I Got My Cancer Tattoo || Cancer Journey 

My first, and so far only, tattoo has meaning for my journey of being disabled. I have a 3E Heart on my right wrist. It's the wheelchair/disabled symbol but the wheel is turned into a heart shape.

I got a tattoo in January 2008 a week before starting back to college for my final internship in nursing school. It had been a long journey bc in March 2004 I was paralyzed from my chest down when I got Transverse Myelitis. I had been a competitive figure skater up until that day, and all of a sudden I could no longer walk, sit up or roll over on my own. I worked hard in physio and occupational therapy bc I was determined to become a nurse once I could walk again! 6 months after being paralyzed I went back to work as a pre-kindergarten teacher in my wheelchair in the mornings and in the afternoons I had therapy to get stronger and walk again with a brace on one leg and a cane. I applied to nursing school in March 2005 and got in! Started September 2005 and graduated 2008! With my class and with no accommodations (I didn’t ask for any). The tattoo I got before I started that last semester represented overcoming adversity, strength, and better luck. I’ll see if I can send you a pic on IG.

In August of 2020 my best friend and I of over 20 years, got a matching tattoo. It was her first one, so I let her pick it. She was so excited she was practically vibrating. Tattoos turned out great. She was killed by a drunk driver two days after Christmas that year. I am very glad that I have that daily reminder of her.

What a blessing to have not only a friend gift your cancer tattoo but also have a friend share in the experience with their first tattoo! Memories for a lifetime. Congratulations!!

Love it Rome! I’m some mom in California been watching you since your journey started. You have grown so much as a person. I got a beautiful rainbow tat to celebrate loosing over 100lbs and keeping it off. Kept 140lbs off 4+ yrs now.

This is gonna be long 😀 I have two tattoos, one of them represents my cancer journey. Was diagnosed with stage 4BE Hodgkin‘s lymphoma when I was 21, my beloved grandma had passed away three years earlier the exact same date. the treatment thankfully worked but was really tough on me. I used to find small things that I‘d wanna buy when I finished one round (had to do 6 rounds, each one being 3 weeks) to keep myself motivated. Two of them were a necklace and a bracelet with a butterfly. One day during spring, I was sitting on my balcony and was feeling really sad und suddenly a butterfly landed in front of me. I cried and cried but somehow the butterfly showed me how beautiful life ist. July 18th 2013, I was told I was finally cancer free. It was my then-boyfriend‘s birthday as well actually and felt like a sign from above. 6 months later I got the tattoo on my shoulder. A small butterfly, it‘s body being the cancer ribbon and the date, july 18th 2013. To me, it represents embracing a new version of me and the beauty of learning to love yourself truly. I still suffer from several Long-term side effects but I‘m just so thankful for each day and soon I‘ll be celebrating 9 years cancer free ☺️ Love your new tattoo and, from the bottom of my heart, wish you the very best for your journey ahead 💕

I got my first tattoo on my 70th birthday! Wanted one all my life. It’s a 4 leaf clover for good luck to live longer (both parents died at 70). So far it’s working. I’m 76 ! People see it and are amazed how it still looks so awesome….they assume I got it when I was young. 😁

WOOOOOOOOOOOW! I always watch your videos and I rarely comment. I got my first tattoo on my birthday in 2012 when my brother finished his cancer treatment. He is alive and healthy right now 10 years later. I assure you that in 10 years from now, you will look back and remember these crazy times you went thru. Thanks for sharing your story!

My only tattoo is to honour my father, who unfortunately lost his life to cancer back in 2007. I am however considering getting a second tattoo to honour the baby I lost 7 weeks into my first pregnancy. On brighter news, I am now 25 weeks pregnant with our rainbow baby girl. ❤️ Your tattoo looks wonderful and I love the meaning behind it!

