Last year,, I had a failed rook piercing in my right ear that resorted in serious infection and the threat of actually having to have an operation in order to remove the jewellry... Most people would learn from such mistakes but call me whatever you like, not me!
At A Glance Author Megan Contact Megan@bme.anon When A week ago Studio Essential beauty Location Tea Tree Plaza, South Australia I was so devestated when I had to remove that piercing. Oh how I cried my little heart out... But I figured whatever doesnt kill me can only make me stronger. I was too shaken for a while to re pierce my rook immediately so I compromised with myself by adding a forward helix and an antitragus to my right ear. Having no problems whatsoever with these piercings, I slowly regained my confidence and decied to what the heck, go for it once more.
I usually dont plan on getting piercings as I am a bad one for anxiety so I end up chickening out. Im one of those people that while I have the guts to go for something I have to do it then and there before I miss my chance.
I was driving home from a job interview (which went very well) and this feeling of confidence jolted me into a piercing mood. I pulled up to my local mall, where my usual piercer is. There was a bit of a kerfuffle in the car park because a little girl had just been hit by a car. My maternal instincts got the best of me so I ran over to her to help. This little girl was ever so brave, not even crying but was obviously in a lot of pain- as you would be, heck she had just been hit by a speeding car and thrown superman style into the air with nothing short of fantastical acrobatics. As I am training to be a nurse, I gave her a quick checkover before the ambulance arrived. Luckily the girl was okay, the driver of the car was not so fortunate as he was subjected to quite a physical lesson from the little girls father. Where is this going you ask? Well, the little girls name was Nikkita, and her bravery inspired me... It inspired me to take nothing for granted. It inspired me to combat my fears. It inspired me to go through with my proposed piercing. I dedicate this piercing to her. Nikkita, this is for you.
Once Nikkita was safely on her way to the hospital, I ventured off in the general direction of the piercer! There were quite a few "hazards" in the way, such as a doctors clinic, which I am sure would advise me not to do what I intended, but that didnt stop me. I was doing this and that was that!
Essential beauty is a clean little shop which specialises in piercings, waxing, spray tanning and nails- this level of diversity would usually put serial piercers off, but I assure you the workers there are not multi tasking. They each specialise in one thing and one thing only. The piercers dont simply pierce as a "Side" thing. They are a piercer and that is that.
I met with my lady piercer and discussed my failed rook piercing with her. I told her that I was keen to try again only this time I would not BANG IT WITH A TELEPHONE! I had recently suffered with a bout of cystitis (bladder infection, im sure youd like to know) and I had a repeat of anti biotics should anything go awry. We discussed jewellry and placement etc. Seeing as my failed piercing was done with a curved barbell, I decided that this time I might try my luck with a 16g cbr. And me, being difficult decided on the teeny tiniest one available, much to my piercers dismay as these are harder to place. I figured I'm paying for it so I might as well get exactly what I want! I am a frek for the colour pink so I picked out the most gorgeous titanium cbr with a pink crystal sparkling wonderfully inside it. It was so magnificent, a true light harnessing prism- I just had to have it! My other piercings (nose, tragus, anti tragus, forward helix, standard lobes and nipple) were all of the pretty in pink variety and this one would compliment all of those nicely. My only fear would be that the proposed piercing would somewhat "outstage" my others, but I decided that there is nothing wrong with having a "centrepiece" piercing.
So while my piercer was setting up in her little torture room, I went off for a Coke fix. My name is Megan Hurley and I am addicted to coke. Coca Cola that is. The Coke sent a warm, sugary caffeinated buzz through my body, and what best to compliment that surge than with a nice dose of nicotine! Whilst indulging, random thoughts were invading my head. The memory of the pain my last rook piercing caused me. The last medical bill. What if it gets infected again? What will work say? (like I care?!?) My divine self was able to channel those thoughts into a very positive "To hell with it!" and my personal overused quote of "Who Cares?"
My last puff on my cigarette realeased a high rush of adrenaline through my body, its a feeling so hard to explain. My every being was prepared for this moment. This piercing. I was about to endure pain in order to highten my sense of spirituality. "This is my body, my temple and I shall decorate it with metal to my hearts content!"
Nothing brings me closer to my divine self then as my parents put it, "mutilating" my body.
With confidence, I strided back into the salon. All was prepared. The piercer placed a tiny dot on the ridge of my ear and asked me to check it in the mirror. I felt a surge of pride, I felt like an expecting mother about to see her child for the first time. It was just perfect.
I lay on the hospital like bench, with my hands tucked neatly under my bottom so as not to violently assault the piercer while embarking on my soul quenching journey. She cleaned off my ears with some antisptic wipes and placed a recieveing tube in my ear. My piercer explained to me that because I had chosen such a small cbr, she would have to pierce me with a higher gauge needle ie: 14 g so the ring would slide in smoothly. I knew that this would cause immense bleeding and being the sadomist I am, I embraced that idea. The needle went in. Mild discomfort. Didnt even flinch, let alone fear that I may bash her one over the head in pain. How very disappointing. My last rook piercing was that painful that tears were shamefully streaming down my face, my fingers white from being clenched tightly into a fist. This time? No. I wondered how the same experience could possibly cause two different sensations. But then I realised that just maybe, my mindset was just one step closer to nirvana- perhaps I was rising to a higher spiritual plane that I originally thought? Maybe Coke, my drug of choice was still running through my veins in its high calorie glory? Whatever the reason, I felt almost numb to the pain- both physically and emotionally. My bastard ex boyfriend woes just slipped away and I felt nothing but content for the little piece of metal randomly poking out of my ear.
After a few seconds of fiddling. I was ready to confront the mirror and see the new, transformed, enlightened me. And oh how beautiful I looked.
After running through some basic care instructions (which were quickly disregarded by me) I paid for my piercing which was to my delight half price that day (the universe was definately working for me that day!). What did it cost me for my new sense of satisfaction? $35 aus! Bargain! Spiritual enlightenment and a round piece of metal for the low cost of $35! Boy what a day!
My experience with piercings has lead me to firmly believe that the best after care method is none. I do not recommend this to others as I feel that I am part of only a slight minority that this after care technique works for. My after care merely consists of letting the shower head rinse off the piercing daily. Thats basically it. Being a tropical fish breeder, I have all of the equipment necessary to test the purity and bacteria levels of water, and after conducting tests with simple tap water from my area, I found that no bacteria was present- yay! Free after care- no harsh chemicals. Yet another bargain.
My life enhancing piercing took place less than one week ago, and every time I face a mirror, I cant help but glow with maternal pride for my offspring piercing. Oh how beautiful. My piercing to me is a symbol of hope. It is a symbol of Nikkitas bravery, a symbol of a turning point in my life to where I no longer dwell on that which I cannot change and have no control over. It is a symbol of acceptance and with that, the strength and determination to move on, to grow and to be more in touch with one's self.