Tattoo Symbolizing Long Term Survival

[HeLookaLikaMan]

I don't have any tattoos, and I've long said I wouldn't get one, BUT I'm considering getting one if I think it could be useful in reminding me that I'm strong and I'm a survivor.

Today, out of the blue, I remembered back over ten years when I had a conversation with my doctor about completing a "Do Not Resuscitate" order for myself.  He talked me out of it.  Today, I cried remembering it.    I was sick and hopeless, and I had given up.  Today, I am working hard to create a life for myself I will be happy with.  I am a survivor, and so are all of us here!

Does anyone here have a tatt symbolizing their perseverance, resiliency, or strength?  What is it?  Where is it?

[aztecan]

I don't have a tattoo either, and said I wouldn't get one.

However, I like your idea about something symbolizing our tenaciousness and survivor mentality.

Now, the problem will be coming up with something to symbolize it.

I will think on it, you think on it too.

Maybe someone else will chime in with some ideas as well.

HUGS,

Mark

[leatherman]

does my 10 yr old biohazard tat (on my lower back) count?



I did expect it to be buried with me many yrs ago (probably by the mid 00's),
so I'm quite pleased to still be kicking and still be able to go shirtless and show off my tat.

[HeLookaLikaMan]

I don't have a tattoo either, and said I wouldn't get one.

However, I like your idea about something symbolizing our tenaciousness and survivor mentality.

Now, the problem will be coming up with something to symbolize it.

I will think on it, you think on it too.

Maybe someone else will chime in with some ideas as well.

HUGS,

Mark

Yeah, coming up with they symbol will be the trick.  I guess now that I'm thinking about it, the right thing will appear when the time is right.  Let me know if you come up with anything for yourself!

[HeLookaLikaMan]

does my 10 yr old biohazard tat (on my lower back) count?

If your tattoo works for you, then it works!  Personally, I relate to biohazard symbol tattoos as a negative branding or a scarlet letter, but, like everything else, the meaning resides in each individual person.  I hope it reminds you of your strength!

[Jeff G]

I'm not sure how aesthetically pleasing it would look but I think a great symbol of strength , long life and resiliency is the Joshua Tree

[lipoenvy]

Well, there's the Egyptian ankh, or the combination ankh-wedja-seneb (life, endurance, health).  I don't think it's reserved for Egyptian royalty any more.  But we're all reincarnated Egyptian princesses anyway, right?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ankh_wedja_seneb

A tattoo of a baseball scoreboard showing the top of the 12th inning would just get too complicated.

lipo

[wolfter]

I always indicate that I don't have a tattoo, but I did get one when I was 18.  I added another freckle to my shoulder.  It wasn't about a tattoo but a sense of defiance.  It was always preached to us that tatoos and piercings were satan's work and  we were not destroy these perfect temples the Lord provided.  He must not have been too upset with me, he allowed me to graduate from a Christian university.

I like the idea of having one that displays our hope and strength.  I might consider one if it's appropriate.

[Theyer]

No Tats on me but I do like this idea

[Joe K]

Here are two pictures of the tattoos that we designed.  It is based on Egyptian art and is essentially a giant disk, with huge feathered wings.  The art itself is the Winged Disk of Horus, which represents rebirth.  The coloring was chosen to represent rebirth, endurance, health, strength, courage and compassion. They span our shoulder blades and took about 15 hours each.  What we like the best, is that when you flex, the wings become alive, which is a real credit to the artist.  She was incredible with detail and up close, you can see that the feathers are progressively shaded, which gives them real depth.

[bear60]

Thats truly awesome , Joe. 

[leatherman]

Here are two pictures of the tattoos that we designed.

Wow! Really beautiful Joe.
I'm sure it really must be very life-affirming knowing you have such beautiful wings on your back

[LabRat]

I like the Egyptian wings too, it reminds of the Egyptian Airlines logo. Don't think I could stand the 15 hours it took to apply it! How about a logo on a t-shirt or jacket? I know...it's the wimpy, preppy way of displaying the symbol!

[Bucko]

Joe has a number of beautiful tats; they suit him marvelously. He's very tall and has the attitude to pull them off successfully.

As others have said, I, myself, have no tattoos: they're just not me. But you could always go with the three letters L T S tattooed on your chest, abdomen or on one of your forearms. Working with the right artist, it could be a piece of magnificent, permanent calligraphy, perhaps entwined with a leafy vine which would symbolize enduring life.

