[00:00:00] Adam Walker: From Susan G Komen, this is Real Pink, A podcast exploring real stories, struggles, and triumphs related to breast cancer. We’re taking the conversation from the doctor’s office to your living room.
[00:00:17] This is Real Talk, a podcast conversation where we’re digging deep into breast cancer and the realities patients and survivors face every day. We’re talking openly and honestly about just how difficult breast cancer can be from being diagnosed to selecting the right treatment plan, to living day-to-day with metastatic breast cancer and life after treatment ends.
[00:00:38] Just like each person is unique, each person’s breast cancer is also unique. Your breast cancer treatment, your body, your breast shape, and your lifestyle affect your reconstruction options. Women who undergo a mastectomy and do not have nipple reconstruction surgery can consider a 3D tattoo to create the look of the nipple and areola.
[00:01:00] This procedure can give the reconstruction breast a more natural look and can often help hide some of the mastectomy scars, which can sometimes provide closure and additional confidence. The loss of your natural breasts can cause many emotions, including grief, vulnerability, and an overall concern about your appearance.
[00:01:20] Laurel Pointer always knew that breast cancer was a possibility with a strong family history and a confirmed CHEK2 gene mutation. In July, 2024, Laurel was diagnosed with stage one invasive lobular carcinoma, and immediately knew that she wanted a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction. Shannon Michelson has been Laurel’s coworker and close friend for the past six years.
[00:01:44] As soon as Laurel got the news of an irregular mammogram, the two were immediately on the phone, and Shannon has been a part of Laurel’s support team every step of the way. Laurel recently went through the final step of her reconstruction by getting 3D nipple tattoos with Shannon by her side. These two are committed to supporting each other and the breast cancer community.
[00:02:05] And today we’re here to talk about what the procedure was like and the emotions that came along with it. Laurel, let’s start with you. We’d love to hear about your breast cancer story, and when you finish, Shannon, we’d love to hear about your experience from the supporters’ perspective.
[00:02:21] Laurel Pointer: So, yeah, thank you Adam.
[00:02:23] Um, when I was diagnosed in July, um, and immediately knew that I wanted to do the bilateral mastectomy and to then do the reconstruction, um, Shannon was one of the first people I called, um, at work we’re known as Lannon. We are so close, um, as friends and coworkers that they just kind of meshed us together and gave us a celebrity name.
[00:02:45] So, um, it was fun to have her with me along the journey because she knew what I was dealing with. She, um, could give me a great perspective. And when it was time to do the nipple tattoo, I mean, there was nobody else that I wanted in the room. I called her and I said, this is crazy. And she said, I don’t even care what you’re about to say, I’m in.
[00:03:04] So Shannon, Thank you for always being right there and being in.
[00:03:09] Shannon Michaelson: Of course, of course. I was so honored when you asked me to come to your appointment. I mean, you know, I’d really tried to support you as much as I could from afar, but for you to trust me with something so intimate was just really special and
[00:03:27] I looked at it as a tangible way for me to be able to love you, um, and being, you know, San Antonio and Dallas aren’t that far apart, but they’re far enough away that I just couldn’t get to you most of the time, and I hated that. So, um, you know, the way that you carry yourself with so much strength and class and just faith, um, inspires me
[00:03:50] constantly. And you know, I feel like this breast cancer journey like heightened that for you. Um, you know, and so I was just really happy to be able to be a small part of this. Plus I, I mean, you know, I’m very honest and have no problem speaking my mind, so I think you thought maybe I was a good person to have around, a handy person to have around.
[00:04:12] So.
[00:04:14] Laurel Pointer: Yeah, absolutely. I mean, just, you know, the support that the whole office team gave me, but then, you know, you and a couple of the other girls, just really being that sounding board and knowing that I could text you and the group chat made all the difference. Um, and that we even continued that group chat into my, um, tattooing appointment.
[00:04:34] Um, it made it not so scary and it made it so much more fun. Um, you know, and it was one of those things that I knew it was gonna be, I. Kind odd and uncomfortable sitting in that room, you know, with your shirt off with a stranger. Um, you know, working on me, um, and actually being conscious, you know, because for a lot of that I was unconscious with the surgeries and all that sort of thing, so it wasn’t as different.
