Michelle Froehle

Connect What inspired your most recent tattoo?

Cancer tried to steal my future, with Stage 4 Melanoma. By the grace of God, a rebellious nature, & sheer determination, the formidable advisory failed. It left me w/terrible battle scars; one of which is prominently featured on my chest. A look of disgust would erupt on faces when it was noticed; followed by the exaggerated question, “What happened?” Tired of the ugly memory, I designed the tattoo to surround the scar & allow life’s beauty to outshine the pain.

If your ink could speak, what would it say?

It’s a tribute to the fight, a victory for the warrior, & a badge of honor for the survivor; whose odds of surviving over ten years, less than 17%. Thirteen years later, my tattoo still speaks of joy, provides hope, shares the beauty in life, tells a story of perseverance, salutes those struck down before slaying the beast, called Cancer, & continues to give it the middle finger. Finally, it highlights the blessing of having battle scars; w/o them I would NOT be alive.

What would you do with the $25,000?

Obviously, more ink! I want to revive my favorite tattoo, while expanding it to a full sleeve & down my back. It’s important to continue showing the beauty in life, while expanding its message; to encompass the blessings of growing old & inspire others to embrace the joys of this journey. Reaching middle age is to be celebrated, as the plots to our movies just got good; not time for the credits to roll. We’re a force of nature & an inspiration, yet under valued in societ