If anyone asks, you can either explain what being a LTS means to you, or if you'd care not to disclose to that person you could always just say that they're the initials of someone you used to care about.

[leatherman]

I, myself, have no tattoos: they're just not me. ....
If anyone asks, you can either explain what being a LTS means to you, or if you'd care not to disclose to that person you could always just say that they're the initials of someone you used to care about.

ah, but that misses the point of having a tattoo. Tats are all about disclosure of you and your personality - especially if your tat is in an exposed place. Walk up to anyone with an exposed tat and ask them about it. You'll get more story than you wanted to know. 

I can't imagine that anyone would get inked with a tat expressing themselves as a "long term survivor" and then not disclosing the meaning behind that tat. If someone was just going to hide it or not disclose it then I would suggest not getting it inked onto yourself (in an exposed place) for the whole world to see

[denb45]

15 yrs ago I couldn't show any of my tats while on the job, but I did it anyway (in the summer) so they really couldn't do anything to me about it, now-a-days, and in most States all Cops have them, some even have goatee's, I couldn't have one back then only a neatly trimmed mustache , but I see that things have changed a lot now 

[leatherman]

I agree. the attitude around tats has greatly changed in the last 15-20 yrs.  Where I used to be odd/unique for having a tat before I turned 25, most of the over 16 - under 30 crowd that I know now have at least one if not more. I, too, remember the days of making sure clothing would cover them up so you could get a job or not get hassled in public

[denb45]

I agree. the attitude around tats has greatly changed in the last 15-20 yrs.  Where I used to be odd/unique for having a tat before I turned 25, most of the over 16 - under 30 crowd that I know now have at least one if not more. I, too, remember the days of making sure clothing would cover them up so you could get a job or not get hassled in public

YES, but when I went to the Sheriff's boot-camp in 88, they take pictures of you, if you have any tats, then they check with NCIC for any wants or warrants, traffic-tickets, felonies, and gun-crimes, and cross-reference with other States, they want to know what they are getting before you can even complete boot-camp, so they already knew about my tats 

[BT65]

I have 8 tatts, and unfortunately, two of them are on my hands.  I can tell you, they have prevented me from getting jobs (just at Chick-Fil-A and McDonald's).  I could understand Chick-Fil-A, being they're "Christian," but I never did understand McDonald's.  When I got the tatts, I didn't plan on doing anything wih myself again, ever.  That has changed, and luckily I was able to get hired somewhere else, other than the restaurant business.  But around this conservative area, tatts are still a bit stigmatized.  When I meet someone, the first thing they look at is the tatts on my hands and, depending on what kind of shirt I'm wearing, the tatt on my chest bone.  Most of the other ones are not visible.

[denb45]

Yeah the one on my right hand was a bit problematic, but most of the time I wore gloves, cause I needed a good firm-grip on my PR-24 baton & 45 auto.   when I worked in the jail, I always wore rubber gloves, some of them suspects & criminals were just fucking filthy and had horrible BO 

[Joe K]

Thanks for the compliments on the tat. We think they are very special, mainly because we designed them for us, to express our thoughts and feelings with body art. I take my tats very seriously and it took me almost 7 years to finish all of mine.  I used several artists and styles and then had a tattoo guru, custom design bringing all the tats together, blending my arms into my chest and neck.  The back was actually rather pain free, except when going over bone. Tats are also "constructed" in stages, with time between sessions to allow for healing. The first session usually involves placement of the tat and the outline, which is the heaviest and most painful part. After 10 days to two weeks, you get it filled in and start the healing process all over again.

What I can never understand is I see tats that are beautiful in design and just awful in application. Some of them look worse than a prison tattoo and I have to wonder what the wearer was thinking. You take the time to pick out some great art and then go cheap on getting it done and it looks like it and it is permanent. That's why my cardinal rules for tats are simple, go with something that you spend time actually thinking about and then find an artist to bring that art to life.

And a fair warning to folks, of all my tats, the most painful were the flames that go up my throat. I thought the outlining was intolerable, until I went back to have it filled. Think balls + vice + increasing pressure = enough said. 