[00:04:58] So when they offered up, instead, you can bring a friend. You’re the first person I thought of because of your honesty and you can always make me laugh through everything. So, I mean, I remember standing in dressing rooms in Dillard’s and trying on, you know, dresses and you’re like, Nope, not that one. Nope, not that one, you know, kind of thing.
[00:05:19] And then going, here’s the perfect one. So I knew you would be the perfect person, um, when it. We’ll get into all of this, but when they were asking, you know, color and size and height and, you know, all those things that, um, I needed that second opinion and I knew you were gonna be completely honest with me because you knew it was gonna be with me forever.
[00:05:42] Um, and you weren’t gonna leave me astray. So, um, and I knew we’d laugh the whole entire time too, which we did.
[00:05:49] That’s the fun part of it.
[00:05:52] Shannon Michaelson: So, we did, um, just to bring everyone up to speed. We did a fundraiser at work to help raise some money for Laurel when she was going through treatment. Um, and when she called a group of us to share that she was gonna use some of the money for this so we could always be close to her heart, I was like, oh God, I love that.
[00:06:11] And all just comes full circle. Right. Um, and at that same call is when you shared, um, Perky’s website. And said, guys, log on and look at this. And I was floored and I don’t know what I thought. I guess I’d never really thought too much about it. Like I don’t know if I thought people got other tattoos, like a heart or a star or something to cover up scars in that area.
[00:06:38] But I was not aware of the amazingness that these ladies create and like how realistic. I literally could not tell the difference of which pictures. Real areolas and nipples and which ones were tattooed. Like literally couldn’t tell the difference. And that was mind-boggling to me.
[00:06:57] Laurel Pointer: Yeah, it was for me too because, you know, even with our family history of breast cancer, um, you know, my great aunt got tattoos and I remember her saying, Hey, I got my tattoos today.
[00:07:08] Do you want to see them? And I’m like, no, I really don’t. There’s just something about crossing that line with your great aunt who is in her seventies. I just, I for some, I, I couldn’t go there. Um, and then my mom chose not to do it and so I had no idea what they really looked like. And when, um, I was discussing with my, um, surgical oncologist, um, and she said, Hey, are you gonna get tattoos after
[00:07:36] you know, the mastectomy. I said, I think I want to. And she’s like, oh my gosh, go to hello perky.com. You know, and I opened it up and like you, I was floored. Like I had no idea that they looked so real and that they could match skin color and do every ethnicity possible kind of thing um, and made it look so natural.
[00:07:58] Um. It’s, it’s amazing. And I was like, okay, this I’m totally into because, um, you know, I didn’t want to look like Barbie forever. Um, I wanted, you know, and, and having nothing there. Um, and now that I’ve got them, you know, when I get outta the shower and look in the mirror, I forget, you know, that they’re not real.
[00:08:21] Um, which is a great thing. Um, because I didn’t, you know, I was worried that they were the color of, you know, your normal tattoos, you know, the greens and the blues. And then when I found out that no, they match everything, it, it was shocking.
[00:08:35] Shannon Michaelson: Being a guest on the podcast is just a bonus to talk about this. We can share this with goodness, with so many people.
[00:08:42] Um, so I want to talk, let’s start with like the lead up to your appointment. Let’s start with like the before and then tell about the appointment and then the after maybe. Um, so you kind of already talked about this, but you knew off the bat, like immediately that you wanted to do this, right? Like, it wasn’t like your provider came to you and said, Hey, I have an idea.
[00:09:00] Right?
