No Bounds: Connecting Pieces
At 18, I discovered something liberating: the ability to take control of my pain. That’s when I fell in love with tattoos. My first piece was a tribute to my dad, and I will always cherish the wave of freedom and relief that washed over me after getting it. It felt essential to mark the hurt and loss I experienced, transforming that pain into something visible…
What do my tattoos mean to me? They represent more than anyone could ever understand.
My name is Keyla, and I am so much more than my health conditions, tattoos, or life experiences. However, each of these elements has played a crucial role in my journey, including the permanent marks on my skin. For the past 12 years, I have navigated life with Crohn's Disease, which has led to my permanent ostomy bag. I am also a proud survivor of uterine cancer and a caregiver to a child facing similar challenges.
For as long as I can remember, I have experienced various pains—abdominal discomfort and emotional struggles that often remain hidden from others. There have been moments when my stomach pain felt like an enigma to doctors, a puzzle with no resolution. This confusion became exhausting and, at times, isolating. However, throughout this journey, I found peace in art, music, and dance—until I lost my father at 14, which introduced me to a deeper layer of emotional anguish. That experience shifted my coping mechanisms, often leading me down a path of self-destructive behaviors.
At 18, I discovered something liberating: the ability to take control of my pain. That’s when I fell in love with tattoos. My first piece was a tribute to my dad, and I will always cherish the wave of freedom and relief that washed over me after getting it. It felt essential to mark the hurt and loss I experienced, transforming that pain into something visible.
As my health journey progressed, I realized my tattoos became a beautiful tapestry of my story. I chose to tattoo my left side as my “dark side,” reminiscent of Jekyll and Hyde. Each piece symbolizes different aspects of my journey—pain, fear, strength, mental health, suicide awareness, peace, family, nature, and life. They serve as my means of healing, embracing my experiences, and demonstrating to the world that while pain is part of my existence, so is resilience. Every tattoo is a testament to my path—a reminder of my inner strength through art.
As I accepted my tattoos and the stories they represent, I began to feel a profound sense of empowerment. Each inked design became a source of confidence, reinforcing my resilience. This newfound self-assurance opened doors I never imagined, ultimately leading me to explore modeling. Through this journey, I not only celebrate my body and my experiences but also advocate for self-acceptance and the beauty of embracing our scars, both visible and invisible.
- KEYLA CABA, CONNECTING PIECES.
INKED HEALING
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer and was told I would need a mastectomy, I never imagined the profound journey that lay ahead…
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer and was told I would need a mastectomy, I never imagined the profound journey that lay ahead. What began as a medical necessity evolved into a transformative process of grief, healing, and self-discovery—one that found its expression in the art inked into my skin. My chest and back tattoo, created by the immensely talented Katie Mizuna, became the centerpiece of this journey, symbolizing not just survival but the reclamation of my identity and power.
From the moment I reached out to Katie, I knew she would play an integral role in my healing. Her artistry and intuitive understanding of the human spirit were evident during our first consultation. When she shared her initial designs, I felt an immediate connection. Her vision perfectly captured my story—an homage to my journey through loss and rebirth, a rite of passage, and an authentic expression of the woman I was becoming.
The tattoo process was far more than just creating beautiful artwork; it was deeply cathartic. During our initial three sessions in late 2023, Katie held space for me in a way that felt sacred. As the ink pierced my skin, it also unlocked the grief stored in my body—grief not only from the heartbreak of cancer, the loss of my breasts, an emotionally devastating end to a relationship but from 42 years of life, and even the weight of ancestral pain. It was the grief of silenced women, of constrained choices, and of existing under a patriarchal society. With each session, the tattoo gun became a tool of healing, and Katie’s presence, her questions, and her compassion allowed me to release layer after layer of that burden.
When I returned to Dark Water Ink nine months later for three sessions to complete the chest and back piece, the experience shifted. This time, I came not to grieve but to celebrate. These sessions, which coincided with my birthday, marked a turning point—a celebration of the woman I had become: a breastless, tattooed, unapologetic force of nature. Katie’s energy mirrored my intentions, and together we infused the tattoo process with joy, transformation, and connection.
The tattoo itself became a symbol of my rebirth. The design reflects strength, beauty, and authenticity—elements that Katie captured perfectly, honoring not just my body but my entire journey. On the final day, as she added the last strokes of ink, I cried tears of gratitude and joy. My healing felt complete.
Katie’s role extended far beyond being an artist. She was a healer, a friend, and a witness to my transformation. Her kindness and thoughtfulness were evident even after the sessions; when I went next door to celebrate my birthday with dinner, champagne and dessert, I discovered Katie and her husband had covered the tab. This simple act of generosity reflected the deep connection we’d forged throughout the tattoo process.
Today, I wear my chest and back tattoo as a badge of honor—a symbol of resilience, love, and freedom. I am no longer defined by societal expectations or my scars. I am a woman madly in love with myself and the life I live, embracing every moment with authenticity and gratitude.
To Katie Mizuna, my angel and artist, I owe more than words can express. Through her artistry and compassion, she helped me transform pain into power, grief into beauty, and loss into love.
But my tattoo journey with Katie is far from over. As I continue to grow and evolve, so too will the artwork that adorns my body. I look forward to collaborating with Katie on future projects, adding new layers of meaning and beauty to this living canvas that tells the story of my life, my healing, and my transformation.
This tattoo is more than ink on my skin; it’s a map of my transformation, a testament to my strength, and a celebration of the woman I’ve become—and am still becoming.
- DR KALLIE HARRISON, DACM, LAc, LMT, RN