I've always been into piercings, got my first one at 18, back in 1993. Currently I have 22. This is the story about my nape piercing.
At A Glance Author jen Contact jen@bme.anon When Five years ago Artist MD (doctor) Studio emergency room Location ohio Nursing school graduation came and went. Most nursing schools have "pinning ceremonies", whereas, someone you love "pins" you with your school pin in a huge ceremonial process. However my college didn't have a "pinning ceremony", I decided to get my own type of "pinning".
I'd only been out of school for a few months, and while working in the ER, got to know one of the doctors. One day I decided to ask him to pierce my neck. At first I think he was taken off guard, then a huge smile erupted across his face. I remember saying... "If you can insert a central line into someone without dropping a lung, i'm sure you can pierce the back of my neck." I also knew that having an MD perform the piercing, I wouldn't have to worry about sterility.
Doc and I decided that he'd do the piercing a few days later. I stopped into the ER on my day off. I remember bringing my own jewelry, 16 guage barbell. I sat on the little stool in one of the exam rooms, and he used an 14 angio cath (IV) to do the piercing. He could not get the jewelry to follow through (because of the angio cath). Though I was super glad that Doc attempted the piercing with the materials available in the ER, I was also sad that it didn't work. I could tell that he was sad too. He's one of those guys, that when he sets his mind to something, he accomplishes it.
A few days after this, at work, doc tells me that he ordered a special surfact piercing kit online, to be mailed to his house, and that he will try once again to pierce my neck. I also directed him to BME for photos, and stories. I think I got this guy hooked. I was incredibly happy, and I knew that he truely wanted to perform my nape piercing, because afterall, he'd researched it, and even bought the kit.
The kit came to doc's house via mail, then he called me. I drove to the ER once again, went into the same little exam room. This time I laid on the exam table prone, and in a matter of minutes the nape of my neck was pierced. He was so careful to measure so that my stethoscope wouldn't rub. He was also extremely concerned about sterility. I couldn't have been happier! I finally had my nursing school "pinning" in my own way. It was also sort of like being inducted into the ER atmosphere. Doc then tells me, "I can't believe you could handle the pain the first time around". Yes the first time around was alot of jabbing, and trying to get the jewelry in. However this time, it was poke, pop, pop, and the jewelry was in.
My nape piercing lasted a total of 2 days. One of the balls fell out in my sleep, and I couldn't get the side pushed back through the skin. I called a local piercing shop talked to someone,then went to the shop. After several attempts even the piercer couldn't get the jewelry to go back in. I was told since it's fresh, it closes fairly quickly. I'm still really sad about this, and haven't had it repierced yet. Maybe someday, but for now, it just wasn't meant to be.
The biggest thing for me had to be the rush of how I was being pierced,and being pierced by someone who was definitely intrigued by the entire piercing culture. I truely felt like I had a more important, special "pinning" experience. "Going to the doctor", and having them poke you with needles is definitely a negative experience for some, yet I welcomed this experience.
As far as what I would do the same, and what i'd do different, well, I would definitely have an MD pierce me again. After all they have years of study regarding anatomy, physiology, and sterile procedure. After all, he didn't put the needle down on a "paper towel" like i've seen so many piercers do. The needle was kept in it's sterile container until it touched my skin. Laying prone was definitely a good thing, as doc was lucky that I didn't come out of my chair the first time around. Doc definitely needed to be educated on the tightening of the balls on the end of the barbell. After all, his hands were sterile, and mine at home weren't when dealing with this fresh new piercing.
I'm glad that I could introduce another medical professional into the body modification community. Learning and continuing education is an ongoing process, and requirement in the medical community. I'm glad that I taught doc something. I'm glad his eyes are now open to body modification. I haven't talked to doc in many years, and I secretly wonder if he has any mods himself now.