[bear60]

Joe....
You hit on a very good point: if its worth doing , it should be done by someone who can make it come to life.
But you dont mention the price.  I was not in the least suprised to find that our bill came to 600 dollars for the two tats.
I look at you and some other people I know...and think...thousands of dollars.

Joel

[Joe K]

Our back tats were $600 and we know we got a great deal, because the artist was challenged and she knew she could do it right. But you are right about the cost, all my tats, cost just shy of $3k, but then again, I am so worth it. 

[denb45]

Our back tats were $600 and we know we got a great deal, because the artist was challenged and she knew she could do it right. But you are right about the cost, all my tats, cost just shy of $3k, but then again, I am so worth it. 

tell me about it Joe, I always wanted 2 full sleeves ( both arms) but could never muster up the 3 or 4K to get any of it done, I just gave up on all of it 10 yrs ago, when I  ran outta money 

[SurvivorSteph]

This is what I did. It's tipped on edge, slowing the passage of time (the docs originally told me that I had 6-18 months to live). The pink "smoke" represents all of the things that coalesce around my life and contribute to longevity: friends, family, meds, surgeries, love, sex, work, travel, etc.

[deibster]

Congratulations Steph; It looks great & I like the symbolism behind the design. Hugs from Provinceown, cape cod

[Joe K]

This is what I did. It's tipped on edge, slowing the passage of time (the docs originally told me that I had 6-18 months to live). The pink "smoke" represents all of the things that coalesce around my life and contribute to longevity: friends, family, meds, surgeries, love, sex, work, travel, etc.

Great tat and I love your symbolism with the hour glass and pink smoke. As I looked at your tat, I also see something as well. To me, when I look at the pink smoke, I see that it is outlined in black and that to me, suggests that the pink is actually "covering" the black. Given the intent of the tat, I see the black as the difficult challenges life has presented, with the "smoke" being the essence of your being, forever blocking most of the darkness. It suggests that no matter how fast the darkness grows, your being will always be victorious. In my eyes, your tat takes on new dimensions that suggest multiple interpretations and that is what makes body art so fascinating to me.

added after looking a little longer, kudos on making the hour glass almost full, with little time having passed.

[SurvivorSteph]

Great tat and I love your symbolism with the hour glass and pink smoke. As I looked at your tat, I also see something as well. To me, when I look at the pink smoke, I see that it is outlined in black and that to me, suggests that the pink is actually "covering" the black. Given the intent of the tat, I see the black as the difficult challenges life has presented, with the "smoke" being the essence of your being, forever blocking most of the darkness. It suggests that no matter how fast the darkness grows, your being will always be victorious. In my eyes, your tat takes on new dimensions that suggest multiple interpretations and that is what makes body art so fascinating to me.

added after looking a little longer, kudos on making the hour glass almost full, with little time having passed.

I LOVE the added symbolism! You, Joe, are awesome! Thanks for the comments.

[hudstar]

i got two tattoos during the course of my early HIV years. One was a symbol of my spiritual belief - earth based paganism -I used the symbol of creation to remind myself I was part of what was, what is and what will be. It was symbolic of a time we all thought having HIV = AIDS=DEATH. Years later I got another tattoo - the black rose with the sword of life piercing it. To me that meant a symbol of triumph. Both tattoos continue to give me personal satisfaction  

[sorryass]

I have no tatoo. Anywhere. I may get one soon.  To honour my mother.  My battle with Hiv has not so much been with my health, as with the people who have come to know I am hiv+.  I have learned through the school of H Knocks how to confront those bastards.  It hasn't been easy.

No tatoo, but I have worn my Medic Alert, HIV + braclet on my wrist for the past 20 years.  I hated it, at first.  In fact, I took it off, couldn't wear it.  About a month later, I reconsidered, I have worn it ever since.  It has been used.    HIV+ B.Allen      For the world to see.  Should they need to.

Bertram.

[EggMan]

I also don't have any tatts but have always given them the thought if I find the one that I want I will get it and wear it proud but it had to be something very special to put on my body and be there for the rest of my life without regret.
I love the idea of this L T S and think it would be great to have a symble that represents the amount of years survived and certain marks could be added to this like a time line or symbles to represent a number of years ...to be fair to all but also to be special for those of us that are L T S prior 1995 or even 1990 and for those that are L T S from the mid 80s and or longer should have a symble but should all come together for all that have survived....  JMHO

[decayingsinner]

I don't have a picture to put up, but I got a tattoo that symbolizes my fight... it's a song lyric by a band I love (combichrist) "Enslaved my soul, but I'll never surrender".  It goes from my wrist to my elbow.  I have a few other tattoos on my arm as well. I want it to be a part of an eventual sleeve.

