Would you have your rad tattoo's removed?

jnl
jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
in Breast Cancer #1
Mine are really faded and you can barely see them. I have a girlfriend that is thinking of having hers removed by laser. I thought I had read somewhere that you might want to keep them, so, if you go to the hospital, they will see them and realize you had rads? But, mine are so faded that I don't think they'd see them. What's your thoughts?


Leeza
«1

Comments

  • desertgirl947
    desertgirl947 Member Posts: 653 Member
    #2
    Just let them be.
    I don't think I can even see mine, not that I have looked hard for them.
  • Tux
    Tux Member Posts: 544
    #3
    Tattoos removed
    I do not plan to have mine removed, since they do not show. To me, it would be just another
    process to have to go through. I am older, so I realize that a younger person might choose
    to have hers removed. Personal choice....
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #4
    One of mine is gone, one is
    One of mine is gone, one is quite faded/almost gone, one is fading but one is still quite 'bright'. Honestly thanks to my extensive rad burn scars - I don't think that medical staff would ever think that I hadn't had rads - especially considering that I had a mod. rad. mast..
  • Angie2U
    Angie2U Member Posts: 2,991
    #5
    desertgirl947 said:

    Just let them be.
    I don't think I can even see mine, not that I have looked hard for them.

    I really have to search to
    I really have to search to see one. The others have faded too much..gone
  • Gabe N Abby Mom
    Gabe N Abby Mom Member Posts: 2,413
    #6
    I hadn't even thought about
    I hadn't even thought about it...it would just be too much hassle for no benefit. And that area of my chest is such a mess a couple of dots don't make a difference.

    Hugs,

    Linda
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #7
    Rague said:

    One of mine is gone, one is
    One of mine is gone, one is quite faded/almost gone, one is fading but one is still quite 'bright'. Honestly thanks to my extensive rad burn scars - I don't think that medical staff would ever think that I hadn't had rads - especially considering that I had a mod. rad. mast..

    I have to get a magnifying
    I have to get a magnifying glass out to see them. Truly, I do. Almost gone forever!


    Jan
  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    #8
    Gabe N Abby Mom said:

    I hadn't even thought about
    I hadn't even thought about it...it would just be too much hassle for no benefit. And that area of my chest is such a mess a couple of dots don't make a difference.

    Hugs,

    Linda

    Thoughts on radiation tattoos
    I'm almost 3 years out from radiation, and I have very mixed feelings about my tattoos.

    I know nothing about tattoos in general, but I'm curious about what some of you have said about them fading: Don't tattoos only fade because they're exposed to sunlight over time? Have all of you ladies been out sunbathing topless...? :-)

    I have 3 tattoos -- 2 are so far back on either side of my torso that I have to do twisty yoga just to see them. But one is dead center of my cleavage, and I see it every day when I get dressed.

    I would like to say that I see it as a badge of honor, but I don't. It -- along with my 2 lumpectomy scars and 2 sentinel node biopsy scars -- is a daily reminder that I'll never be able to completely escape cancer.

    Would I ever really go through the trouble and pain of having it removed? No. But is there a part of me that would like to not have to see it anymore? Yes.

    Traci
  • missrenee
    missrenee Member Posts: 2,136 Member
    #9
    TraciInLA said:

    Thoughts on radiation tattoos
    I'm almost 3 years out from radiation, and I have very mixed feelings about my tattoos.

    I know nothing about tattoos in general, but I'm curious about what some of you have said about them fading: Don't tattoos only fade because they're exposed to sunlight over time? Have all of you ladies been out sunbathing topless...? :-)

    I have 3 tattoos -- 2 are so far back on either side of my torso that I have to do twisty yoga just to see them. But one is dead center of my cleavage, and I see it every day when I get dressed.

    I would like to say that I see it as a badge of honor, but I don't. It -- along with my 2 lumpectomy scars and 2 sentinel node biopsy scars -- is a daily reminder that I'll never be able to completely escape cancer.

    Would I ever really go through the trouble and pain of having it removed? No. But is there a part of me that would like to not have to see it anymore? Yes.

    Traci

    I'm with Linda
    Can hardly see them, never think about them and I've got such bigger fish to fry!

