I have Stage 4B cancer. I was diagnosed while I was spending the summer in Yellowstone, and during the absolute nightmare that followed, the bison became my power animal. They represented strength, resilience, survival, and the absolute refusal to quit.
So I decided to get a tattoo that represented everything I've been through, everything I'm still going through, and everything I will continue to face.
This wasn't a random tattoo.
It meant something to me.
A LOT.
And unfortunately, I chose the wrong artist.
When I arrived for my appointment, Billy looked at me and said, "Oh, I forgot we even had an appointment."
He was tattooing someone else.
I probably should have walked out right then.
But I didn't.
I went to lunch and came back.
Then he told me he was going to start drawing my tattoo.
And when he showed me what he'd drawn, I thought, Okay... maybe this is just the base. Maybe he's one of those artists who starts with something rough and then works his magic.
So I trusted the process.
Another hour and a half went by.
Then he decided he was going to eat lunch.
So I waited some more.
Looking back, there were approximately 47 opportunities for my common sense to kick in and say, "GET IN YOUR CAR."
But I stayed.
That's on me.
Eventually, the tattoo was done.
Except...
I asked for a bison.
And I got a f***ing chupacabra.
I'm not kidding.
If Yellowstone had a creature that looked like it had been hanging out behind the dumpster at a gas station at 2 a.m., THAT'S WHAT IS ON MY ARM.
And normally, I could laugh about a bad tattoo.
But this one hurts.
Because this wasn't just artwork.
This tattoo was supposed to represent one of the hardest battles of my life.
I trusted someone with that story.
And instead, I have a f***ing chupacabra on my arm.
Afterward, I reached out to Billy and asked if he wanted the opportunity to correct his work. His response was that he needed to "check his calendar."
I'm still waiting for him to finish checking that calendar.
So now, not only did I pay for the original tattoo, but I'm going to have to pay another artist to fix it. I mean, c'mon, I have a cancer patients budget
And that's the part that really pisses me off.
Not just the money.
Not even just the terrible artwork.
It's that something that was supposed to be incredibly meaningful to me has become something I'm embarrassed to look at.
I should have left when he forgot our appointment.
I should have left when he was tattooing someone else.
I should have left when I was waiting around.
I should have left when I saw the drawing.
I didn't.
That's on me.
But what happened after I sat down and trusted the artist is not on me.
So I'm sharing this for one reason: If you're considering getting tattooed at Billy's Tattoo Works, please think about it. Then think about it again. And then maybe think about it five to seven more times.
Do your research.
Look at healed work.
Ask questions.
And most importantly, if something feels wrong before the needle ever touches your skin, LEAVE.
I didn't.
And now I'm going to have to find someone talented enough to turn my f***ing chupacabra back into the bison it was supposed to be. read more