[00:09:01] Laurel Pointer: Right. So, um, you know, I had heard about it and um, and I thought, yeah, I want to look as natural as possible. And so when my doctor said, here’s where you need to go, you know, she, um, she said, look at the site. And when I saw it, there was absolutely no doubt. Um. But you’re right. All the lead up to it with all of the, um, questions and things
[00:09:24] because I did, um, shortly after, um, my mastectomy, I did, um, like a preview or, um, you know, an initial meeting with the people at, at Perky, um, and got to meet, um, a phenomenal, uh, woman named Courtney, um, who ended up doing my tattoo. She’s one of two nurses that are there, um, at the site. And I love the fact that they were oncology nurses who saw the need for this, um, and realize that not everybody can have it done just in a doctor’s office and that it doesn’t get the same treatment or, um
[00:10:02] they can’t cater to you there like they can in their own building. And so when they chose to do their own practice. Um, so she started asking me questions about, well, you know, do you want them the same size and color that they were before? And I honestly, and this is the one that floors me and floors all my friends, um, you know, she said, you know, what color were they?
[00:10:24] What size were they? As a woman and in my fifties, I honestly could not tell you what exact color they were and what size they were. I mean, I, it’s just part of you. And I just never paid that much attention to that. So that led to a very awkward conversation that I had to have. I went, I had an appointment a few days later with my, um, plastic surgeon and I said, Hey, I know y’all took before pictures.
[00:10:53] Can I get those so that I can at least look and see if I want the same size and color? And they said, okay, you’re not the first person to ever ask us this question, so don’t feel uncomfortable, but you’re gonna have to go down to medical records where we keep all of that stuff and have the conversation with them.
[00:11:12] So yet another stranger, I’m sitting there going, hi, this is a strange request and I’m filling out the paperwork. The lady was so lovely, um, and so discreet with it because you know, you’re sitting right next to another stranger and you’re talking about your nipples and areolas, and I’m like, these are conversations I never thought in a million years I would have.
[00:11:35] Um, and so she printed them out in color for me. She put them in a nice vanilla envelope so that nobody else had to see them. And then I went home and looked at them and I’m like, okay, well, looking at everything else that’s on the site. No, I, I don’t want this size, I don’t want this color. I would like to go a little darker, you know?
[00:11:56] And then when I started asking my friends like, do you know your size and color? Nobody could answer that. Like, you laughed at me and a couple of our other coworkers laughed out loud. Um, so it was just so strange to have those conversations. But, um, you know, I knew immediately that I wanted to do it, so we had already booked the appointment and because you have to wait like three months after, um, after your final, um, reconstruction surgery.
[00:12:26] So after they took the expanders out and put in, um, you know, everything else, um. And sewed me back up three months later, I could then have the appointment because I want to make sure that everything goes into the right shape, that you’re not swollen, that you’re not tender, um, so that everything will be an easier point when you get to the tattooing part.
[00:12:48] Shannon Michaelson: Yes. That those stories were so funny. And my, the other part of that that I love is of course being me, I was like, well, just ask your husband, ask him what they looked like.
[00:12:57] Laurel Pointer: Right. He’s like, honestly, Laurel, I don’t know that I was looking at the color. And I’m like, well, good. We’re on the same page there.
[00:13:05] So again, really awkward conversations. You know, we’ve been married 27 years, but never discussed, you know. My nipples or the colors of my a, um, I mean, it’s just one of those things you don’t talk about and especially, you know, I mean our moms never talked about that with us. It just wasn’t polite in society to have those conversations.
[00:13:29] And so now I feel like, you know, everything is free range and I am totally off the rails having conversations and here I am doing a podcast about it, which don’t tell my mother, but we’re gonna do this. You know, because everybody needs to know about it and know that these things are options.
[00:13:46] Shannon Michaelson: Okay, so I want to tell, let’s get to the day of the appointment.
[00:13:48] Okay. So we walk in and Laurel had already been there, but I walk in and this office is so cute. I mean, just warm and inviting and very thoughtfully decorated with bright colors and this amazing mural and like really cute boob decor everywhere. I mean stuff you could never, you could imagine that could be a boob.
[00:14:10] It’s like, it’s so tastefully done, but so cute and adorable, really comfortable, really clean. Um, I think they kind of merged like medical expertise with making it feel like a spa is kind of how I would describe it. Right, totally. So right when we walked in, Courtney started going over paperwork with you, like so organized, start talking about payment insurance.