    Hugs, Renee
  • bluwillo
    bluwillo Member Posts: 113 Member
    #10
    TraciInLA said:

    Thoughts on radiation tattoos
    I'm almost 3 years out from radiation, and I have very mixed feelings about my tattoos.

    I know nothing about tattoos in general, but I'm curious about what some of you have said about them fading: Don't tattoos only fade because they're exposed to sunlight over time? Have all of you ladies been out sunbathing topless...? :-)

    I have 3 tattoos -- 2 are so far back on either side of my torso that I have to do twisty yoga just to see them. But one is dead center of my cleavage, and I see it every day when I get dressed.

    I would like to say that I see it as a badge of honor, but I don't. It -- along with my 2 lumpectomy scars and 2 sentinel node biopsy scars -- is a daily reminder that I'll never be able to completely escape cancer.

    Would I ever really go through the trouble and pain of having it removed? No. But is there a part of me that would like to not have to see it anymore? Yes.

    Traci

    HUH!
    C'mon Traci, I bet I'm not the only one here who thinks you "know nothing about tatoos". Didn't I hear something about an alcohol fueled trip to New Orleans during Mardi Gras? Or was it during one of the many festivals in NYC? c'mon,girl, tell the truth, LOL!

    I'll keep my tatts so I can tell my tatood all over defendants that I think tatts are cool. (And then I think, "dude, you're getting so much state aid, and you can afford a snake that goes all the way up your arm, or a feather behind your neck that goes to your back??!) And I'll keep them so next time (hopefully there won't be) it will be easier on the rad techs.

    Now, tell us all about your many many tatts, Traci!
    love,
    trouble
  • LoveBabyJesus
    LoveBabyJesus Member Posts: 1,679 Member
    #11
    I wouldn't touch them. Mine
    I wouldn't touch them. Mine are not that visible either. And of course, I would not do any type of laser treatment in the area where I was radiated previously, for safety reasons.
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #12
    Never had them. For either cancer.
    Which leads to a funny story:

    With my rectal cancer, I had positioning marks all across my bottom. BUT I talked to my rad/onc, and said "I do NOT want tats on my behind, even if I can't see them!". So, he sent me home with a sharpie marker. Well, my beau had left to take care of his mom when his dad died, so my daughter was living with me to help. SOOOOOO we now share a smile whenever the subject comes up...she has seen parts of her mother no daughter ever expects to see...*smile*.....

    As far as removing the reminder...well...I have an 8" scar between my pubis and my bellybutton. And one on my breast. And one in my armpit. And 3 laparoscopy dots on my belly. And the last, a 2-inch scar on my chest from my port. AND a definite dislike for any more procedures, surgical or otherwise, that will hurt.

    SOOOO...*grin* I just look at these as conversation starters...if someone seems particularly interested, I punch out my signature line of "I was given 6 months to live, 8 years ago"....and it goes from there.

    Show me someone who is perfect, both in body and in emotion...THEN I may contemplate doing something about my 'butt belly'...until then, I'm happy with myself...first time in my life I can say, as was once said about a past president..."I am comfortable in my own skin!"

    ALL of that said, if it really, really bothers you...GO FOR IT! I would! (perfect in emotion is my goal...*smile*).

    BIG hugs for some BIG decisions!!!! Kathi
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #13
    TraciInLA said:

    Thoughts on radiation tattoos
    I'm almost 3 years out from radiation, and I have very mixed feelings about my tattoos.

    I know nothing about tattoos in general, but I'm curious about what some of you have said about them fading: Don't tattoos only fade because they're exposed to sunlight over time? Have all of you ladies been out sunbathing topless...? :-)

    I have 3 tattoos -- 2 are so far back on either side of my torso that I have to do twisty yoga just to see them. But one is dead center of my cleavage, and I see it every day when I get dressed.

    I would like to say that I see it as a badge of honor, but I don't. It -- along with my 2 lumpectomy scars and 2 sentinel node biopsy scars -- is a daily reminder that I'll never be able to completely escape cancer.

    Would I ever really go through the trouble and pain of having it removed? No. But is there a part of me that would like to not have to see it anymore? Yes.

    Traci

    Different kinds of ink
    At least that's what I was told because I asked. Rad tats are more closely related to 'prison tat' than fancy expensive 'store bought' ones.