My daughter got her cancer tattoo in 2013 for Acute Lymphoblastic leukemia. I actually designed it for her. It is the orange leukemia ribbon torn and scorched at the top, with a phoenix coming out. The phoenix signified new life and between the wings is the date of her stem cell transplant. She has added to it over the years and was perfectly healthy for 6 1/2 years, but since Jan 2020, she has relapsed 3 times. She is now in CAR T-cell therapy, still in the hospital. You are so right; Romee that the cancer journey is never over. She will definitely need another one when this is done!

Nice placement! That date is behind you and there is no other option than to move forward! Love you

My two sisters and I have matching tattoos of a star, to resemble our mother that passed away from breast cancer when I was 3. Our dad always used to say that she was the biggest and brightest star in the sky, and that she was always watching over us from there. ⭐️

I have a flowers on a vine with butterflies symbolising the journey I’ve overcome of self harming so the 3 butterflies on it symbolises 3 years of not self harming ,I absolutely love your tattoo Romee

I have several tattoos but my favorite one is the one for my little brother, we lost him to suicide 12 yrs ago so I have his footprints on my arm.....such a beautiful tattoo you recieved from Louisa....what a great forever memory! Much love from Canada ❤️ ♥️

I dont have a tattoo, but the scar from my cancer removal actually mimics a zipper..which I think is bad ass in its self..thanks for your videos..love from the states..😘

I don't have any tattoos. Yet. But I want one that says, "It's ok.". I have anxiety, along with 3 chronic illnesses. Sometimes I need to remind myself that its ok to feel what I need to feel. After all, we are only human.

I have a tattoo on my forearm, which represents my journey with mental health. It is always there to remind me. It says, :"Never Surrender" and has a little dragonfly beside it.

Hi Romee, I got my first tattoo when my Mama passed away. It is her handwriting, on the inside of my left arm since Mama was left handed, from a birthday card she had sent me years ago. I also have the "tree of life" with a mother and child, because I am an only child. My mom and I were always close. That is on my left collarbone, close to my heart so she's always with me. Love your videos and your new tattoo. Take care. 💔❤️

With all you've been threw, and I know you've had many many down days. For the most part you've done your best to keep your spirits up. God bless you, you've given many so much hope.

I have my daughter's name with a sleeping owl on my upper back. owls were her nursery theme and she was stillborn at 35weeks in 2013. I'll be getting a new tattoo in honor of my dad, who passed suddenly last year from a heart attack at the young age of 52, with my baby sister next week around father's day.

I have a tattoo that says 지금, 여기 which means now and here in korean! I study korean and the words stand for getting back to the present when I’m having an anxiety / panic attack ! I absolutely love your tattoo

I am now hooked on Native due to you!!! I just spent $200 to switch my entire family over!! So thank you. Love you all of your videos! Stay strong! ❤️

I have one and only tattoo as I’m 64 years old and they weren’t big for women when I grew up. So I have a semicolon with water colors surrounding it. I love it. Semicolons are part of a mental health journey.

I love it! Would have hurt a lot on your ribs. I have 5 tattoos but one is from my cancer journey with Melanoma. It’s an hour glass and the sand is spilling out and in the sand it says “ I want to be running when the sand runs out”. It’s a song lyric and about not taking life for granted.

I didn’t get a tattoo following my successful cancer journey back in 2014 cos I still HATE needles! What i did was get a Pandora bangle after my last chemo cycle along with three Disney beads, Mickey and Minnie Mouse and Mrs Pots and Chip, plus some other non Pandora beads, and created my bangle. Then after my final radiotherapy session and thereby the end of my treatment I added a locket bead with a key in it to complete my bangle. It has my Mickey and Minnie Mouse beads on it plus two purple and silver ones, purple is my favourite colour, two hearts representing my now husband and I along with his initial and mine, R and S in two beads and the locket in the centre, making it incredibly special and important to me, as it’s my way of marking to key points in my cancer journey and my life. I totally agree with you my cancer journey will always be part of my life and has definitely made me who I am today. Love your tattoo! Good look with your wisdom teeth, I had a tooth removed a couple of weeks ago so not fun but it’s healing nicely now thankfully. Love, hugs and prayers xx

Nice tattoo! Never had a tattoo because I thought I'd get tired of it. The location of your tattoo is perfect--that's where I want my tattoo if I get one. It's lovely! Love, Kim

One of my tattoo represents my journey through depression. Congrats on your new tattoo.

