Within three weeks after getting my septum pierced, I began getting the itch for another piercing. "But, why just one when I could get two and finally reach my original piercing goal of ten?" I thought to myself. Now I only needed to decide which piercing(s) to get done. There are a number of piercings that come in pairs that I still would like to get, but with which one to go.
At A Glance Author Wicked Spyder Contact Wicked Spyder@bme.anon IAM Wicked Spyder When A week ago Artist Dan Studio Virtual Reality Location Fond du Lac, WI "Nipples?"
"No, I have my own reasons not to get them done presently."
"Nostrils? It would help with getting the nasallang that I'd like to have."
"No, I want to get my nostrils dermal punched at a 2 or 0 gauge; and that wouldn't be very inconspicuous, now would it?"
"Ears? Could get industrials pierced."
"No, not really in the mood to have more holes in my ears at the moment."
"Cheeks?"
"Same problem as the nostrils; I want large gauge piercings, and they don't allow for easy concealment."
"Venoms?"
"Yes, I believe that will do just nicely."Now that you have a small glimmer into the inner workings of my decision-making process, you also hopefully understand why I decided upon my venoms. With the choice of piercing been made, I now needed to make sure I had enough money and then I could get pierced.
I knew that I would be getting them done at Virtual Reality in Fond du Lac, since that is the studio that I most frequent(or only studio I frequent, for the most part). On March 12, 2005 I stopped by the studio to talk to Jay about the price and when we might be able to do it; but only to find that they are closed on Sundays. This led me to decide to wait until Wednesday to check in again, while in the meantime I would find the studio's web site. I found things to occupy my time until Wednesday, some of which are duly noted on my IAM page. The reason I chose Wednesday to return to Virtual Reality is that it would also coincide with the three-week anniversary of my septum. When I arrived at the studio, I spoke with Jay about the healing (straightness) of my septum; the necessary update that should be done to the Virtual Reality web site; and about price, gauge and length of jewelry (12gauge, half-inch), and time for the venoms to be done. He had me return on Thursday, March 17, 2005 for the piercings in order for both him and Dan to be able to pierce a side of my tongue.
Thursday arrived and I prepared myself for the piercings by my normal ritual. I made certain that I would be ready and at the studio by 5:30PM, open for VR. I left home about 5:15 and walked directly to the studio. I arrived shortly before Jay came down to open up shop. Dan came in approximately 5:45. Jay had some business of which to take care, so he had Dan take care of setting up and piercing the first of the venoms. Dan began by having me fill out the normal piercing paperwork/waiver. After that Dan began prepping the studio for the piercings. During the marking of my tongue for each piercing, a couple of guys came into the shop for piercings; Dan told them he'd be able to assist them after finishing with mine and had them begin filling out the paperwork. Dan decided to pierce the venoms at an angle due to the veins the run along my tongue. By the time he had finished getting everything arranged (the 12 gauge needle, taper, two barbells, clamps, and having me clean out my mouth with mouthwash); Jay had returned, but appeared to be prepping for a tattoo. This led to the conclusion that Dan would be doing both my venoms, and that was completely fine by me. Dan now situated the clamps to pierce the right (my right, his left) split of my tongue. Dan then began the normal procedure of having me take deep inhalations and just as deep exhalations, which is the signal for me to close my eyes (just a regular part of my personal piercing ritual). He pushed the needle through; and damn, did it hurt. He then continued having me deep-breathing in order to put the taper through and jewelry inside my tongue. At this point, I cleaned the saliva that had built up during the procedure that Dan had given me for saliva control. Dan then finished the right venom by threading on the other ball. We now took a short break for Dan to prepare for the second (my left, his right) split's piercing; and me to get my bearings situated. During this time my speech was extremely handicapped, I told Jay and Dan how much pain I had felt. Ja "\Ãw€ë y commented on the fact that it would be more painful than a center tongue piercing due to the needle going through more muscle. I also took a moment to get a glance at the first venom in the mirror. Dan then informed me that he was ready as soon as I was good to go. I got myself set with my paper towel of saliva control, and awaited him to get his clamps in the proper spot for the second venom. Once positioned, Dan began the deep-breathing/eye-closing routine, and I anticipated the painful sensation I knew to be inevitable. Since I had already once endured this pain that should be near identical, I knew what to expect; this allowed for me to sit through the entire procedure of needle, taper, jewelry in one swift operation. Then we stopped, once again, in order for me to cover saliva damage and Dan to get the second ball set to finish the piercing. Once free from the clamps, I could instantly feel better equilibrium than what I had when only the first venom had been complete. Though the weights of the sides of my tongue were now better proportioned, my tongue was certainly swollen. I got up immediately to get a view of how my new venoms looked. I approved and proceeded to sit back down and close my eyes, where for a moment there is only silence. With full consciousness once again upon me, I stood up again in order to allow Jay to take a couple pictures of my venoms. Dan and Jay informed me that the pictures may not be developed for a month, so I'm now waiting for April for copies. We finished up the session by me paying for the piercings (with tip) and small talk and my exiting of the shop.
For aftercare of my venoms, I have decided on my own aftercare conditions based on testimony from Dan (that I shouldn't overuse mouthwash to clean them); my usual hygiene routine (regular basis for brushing of my teeth/tongue); and knowledge I've gathered from BME (salt-water soaks are a preferable method of aftercare than cleaning products).
It is now Tuesday, March 22, 2005 (five days later) and my tongue is still a bit sore and feels swollen. I'm not quite sure if it is swollen or it has flattened out due to the angle of the piercings; either way, I know that I have less range of motion between my splits. I intend to wait for the venoms to heal before deciding whether I will be able to keep them (depending on if I am able to recover range of motion and if swelling goes down). I have already relearned how to speak with the piercings. For now I will continue to cleanse my venoms as per my aftercare, and will leave any decisions of possible retirement to the future.
