Hi
I am posting this up as it is something that perhaps you should keep an open for.
I have been planning my baclpiece for 7 years and was booked in to start in June.
Anyhow when I went a few weeks ago the tattooist asked me if I did contact sports (when sizing the tattoo).
I said no why?
He was like well you got a load of bruises across your back. I didn’t think much about it.
Anyhow I sliced my thumb open (just a nick) and the bastard just would not clot!
I ended up at the hospital for stitches. Whilst I am there the Dr was like what are those bruises on your arms. I was like what the hell, what bruises?
Then it was like do you feel tired? bad tempered?, weak? ringing in ears? He also asked how long I had felt this way. I was like yes but felt that way for months/years I work too hard it is no big deal.
Then it hit me – I was like oh shit is this leukemia?
Anyhow had a stack of tests and they have told me they think I suffer from aplastic anemia (mild-moderate). I am still waiting for exact but thankfully cancer is ruled out.
Sadly my tattooing days are over 🙁
I had ignored the symptoms for a long, long time. (They told me I ran a major risk of infection with the 3 I had done).
The main thing is if you have any of the above symptoms get it checked out.
Take care
Matthew
I’m sorry to hear that Matthew. You are one of the more passionate and helpful members based on my observations here. It’s really tragic that you are unable to get inked any more seeing as how passionate you are about it. I hope for the sake of everyone you’ve helped here and could continue to help in the future that you remain a part of this online community as it would be significantly lessened if you were to leave.
Take care,
-Rev
EDIT: I hope they’re able to fix the bone marrow issue or at the very least mitigate the symptoms so that you’re able to live healthily and happily.
oh matt ,
sorry to hear you have had to cancel your plans 🙁
is they no way around it at all ?
I can never sit for long when i get tattooed because i bleed easily 2 hours is my limit
my blood is really thin ( im cold all the time because of it)
could you not do it very little by little ?
Oh dude man, fuck! I’m so sorry man. Seriously, anemia ain’t something you want to fuck around with. I hope you’re able to adjust man, and if you need to vent, I is around.
And I promise I won’t say it’s because of all that in-breeding you English do.
Cross my heart.
Love. Peace. Metallica.
Thanks Peeps
I was actually near tears today because it means I cannot complete my dream of a backpiece tattoo.
Then I realised that I was just feeling damn sorry for myself, and I should consider myself lucky compared to what others suffer with.
Sadly I cannot get anymore ink because they are saying that if I don’t bleed to point of needing a transfusion, I will more than likely get an infection which will go septic. I did a long search on the net and every damn site is giving it the thumbs down.
They have offered me some drugs to boost my red blood count and all that and told me to watch my iron intake.
I appreciate the kind words and yes KH I do blame the inbreeding – life was hard enough with one eye and eleven toes. :p
The upside is this will not kill me, and at least I can understand why I feel so damn tired all the time (laziness aside).
I am still gonna be on the boards peeps as I love ink and nothing is gonna change that.
Take Care
Matthew
I was actually near tears today because it means I cannot complete my dream of a backpiece tattoo.
Then I realised that I was just feeling damn sorry for myself, and I should consider myself lucky compared to what others suffer with.
Sadly I cannot get anymore ink because they are saying that if I don’t bleed to point of needing a transfusion, I will more than likely get an infection which will go septic. I did a long search on the net and every damn site is giving it the thumbs down.
They have offered me some drugs to boost my red blood count and all that and told me to watch my iron intake.
I appreciate the kind words and yes KH I do blame the inbreeding – life was hard enough with one eye and eleven toes. :p
The upside is this will not kill me, and at least I can understand why I feel so damn tired all the time (laziness aside).
I am still gonna be on the boards peeps as I love ink and nothing is gonna change that.
Take Care
Matthew
Isn’t there any sort of medication that will clot your blood so your able to get tattooed? Or Have the artist go easy on you ? There has to be a way around it surely?
Sorry to hear that Matthew.
I read lots of your posts and as has already been said, you have a real passion for the art which is evident and are more than willing to help.
The main thing is that you found out before things could have gone badly wrong.
It’s disappointing but your health is more important.
Hey Matthew, been off the board for a little while, can’t believe I’ve come back to read this! I’m so sorry! I mean, brilliant that it’s nothing worse, but you know… is there absolutely nothing you can do? Did you have this problem when you had your other tattoos or has it come on/worsened since then? Would getting the backpiece in lots of tiny bits (even half hour bits!) over a very long period of time be an option, or do you have to avoid breaking the skin at all costs? I can’t believe it, I’m absolutely gutted for you mate 🙁
Thanks ppl for the support.
Apparently I have always had it but it worsened over the last 2 years.
I am waiting to see a specialist about it as there is a range of treatments – but clarifying with them they said if I need bone marrow transplant getting tattoed can knock me down the list – same as if I smoke etc.
The main concern seems to be infection but I am holding up to see if any diet or drugs will resolve it.
I got some basic tablets until then and more blood tests.
Bigbud it is great news your condition rectified – I am hoping to get mine at least stable so I can carry on with my tat.
Thanks again
Matthew
WOW….. sorry matt,
thats insane to find out just as you was going to have that long awaited and precisely planned backpiece of your dreams.
your input on this forum is always correct and precise, i do hope that with the sad news of you not being able to recieve ink that you will still stay with us and continue to give your valued support to all the members.
is there a possibility that with medication it could ever clear up ?? alternatively….. how about becoming a tattooist yourself and still being involved with the passion you have for this wonderful artform.
thinking of ya mate 😉
Hey Matthew sorry to hear about this. It is always a good thing to get yourself checked out if you feeling a bit under the weather. My partner took himself to the doctors in 2005, he was feeling major ill or anything but just felt a bit tired all the time, a blood test later, turns out he has chronic lymphatic leukemia – body producing too many white blood cells and mutant ones at that. 2006 followed with a series of chemo treatment taken orally ( a stay at home treatment and hard to watch).
A marrow transplant is on the cards for the future. But llife is real good now, so let’d keep smiling
Please any one, if your not feeling right get to the doctors. Let them give you the once over.
Much Love
Purplestar
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