Sweet girl there will indeed be a end date for this journey because I feel god is going to bless us all and they’re going have a cure for all cancers soon!! Here in the states cancer patients can’t say we are cancer free until we have 5yrs straight of clear scans. I’m going on my 1st year coming up of clear scans so they tell me I’m in remission, not cancer free because there is a chance cancer can come back anytime but if I can make it 5yrs straight and have all clear scans I’ll be able to say I’m Cancer Free and I’m praying for it to stay away and I pray for that day for us all to say those words. 💕

I got my first tattoo at the age of 49 to get one for my son who always talked about getting one but died before being able to. he was 26. I got my 2nd one with his heat rhythm about 4 years later. tattoos are definitely addicting. I'm glad you got to do it with your friend, its very pretty too!

Romee dit haar staat je echt goed! Vind het cute met die krulletjes. De tattoo is trouwens super mooi geworden.

Romee ik ben blij dat je zo in het leven staat in jouw idee over dat je dit je hele leven met je meedraagt. Voor mij is het tien jaar geleden en ik heb destijds aan mijn chirurg gevraagd wie me garandeert dat het wegblijft. Zij gaf als antwoord “niemand”. Mijn advies is, wees blij met het leven en jouw tattoo. Laat de kanker niet jouw leven beheersen, Carpe Diem, blijf alleen allert op veranderingen. Prachtige tattoo

I love your tattoo! It looks amazing! You picked a great spot to put in on, Romee. I have one tattoo -- of a flying horse. It represents flying free of depression. 🌹🌻 Have a great weekend darling.

Thats a beautifull tattoo Romee.my Daughter had three tattoo's a butterfly on one arm .a Irish symbol one the other shoulder she was half Irish on my side we travelled there a lot she was proud of her roots.and on her back was a sunflower which is the symbol for our local hospice..they were beautifull as was she.hope the tooth extraction goes well for you.take care sweet girl.🌻🌻

I don't have one, but I was thinking of getting one on my implant caused by breast cancer. I absolutely love your tattoo, and your friends. I never gave my cancer an end date, and never called myself a survivor. It is a life journey!!

I have several tattoos but my favorite two are the one on my wrist which is a friendship tattoo with a friend I‘ve known my whole life and one on my ribs which is in honor of my childhood dog 🥰

I love that you don’t hide your scar on your chest. Be proud of that battle scar you are a fighter!!

The tattoo is really beautiful!

I have one for when I had ovarian cancer. It doesn't make me sad - it reminds me that I'm so strong. I love your tattoo, and how sweet that she gifted it to you!.

That such a cool idea I learned I had kidney cancer march 18 2017 I need to do this. It is crazy you never forget the date your told you have cancer.

Romee, I am a young adult cancer survivor in the U.S . We were diagnosed about a month apart, I was 28. August 10th just so happens to be my birthday💙wishing you all the best. I love following your journey

I lost my daughter at 3 weeks old. They gave me a card with her foot and hands prints on. I had the hand and foot prints tattooed on to my side stomach with her name Samantha over the top of her foot prints. I feel I still got a little piece of her with me always. X

Lieve Romee, you are such a wonderful person. A true inspiration. You go girl! Teresa🇲🇽

I have like 8, 9 tattoos so far lol two most important is on the inside of my left arm (lower part) that says "Dedicated to my mom" with half and fading heart beside connected to the text (mum passed from cancer when I was 10 so 22 years ago last month) and one just under my collarbone that says "I am a warrior" in my own handwriting as a reminder of everything I've been through, still going through and will forever go through.

