Meaning

Now that I have a new tattoo, I am fully prepared for lots of people to ask that question that will never get old.

"So why did you get that? What does it mean to you?"

After all I did get stopped twice at Trader Joe's yesterday, no biggie I love making new friends and talking to people.

First I'll hit on the bow. I didn't want to get a breast cancer ribbon since it's so popular, so I decided to get a bow that is shaded pink. This is for my grandmother, who fought and survived breast cancer with a double mastectomy. Throughout the whole process, she never let it get her down. She was always optimistic and oddly, kind of joked her way through it. It honestly influenced me a lot on how I handle situations of my own, if you know me very well, you know I laugh inappropriately. Often.

The phrase. Throughout nursing school, and most of my life, I had never known what I wanted to settle on for a career. Even in nursing there are hundreds of options. Oncology? Pediatrics? Hospice? None of them really clicked with me. Until one day, I had found out that a close friend was injured in war. He was in Iraq fighting to protect our country when he had stepped on an IED. He was then stationed in the Wounded Warriors, and had nothing but gratitude towards the individuals who had taken care of him. I, myself, was grateful for the providers who had saved his life. At that moment, I knew what it was I wanted to do.

I wanted to work to protect those who were working to protect not only my, but also my families freedoms.

I typed in my google image search bar: "wounded warriors," and the very first picture my eyes diverted to was this:



My brain went blank.
My jaw dropped.
I became inspired by this man that I did not know. I needed to know more. This is Kyle Hockenberry, a fellow infantryman, that was injured in Afghanistan just like my friend had been. I had never before thought of myself joining the service, but I felt myself wanting nothing more but to protect these soldiers who were trying to protect myself and my family. The two providers in the picture inspire me to learn, to fight, and to protect. Which is exactly what I plan on doing.

This tattoo is a symbol of not only my future, but of my family that I hold so dearly to my heart. When I see this tattoo, it is a daily reminder of why I wake up and go to school. A symbol of why I work so hard. When people ask me about it, I smile, and gladly tell them my plans.



Now I want to talk about the process of getting my tattoo, as well as my aftercare.

Mike Derasmo from Done Right Tattoo was the wonderful man that laid this art upon my back. Sounds dirty. Good. He was great, also extremely handsome. Charming, tatted, CROSSFITTER PALEO EATER, and funny. I'd almost go as far to say my ideal man, but.. He's married. Of course! Oh well, he made the experience a pleasant one. Though it would have been much more pleasant if I wouldn't have been facing away from him the whole time. Sorry I don't have a picture. Sorry I'm going on and on about this.

So yeah. Pain? Not too bad. I'd almost say it was a massaging feeling up near my trap. At least I'll dream that's what it felt like.

I've been using coconut oil for my aftercare.


I kept the plastic on for about three hours (though it wanted to fall off all the way through Trader Joe's) then got home and washed it with one of TJ's non chemically hand soaps, then applied coconut oil. Since then, I've applied a decent amount on it about 3 times a day or more if it gets wiped off by my clothing. Oh and let me restate that, I did not apply it. Unfortunately my arms do not reach that far so I've been dependent on my family to do this for me. Sucks.

BUT it is day 5 and my tattoo is starting to peel. I've tried not to sleep on my back, which is very stressful and hard to do and I have lost a lot of sleep (end rant) but things are going very well. It was not red on the day after (Thursday) and I have been very happy with its healing. Say what? You've never heard of coconut oil on tattoos?

You probably haven't, but coconut oil in fact has many healing properties and is also very moisturizing to the skin, but I'm no expert so if you want to know more I encourage you to read about it here.

While you're at it, check out the amazing list that Wellness Mama's created about 101 Uses For Coconut Oil. This stuff is really great, and I use it for just about everything. Seriously.

Here is a picture that is also very helpful on the benefits of coconut oil




There you have it folks! If you try coconut oil on any of your tattoos, wounds, or anything else, let me know what you think about it! Also, feel free to tell me ABOUT your tattoos and what they mean to you.

Cheers to meaning.