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”
Gute Heilung! Viel Glück dabei!
Gute Heilung! Viel Glück dabei!
I love pictures like this.
also: mmm, fat is so yummy.
I love pictures like this.
also: mmm, fat is so yummy.
Glad to hear it went well, Shannon!! 😀
I’m digging the pictures, and the fact that the doctor’s took them for you!
Cheers!
Glad to hear it went well, Shannon!! 😀
I’m digging the pictures, and the fact that the doctor’s took them for you!
Cheers!
MMMMMM Shannon meat!
MMMMMM Shannon meat!
Oh…the big open hole in the leg! I want to play with it!
Oh…the big open hole in the leg! I want to play with it!
Yuck!
Actually it reminds me of, as a kid, my mother opened a big hole in her arm on a shard of broken pot (she had been washing dishes, dropped a big pot, and her arm fell and slashed on it) and so she had to gather us to go to the hospital to get it sewed.
Before she was married she had a job as a medical illustrator, and so she was fascinated looking in there. My sister liked it too, they were saying “oh, my, look at the fat parts” and what. My father and I, just thought, we might faint. But I remember those little pearly bits… Eurgh 🙂
All worked out well though, and hopefully it heals well for you too.
Lately I suppose I have a “duelling scar” (got hit in the head and knocked across the room with a door, it’s leaving a big vertical mark across my eyebrow, I don’t really mind, which surprised those sewing it up). But no chunks gone.
IF I needed bits removed, I too would want them. Ideally in a paperweight. I can sort of understand the biohazard argument, but… it’d be nice if they had a service they could seal it up and send it along later! With felt on the bottom…
Yuck!
Actually it reminds me of, as a kid, my mother opened a big hole in her arm on a shard of broken pot (she had been washing dishes, dropped a big pot, and her arm fell and slashed on it) and so she had to gather us to go to the hospital to get it sewed.
Before she was married she had a job as a medical illustrator, and so she was fascinated looking in there. My sister liked it too, they were saying “oh, my, look at the fat parts” and what. My father and I, just thought, we might faint. But I remember those little pearly bits… Eurgh 🙂
All worked out well though, and hopefully it heals well for you too.
Lately I suppose I have a “duelling scar” (got hit in the head and knocked across the room with a door, it’s leaving a big vertical mark across my eyebrow, I don’t really mind, which surprised those sewing it up). But no chunks gone.
IF I needed bits removed, I too would want them. Ideally in a paperweight. I can sort of understand the biohazard argument, but… it’d be nice if they had a service they could seal it up and send it along later! With felt on the bottom…
Wow, I’m usually totally squicked by surgery type photos, but this is somehow, artistic?
Also: the first thing I thought when I saw these, was, “omg he’s so hardcore he refused anesthetic just so he could get these awesome shots!” haha!
Wow, I’m usually totally squicked by surgery type photos, but this is somehow, artistic?
Also: the first thing I thought when I saw these, was, “omg he’s so hardcore he refused anesthetic just so he could get these awesome shots!” haha!
Wow, awesome shots, Shannon! I don’t know why but I find surgery pix to be so much cooler than DIY amputations.
Heal well and quickly.
Wow, awesome shots, Shannon! I don’t know why but I find surgery pix to be so much cooler than DIY amputations.
Heal well and quickly.
The main one makes me think of craving pumpkins…
Hope you feel well. 😀
The main one makes me think of craving pumpkins…
Hope you feel well. 😀
although I tend to get very squeamish during things like this (I almost fainted in gr.11 bio when we did dissections!) I find this to be so interesting! Who knew the inside of a knee looked like that? That healed amazingly well! Good luck with your recovery!
although I tend to get very squeamish during things like this (I almost fainted in gr.11 bio when we did dissections!) I find this to be so interesting! Who knew the inside of a knee looked like that? That healed amazingly well! Good luck with your recovery!
medical photos and the like are an unshakable obsession of mine, so this is like wank material for me. good health hopes, by the way.
medical photos and the like are an unshakable obsession of mine, so this is like wank material for me. good health hopes, by the way.
For some reason I have an urge to stick my fist in it ..to keep it from bleeding?
For some reason I have an urge to stick my fist in it ..to keep it from bleeding?
Wow, those are some amazing photos. Very awesome. Glad to hear you got through okay and are healing well 🙂 I know you have to wait until you’re fully healed to be completely out of the woods, but I was wondering if this means you’ll likely be able to keep your leg now?
I’m not Christian, but it’s very poignant to see the scripture above the wound like that. I wish you the best in your recovery!
Wow, those are some amazing photos. Very awesome. Glad to hear you got through okay and are healing well 🙂 I know you have to wait until you’re fully healed to be completely out of the woods, but I was wondering if this means you’ll likely be able to keep your leg now?
I’m not Christian, but it’s very poignant to see the scripture above the wound like that. I wish you the best in your recovery!
it’s a freaky picture… but i can’t stop looking at it….
it’s a freaky picture… but i can’t stop looking at it….
It is good that you are back.
It is good that you are back.
Wow. And ouch. It was really nice of the doctors to take these pictures cuz this really isn’t something you get to see often, especially with a great and appropriate tattoo like yours. I’m glad you’re doing well and best wicshes on a quick recovery.
Wow. And ouch. It was really nice of the doctors to take these pictures cuz this really isn’t something you get to see often, especially with a great and appropriate tattoo like yours. I’m glad you’re doing well and best wicshes on a quick recovery.
looks good
looks good
I think THIS one might be too explicit for a non-blurred picture. Don’t get me wrong, I was fascinated, but it might have been nice to have had a moment to prepare myself.
Echoing the above sentiments, good to know you’re well. Hope that whole “20 years of chronic pain” thing is finally over.
Also, you think you might make a diagram, to point out what’s what inside there?
I think THIS one might be too explicit for a non-blurred picture. Don’t get me wrong, I was fascinated, but it might have been nice to have had a moment to prepare myself.
Echoing the above sentiments, good to know you’re well. Hope that whole “20 years of chronic pain” thing is finally over.
Also, you think you might make a diagram, to point out what’s what inside there?
Ether – If you click the “tumor” link you can see a neat video of the CT scan they did on me last October (or whenever it was). It’s really interesting…
Ether – If you click the “tumor” link you can see a neat video of the CT scan they did on me last October (or whenever it was). It’s really interesting…
ostechondroma?
thats what i had… looks similar to me. and the 20 years of discomfort… yea, i have the discomfort still…
but seriously, im glad everything went smoothly and you are okay.
ostechondroma?
thats what i had… looks similar to me. and the 20 years of discomfort… yea, i have the discomfort still…
but seriously, im glad everything went smoothly and you are okay.
It’s not a toomah!
It’s not a toomah!
I’m glad that everything went well for you, Shannon.
I’m glad that everything went well for you, Shannon.
the human body is a fascinating thing no? We are so messy on the insides
the human body is a fascinating thing no? We are so messy on the insides
ownership despite itself. more power to you dood 🙂
ownership despite itself. more power to you dood 🙂
Shannon, your doctors must be freaking awesome people.
Shannon, your doctors must be freaking awesome people.