silentspring Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 Hi I'm from New Zealand... I'm 36 & had my first tattoo at 18. When I was 34 I got stupid dumb breast cancer and in December 14 I got a tattoo to symbolize the journey blah blah. Anyway, the red areas took longer to heal than the rest, and then in late January I noticed a bump in one section, like a bit of a raised itchy area. I scratched it and the top came off and left what appeared to be a raised red area with a deep pin hole in the middle. I went to the Dr, she said hmmm, that looks like squamous cell carcinoma! I'm like wtf? So long story short they biopsy it a few days later... The results come back as a keratoacanthoma, unable to exclude squamous cell carcinoma! That was two weeks ago. Tomorrow I'm missing my friend's wedding so I can have surgery, wide local excision, to remove the lesion. I guess I came here to see if anyone has ever come across this kind of thing before, and to get ideas for a cover up as it's gonna be a bit ugly. I love the red and I'm super gutted I won't be getting any more! Look forward to seeing how this plays out! The photo attached shows the progression just in three weeks Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6003-can-this-really-be-happening/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcom Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 Ouch. I hope all turns out well. Good luck. silentspring 1 Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6003-can-this-really-be-happening/#findComment-110001 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasBeauty Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 I'm sorry to hear about how your tattoo has turned out. Hoping for all the best for you. Take care. Hillary silentspring 1 Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6003-can-this-really-be-happening/#findComment-110012 Share on other sites More sharing options...
herewego Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 Best of luck. Cancer worries me as it runs on both sides of my family. My Mother's father died of lung cancer that spread to his brain and lymph nodes. My Father's mother had breast cancer and survived a double masectomy. I have a lot of odd shaped and colored moles, which I have had checked. I plan on getting close to full coverage on my body and always wondered if tattoos would hide any problematic moles and make me miss them until it was too late. Again good luck in your fight. silentspring 1 Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6003-can-this-really-be-happening/#findComment-110014 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SStu Posted February 25, 2015 Share Posted February 25, 2015 Here's to your surgeon being a gifted stich-er. Best of luck silentspring 1 Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6003-can-this-really-be-happening/#findComment-110016 Share on other sites More sharing options...
silentspring Posted February 26, 2015 Author Share Posted February 26, 2015 Well I am fairly impressed with the result when you consider the amount of tissue I had removed. Now I have to wait for pathology and hope for clear margins! graybones, SStu, tatB and 1 other 4 Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6003-can-this-really-be-happening/#findComment-110067 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graeme Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Welcome and I'm really sorry that happened to you. Wishing you all the best. silentspring 1 Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6003-can-this-really-be-happening/#findComment-110070 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugilist Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 @silentspring - wishing you a speedy recovery. Your tattoo does indeed look pretty impressive given the circumstances! I doubt any of us can advise what to do about it, but I will say that there is a local old timer who has a faded old chest eagle that has a huge scar from his pacemaker right in the middle of it. It looks tough as shit. So see how it all heals and then decide if you want to rework it or not! And crossing my fingers for a clean report from pathology. Iwar, Graeme, silentspring and 1 other 4 Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6003-can-this-really-be-happening/#findComment-110096 Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcom Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 silentspring, Wish you the best of luck and a fast recovery. Stay positive. All will be well! silentspring 1 Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6003-can-this-really-be-happening/#findComment-110097 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeeSea Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Wow - what a story. I hope it all turns out ok and you have a speedy recovery. I bet someone could rework the tattoo if you wanted but maybe it will heal up with a minimal scar. Looks like he did a nice job. Good luck and let us know. silentspring 1 Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6003-can-this-really-be-happening/#findComment-110098 Share on other sites More sharing options...
herewego Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 Good luck with your recovery. Hoping you have clear pathology report. silentspring 1 Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6003-can-this-really-be-happening/#findComment-110106 Share on other sites More sharing options...
polliwog Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Hoping that the news is good for you. And that is some tidy stitching! I hope it heals well. silentspring 1 Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6003-can-this-really-be-happening/#findComment-110180 Share on other sites More sharing options...
silentspring Posted February 27, 2015 Author Share Posted February 27, 2015 Thank you all for your kind replies. I will keep you posted about the pathology. I emailed the artist today and asked for the details of the ink ingredients so I can possibly identify a toxin. I'm wondering if he will bother replying since I've emailed the shop about this a few times and I get responses from the counter girl which are vague and unhelpful. Today she replied and said she had forwarded my email to him, which made me wonder if he has even seen the earlier ones... I won't be going back there that's for sure! Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6003-can-this-really-be-happening/#findComment-110197 Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcom Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Thank you all for your kind replies. I will keep you posted about the pathology.I emailed the artist today and asked for the details of the ink ingredients so I can possibly identify a toxin. I'm wondering if he will bother replying since I've emailed the shop about this a few times and I get responses from the counter girl which are vague and unhelpful. Today she replied and said she had forwarded my email to him, which made me wonder if he has even seen the earlier ones... I won't be going back there that's for sure! I could help if you know the brand of the ink used? Keep us posted! silentspring 1 Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6003-can-this-really-be-happening/#findComment-110221 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breakme Posted February 27, 2015 Share Posted February 27, 2015 Welcome from a fellow kiwi. Good luck for the results, I hope everything is OK. silentspring 1 Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6003-can-this-really-be-happening/#findComment-110258 Share on other sites More sharing options...
