The first time I ever had an interest in body piercing, was when I was about 12 years old. While watching an episode of Street Cents, I saw a girl getting her tongue pierced. As painful as it looked, I was strangely intrigued, and the idea seemed beautiful to me. A year or so went by, and I began asking my father to get my tongue pierced. If you have read any of my other experiences ("poke me, jab me, pierce me"-navel, "2 holes are better than one"-inverse navel, and "Happy sweet 16 a tattoo for my birthday"-tattoo) you know the answer to that question.. He was strictly against it. I never quite understood why. At 14, I gave up on the tongue, and asked for a navel piercing.. This took some work, but I eventually was allowed to get it. As well, I became interested in tattoos and self-piercing, which in the beginning took a while for him to become open to the idea, but he allowed me to do all of this too. As many times as I brought up the tongue piercing idea though, he always said, "NO! You get your tongue pierced, and that's it! You'll be out of here!". So not wanting to get kicked out, I followed his rules. However this past year, I had graduated from high school, began attending University a few hours from home, and moved out. Since I was no longer living in his house, I could now make decisions on my own.. Time for that long awaited tongue piercing! This is my experience:
At A Glance Author LunarFlame Contact lunar_flame@hotmail.com When A month ago Artist Criss Kerr Studio Arts Under Skin Location Kentville, Nova Scotia In early October, a couple of months after I moved out, I had been talking to my boyfriend about getting another tattoo. He isn't very fond of my tattoos and asked me if I wouldn't. He said he'd prefer me to get another piercing before more tattoos.. So then it occurred to me, Hey! I can get my tongue pierced now!
On Thursday, October 22nd, my boyfriend came to visit, and we planned on getting some mod's done. I would get my tongue pierced, and he would get his first tattoo. Unfortunately, when we arrived at Arts Under Skin, they informed us that the man standing in front of us would be there 'till the shop closed, getting something done, and that they would be closed all weekend, and that we should come back next week some time. As we left the shop, I began moping, and whining. I was so disappointed. I was all hyped up to get that piercing! Daniel couldn't come up the following weekend to get his tattoo(he lives back in my hometown), so he would have to wait. I decided then and there, that the following Thursday, I would get my tongue pierced come hell or high water!
The next week was long and I could not wait to get my tongue pierced. On Wednesday, I called Arts Under Skin, and made sure that they would be available to pierce me on Thursday. When Thursday arrived, I was extremely relieved! I am currently living with my mom, so she cooked me up a big dinner of Fettuccini alfredo, as I knew it would be my last bit of solid food for a while. After supper, around 6:30pm, my mother and I drove down to Arts Under Skin. Right away, I was asked what it was I wanted done, and the staff went out back to prepare/sterilize the tools. After a few minutes, Criss, the shop owner, told me to, "come on back" and I did. I was not nervous at this point, which was surprising, because I usually get nervous ALL of the time when I get mods done. I sat down in the chair, and Criss made conversation, and mentioned that I hadn't been there for over a year! He looked at my tattoos, and daith piercing to see how they were doing, and then began to prepare me for piercing. First he made me stick out my tongue, and mentioned that I had a more prominent tongue web, so I would have to have my piercing placed a little more to the front. Next he clamped my tongue, and in the middle of that, one of his new employees came back and announced that he wanted to see the piercing being done, 'cause he wanted to learn how to do them (he was being trained). So Criss began talking, and I was completely oblivious to the fact that he was actually going to pierce me at this point, I though he was just explaining things to his employee. So he went on, "Ok, so once the tongue is clamped, you put the needle here," I saw him point to the bottom of my tongue, but didn't know that he had the needle in his hand, "You kinda do it on an angle, like this..." JAB! Right through my tongue! It caught me by surprise, which was good, but I let out a little yelp because of it! I was amazed at what little pain I felt. It was great! Criss continued to explain how to put the jewelry in, and I was done. After that, he began explaining after "\Ãw"ë care rules, what to expect, and asked if I had any questions. His girlfriend handed me a cup of cold water, and I could feel my tongue beginning to swell. I took an Ibuprofin right at the shop, and probably should be thankful that I did. After sitting in the chair for a few more minutes, to make sure I wouldn't faint when I stood, I got up, and paid, then left.
After leaving my mom and I went to Wal-Mart to pick up some supplies. Since I wouldn't be eating solid food for a while, I got a thermos to put soup in, so I could bring it to school with me, and some Boost, meal replacement drinks to make sure I still got all of my vitamins so I wouldn't get sick. The next week was interesting to say the least:
Friday (Day 1): I woke up this morning, and I had drooled all over the side of my face.. something I don't normally do! I got up, washed my face, had some yoghurt, and didn't realize until that point exactly ho much ones tongue is needed for eating ANYTHING. Swallowing is awkward. After eating I brushed my teeth, rinsed my mouth with non-alcoholic mouth wash. I only ate soup and Boost all day. My tongue is REALLY swollen, and Daniel says I talk like I'm "special".
Saturday, Sunday (Days 2-3): I am so hungry at this point. Daniel's parents keep teasing me because I can't talk/eat. My tongue is still swollen a LOT, but pain is minimal.
Monday(Day 4): This morning I couldn't handle it anymore, and I ate a roll, chips, and a full meal for supper (Chicken wings, rice, veggies). Eating was difficult, and I had to tear apart the food, and stuff it to one side of my mouth in order to be able to chew and swallow it. Swelling still extreme, pain minimal.
Thursday (1 week): Huh? What's this? I woke up this morning, and the swelling has gone down amazingly. I am not eating normal food for the most part, and getting used to not biting my barbell. My speech is still a tad bit slurred, but it's getting better. I do have a little pain still, but most of it is due to the fact that I have a little sore bump around the top hole, I think it's because I bit my barbell, and tongue. I have no switched to salt water solutions to gargle with as the mouthwash has become to drying.
Friday (1 week, 1 day): Wow! I can talk normally!
So that's how I feel up to now. Again, if anyone has questions, I would be happy to help. Remember to be safe and sensible! I as well have pics at my website if interested: http://lunarflame.diary-x.com
Much luv and marshmallows, LunarFlame