In 2020, my world paused.
I was conscious and on the brink of something I never expected — a STEMI heart attack. If you’ve been through one, you’ll know what I mean when I say it changes everything. Your outlook. Your priorities. Your appreciation for a deep breath, a slow sunrise, or the kindness of paramedics and hospital staff when you’re most vulnerable.
This year, I’ll hit the 5-year mark. A major milestone in heart attack survival. One that, to be honest, I never fully imagined reaching in the immediate aftermath. And so I’ve been thinking… should I do something permanent to honour it?
More specifically — should I get a tattoo?
Why a Tattoo?
I’ve never had ink before. Not once. But something about this anniversary feels worthy of a mark. Something subtle, small, and deeply personal. I’m not talking about a full chest piece (don’t panic, Mam!) — more something symbolic. Maybe:
A heartbeat line that turns into a heart.
A stent symbol (nod to my three life-saving stents).
The date in Roman numerals.
A discreet word like “Resilient”, “Alive”, or “Still Here”.
Or even something only I understand — placed somewhere only I (or maybe a lucky few) can see.
There’s a power in marking survival. A reminder, every day, of how far you’ve come. A statement — not to the world, but to yourself — that you endured, adapted, and kept going. And maybe even that you’re grateful.
But… Is It Me?
Here’s the other side of the coin.
I’ve never had a tattoo before. And while the idea excites me, it also feels… significant. Final. Permanent. And what if I hate it after a week? Or it fades weirdly and ends up looking like a squashed caterpillar?
Do I want a visual reminder every single day? Or is the fact that I feel better, live fully, and am still here enough? Is the milestone best marked with a walk somewhere quiet, or a wild adventure? Maybe a blog post like this is more my kind of commemoration?
I’m on the fence. Which is why I’m writing this.
What Do You Think?
Have you ever had a tattoo to mark something deeply personal? A medical event? A moment of survival or transformation?
Do you regret it — or does it still make you smile each time you catch it in the mirror?
If you’ve been through a life-changing event like a heart attack or major illness, did you mark it in any permanent way?
Or maybe you’re a tattoo artist reading this — what kinds of designs do people bring you for something this meaningful?
I’m genuinely looking for inspiration, stories, warnings, or encouragement. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below or message me privately if you’d rather.
One Thing I Know for Sure
Whether I get the ink or not, this 5-year milestone matters. It represents survival, strength, and the unexpected resilience we don’t know we have until we’re tested.
Thanks for being part of the journey — even if it’s just by reading this post. And whether it ends in ink or introspection, I’ll let you know what I decide.
Stay strong