[00:14:35] And I’m gonna be honest, I was really shocked at the price.
[00:14:39] Laurel Pointer: Were you? I was too. Like I felt, um, you know, they charge, um, for one breast it’s $500 or for two it’s 750. And I thought that, it’s the bargain of a lifetime. Like I have, I mean, again, I’ve never had a tattoo before, so I don’t know how much a lot of them cost, but I know depending upon the size and the colors and you know, they can get rather expensive.
[00:15:03] So when I heard $750 and that I’m living with these forever, I thought it was a great deal. Um, and you know, and so it was. I wasn’t sure if insurance was gonna cover it or not. Um, because there so many questions with that… some insurance Companies think of you know, uh, cosmetic surgery, it is not like I want everybody to understand that it’s part of your health.
[00:15:30] It is part of your wellbeing, you know, mentally and physically. It’s, and it’s, it’s not just a cosmetic thing. I’m not going and getting, you know, Botox or I’m not going and getting, you know permanent eyeliner. I’m taking care of my body to make it look more like it did before, um, before the surgery. Um, and to think that some people don’t cover that and then, you know, other, because it’s out of, you know, their independent, um, office.
[00:16:01] It’s not considered in network. And so therefore you roll the dice of um, you know, if they’re gonna cover it or if they’re not. Um, and so the fact that it was so cheap, and I think that’s a lot of why they have such reasonable prices, is they know that it’s something very important to women after surgery and that it’s not always gonna be accessible through, um, their healthcare provider.
[00:16:30] Shannon Michaelson: Right. And well, and I loved that they gave you a letter that you could mail off to the insurance company, talking about like why this should be covered, why it’s medically necessary, the emotional impact of losing a part of your body and, and how this can help you feel more whole again, like I just, I thought that was such a great touch to kind of give you the tools to be able to do that. Right?.
[00:16:52] Right. Um, and they’re both registered nurses and, you know, they get it. Um, you know, and really their hope, like you said, is just to restore confidence and beauty and quality of life and want to help people thrive after cancer. Um. We only met one of the artists that was there because the other one was on maternity leave.
[00:17:12] But Crystal, who was on maternity leave, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer right before her 45th birthday. So she has a really personal connection. Um, you know, and they just, they, they really take care of this work and of everyone that walks through that door, you can just tell, you can just feel it.
[00:17:29] Laurel Pointer: Yeah, I mean, the fact that they hug you on the way in and they hug you on the way out, and they know that it is for a lot of women, it is such an emotional change. Um, and you know, they come in unsure and then once they look down and, and that the tears just flow because you feel whole again in so many ways.
[00:17:50] Um, and they get that and they understand that. And the fact that they do that day after day is just amazing.
[00:17:57] Shannon Michaelson: Okay, so. Let’s talk process. Okay. So at this point Laurel puts on a robe. They ask if she wants a blanket. Laurel brought the biggest snack package you have literally ever seen in case you needed something salty.
[00:18:10] In case you needed something sweet. It was great.
[00:18:13] Laurel Pointer: I, I knew we were gonna be there for a while and you don’t know what your body’s gonna crave. And so, uh, you know, a friend of mine, she’s like. Here’s what you need. And she told me what to put in the bucket. And so we found that great big pink bucket, you know, and then to find those, um, boob toothpicks, I thought was hysterical.
[00:18:33] Um, you know, and you can find anything on Amazon. And those were under the section four, like bachelorette parties. It was just so funny. So, you know, I wanted it to be as comfortable as possible. So yeah, I get the comfy robe, I get to get, um, in the chair. We cut down the bucket. Um, she makes sure that, you know, you had a chair and so that I could see you while all of this was going on.
[00:18:57] Um, she turned down the temperature. She asked what music we wanted to listen to, to make it really that experience and, you know. I knew it was gonna be an experience just going with you. And you know, even my husband Carl, who loves you to death, he’s like, oh, well when you, you know, when Lannon is together, it’s always an experience.
[00:19:18] So, you know, I was like, let’s make the most of this.
