Mother of Two Youngun's Finally took the Plunge!
Just in case my link is gone...
Since about 1993 I've wanted to get my tongue pierced. I have wanted to do this because I have a oral fixation. I have to have something in my mouth. I used to suck on lollypops constantly in my teenage years and still like them, but not all occasions are appropriate for that. I have smoked cigarettes but didn't enjoy that. After all the laws to prohibit smoking as well as the fact that I hated the smell and taste of smoking, I quit. I had to find another means of having something constantly or permanently in my mouth.
Little things happened such as procrastination, money issues, child birth (twice) and FEAR, prevented me from taking my happy self to a piercer. Finally October 10, 2000 I decided that enough was enough, it was time to do "it." What made that day any different than the other 2555+ days? The procrastination was getting to me. I've been cigarette free for almost 2 years and although I had no desire to start back up, I was getting desparate as to what to do.
I called several Tattoo & Piercing Parlors checking for prices but I still didn't feel comfortable; I had no reference to their experience. I called a friend that had gotten his nipples pierced and he told me to head down to Stikky Fingers. He filled me in that they had been piercing folks for years and his nipples healed great.
After a steak dinner I found myself at Stikky Fingers where I met my piercer, Lisa. She let me know why an internally threaded shaft made for easier insertion and without damage to the pierced tissue than the externally threaded bar. She explained what would happen during the procedure as well as what I needed to do. Then Lisa handed me some minty Listerine, put on some latex gloves and marked my tongue. Lisa took off the gloves, prepped the open-circle clamps (i.e. wrapped a rubber band around the shaft), opened the sealed package that had my needle and barbell in and put on another pair of gloves. She clamped my tongue and held it, telling me to take a deep breath inward, then exhale.
>From my end, I closed my eyes, breathed in, clamped my hands to the cushion i was seated on and exhaled. I remember thinking how glad I was Lisa had given me the Listerine, `cause I had to blow in her face, and I felt the needle go through my tongue. I didn't feel any pain; it didn't hurt me at all. I then felt the quickness of her motion. As soon as she had pressed the needle in completely and pushed the barbell in, Lisa immediately took the bottom ball and screwed it onto the bar.
Lisa showed me her art and told me my after care info. I listened and told her thank you very much. I was so excited and happy that i had done this, I was almost disoriented to what was going on around me. My ears heard a humming and I wanted to go to a club and dance! Unfortunately, it was Monday, so nothing was open. My husband asked me how I felt. I told him pissed `cause I hadn't done this sooner!
So far I haven't had any troubles. I drank Boost for breakfast and soup with vegetables and shrimp for lunch and dinner. After that, I tossed the idea of no solid foods for a week. It's now five days after and no worries. Everything is going well; only swelling around the trauma. I've noticed some dead skin working its way out of the hole (I just clean my hands and pull it out easily) and the Listerine is great for cleaning. I'm working around the 3/4" shaft in my mouth; it is a little different to speak with a slight lisp. After a few more weeks I can choose a smaller length and the sky's the limit as to the style I want. I have already decided that I want a 14k gold barbell with a bezel setting of a round cut emerald. This has been in my mind for years.
As far as what other people think and my co-workers (I work for a high profile financial institution), I haven't heard much static although my mother says I'm nuts. The question that I get asked most frequently is "why?". What can I say to that!? I wanted it, so I did it! It isn't very visible unless I make it a point to show it off. My husband thinks it's sexy, but he has no intention of doing what I have done. My 3 year old daughter saw my tongue and said, "So that's why you don't want gum Mommy." My immediate family is fine with it, and that is all that matters (but it only matters minimally compared to what I wanted).
Another question that people ask are what am I going to say to my kids about it? I have one boy and one girl and we have never physically altered them in anyway. I believe it is their choice to have anything changed to their bodies and if they want something done, I will support them and help them when I can. We want them to be accepting of people in their differences and similarities. They don't tell me I look weird nor are they embarrassed. So, I don't see what I should have to say except, "I did it because I wanted to."
I STILL wish I would have done this sooner but better now than never!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To add to what I typed in October 2000...I figured I was married for 5-1/2 years, had 2 children, a good job and a somewhat stable life....hmmmm, something was missing. Oh yeah! I need my tongue pierced! *laughing out loud*