[Ann]

DS,

I understand you meant well, but as someone not diagnosed before 1996 you should not be posting in the Long Term Survivor forum. Please read this forum's Welcome Thread and do not post here again. Thank you for your cooperation.

Ann

[harleymc]

The end of the nineties marked a period where my health improved dramatically after a treatments change. I had struggled through university while my health was still dodgy and then.... back to full time work.

It was a bit of a new life time for me so a phoenix was the go for me. Not exactly the same as long term surviving... I'm not sure what your symbolic touchstone will be for you.  But the thing was the tattoo marked a significant moment for me and the particular design was unique.

Make sure your tatt is special for you and your circumstances.

[NekkidJoe]

does my 10 yr old biohazard tat (on my lower back) count?



I did expect it to be buried with me many yrs ago (probably by the mid 00's),
so I'm quite pleased to still be kicking and still be able to go shirtless and show off my tat.

I don't have any tats but If I were to get one that would be it!

[jkinatl2]

I always assumed wrinkles would be my testament to long term survival

[leatherman]

I always assumed wrinkles would be my testament to long term survival

they have botox and moisturizers to fix that LOL

[rondrond]

I have no tattoos...but I do have a fair amount of scars....

[Catman]

I chose a Scorpion for my strength and survival symbol. In Greek Mythology the myths associated with Scorpio (which is also my zodiac sign) almost invariably also contain a reference to Orion. According to one of these myths it is written that Orion boasted to goddess Artemis and her mother, Leto, that he would kill every animal on the earth. Although Artemis was known to be a hunter herself she offered protection to all creatures, so she sent a scorpion to deal with Orion. The pair battled and the scorpion killed Orion! However, the contest was apparently a lively one that caught the attention of the king of the gods Zeus, who later raised the scorpion to heaven, and afterwards, at the request of Artemis, did the same for Orion to serve as a reminder for mortals to curb their excessive pride, lol! I always thought I was little quiet tough one, too, and after my birthday last November 2010, and after 26 years of surviving hiv, I awoke that morning wanting to do something radical...so I went and got it done. The movie "The Scorpion King" also influenced me because the imagery of the scorpio was cool. And regarding Orion, it got me thinking that such a little creature can knock down a giant, and so far, I've battled my own war with hiv which has been the giant attacking me for so many years...but I plan to continue this personal war for as long as I can...

[leatherman]

that's an excellent tale, Catman, and a very nice tat. 
(mmm, nice arm too  )

Thanks too for the great pix. that definitely WAS worth the effort it took to learn how to post a pix.

[rondrond]

well, LookaLika...


Have you decided on a tattoo? I' gonna have to vote ofr catmans of the selection given so far....
though I do like the idea of the hourglass also....



Ronnie

[Catman]

When selecting a tattoo, the person has got to really like it beforehand because you'll be seeing it the rest of your life. I did research on mine months before just imagining it there. I searched via internet and enjoyed the different types of tattoo symbols and knew I wanted a scorpion long before selecting the one that I finally had done. Don't pick something common that everyone else has, but if you do, add a little personal touch to it by design or adding or mixing colors from the original. The more colors, the more expensive if it's done by a professional. I like mine so much that I'm thinking of adding something around the same area but I haven't decided yet...don't want to ruin it by overcrowding it! Also, keep it very clean and avoid sleeping on that area if you can while it heals. I was lucky I didn't bleed at all until I began to sweat a little on my way home (climate change from the parlor which had the air conditioner very cold) and every time I bathed, I applied cetaphil moisturizing lotion to keep the area moist so it wouldn't dry and peel too quickly. The following week I would clean the area with soap and water at least 3 times a day, apply the lotion, and had nothing pressing tight against the tattoo. In about 3 days some crusts began dropping when bathing but it's normal because it is an open wound, so you have so make sure people or pets don't touch it to avoid infections...and no sun for at least a month! I continued with the lotion even after it completely healed for a few more days. The area stays very sensitive after it heals but eventually goes away...