[00:19:22] Shannon Michaelson: Yeah, we did and we did. Okay. So we did. It was fun. Um, I was like, can I take a picture of you and I, I’m like, just be your feet. I promise to send to our group chat. Of course. Because she had on her pink converse for the day. Um, okay, so let’s, so the next part honestly was I don’t want to say the majority of the appointment.
[00:19:46] We spent so much time picking said colors and size and placement and it was amazing how many different colors they have and mix custom colors and all that, right? So talk about that.
[00:19:58] Laurel Pointer: Yeah. So, um, you know, she said that, you know, when you’re doing it in a, a medical facility, you know, with your healthcare provider, there are usually only five or six of the inks to choose from.
[00:20:10] And so you might not get the right mix. And they had what, 21, 22 different, um, colors so that they could match your skin tone and then, uh, and make sure that it looks pretty on it, you know, and then. We were picking, I said, okay, I want to go more in the darker pinks and browns versus the light. And then like you said, she all of a sudden is sitting there and she’s like, well, this one’s pretty.
[00:20:32] And then, oh, if we mix this one and this one together, you know, and the fact that they could do that. And then, you know, once we decided on color. It was the placement and that part was the one that had me laughing the hardest. And again, why I am so glad I brought you, because you know, she’s looking at, um, the placement and first of all, I’m like, oh, why is it so far up?
[00:20:57] And she is like, remember, they’re not down anymore. They’re now up. And so you want to move those up. You’re just used to looking at them from, you know, when they’ve been sagging for all these past few years. And I was like, oh yeah. Like it didn’t even dawn on me, you know, to lift some up. And then when it was, you know, do we go up a millimeter?
[00:21:18] Do we go to the side a millimeter? And this is where, thank goodness you were with me. because we all know. I can’t do anything straight in my life. Like I can’t have a picture straight. I can’t just draw a straight line. I can’t cut a piece of paper straight. I can’t do anything straight. So to have you there to go, mm, no little again, and it was, it was down to the millimeters.
[00:21:38] You were like a millimeter to the right and then a millimeter up. And I’m like, who? You know, it’s, we spent, I mean, a good 20 minutes just lining them up to the right place in size.
[00:21:50] Shannon Michaelson: Right and measuring and like what actually was measured to be exactly perfect. We were, you know, kind of standing back like, can you walk over there for a second so we can see this?
[00:21:59] And it gave the illusion based on how your implants were. That it wasn’t even like it was if you measure it, but we’re like, no, that one has to go a little higher and no, that needs to go a little lower and the shape a little bigger and smaller. I mean, it was in, she had, I think she had a Sharpie, right?
[00:22:17] And she was drawing them on so you could physically see on your body what it looked like. And it was, it was amazing how much, just the slightest little bit would change the overall appearance. Um, so yeah, we spent a long time doing that. And then it was like, do you want ripples?. You want the dots, do you want to make it look natural?
[00:22:35] We’re like, we can do that.
[00:22:38] Laurel Pointer: Right. You know, and you know, and the depth that she could put in it. And then she was like, oh, well it needs a little white and a nipple. And I’m like, white. But then when she did it, like it popped and like, you know, I had, um one of my best friends for all these years. She saw them, um, she saw my breast last weekend and she’s like, it looks like you could pinch it.
[00:22:59] It is so natural looking. And I’m like, I know, but I promise you they’re flat.
[00:23:04] Shannon Michaelson: So you did the 3D, like the flat that, but it gives the illusion that there’s a nipple, but they also do 4D, which is cool because if your surgeon creates that, they then can tattoo that. Um, they could cover tattoo scars, like tattoo your scars.
[00:23:20] They could tattoo eyebrows. Some other really cool things that I never in a million years would even imagine, like how you put skin color in your scar and make that less noticeable. Yes.
[00:23:29] Laurel Pointer: And so, and you know, and the other part, the question I get a lot is, did it hurt? And I’m like, no, because, you know, I still don’t have sensation there.
