You are amazing. Your story of illness and recovery is truly inspirational. And you do so much for other people and animals! I’ve considered getting a tattoo but I’m a little chicken about the pain. I can see how it could be very empowering and a good reminder though. Maybe I’ll consider yet… I love your dragon.

Hi Kathleen, firstly I want to say that you are such an inspiration to me. I started practicing animal Reiki a few years ago and it has changed my life. I work with an animal rescue in NYC and I have been the channel in which has helped so many dogs and cats.
Secondly, your tattoo is so radical! I love it! You have inspired me for another tattoo idea. I currently have 3 tattoos. One is the Chinese character for ‘good health’ and it is on the back of my neck. The second one is the Sei He ki Reiki symbol and it’s on the inside of my wrist. The last one is a quote I wrote and it’s in my handwriting–
“I breathe in light and fall back into darkness”– to me it mean having faith and taking risks. It is on the inside of my left arm.
Sending you Reiki love!

That is GORGEOUS! As a woman sporting ink – each piece makes up a line in my story. My latest is the Reiki kanji with my beloved Simon’s mitten (paw..) – my adopted cat that came into my life when he was 12 years old – and lived to be 24. He was my best friend and the inspiration that started me on the Reiki journey for animals.. It’s located in the same location as yours and it’s a great reminder to practice, be present, and when all else fails…just for today…I loved reading this ..you continue to inspire me and so many…thank you.

Lovely story and tattoo Kathleen. Thanks for sharing it with us-inspirational and magical.
I don’t have any yet, but after the death of my soul mate kitty, Cosmo, I have had the vision of him watching over me, with Angel wings and sunshine beaming around him. So I’d like to capture that vision in a “catttoo.” It will probably be placed on the back of my shoulder so he can continue to watch over me and beam his loving light to me. xoxoxo Dale

Having seen the tatto in person, I love its beauty and strength. You are a truly amazing lady Kathleen.! I am so happy that you have been able to share this wonderful news that your dragons are keeping you safe and healthy. Whoop! Whoop! Dragon energy rocks

Hi Kathleen,

I was just talking about you the other day (no coincidences). I know you have had lots of students but you are one of my only Reiki teachers! I wanted to let you know how several of your lessons have helped me through my own breast cancer treatment (diagnosed in January, surgery in February, 5 months of chemo March through August and just 4 treatments to go of 33 radiation treatments). I was hospitalized for 9 days after my 13th chemo with a very serious case of shingles. One concept you taught me that has been particularly helpful has been that our divine spark is absolutely perfect and shines as bright on days when we are struggling through health challenges as it does when we were young and perfectly healthy. For the past 6 weeks, I have pictured that divine spark connecting to the divine spark of the radiation therapists during treatment (while they play new-age spa music per my request!). We are all connected! I feel so blessed to have had so much spiritual growth and wonderful teachers and lessons before my diagnosis that has made the whole process easier to navigate. I still have another mastectomy to go (and likely ovary removal as well instead of continuing to take Tamoxifen which they started one week after my chemo ended) but I’m feeling loved and not alone. I have so many people praying for me, sending me love and Reiki and I have my 3 rescue cats and 2 bomb detection German Shepherds who share their love and energy with me! And, I do have a tattoo, a simple angel symbol on my right wrist which is my surgery side. I lost a lot of lymph nodes on that side so I’ll not be able to get any more ink on that arm, making my angel tattoo all the more special as it represents my spiritual growth and those who have past who are surrounding me with love always.

Hugs and Reiki Love to you, Kathleen! Thank you for sharing your wisdom for so long and your story here about your beautiful tattoo. Nancy, Ipswich, MA

Kathleen, I see you in my minds eye with a flower in your hair and a dragon tattoo on your arm…you truly embody your Spirit of Peaceful Warrior! I’m grateful for you in my life and for your heart felt, living breathing blog… Love, Karren XO

I have to admit that I’m slightly ashamed that I’m learning about your treatment and tattoo from your blog. As your cousin, I owe you more than that, and I feel like I’m late to the game. That being said, I think we share in common the reasons for tattooing our bodies. When I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2007, I realized I was going to have to cede some control over my body. In the past seven years it has taken away my handwriting, my ability to play the piano easily, and a host of other things. I got my first tattoo because I wanted to stake a claim – this is still my skin, my body, even if it doesn’t always do what I ask. I chose the Little Prince, from the book by St. Exupery. I’m an admirer of the author and his mythical character. When I broke my hip in January, I started thinking about a second tattoo – this time I chose a dopamine heart. One molecule of dopamine (the critical neurotransmitter I’m lacking due to Parkinson’s) encased in a heart with th barbed-wire outline. Those are my dragons – and I hope they continue to give me strength as yours has for you. Much love and many blessings – I imagine somewhere there’s a dragon requesting a tattoo of you on his arm to give him courage.

My brother and I sat while my mom read out of her book of Chinese horoscopes and even as a child, I was THRILLED to hear her read that I was born in the Year of the Dragon and that my element was Fire. What a combination, right? So my first tattoo, my 21st birthday present to myself, was simply the Chinese character for “Dragon.” (Yes, I DID have it checked by multiple native Chinese speakers!) I had a knack for fantasy from my earliest memories; wizards, warriors, queens, dragons, mystical creatures, magical powers. And the to actually BE a Dragon in REAL LIFE? What could be better to a child’s imagination?

I’m glad your Dragons are helping you through your ordeals. They remind us to remain strong, but fluid and flexible, light enough to float away on a breeze but strong enough to take on the mountains themselves. Blessed be.