Breast cancer Survivor Opts for Ornate Tattoo as a substitute of Nipple Reconstruction - individuals journal

through Gabrielle Olya

@GabyOlya

09/09/2016 AT 02:50 PM EDT

final September, Alison Habbal became diagnosed with breast cancer connected to her right nipple.

The jewelry designer, 37, underwent a lumpectomy to remove the melanoma, and lost her nipple due to this fact. as opposed to bear a traditional nipple reconstruction, Habbal decided to get an ornate tattoo covering her right breast.

"A reconstruction would have concerned one more surgical procedure, it's not likely they would had been in a position to match my left nipple very neatly, and it shouldn't have had the equal sensation as a true nipple, so I determined to simply have some enjoyable and simply cowl the scar with a tattoo as an alternative," Habbal tells americans. "A nipple reconstruction involves tattooing of the area to give it pigment, so I figured if i was going to get a tattoo it would epic, now not a crimson circle."

Habbal knew she wanted a tattoo after she received her prognosis, and the thought of getting it achieved in fact helped her get through her difficult medicine, which worried three months of chemotherapy and two months of radiotherapy.

"The tattoo became the 'conclusion game,' " says Habbal. "When i used to be first diagnosed, i was having main issue visualizing surviving the diagnosis regardless of every thing the doctors advised me. It became best after I all started to consider about how i would seem to be in one year time, with a brief blonde crop and a gorgeous tattoo, that i used to be capable of move ahead."

Habbal desired the tattoo to be daring and be visible on her neckline and shoulder.

"I did not see the aspect in getting an attractive tattoo only to hide it from all and sundry under my clothing," she says.

linked VIDEO: Sandra Lee Opens up about Her Breast cancer analysis She determined to get a colorful and significant tattoo, and made an appointment with tattoo artist Makkala Rose to carry her imaginative and prescient to life.

"The bows are a logo of loyalty – the ties that bind us to those we like," Habbal explains of the design. "Stars can't shine devoid of darkness and signify inner strength. both stars and bows are accepted motifs utilized in rings, the industry I work in and i love. dark purple roses are symbolic of gratitude and appreciation of the gift of lifestyles, and orange tulips signify effective energy."

She also covered her daughter's identify as part of the tattoo.

"all through a touching conversation with my 7-yr-historic daughter, Bessie, before the surgical procedure I made a deal with her that i would not get Elsa [from Frozen] tattooed on my breast, which become her first recommendation, but i would consist of her name instead – and it be one of my favourite materials of the tattoo," says Habbal.

Habbal shared a photograph of her entire tattoo on Instagram, and has been shocked via all of the wonderful remarks she has acquired.

"i'm a dressmaker and very visible person, so I have used Instagram like a diary for a few years now – so naturally I included a photo of the tattoo," she says. "The response has been impressive although – amongst so many identical photos on-line this one looks to get extra likes even when surrounded by astonishing inked fashions and similar tattoos, and that i suppose that could be the smile – which you could see the emotion, my happiness to have this tattoo and be comprehensive my medicine."

The Sydney, Australia-based fashion designer is grateful for the warm comments and feedback, and hopes she will be able to support other breast cancer survivors study to like their bodies once again.

"As a woman beneath forty, i'd be chuffed if the photograph inspires greater women to like their new our bodies and own their sexuality on ce more after surviving breast cancer – and never just by way of getting a tattoo, however by way of doing what is appropriate for them and rocking it!" she says. "I had long black hair a yr in the past. Now I even have a brief blonde crop, and everyone loves it as a result of I actually have embraced my new seem to be and wear it with self assurance and a smile."