[00:23:38] Because the nerves are still, you know, regenerating and coming back together so I can feel, you know around. But when she was tattooing, I didn’t even know she was touching me, which I hear tattoos are painful. So I was really grateful that I couldn’t feel a thing.
[00:23:53] Shannon Michaelson: I think I asked you that 80 times in those couple hours.
[00:23:56] Can you feel it? Can you feel it yet? Does it hurt? They’re like, no. Can I have a Starburst?
[00:24:04] Laurel Pointer: Oh, we brought snacks. So needed to try some out.
[00:24:07] Shannon Michaelson: Yes. Okay. So are you, so I’d say overall you’re happy that I went with you. You’re happy you brought a friend. You would recommend that, as opposed to just going by yourself.
[00:24:16] Yes.
[00:24:17] Laurel Pointer: So. You know, it could be, you know, rather uncomfortable just to be in a room with a stranger doing that by yourself. And then I, you know, do you talk, do you not, do you run outta conversations? And then of course, you and I are peppering her with a million questions. Um, because we want to know the whole process.
[00:24:35] We want to make sure that we can share the information, you know, and I think it’s some people choose to bring a best friend. Some people choose to bring their husband. Um, you know, the story she told us about how the husband wanted his wifes to match his, that was, we’re like, oh, okay. I’m like, I, I, yeah. I’m like, he wanted her to have the same colors, you know?
[00:24:59] And then Courtney is sitting there saying, uh, you know. I don’t know that that’s right because her skin tone is very different than your skin tone. Right. So, so professional about it. Right? Very professional about it. But you know, like you and I are like busting out laughing. We couldn’t have ever been in the room for those conversations.
[00:25:17] Uh, because we are both those people that if it’s a serious situation, we can’t sit next to each other because both get in trouble laughing. So, um, you know, so, but to ask her all the questions along the way and, um, you know, and see how, you know, they made sure that they had the colors, they made sure that, you know, that they had the right people in the room and yeah.
[00:25:39] Um, I think it’s great to have a friend, um. My husband went with me a couple times to my plastic surgeon’s appointments, and that was already a little uncomfortable in and of itself, you know, because I’m sitting there with another man like marking me up and touching me and, and you know, Carl’s like, don’t forget you go home with me.
[00:25:58] And I’m like, of course I do. You know? And so I didn’t, I wanted to spare him this one, you know? And then, um, also I wanted your honest opinion, um, because, you know. He is so precious and so sweet, he’s gonna go, well, whatever you want. You know, he does that with my haircuts, he does that with my makeup.
[00:26:18] Whatever makes you happy. Um, and I needed somebody who was going to not filter and give me everything I really needed. Um, and that’s exactly why, you know, you are one of, you are the first person that came to mind that you’re the one I want in the room. There wasn’t anybody else that I could think of that I would want in the room because we are close enough to know that you even can read my face.
[00:26:41] I know what I’m really thinking and you, you’ll call me out on it when I need it. So likewise.
[00:26:49] Shannon Michaelson: Well, in the middle of this even you were like, oh, you gotta turn around and look at me. because I was like, I think mine are kind of small. And she’s like, actually not. And I like literally like whipped it out and the lady’s like, actually they’re, they’re, you know, I’d say average or a little bigger.
[00:27:02] And she like measured me and came over and it was really funny. Laurel was looking at me like, I can’t believe we’re doing this right now.
[00:27:10] Laurel Pointer: You know, women in Texas have bigger ones than women in the Northeast, like. Who knew, right? I mean, it was the oddest thing. Like I, I never thought that, you know, where you lived would have anything to do with the size that they were. But I know she said, you know, when she said that she’d done all of her training up in the northeast and how much smaller they were, and I, you and I are like, well, I guess everything’s bigger and better in Texas.
[00:27:35] So there you go.
[00:27:41] Shannon Michaelson: We talked about kind of how I saw them the day of, and then I want to talk about, I haven’t seen them since it’s been a few weeks. Like how different do they look and like, and kind of like what was your initial reaction and did that change when you got home and could see your body in private.
[00:28:00] Laurel Pointer: Yeah, it did change because, um, you know, I was looking down the whole entire time so I could see them.
