Maire Asked: When is the best time to get a tattoo?

I'm currently a post-transplant recipient undergoing another transplant (kidney) on February 28, 2012.
I've always wanted to get a tattoo on my wrist saying "fighter". I'm eighteen turning nineteen and been dealing with this since I was born. I've read that it's okay as long as you are careful, and my doctor wasn't too crazy with the idea but he suggested that I meet the artist and ask them questions to make sure they are clean. When do you think is the best time to get the tattoo.