Survivors and Ink

Another Boobie Wednesday approaches. It's a sunny day outside, the ground is sprinkled with white, and my brain doesn't seem to want to do anything but stare out the window...

Lets have a moment shall we...


Ok, no, this is not the view outside my window, but it is pretty right? :)..... And back to what we're supposed to be doing!

So today after many requests we're doing something in the vein of a survivor wall. There are so many women (and men) out there who deserve to be recognized for their courageous battle that there are simply too many to name, so I'm going to name the ones we all know. Yes, celebrity survivors.

Edie Falco
Sopranos star Edie Falco was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003, and secretly battled it.

Melissa Etheridge
Diagnosed in 2004 with breast cancer, Etheridge is doing well.

Kate Jackson
2 time survivor Kate Jackson battled cancer in 1987 and in 1989. She is recognized as one of the most famous of the "angels" in "Charlie's Angels".

Olivia Newton John
Famous singer and actress was diagnosed 1992, underwent a mastectomy and breast reconstruction.

Richard Roundtree
Shaft star is proof that breast cancer affects men, too. Roundtree was diagnosed in 1993, had a radical mastectomy and rounds of chemotherapy.

Jaclyn Smith
Charlie's Angels star, Smith discovered a lump in 2002. Treatment included a lumpectomy and radiation.

Suzanne Sommers
Actress and author Suzanne Somers was the source of much controversy when she decided to forgo standard treatment and opted alternative therapy and holistic medicine instead.

Shirley Temple Black
Child actress, Shirley Temple found a lump in 1972, and had a mastectomy.

Anastacia
The singer was diagnosed in 2003 and now raises breast cancer awareness since becoming a survivor.

And possibly the most notable breast cancer survivor (at least in my mind), Christina Applegate.


In April 2008, at the age of 36 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Due to circumstances, Christina chose to have a bilateral mastectomy. I think her story is one of strength and bravery, and if you want to read her interview with Oprah, you can do so here. I recommend it.

Many people, like Christina Applegate, choose to have breast reconstruction surgery, but others choose a different approach. Some women choose ink.

Meet Pat Fish, an amazing tattoo artist who does breast cancer related tattoo's.

"It is an unfortunate fact that breast cancer touches all our lives. In the past several years I have had the opportunity to meet and work with some outstanding people whose lives have been forever shaped by their encounters with the disease, and this page is a record of some of the work that resulted."

Pat has done some beautiful mastectomy artwork. I particularly like Beth's art.

"When we started... she just wanted two pink primroses to replace the nipples. She'd had enough of surgeries, and didn't want reconstruction, just a bit of art to help with the visual affect. I talked her into a blue monarch butterfly and we had a discussion about how covering the entire area with flowers would camouflage all the surgical scars... She has given me permission to post these photos here because she wants to help other women realize that there are options other than just living with the scars."

I think this is just gorgeous. There is more of Pats work on the page, so make sure you check it out :).

And here's some more beautiful mastectomy tattoos.





Lets give a round of applause for these strong, brave and proud women.