[00:28:07] And then when she put, you know, the coverings over them while they were clear, you know, like to protect them, um, you know, while they were clear that she had already put, you know, uh some cream on them or some stuff. So to keep them from drying out and then put the film on them, they looked very different.
[00:28:30] And um, and they looked more cartoony to me in some ways. Um, and it wasn’t until, you know, two weeks later when I got to actually take, uh, the dressings off. Um, and I took the dressings off, I was in the showers to help peel them off. Um, and then when I got out of the shower and looked in the mirror, then I noticed, okay, they do look real.
[00:28:55] They don’t look as cartoony as I thought they did. Um, and it’s just that, you know, adjustment of, you know, one more thing to adjust to. You know, I went from my breast to having the Barbie breast basically with the scars across, and then we transitioned into this. It was just one more evolution in the process.
[00:29:18] Um, and now I look at them and I don’t think anything about it. Um, I have a touchup appointment on Monday. Um, to get one, one is a little lighter than the other and she said that could be a possibility and that’s why you have the follow up. Um, and, but my plastic surgeon saw them today because I had an appointment with him and him and he is like, these are fantastic.
[00:29:40] He goes, they’re at the right level. They look great. He goes, that’s why we send people there. Um, and that’s one thing I want people to know that just because I had it done here in San Antonio, you. She’s told us that people fly in from, you know, she’s had people from Washington State and from Atlanta and from all over.
[00:29:59] And because it’s so centrally located to the airport, you know, that it was 15 minutes to the airport that people can come in and have that done, um, and then fly back out. Um, but. It does change you emotionally. And I feel, I never felt like I wasn’t a whole woman because I know I am and I know that that was just a section.
[00:30:21] And I think having the reconstruction while I was having the mastectomy and having the, you know, the expanders put in when I woke up, I still had something. And so that made a difference in my mindset. And then now to have the tattoos there. You know, I’m back. I’m back to normal. I am now just dealing, you know, with the, taking the aromatase inhibitor for the next five years and doing shots for two years.
[00:30:50] But if you look at me, I feel so much better um, and, um so that, that helps the mindset. And you know, I talked to the plastic surgeon today about, I said, when did the scars start to fade? And he said, you’re pink for, you know, a good eight to 10 months, and then it’s gonna start to fade. And he goes, but in 18 months you’re gonna, you know, he goes, you’re not even gonna notice.
[00:31:18] And so I’m on the countdown for that. That’s my next mental step.
[00:31:24] Shannon Michaelson: I love that and the whole thing, I don’t know this to be true, but I would think knowing Carl, knowing your husband, he supports everything that you do. I mean, 1000000000%. Um, and I mean I’ve, you know, through interviewing enough survivors and you know, I’m, there is a
[00:31:46] time to, of getting used to your body on your own, your new normal, but there’s also time for your partner to like get you, it’s like your body has been through so much like I is, is it this kind of making it for him, kind of like, okay, we can put this behind us, or like, this is a kind of bad, or like, did, did he have any kind of emotions you didn’t expect about it or No?
[00:32:07] Laurel Pointer: No, and like, um, through this whole journey, the only emotion that I really saw with him, you know, because he’s so supportive and so sweet and it’s all about me, the only time that I saw him have any emotion was when the oncologist said, you’re not gonna have to have chemo. That’s when he teared up because he didn’t want me to have to go through that or for my body to go through that.
[00:32:30] But the rest of this, you know, he is like, Laurel, that’s not where I’m focused. You know? He is like, I’m focused on you. I’m focused on your heart, I’m focused on our relationship and that’s it. And, and that’s what I love about him. I know he’s fantastic.
[00:32:47] Shannon Michaelson: I’m going to speak for you and that this was kind of a great step in Oh, closure. Um, you’re ultimately, I would say, are you happy you did this?
[00:32:59] Laurel Pointer: Absolutely. Without a doubt. So, yeah. Like, again, because I feel like I, I look full again. Um, and I’m not that Barbie figure that we have all played with, so.
