Still Breathing: A Story of Strength, Survival, and Ink
- Star Cam
- Nov 3
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 5
By Star Power Melo
The Story Behind the Ink
Inside my studio at Blakrose Artistry, the hum of the tattoo machine mixed with easy conversation and emotion that day. My client, Tykescaria, came in for a piece that carried deep personal meaning — a tattoo to honor her mother’s battle and victory over breast cancer.
When I asked her what inspired her to get this tattoo, her answer stopped me in my tracks.
“My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer last December,” she told me. “She just finished her chemo and radiation — and she’s now 100% cancer free. I felt like this was the perfect way to honor that journey.”
Her voice carried so much relief and love. She went on to tell me how her mom was doing — still in remission, back in physical therapy, regaining her strength, and most importantly, her joy. I could hear the pride in her voice when she said, “She’s getting active again. There’s been a lot of growth from that process.”
Finding Strength in the Struggle
As Tykescaria shared her story, I couldn’t help but think of my own mom. I told her how my mother also battled cancer — ovarian cancer — and how that experience changed my entire outlook on life.
When I first heard the word cancer, the only thing I felt was fear. My mom fought hard for four years but lost her battle in 2013. Losing her was the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through, but it taught me the value of awareness, self-care, and gratitude for every single day we’re given.
As Tykescaria and I talked, it was clear we shared the same understanding — that cancer doesn’t just affect the body; it reshapes families, relationships, and perspectives.
“When she first told me,” Tykescaria said, “I didn’t know how to react. I cried a lot, but I realized I had to be strong for her. I had to motivate her, remind her that this was temporary.”
That kind of strength — the quiet, persistent kind — is something I deeply admire.
Awareness and Early Action
We also talked about how important early detection is. Tykescaria told me something that hit hard:
“My mom had just been checked three months before she was diagnosed. At first, they thought it was just extra tissue. Three months later, it was stage two breast cancer.”
It’s frustrating and heartbreaking — how often that happens. I told her how, in my own experience, I’ve seen how medical systems can move too quickly, missing the deeper look until it’s too late. It’s why I always remind people: listen to your body, ask questions, and never settle for “it’s nothing” when you feel something’s off.
Designing the Tattoo
When it came to designing Tykescaria's piece, I wanted to create something that captured both her mom’s resilience and the beauty that came from her healing.
The tattoo features a graceful woman wrapped in a pink ribbon — the universal symbol for breast cancer awareness. Leaves cover her chest to represent protection and healing, and surrounding her are flowers for growth and new beginnings. Across her body are the words “Still Breathing.”
“When Tykescaria told me about her mom’s story,” I explained to her, “I immediately envisioned this woman who had been through something terrifying, yet still stands tall. She’s flowing, graceful, and alive. She’s still breathing — still here, still growing.”
The hearts in the design represent self-love and gratitude — for life, for strength, and for the people who carry us through the hardest days.
Love, Loss, and Gratitude
As we wrapped up the session, our conversation turned to something I often think about — love and gratitude.
If you’re blessed to have that kind of love from your mom, hold onto it and celebrate it. But even if you don’t, love yourself. That’s where healing really begins.
“You woke up today,” I told Tykescaria. “You’re already winning.”
When I finished the tattoo, she looked down at her skin and smiled. There was something so peaceful about it — like she could finally see her mom’s strength reflected in herself.
That’s the power of art. It heals, it honors, and it reminds us to keep going — one breath, one day at a time.
🌸 Blakrose Artistry Note
Tykescaria's story is a reminder that survival is worth celebrating — that scars, whether visible or not, are proof of resilience.
At Blakrose Artistry, I believe every tattoo has a heartbeat — a story worth being told through art.
If you or someone you love has walked through a similar journey and wants to commemorate it in a meaningful way, I’d be honored to help tell your story through ink.
📍 Book your session or consultation today at www.blakroseartistry.com
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