Find my gift during my journey against breast cancer

A devastating diagnosis does not necessarily mean that your life is over. My story shows how I lived a terrible experience and changed my life physically, mentally and professionally. I am honored to work with many renowned plastic surgeons in North Carolina, Mississippi and Texas to help my other survivors feel better.

I'm calling Tara Dunsmore, I've been a breast cancer survivor for five years, a nurse and a licensed tattooist.

I founded Pink Ink Tattoo in April 2014, in Raleigh, North Carolina, as a result of my personal struggle with post-mastectomy tattoos. I wanted all survivors to have the opportunity to have a choice and options for a more realistic areola tattoo, a three dimensional nipple. I work with many plastic surgeons all over the United States. I am honored and nationally recognized for having contributed to the production of a stage show featuring 10 female cancer survivors that aired in August 2016 in more than 142 countries. had the honor of being interviewed and featured in the edition of Oprah Winfrey, O Magazine of October 2017.

Find my gift during my journey against breast cancer

I was 39 when I discovered that I had breast cancer. "They probably confused me with somebody else," I thought. I did not have a family history; I could not feel any bumps.

The results of the biopsy are positive. The terror immediately invaded my body and I was completely shocked. It did not make sense. My heart was pounding. As a nurse, I knew what this report was saying. So I grabbed every book I had, read chapter after chapter, researched online, and spent every second praying and talking to my family about the path for me. The choice was clear: bilateral mastectomy and if possible immediate reconstruction. I wanted these toxic breasts and I wanted to live. I wanted to be aggressive, to have the feeling of being able to control my body.

A trip to the plastic surgeon's office and then surgery – that's what I thought, but God's timing did not suit me. On the morning of March 13, 2012, two days before my surgery, the breast surgeon called for it to be postponed to a later date due to insurance issues. I was devastated. I cried for hours before receiving more horrible news: my father who lived more than 500 km from me was dying. I rushed to be by his side, but unfortunately he died on March 16, at the age of 62.^nd anniversary.

Back in North Carolina to plan my father's funeral, my breast surgeon has called again with a new plan. "Let's do a lumpectomy to get her out, we'll postpone bilateral surgery to a different date."

I felt helpless and helpless on my body. On March 29, 2012, I woke up in the recovery room to find that she had implanted rods for radiation. I could not believe what was happening. During the post-op, I had the story. The cancer had advanced and was an invasive ductal carcinoma of high grade. After an intense conversation with my breast surgeon about my body, my life and my choice, we have scheduled a date for the bilateral mastectomy.

A few months later, my plastic surgeon spoke to me about the areola, the 3D tattoo, which is a particular artistic process for women who have lost a breast as a result of cancer. We searched for months looking for an expert artist, but unfortunately, there was no one in my state. Abandoning, I decided to entrust this procedure to a person who was doing his best, but not what we thought, we, the survivors. She gave me three options: chocolate brown, bubble gum or nude. I almost fell off the chair – are you kidding me? This is my last hurray? Survivors deserve more! Survivors deserve the best. Therefore, I deserved the best.

It was then that my life changed.

Feeling my own pain, I made a decision. I was going to train with the best tattoo instructor in the areola. Yes, having a nurse training, I exchanged one needle for another. When they even handed me this tattoo pin, I knew it was my goal, my gift and my answer to "why me." God had a higher meaning in my life and I was ready to live it. In April 2014, I founded Pink Ink Tattoo.

Pink Ink Tattoo has developed and is now found in four states. I travel to reach survivors who may not be able to join me and work alongside many amazing plastic surgeons. The power of survival begins in us. I give back all the opportunities that are offered to me and I give to other women who suffer like me. Today, I have the opportunity to give survivors a finishing touch to the long emotional journey of breast cancer, to restore their self-confidence and help them feel better.

The most amazing thing about this trip is that I learned that the second act of your life may be much more important than your first, but it must be your decision. I am a nurse, mother of three beautiful children, a woman, a kidney donor of my sister (yes, I donated my kidney en route), certified 3D tattoo artist and I even helped to produce a television show featuring cancer survivors. Above all, I am a survivor. And today, I will not exchange my life for another road that I could have chosen. I'm just where I belong.

I think that this type of procedure has come a long way and that we are talking about it more than ever before. More and more tattoo artists and permanent makeup practitioners are also starting to offer this type of service. However, my advice to my surviving colleague about the tattoo on the areola would be: do you research the artist – are they specialists? Are they medically allowed? Can they recognize the signs and symptoms of an infection? What kind of ink do they use? Is MRI safe? Will your insurance cover the cost?

These questions are extremely important because, as a nurse and survivor, I understand the impact of tattooing on future analyzes or tests.