It started with a silent auction. I donated a 3D nipple and areola tattoo package, not knowing where it would land or who it might help. Then Anna Penancello walked through my door.
A breast cancer survivor, Anna had undergone a double mastectomy seven years prior. Like so many of the women I work with, she had come a long way in her healing journey—but there was still one step left.
My work at Monterey Med Ink isn't just about the art of 3D nipple and areola tattoos. It's about restoring a sense of self that breast cancer can strip away. For Anna, this was "the finishing touch."
Anna shared with me that she appreciated the time I took with her to go over the process and every aspect of what would happen during her session. I was thinking to myself how much a client has been living in the sense of never knowing what is going to happen next in the cancer journey, so giving them all the facts and the ins and outs of the process gives them much more reassurance for this step. We also provide an FAQ to help with any questions clients have about the tattoo process.
After her first session, Anna came back six weeks later, glowing.
I said, "You don't need any touch-ups or additional work." And I added the "first time we got it right, it's perfect."
The joy on her face was unforgettable. I know that she has reclaimed something precious. Anna described how she felt best: "I feel complete," she said, beginning to tear up. Every single day, getting out of the shower was a challenge because you saw the scars. Now you don't notice the scars anymore, and you feel like a woman again."
Her words have stayed with me—I feel complete, and I feel like a woman again.
The emotional release is profound. After chemotherapy, surgeries, and all the physical and emotional pain, this final step often brings a deep sense of healing. "Now that it's all back, I feel 100%... It is because of Ashley, and I am so thankful for everything she did for me."
Anna's story reminds me why I do this work. It's not just a tattoo; it's a pathway to feeling whole again.
If you or someone you know is on their healing journey after a mastectomy, please reach out. I'm here to help you take that final step, to help you feel like you again.
Get in touch to learn more or schedule a consultation. Let's walk this journey together.
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