Women... how self conscious we are. I have always been self conscious, like most females. I have one of those curvy shapes, minus the breasts. Kind of like Shakira I have a big butt, big hips, small waist... and no boobs! But I have always appreciated my nipples. I thought, even though my breasts are small, I have always thought they were pretty because of my nipples. And this is where it starts...
At A Glance Author Britt Contact Britt@bme.anon When Six months ago Artist Forgot his name Studio Studio Maxx Location St. John's, NL
I had already had an industrial done in my ear and it had recently been bumped by the dentist, of all people, and had received a nasty bump, almost like a keloid but not quite. But that's besides the point. I was fresh out of high school and I flew from my small town in Nova Scotia to the city of St. John's, NL to attend Memorial University. Like most people know, things are always different when you hit university. I suddenly had freedom to do as I pleased but I Didn't take advantage of said freedom... too much. I went to the piercing places around town a few times. Trouble Bound seemed very promising, I watched some dorm mates get some piercings there and Studio Maxx, which had more reasonable prices. I was craving another piercing, absolutely craving it.
Well eventually I started dating a friend of mine who is from the same town as me. I knew that he wasn't a big fan of piercings. He didn't really like my industrial, calling it the nail in my head but he loved my tattoo (a treble clef on my shoulder blade). In the winter I finally decided to tell him of my desire for a piercing. He of all people suggested a nipple piercing. I had thought of a nipple piercing before but never thought I would be brave enough. I started to want one, terribly but couldn't work up the courage to get one. I went almost the whole school year wanting that piercing. Finally a couple weeks before exams (exams were the end of April) I was practically forced into the piercing salon by my boyfriend.
I was so nervous... we made the appointment that very day. I went to Studio Maxx, their prices were very good. The receptionist was an older lady who said she had both of hers done and it was no problem. She assured me she loved them even if her boobs were saggy and I should go ahead and get them too. Alright. Sounds good to me I guess. So I talk to the piercer, he had an interesting Newfie accent yet he look very intimidating. But like all Newfoundlanders I have ever met he was as sweet as can be. I sat on the bed, swinging my legs underneath my long flowing brown skirt, back and forth. The man could tell I was nervous. He told me to change, gave me a towel, and left the room to give me privacy. I was so nervous my boyfriend had to help me. The man came back in when I was ready and made the markings on my nipple. I liked the placement and laid down on the bed (or stretcher whatever it was) again.
He told me to breathe slowly in and slowly out and counted. You know, I think that actually hurt more than my industrial and I am usually really good at taking pain. This hurt a lot more than I expected. I said "OH....MY....GOD". I knew my nipples were sensitive but I never thought they were THAT sensitive. He put in this lovely little barbell which I fell in love with immediately. I went to the receptionist and paid and soon left the parlour. I was feeling a little dizzy by that point but I was doing well. My boyfriend thought it was beautiful and I couldn't help but admire it myself.
A month and a half went by, I went home to Nova Scotia and my piercing seemed to be healing quite nicely. One hot day at the end of May, I thought it was hot enough I might take a dip in the freezing cold river near my boyfriend's house. Not the brightest idea in the world but I love the water and couldn't resist. I also ended up going swimming two more times that month and I believe I also handled the piercing a bit too much. It started looking a little swollen but I just thought if I kept washing it and leaving it be the swollen soreness would go away.
One day the pain just wouldn't stop and it moved to the rest of my breast. I couldn't walk without it hurting. I started becoming scared. That girl in St. John's had just died because of an infection she got with her nipple piercing and I was paranoid. By 10:30 that night I was freaked and finally asked my mother to please take me to the hospital. I was hoping my doctor would be there on call but he wasn't. It was another doctor who had a sort of different attitude than my doctor would have had (my doctor probably would have laughed).
This doctor said after examining it "Well did you even think of future children and breast feeding when you decided to do this?" I said "Well doctor I do have another breast". He said "Did you ever think of taking the piercing out?" "Yes I had but I was afraid the infection would be trapped inside if I did" He then told me that the infection was superficial and it would heal in 48 hours if I took out my barbell. I didn't believe him but reluctantly took out my piercing. In two days the pain was almost entirely gone and the piercing started to heal. Within a week you couldn't even tell I had had a nipple piercing.
My nipples are still beautiful. They always were. And even though my shiny little friend is gone, I'm still told they are as sexy as hell. I love piercings but maybe they just don't work for my body. Maybe I'll get another tattoo ;)