[00:33:13] Adam Walker: So last question I, I’d, I’d like to ask both of you, uh, because you’ve talked about a lot and, and it’s been an amazing conversation to listen to and I really appreciate the candor and the humor, uh, of it and, and can see the friendship that you have.
[00:33:27] That’s amazing. Um, and I guess, I guess what I, what I’ve asked you is like, what one thing related to this experience do you want our listeners to know from each of your perspectives?
[00:33:38] Laurel Pointer: I think for me is that you’re empowered as a breast cancer survivor. You can choose your journey. You can choose your path.
[00:33:49] Some people want to do reconstruction. Some people want to be flat. Some people want to, when they do the reconstruction, to not have the tattoos. That was my mom. But for me, it was important to have them because I’m at a younger age. Um, and that I’m, you know, I’m gonna live with that longer. Um, so it’s okay to choose your path and that there are resources, no matter what path you choose, um, and that Komen can help with that.
[00:34:20] Um, you know, we, we have, we work with all sorts of agencies and healthcare providers that can help you with that as well. So don’t feel, you know, use your voice and, and feel empowered to use that voice.
[00:34:35] Adam Walker: Shannon, what do you want to share?
[00:34:37] Shannon Michaelson: I think as a supporter, um, as a friend, I think I told Laurel off the bat.
[00:34:45] I just said, I don’t, I did all the things that I could think of to help. You know, we started a fundraiser, sent food, like, you know, what else can I do kind of thing. And I made it very clear from the beginning, please tell me what you need. Right? Like, it just at, at any point, like, do you need me? Do you need something?
[00:35:04] Do you need to do something here in Dallas? Like, how can I help you? And she said, I’m good for, she kept saying, I’m good for now. There’s, there’s nothing right now, but I will let you know. And the day that she picked up the phone and called me and said, I have this crazy idea, you know, and it was like, okay.
[00:35:17] That was, that was the place where she knew, I think along the way, like, okay, I can, I can raise my hand and, and ask for help here. So I think just, you know, off if, when you don’t know what to do sometimes or what to say, it’s just saying, I’m here. I’m here for whatever you need, raise your hand and I will run and be there.
[00:35:34] Um, is is sometimes the best way you can support someone.
[00:35:37] Laurel Pointer: Yeah and as the patient, you have to be able to ask for that help, you know? Um, and it’s okay to ask for that help, like in my head. I knew the strengths of all of my different friends, and so I could tell them, you know, I knew that I needed libby to cook me some homemade meals because she’s here in town and, you know, we were getting lots of DoorDash, um, from our friends in, in Dallas and around the country, but sometimes she didn’t need that homemade meal.
[00:36:10] So I knew I could ask Libby for that. Um, I knew, um, you know, with my best friend, I needed her here the week after my surgery so that she could help me wash and dry my hair and, and just sit on the couch with me and know that I didn’t have to entertain her because she was my best friend. Um, I knew if I was going to have to have chemo and if my hair was gonna fall out, I knew who I wanted to
[00:36:38] help buy me hats so that I could look cute. Um, and so, and then I knew when we got to this point that Shannon was my girl because she was gonna be unfiltered and she was gonna help. And she was, you know, there was no question. It was just that I need you. And I knew she’d be right there. So don’t be afraid to, you know, look at the strengths of your friends and family and figure out what you need.
[00:37:01] And then when they say it, write it down so that you know when it’s time to go back to somebody you know who to go to for what.
[00:37:08] Adam Walker: That is fantastic advice and that’s a great place for us to end. Uh, Laurel, thank you for sharing your story. Shannon, thank you for sharing your story. Thanks for joining us on the show today.
[00:37:18] Shannon Michaelson: Thank you.
[00:37:25] Adam Walker: Thanks for listening to Real Pink, a weekly podcast by Susan G Komen. For more episodes, visit real pink.komen.org. And for more on breast cancer, visit komen.org. Make sure to check out at Susan G Komen on social media. I’m your host, Adam. You can find me on Twitter at AJ Walker or on my blog adam j walker.com.