”.Tanya – That’s funny!His Girl – A twisted sense of humor is always helpful in a bad situation. LOL Is “craziness” a spiritual gift??Gretchen – I have other great pictures of the park that I’m planning on posting eventually. Do I need to warn you first?? And just so you know, I make a great tour guide!Dee – I’m not hating on the yaks. I just don’t want their belly hair on my chest. :o)Rosie – I think I’ll just keep these to myself.KT – ROFL about your husband’s belly hair on your “transplant”! It’s funny because belly hair was never an issue for me. So yes, there is that to consider while you weigh your options.Em – I think I’ll just let you use your imagination as to what I did get. Just know it’s nothing exciting. :o)Monnik – I’m a little twisted that way.Katybug – I had to explain because I can only imagine the pictures in people’s heads!Kate – I haven’t had it done yet. I’m a little afriad I’m going to love the results and want to have something else lasered. I can see how this sort of thing can become addictive!Deb – THANKS!

  14. Shauna on February 26, 2008 at 4:28 pm

    BWAHAHAHAHA! Hobbit feet boobs. That’s a new one. Love it! Beautiful pictures. I love the old house and bunkhouses. It makes me start dreaming up all kinds of war story romances. 😉

  15. susan on February 26, 2008 at 5:08 pm

    Girl…your postive outlook just amazes me! Too bad we can’t bottle that and give it to the folks that don’t even have a reason to be grumpy. 🙂

  16. KATE on February 26, 2008 at 5:21 pm

    Oh, it’s totally addictive!! I’m sure you don’t want to know this, but I happen to have the hair gene! I know, fun huh. Anyhow, it’s seriously addictive & I lay there in the chair each time & plan what I’m going to have them do for the next phase! I can’t wait to get my face all finished so I can start on the next area!! Woo Hoo! I can’t wait to hear what you think!

  17. Jodi_Lee on February 26, 2008 at 9:15 pm

    As usual, I LOL’d at your post. I get it though. I’ve had quite a bit of surgery of the plastic variety myself and…well…let’s just say, things do get moved around a bit. But, hey my rib is in my nose so I think I will always have you beat! Ha! Why do they call it plastic surgery anyhow? I have no plastic…just recycled goods. Anyhoo…Here’s what I want to know – how could you stand the tattooing?? Are you completely numb? I’ve never had a tattoo – aversion to needles, and all – but it scares the crap out of me!!I love the old farm house – that’s my kind of thing!XOXO!

  18. Sherry ~ Cherie ~ ms. herbes de provence on February 26, 2008 at 10:09 pm

    Silly rabbit…er, I mean hobbit!!! You are too funny…and sassy…and just all around mind kinda gal…love your outlook!! Love these photos — pieces of history, hobbits and tattoos…quite the post Jen!!! 🙂

  19. Dorky Dad on February 27, 2008 at 12:15 am

    Hobbits! The thoughts can’t be all that bad if you’re thinking hobbits. Even if you are thinking about them while looking at your chest.And I hate insurance companies. No way they should be denying payment for hair removal. Losers.

  20. Lynilu on February 27, 2008 at 2:20 am

    OMG, I was cracking up over your descriptions of your “hobbits”!! I think we should see pictures now!! LOL!!It is strange to think of all those deer in the area of starving people, but, uhmmm, I’d guess the sound of the war might have run them off, don’t you think? 😀 Love the pictures!

  21. radioactive girl on February 27, 2008 at 10:02 am

    I love this entire post. You are awesome! As for laser hair removal…I am jealous! I keep saying I want to get it, and then keep backing out because it is so expensive and I am scared it will be painful. You’ll have to let me know about the pain part!

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