Oh it's beautiful Romee. I would love to have such beautiful people in my life xx

I'm praying hard for you. The tattoo is beautiful. Here's to hoping there's an end date someday! 💜💜💜

Great idea and beautiful tattoo. I have 7 tattoos, but the one that has a life changing meaning is my snowflake on my ankle. No 2 snowflakes are alike. I was always trying to fit in. Its a reminder that we're all unique and to always just be myself. I love tattoos.

Contemplating one, but since I have a metal allergy, I would have to find a studio working with plant dye and thorns the Maori way. Hard to find. So for now, I have a ceramic mug holding my meaningful cancer quote and every morning, I can be reminded of another day gifted to me.

Awesome Tattoo Romee

My last tattoo was almost 4 weeks ago. It is in honor of my best friend who took her life last September. She loved giraffes, so I found a line drawing of a giraffe and in the body of the giraffe was a ribbon which I had colored teal and purple for suicide awareness. Instead of doing dates, each month has flowers, so I have the flower as asther for May, her birth month, and lilies of the valley for sept the month she took her life. I miss her everyday and I’m glad I got this tattoo to represent suicide awareness! You are a very strong individual and I enjoy watching your channel!❤️🌸

I love it...I have three tattoos, a rose on my ankle, a Celtic knot on my right wrist and Carpe Diem written on the inside of my left arm.

That is so awesome!! My family does tattoos for memorial, so we all have one for my little brother, who passed away 14 yrs ago and now, we have one for my mom who passed last Oct. The tattoos are so meaningful and a reminder daily of them and how we have made it through. Exciting to share that day with a friend also, my bestie & I are going to get one together soon. 💕

Yasssssssssssss Romee🤟🏼and Louisa🤟🏼

You are so strong, I wish you all the love and the best.❤️

Romee, I got one for my Cancer journey that says E ancora il mio momento di brillare. It’s Italian for it’s still my time to shine.

I have a black ribbon and a rose on my right shoulder for my mom. My mom died of melanoma and black is the color for melanoma awareness. Her favorite flower was the rose.

Romee you are an inspiration 💕 I love your tattoo, it is beautiful! Keeping you in my prayers.

I don’t currently have a tattoo, but I’ve been really badly wanting a sunflower tattoo. They mean SO much to me, I always think of my grandpa’s sunflower garden. He grew lots of them for the seeds and oil. I was very very close with him, but he suddenly passed away a couple years ago. So having a sunflower permanently on my body would make me feel like he’s always with me. I just haven’t been brave enough to get it yet because it’s so permanent

I have 3. One is for my son with a heart with his name and two smaller hearts with wings for the babies I lost. It’s on the back of my right shoulder. On my front chest/right shoulder I have one for my brother who died from cancer. “You belong among the wildflowers JP”with a blue flower. He was a big Tom Petty fan 💚. On my left wrist I have an autism puzzle heart for my son. There is also a butterfly with a purple ribbon for my dad who had Alzheimer’s. There is another butterfly with a blue cancer ribbon for my brother. It’s in a watercolor background. It’s hard to describe…. Through the years I have added a tiny heart and a tiny semicolon. I may add more to it. It’s a small hodgepodge, but it’s meaningful to me ❤️

Love the tattoo! Love the idea! I also love that you're embracing (making peace with?) the fact cancer has forever changed your life. Junior year of college was really rough for me and definitely brought me to one of the lowest points in my life. Towards the end of the year, a friend posted a picture online of some eggshells she found. They were scattered on the ground from a celebration the night before. She found one that had a huge dent in it and was cracked, but it was still in one piece. She titled the photo "Not Broken". That picture resonated so hard with me as I had just been through the worst year of my life (I nearly didn't make it) and was definitely worse for wear, but I was still here. Cracked but not broken. Three years later I got a tattoo of the egg on my back with the words "Not Broken" around it to remind myself I can get through anything.

