Connections made through the breast cancer community often become delightful friendships. So is the case with Sandra and me. We both had our DIEP flap breast reconstruction done in San Antonio at PRMA, Plastic Reconstructive Microsurgical Associates. Sandra is also a member of the Journey Facebook page. She volunteers her time when I make visits back to San Antonio for my Foundation work. I invited her to sit down and share her story. You can view the video in the blog of how a breast reconstruction tattoo completes a patient Journey.
Sandra’s plastic surgeon informed her at her consult for her DIEP flap surgery that she would be losing her nipples. She felt comfortable with this decision for her best health and aesthetic outcomes knowing he would rebuild the nipples during the second phase of her breast reconstruction. The tattooing of the areola area could be done after healing from nipple reconstruction at phase two.
The Costs Involved in Breast Reconstruction Tattoos
The passage of the Women’s Health and Cancer Right Act in 1998 states there must be insurance coverage provided for all stages of reconstruction of the breast on which the mastectomy was performed. However, deductibles and insurance costs are part of the financial planning for breast reconstruction patients. Sandra planned to have her tattoos done at the office of her plastic surgeon toward the end of the year she had her reconstruction. However, the tattoo needles at this office were on back order. She knew she would have to wait until the following year to complete her breast reconstruction tattoos.
Meeting Vinnie Myers for her Tattoos
This allowed Sandra the opportunity to do some research on tattoo artists. She also read on breast cancer discussion boards, women found the ink used by tattoo artists faded less than the ones used at medical offices. The name Vinnie Myers kept appearing in her searches. The more she read, the more she realized Vinnie is who she would choose to do the final stage of her breast reconstruction completing her patient journey through breast cancer.
Vinnie has become so busy over the past few years providing this service for breast cancer patients it became necessary to train other tattoo artists to keep up with the demand. At one time, however, Vinnie was going to step back from this service because he missed doing the tattoos he had done all his life. Fate changed all that. The morning he was going to tell his staff, his sister called and told him she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Vinnie felt this was a sign to continue the work he was doing for breast cancer patients.
A Sweet Ending in this Patient Journey
Sandra’s husband watched as she did her research. Realizing this is where she truly wanted to go, they both set out from Texas to Maryland to get her breast reconstruction tattoos. They had friends in the area they stayed with. It was a weekend of celebration for all in Sandra’s honor!
As her husband stood by and watched, Sandra saw Vinnie carefully study her skin tone. She states he mixed colors she admits she did not even expect to see. He utilized his 3D artistry skills creating a dimensional look to her tattoo, even adding the Montgomery glands in the areola area to round out the details. A very personal side note to this story is the tattoo her husband also got while she was there! How sweet!
Sandra shared her breast reconstruction results with me in the privacy of her home. The combination of an amazing plastic surgeon and the artistry of Vinnie Myers, Sandra, you hit a home run! Enjoy Sandra’s story and how a breast reconstruction tattoo completes a patient journey.