I'm currently completing my last year at uni. It's been a long tough journey for me, but I've made it this far. I couldn't have done it without help though. My family and friends have been there for me through a lot of depression, and there were times when I felt like giving it all up. I didn't though, and just yesterday I handed in my dissertation after much stressing and hard work (yay!).
At A Glance Author Jess Contact jess.beckett@ntlworld.com When A week ago Artist John Studio Access All Areas Location Nottingham, England A couple of months ago I was having a particularly rough patch, due to my medication being changed. I couldn't get out of bed, didn't want to see anyone, couldn't do anything. I couldn't face uni for a couple of weeks, but finally managed to get back to it again with the help of my mum and my new tablets finally kicking in.
I wanted something to remind me of all the hell I've been through trying to push myself through these last three years. I decided I wanted three new piercings, one to represent each year of uni I've completed. I wanted something that would hurt so it would be more symbolic, so on Monday, I got two out of the three done at my usual piercing shop. From reading various experiences here on BME and loving the unique look of them, I decided to go for a double anti-helix, two rings, one above the other.
There was no-one else in the shop when I arrived, so they were able to do it for me pretty much straight away. I followed the piercer upstairs and he sat me down on the bench to mark me up while everything was in the autoclave. He did a couple of dots with the iodine pen. These were slightly high, so after a bit of shuffling about we were all set. The autoclave beeped and he got everything out and set up ready. He bent two 1.6mm gauge needles to right angles for better manoeuvring, and sprayed me with Xylocaine (thank God! I'm such a wimp really). I lay down and braced myself.
He pushed the first needle through. I could feel the pressure he was having to use, but rather than pain, it was just uncomfortable. The second one took a lot more of his efforts to push through, and I must admit this hurt a bit more than the first one. I'm usually fine when I get piercings, but this time I felt I needed a break between the needle and jewellery! He put the rings through. This was the worst part, they felt really tight in the new holes, and he had to use a load of pressure again, I'm assuming it's due to the thickness of my cartilage. Finally they were in and I sat up and had a look in the mirror. They were perfect. As usual John had done his best to make sure they were straight and exactly where I wanted them. I followed him downstairs, paid, and went on my way.
Later on, the side of my face began to really hurt and didn't stop hurting like this for a couple of days. I can't really describe how much pain I was in, I've never experienced anything like this after a piercing. Although I must admit, I did want something painful! Every time I smiled, ate or opened my mouth wide it hurt so much due to the muscles in my face pulling on the rings. Luckily by the third day this had pretty much gone away. There was also a lot of swelling and a little bit of bruising. I didn't have too many problems sleeping on my ear though, as the piercings are sort of protected by the outside bit of my ear.
I haven't done much in the way of cleaning, just once a day, I believe in leaving my piercings to their own devices most of the day then using hydrogen peroxide to dissolve any crusties at night. So far, they seem to be doing fine, although there is a tiny bit of blood when I wake up in the morning, but seeing as though I don't stay very still when I'm asleep, I'm not too worried.
I love my new piercings and I intend to get the last of my three when I graduate in the summer to complete my reminder. I'm thinking of my daith or rook in my other ear.
I haven't been into mods for very long, a couple of years or so, but I find they help me to be me, I've never really felt whole, always as though there was something missing, until I began having various piercings, I'm currently up to 17! They've given me an identity. If anyone has any questions about this piercing, please email me, and I'll be glad to answer!