I love the idea of embracing your cancer journey in a tattoo. I myself am considering getting my scars from my melanoma covered up, since they are a constant reminder of the fear and anxiety that I felt and still do, I’m still working on being able to leave my house when the sun is shining. So my hope is to be able to put on my clothes without seeing the triggering scars but instead see a beautiful tattoo

They are both beautiful tattoos! I have one ‘Siempre Contigo’ on side of wrist arm. It means ‘Always with you’ it stands for inner strength and happy memories I got it in Spain on holiday with my sister.

Romee, your tattoo looks very nice. Your tattoo artist did a great job. I do not wear tattoos nor do I want to because I do not like people pricking needles in my skin.

Good for you you have been through so much good wishes for your future xxxx

Your tattoo is beautifully elegant. You are a most delightful person, and your cancer is truly lucky to be on a journey with you! 💛 Personally, I don't have a tattoo with regard to my cancer journey, but I shall let you know if I ever decide to get one. My darling cancer will always be with me as well. 😍 And we are always learning something new on our journey together. This little, cancerous bundle of joy definitely keeps me on my toes.

I have a partial sleeve tattoo with two red roses and two sunflowers!!! I cannot wait to see yours. Fantastic idea for a tattoo

Thx to Native for sponsored this video

What a beautiful tattoo Romee!

Only my first tattoo has a deeper meaning and is mental health related. I've got a few others that I just love because of the artwork and the way they look on my body.

I have thought about getting one to acknowledge my cancer journeys and my spinal cord injuries,but haven’t been brave enough to do it plus money to pay for it is tight. Plus I wouldn’t know where to put it due to my many scars and the fact that I have severe nerve damage and chronic pain and it could tip my pain tolerance level and make it worse which I definitely don’t want. The tattoo on the back of your arm hurts more than on the back of the neck and near your ears because you have more nerve endings on the back of your arms. If I do get a tattoo it will be a butterfly 🦋 with the word Believe.

Hi Romee, I am not that fond of tattoos. But I really like the one you ánd your friend put. They are really pretty and with so much meaning. I love the design! Normally I most of the designs are to heavy, but this one is fragile and feminin (in the positive way!) I hope you will always love it. And will give you strengh when you need it.

Ey Romee, still tattooless. I have depression PTSD , chronic insomnia and 22q11 syndrome. I am chronically ill. So I would like a semicolon tattoo. I was just told this week that I will probably need to start taking more meds so my journey will not stop either. You inspired me again. Thank you. Groetjes van je landgenoot Heleen

Your tatoo looks good and holds a significance for you. I should have realised that you are still going through a lot and I hope that you have a great week.

I love your tattoo. Thrilled for your friend too. I have NO tats. Im in my late 60s too. My 3 kids all have them (1 deceased Dec 20).

I got toothpaste and body wash with your discount near last christmas and I love them! okay I'm getting more

I have a studio Ghibli sleeve. It’s to remind myself that although a lot of things have changed I’m still me. I loved Ghibli films since I was a very young girl, I still go back and watch them regularly now. It’s a nostalgic feeling for me, it’s about growth and not forgetting where you came from :) Then I have a floral piece over my chest, I have an insane love for flowers, they make me genuinely happy (and not much does these days) so i got it close to my heart at all times now. Your tattoo looks super cute.

Hi Romee, so happy you put that tatoo on your am on my b-day. I hope you will be so happy with it. I wish you well in everything you have to go true. Hope you had a very nice flippin day!

I am 52 and got my first tattoo 4 years ago. I had the very best cat in the world for 17 years. He had a massive seizure and we had to put him to sleep. Before we did that we inked his paw prints. I have them tattooed on my inside, upper, left arm. I got the tattoo there so that he is forever in my arms and always near my heart. His absence is still felt very much but I love to see his little feet and I love to feel that I still carry him with me ❤️😻😁

I'm so happy to see you doing so well.