silentspring Posted March 2, 2015 Author Share Posted March 2, 2015 I could help if you know the brand of the ink used? Keep us posted! I found this photo I took of the ink, can you identify it? Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6003-can-this-really-be-happening/#findComment-110372 Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcom Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 I found this photo I took of the ink, can you identify it? Yes. That's Fantasia Ink. Fantasia Tattoo Inks Looking up ingredients now. - - - Updated - - - Here is some info. http://info.painfulpleasures.com/help-center/tattoo-information/top-brands-golden-age-tattoo-inks#Fantasia%20Tattoo%20Inks Will find more on actual ingredients later... Though be ware that it seems that most company's tend to keep the ingredients list close to their chest... You can find "generic" info around forums from ink chemist and company owners. Worst case scenario, I have a friends at Rice University who can help me figure this out..... I will just need to get my hands in one of their bottles... Ill keep you posted, silentspring 1 Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6003-can-this-really-be-happening/#findComment-110376 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CultExciter Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 @xcom Fantasia is a fine pigment to use. I've even it used on myself. You can stop the witch hunt, and honestly, it isn't very appropriate for you to be talking about this on the board. I can pretty much guarantee it has nothing to do with the pigment. tatB, daveborjes, Graeme and 1 other 4 Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6003-can-this-really-be-happening/#findComment-110381 Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcom Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 @xcom Fantasia is a fine pigment to use. I've even it used on myself. You can stop the witch hunt, and honestly, it isn't very appropriate for you to be talking about this on the board. I can pretty much guarantee it has nothing to do with the pigment. @CultExciter, I am sure it is, I never said otherwise. I am just trying to help. In the other hand makes me wonder what or why is not appropriate about what I posted. I have not said anything that you cant find already on the internet. It's all black magic.... Ill just back out before I get burned. Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6003-can-this-really-be-happening/#findComment-110382 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CultExciter Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 Because it perpetuates misinformation and incorrect perceptions. If you don't understand why that is inappropriate then you are in the wrong place. daveborjes, Rikhall, Fala and 2 others 5 Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6003-can-this-really-be-happening/#findComment-110383 Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcom Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 Because it perpetuates misinformation and incorrect perceptions. If you don't understand why that is inappropriate then you are in the wrong place. I understand your above statement. What I did not understand is your vagueness. My hands are up and I am complying with your orders. :D Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6003-can-this-really-be-happening/#findComment-110384 Share on other sites More sharing options...
silentspring Posted March 4, 2015 Author Share Posted March 4, 2015 I understand your above statement. What I did not understand is your vagueness.My hands are up and I am complying with your orders. :D Thank you for your attempt at helping me xcom. I'm sorry that you have been accused of starting a witch hunt, when actually if the witches were honest about their ingredients this wouldn't need to be happening. I don't know how anyone can think they can guarantee anything about a cancerous reaction (cells tested in an actual lab) on my skin which is mimicked to a lesser degree on ALL OF THE RED AREAS. Cultexciter I admit I'm fairly unlucky but you've got no right to try to shut this conversation down. I ask what is in the ink for my own health and that of my fellow humans. X swear words x - - - Updated - - - Because it perpetuates misinformation and incorrect perceptions. If you don't understand why that is inappropriate then you are in the wrong place. What misinformation is being perpetuated here precisely? A product I can find no information on has caused an allergic reaction which has turned cancerous (contact dermatitis can do this if the allergen is not removed). It's very hard to see what is inappropriate about trying to identify the allergen. Keep your propaganda out of my thread please Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6003-can-this-really-be-happening/#findComment-110535 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tatB Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 What misinformation is being perpetuated here precisely? That this particular brand of ink is linked to cancer. daveborjes and CultExciter 2 Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6003-can-this-really-be-happening/#findComment-110539 Share on other sites More sharing options...
silentspring Posted March 4, 2015 Author Share Posted March 4, 2015 This particular brand of ink is linked to cancer. Mine. There is no misinformation here Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6003-can-this-really-be-happening/#findComment-110540 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tatB Posted March 4, 2015 Share Posted March 4, 2015 This particular brand of ink is linked to cancer. Mine. There is no misinformation here Technically everything you have personally consumed or been near is now linked to cancer. It is an extremely unfortunate situation and I'm sorry you are going through it. Also it is a lovely tattoo and the scar will only add to it's beauty. CultExciter, daveborjes and silentspring 3 Link to comment https://www.lastsparrowtattoo.com/forum/t/6003-can-this-really-be-happening/#findComment-110541 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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