    I can assure you my rad tats have never been exposed to 'real' sunshine but have some fading. I hadn't thought about it but occasionally they have been exposed to my light box. I deal with fairly severe SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder - depression from lack of sunshine) so use my light box which simulates sunshine and at times when feeling 'lower' I will sometimes when it's just me, my Corgi, Hubby's B&T Coonhound and my bunny at home I will go naked and sit under the light from the light box for a while so entire body is in the simulated sunshine. Do not confuse a light box with a tanning bed - totally different.

    Winyan - The Power Within

    Susan
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #14
    Mine are still as dark as
    Mine are still as dark as they started out 4 yrs ago..they LOOK like freckles..

    Denise
  • MsGebby
    MsGebby Member Posts: 659
    #15
    Mine are less than a year old
    I can now tell my kids I have tatoos! Not that I would show those tats to anyone. I have two that can be seen when I wear a bathing suit or a V neck top. I just use concealer and they are gone.

    Great question
  • Alexis F
    Alexis F Member Posts: 3,598
    #16
    disneyfan2008 said:

    Mine are still as dark as
    Mine are still as dark as they started out 4 yrs ago..they LOOK like freckles..

    Denise

    If it really bothers anyone
    If it really bothers anyone that has them, I would say go ahead and get them lasered off. You can't see where mine were anymore.

    Lex
  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #17
    MsGebby said:

    Mine are less than a year old
    I can now tell my kids I have tatoos! Not that I would show those tats to anyone. I have two that can be seen when I wear a bathing suit or a V neck top. I just use concealer and they are gone.

    Great question

    Never considered it
    Mine look the same 2+ years later. I just looked at them because I'd forgotten all about them. They're pretty obscure. My breasts are not small, so maybe that's why I don't see them, but I don't. It's funny, I have the scars from lumpectomy, nodes, and my 5 stab wounds from the hysterectomy, and I seldom think about them. They're all just part of me now. Now, the hair thing I think about - a lot!
  • jnl
    jnl Member Posts: 3,869 Member
    #18
    TraciInLA said:

    Thoughts on radiation tattoos
    I'm almost 3 years out from radiation, and I have very mixed feelings about my tattoos.

    I know nothing about tattoos in general, but I'm curious about what some of you have said about them fading: Don't tattoos only fade because they're exposed to sunlight over time? Have all of you ladies been out sunbathing topless...? :-)

    I have 3 tattoos -- 2 are so far back on either side of my torso that I have to do twisty yoga just to see them. But one is dead center of my cleavage, and I see it every day when I get dressed.

    I would like to say that I see it as a badge of honor, but I don't. It -- along with my 2 lumpectomy scars and 2 sentinel node biopsy scars -- is a daily reminder that I'll never be able to completely escape cancer.

    Would I ever really go through the trouble and pain of having it removed? No. But is there a part of me that would like to not have to see it anymore? Yes.

    Traci

    She still hasn't decided for
    She still hasn't decided for sure. I really think she is not going to do it. I just told her to do whatever she wants.


    Leeza
  • AngieD
    AngieD Member Posts: 493
    #19
    Double Whammy said:

    Never considered it
    Mine look the same 2+ years later. I just looked at them because I'd forgotten all about them. They're pretty obscure. My breasts are not small, so maybe that's why I don't see them, but I don't. It's funny, I have the scars from lumpectomy, nodes, and my 5 stab wounds from the hysterectomy, and I seldom think about them. They're all just part of me now. Now, the hair thing I think about - a lot!

    I guess anyone considering
    I guess anyone considering having them removed must have better eyesight than me and perfect skin. I never notice or think about them .
    Angie
  • SIROD
    SIROD Member Posts: 2,194 Member
    #20
    Why?
    Why bother with something one can barely see without a magnifier? It is good to leave in case radiation in the future is needed.

    Better off to give the money that will be spent on laser to the needy at this time of year.

    Just a thought,

    Doris
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #21
    SIROD said:

    Why?
    Why bother with something one can barely see without a magnifier? It is good to leave in case radiation in the future is needed.

    Better off to give the money that will be spent on laser to the needy at this time of year.

    Just a thought,

    Doris

    Can barely see one and it
    Can barely see one and it looks like a freckle. If your friend would feel better having hers removed, then she should. I guess I never even thought about removing them.

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