I do! A little sunflower (the flower that represent Sarcoma) I got whilst in Tenerife on my Make a Wish holiday- love your tattoo Romee!

both of your tattoos are gorgeous!

It’s beautiful, I have one for struggling with OCD and depression. Love, hugs and prayers to you sweet girl🥰🙏🏼♥️❣️❣️❣️❣️

i've not gotten it yet. but i had surgery a view years ago that allowed me to walk painfree again. the scars are fading but i want to tattoo them so i always have them

If ya'll haven't tried these Native body washes, please do! I got mine through Romee's vlog and OMG you'll never believe how good they smell and my skin was immediately so soft. Okay, gotta watch the video but just had to say something about Native!!!

One shamrock ☘️ for my 50th birthday. My one and only sibling had just died of Parkinson’s complications and I wanted our Irish strength symbolized.

My 1st (and only, so far) is a dragonfly on my forearm. After my grandma passed I would see a dragonfly every time I thought of her and the body & head of the dragonfly is a semi-colon for my never ending battle.

Love your tattoo design. You turned a negative into art ♥️

I love your tattoo I love that it's so personalized to you. Good luck with the dental work!

I want to get a tattoo on the base of my head. My dog died due to old age/leukemia and i learnt so much from his will power; him living at the moment and also about love and friendship. I want him always with me and the things he teached me.

Wisdom teeth removal. Fun times. You've been through worse though, so... yay? Definitely yay tatoo! It looks fantastic and the artist obviously takes her job seriously (with gloves, cleanliness and all that), so yay her too!

I got 2 cancer journey tattoos and I have a few more....not done yet. I want to finish adding to my arm for a sleeve. Your tattoo is really nice!!! I want a sunflower 🌻 too love them!!!! Hugs to you!!

Looks great Romee🌹🌻they’re addicting!

Beautiful tattoo!! Love seeing part of Amsterdam during your adventure 💕

I don’t have a tattoo of my cancer journey yet. I have 3 other tattoos though , a red rose for my mom I lost her when I was 25, a butterfly and a dream catcher. I don’t regret any of them I love them all.

That is a pretty tattoo. June 14th will be 4 yrs I finished my chemo. I did in alone as I don't have family nearby. Wishing you life long remission.

I have no tattoos but if I decide to I had open heart surgery about 4 Years ago, which was pretty life changing. I've seen several peoples heart surgery tattoos and I'm not wanting to get one. I have a big scar which is a reminder. It's faded nicely. Enjoy your tattoo. It looks nice.

I have 2 tattoos with a double meaning. I have 'weirdo' on my left arm and 'warrior' on my right. Together, they're relating to a Norwegian singer, Aurora, who helped me through some of the tougher times in my life and reminded me I wasn't alone, her fans are known as the 'warriors & weirdos'. Separately, Warrior reminds me of the fight through mental health struggles and daily struggles of having a chronic illness. Its sort of a reminder of how strong I am in the days where I don't feel like I can push through. Weirdo was a word that hurt me, a word I was called in school which directly impacted my mental health, Its sort of an acceptance that I am weird, and thats ok, because we are all different.

You got it on one of the most sensitive places. They look great by the way. 🙏💜

So beautiful. God bless you ❤️❤️❤️

Love your tattoo Romee it's meaningful to you and pretty also. I also love your friends tattoo. I'm a tattoo virgin, but have wanted one for sometime now. I have ill health and hospital is my second home, but I stay strong as it doesn't define who I am. 😊 Of course the wheels come off sometimes, so I want a tattoo as a reminder of my journey and that I shall keep pushing on. I want mine to incorporate a lotus and an arrow, as a symbol of going forward. I've been distracted with health 'stuff', but after watching this today am super inspired to get it done finally. Thankyou lovely. 🌻

You got it in a tender spot!!