I posted a couple of these photos to Zentastic when I got home from the hospital last night, but I thought I’d post the full set here. As you know, last year I found out that I had a bone tumor in my right leg just below the knee that was starting to affect my mobility as well as having caused about twenty years of chronic pain. After the biopsy was done, I had Chino tattoo Matthew 5:30 in script above it to help me deal with it —
Matthew 5:30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
I find that “physicalizing the way I’m feeling” helps me to deal with things that are emotionally or intellectually upsetting to me, I think because it makes them tangible in a way that gives me symbols to think about them with, even though of course nothing has really changed. That said, I’m also a bit of a narcissit, haha, so one of the things I was really hoping was that I’d be able to get a surgical photo of this tattoo during the procedure of removing the tumor, because it was so appropriate. Anyway, the doctors were kind enough to snap a number of great photos of the procedure!
That’s an after photo; here are a few others from the procedure:
Everything seems to be healing really well by the way, although it’s just been a few days.
Comments
222 responses to “Matthew 5:30 Tattoo Made Reality”
Sweet
Sweet
Ahaha thats pretty rule that the doctors took pictures for you, hope all is well in your future though. :]
Ahaha thats pretty rule that the doctors took pictures for you, hope all is well in your future though. :]
Now if only I had thought to ask my dentist to take some snapshots whilst doing my root canal yesterday! Haha. Just kidding. Glad everything went ok for you. I think it’s brilliant that you’ve got some pictures to look back at, especially with such a meaningful tattoo sitting nicely above. Philosophically gross.
Now if only I had thought to ask my dentist to take some snapshots whilst doing my root canal yesterday! Haha. Just kidding. Glad everything went ok for you. I think it’s brilliant that you’ve got some pictures to look back at, especially with such a meaningful tattoo sitting nicely above. Philosophically gross.
That looks so interesting, the first pic is my favorite.
That looks so interesting, the first pic is my favorite.
Glad that you’re doing okay! Those were some pretty nice pictures. I hope that your health problems resolve quickly!!
Glad that you’re doing okay! Those were some pretty nice pictures. I hope that your health problems resolve quickly!!
Glad everything seems to be going okay! 🙂 I really should not have come here while I was eating, the immediate shock of seeing that picture made me kinda lose my appetite but then once I stared at it more it wasn’t so bad, and it definitely looks like some sort of cave haha
Glad everything seems to be going okay! 🙂 I really should not have come here while I was eating, the immediate shock of seeing that picture made me kinda lose my appetite but then once I stared at it more it wasn’t so bad, and it definitely looks like some sort of cave haha
Not sure if too many doctors would agree to take photos! Thank you for sharing them, it’s a very interesting story that you have. Best of luck and love for you during your recovery. 🙂
Not sure if too many doctors would agree to take photos! Thank you for sharing them, it’s a very interesting story that you have. Best of luck and love for you during your recovery. 🙂
so glad to see that tumor out Shannon, heal well and fast 🙂
so glad to see that tumor out Shannon, heal well and fast 🙂
instruments are a mess on their back table. wow. why didnt they drape out your leg? hope you feel better.
instruments are a mess on their back table. wow. why didnt they drape out your leg? hope you feel better.
I was waiting for this!!
it’d be cool to watch someone cut me open like that.
Welcome back Shannon… I thought of you when I was in Toronto…then I got scared by a bum and went back to Niagara…
I’m a big pussy.
I was waiting for this!!
it’d be cool to watch someone cut me open like that.
Welcome back Shannon… I thought of you when I was in Toronto…then I got scared by a bum and went back to Niagara…
I’m a big pussy.
glad things went ok during the op! i’ve never seen the inside of a leg before… it looks so hollow! hope everyhting goes well with your recovery
sheldo x
glad things went ok during the op! i’ve never seen the inside of a leg before… it looks so hollow! hope everyhting goes well with your recovery
sheldo x
at first glance, i thought “WHAT THE FUCK, GROSS.” but then became hypnotized by the gaping wound and now i just think it’s pretty effing neat, especially that the doctors were nice enough to take the photos. either way, glad you’re doing swell!
at first glance, i thought “WHAT THE FUCK, GROSS.” but then became hypnotized by the gaping wound and now i just think it’s pretty effing neat, especially that the doctors were nice enough to take the photos. either way, glad you’re doing swell!
That’s one badass tumour, as far as tumours go.
I agree with everyone above, the doctors were pretty cool to do that.
That’s one badass tumour, as far as tumours go.
I agree with everyone above, the doctors were pretty cool to do that.
It’s awesome to hear you’re doing well.
It’s awesome to hear you’re doing well.
gute besserung, herr larratt!
gute besserung, herr larratt!
I’m so happy to read that everything went well!! Those doctors took some badass photos! Hope you have a speedy recovery!
I’m so happy to read that everything went well!! Those doctors took some badass photos! Hope you have a speedy recovery!
Welcome back 🙂
Hope everything heals well!
and awsome pics
Welcome back 🙂
Hope everything heals well!
and awsome pics
those are some of the best pics i’ve ever seen snapped casually. one of those surgeons must fancy himself an amateur photographer. thanks for posting them, & glad you’re doing so well, shannon.
those are some of the best pics i’ve ever seen snapped casually. one of those surgeons must fancy himself an amateur photographer. thanks for posting them, & glad you’re doing so well, shannon.
i really like this. i’m thinking about getting a scriptural tat, and i like this one..
oh, and the sweet surgical pics are a plus.
i really like this. i’m thinking about getting a scriptural tat, and i like this one..
oh, and the sweet surgical pics are a plus.
Damn.. those are some shots. But I hear ya’ on getting something to symbolize it. I got hit by a car on my scooter and broke my femur in two so I got a tattoo of my femur halves and the little piece that is floating around. I’m still recovering but I’m getting there. Hope the surgery was a complete success.
Damn.. those are some shots. But I hear ya’ on getting something to symbolize it. I got hit by a car on my scooter and broke my femur in two so I got a tattoo of my femur halves and the little piece that is floating around. I’m still recovering but I’m getting there. Hope the surgery was a complete success.
I really think that the picture of the scar afterwards with the tattoo above is beautiful. Congratulations! And good luck healing successfully.
I really think that the picture of the scar afterwards with the tattoo above is beautiful. Congratulations! And good luck healing successfully.
Glad you’re doing alright fella, those photos are beautifully composed given the nature of it…. maybe Mr anesthesiologist has a 2nd career in the making.
Glad you’re doing alright fella, those photos are beautifully composed given the nature of it…. maybe Mr anesthesiologist has a 2nd career in the making.
Am I going to be the first to say “It’s not a too-maaah!”? Haha, guess so. Glad that you’re healing well Shannon 🙂
Am I going to be the first to say “It’s not a too-maaah!”? Haha, guess so. Glad that you’re healing well Shannon 🙂
Nick: The tumor is a probably about half way in size between a golf ball and a tennis ball.
Derek: I agree, that’s a GREAT book!
Nick: The tumor is a probably about half way in size between a golf ball and a tennis ball.
Derek: I agree, that’s a GREAT book!