Alright, I'll admit it to anyone....I am not a needle person. I believe my first "bad" encounter with a needle was when I was about five years old. As long as I can recall, I do the same thing everytime I either need to get a shot, or my blood taken...I start to tear up, eventually get a good sob going, and start to shake enough to where in the past I have been restrained. I have never been pierced with a needle before(all my previous cartilage piercings were stretched from studs), and I was very nervous. I took it as a keen time to face a childhood fear when Billy offered me an Industrial one afternoon.
At A Glance Author ElectricZombie Contact tinifaerie@chickmail.com Artist Billy Studio Ancient Art Tattoo Location Charleston, West Virginia I wasn't going to go through with it at first, I was just too nervous. But, after Erin reassured me of Billy's ability, I agreed.
Besides, I have seen his work before, and I knew I could trust him.
I was quite honestly embarrassed, because I knew I was going to freak out, just like I have done since I can remember. He explained everything very clearly before he began, and answered all of my many questions. By this time I was gulping. He then proceeded to remove my jewelry, clean it, and mark his spots. I was starting to clam up, and began to ramble on about past experiences with my enemy the needle.
I started to make myself nervous, thinking about all the times I have freaked out in the doctor's office, in the hospital, or at home. I can't even watch someone get stuck by a shot. I thought about being little with my fanny in the air balling my eyes out. All the times my mother let my hold her hand when I recieved shots when I was a child. It was a battle every single time I had to get a shot. I started thinking about the time I was throwing such a fit that they(two nurses) had to place me in a high chair with a strap. I remember my mother coming home from the hospital, and the IV wasn't pulled from her wrist. My father pulled it out, and left it on my bedside table(she was resting in my room), crusty and red. It further enhanced my fear.
When I was around eight, my mother wanted to show me how easy it was to get your lobes pierced with a stud gun at the mall. Something went wrong, and I can remember blood crawling down her neck from both sides while she tried to smile, telling me it didn't hurt. I just started crying. I really hate needles. Thats all I kept repeating to myself while Billy was preparing.
Billy sat me down and began to tell me about his experiences with needles as a child, and did his best to reassure me until I was calm again. He even gave me hugs, which in my opinion, is a very important thing. He held my hand for a bit, and told me to relax. By this time I was in his chair, awaiting my own little personal hell called my childhood fear. Thats when the tears came, which turned into a sob. I felt like a little baby, and was terribly embarrassed. He told me to breathe, which helped me relax again, and when I was ready, he began.
I yelped like a pairie dog when I felt the needle push through, and started to kick my legs. I did everything someone in my position shouldn't do. I started to sob alittle, but the pain wasn't as bad as I pushed myself to believe. Billy was very careful to wait for me to calm myself before proceeding, which I was thankful for. After the second prick against my ear, which was more painful than the first, I squealed and grabbed(poor Billy, I'm sorry) his arm! Jesus! Like that would help anything! When I realised what I was doing I let go, and spouted off about how sorry I was. He brushed it off as nothing, and smiled. He never once made me feel uncomfortable about my actions. What a relief. He put my 14g barbell in place, wiped off my blood, and put the rest of my jewelry back in. He helped me up, and patted my hand.
I gave him a hug, and thanked him for treating me respectfully, even while I threw my fit. Billy did a wonderful job, and I loved the way my piercing turned out. I know it is only a piercing, but to me it was facing my biggest fear since childhood. I still can't believe I didn't pass out right in the middle of it. I can't thank Billy enough for being so gentle and understanding about how I felt. It really made a difference. Horray for Billy!