Topic: Kathryn's Chronicles

[Northern Star Girl]

Hi all

I’m taking today really easy.

Getting up and around but didn’t get dressed and thinking I won’t today.

Dealing with I mild allergic reaction to something.  I have an itch rash on my face.  Took some Benadryl.  It’s not getting any worse. It’s just nuisance.

My throat is actually sorer than the surgery site.  I woke while still intubated so I irritated my throat worse than most people probably do.

Now that this is done and covid is slowing down I’m going to get my consults scheduled with NYU Langone.

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@KateR
Dear Kate:
I was hoping that I would see another update from you today... thank you for posting.

The rash on your face might be from the mask and incubation during your surgery.   
... certainly a sore throat is normal after being incubated as well, even if you don't wake up prematurely while being incubated....   at least it was for me when I have had surgeries.

YES indeed, take it easy....  rest up.
I am so glad to read that you are going to get your consults scheduled soon.  Hopefully you can get an agreeable date on your calendar for that.

Thank you for sharing...
HUGS,
Danielle

[KateR]

Good morning all:

Today, I’m still healing up nicely.  My doctor changed my pain med and my facial rash cleared up.

Yesterday, I was permitted to take a shower.  As you can guess it was long and hot and felt soooo good.  I was really glad to finally wash my hair.  I don’t know what had happened but it had gotten really stringy.

Today’s song is “Ice, Ice, Baby” because I’m doing a lot of that....

Silly me didn’t realize this is Memorial Day weekend in the US until Wednesday evening.  We’re keeping it low key, just Patty & I.  Our girls and their families have decided they’re not ready to brave the reopenings yet.  So we’re all staying in quarantine for another week or so.  There’s plenty of spring house maintenance to finish up for all of us.

Speaking of quarantine - yes, I believe we’re still dealing with some gravitational wave that’s causing all the scales to go faulty and read high..  I’ll be so glad when that clears up!

I’ll be interested to get updated blood work soon.  I know the blood work right before surgery had my eGFR at 62 - the lowest I’ve ever seen it.  (60 is the line where they start treating you for Kidney Disease). So I’m so glad to get off the spironalactone.  I’m also glad to be forever done with Testosterone.  My only regrets - not doing this years ago.  One surgery down, 2 to go.   I know it’s crazy but I’m looking forward to completing them.


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[CynthiaAnn]

So I’m so glad to get off the spironalactone.  I’m also glad to be forever done with Testosterone. 

I know what you mean on above, spiro was hard on the kidneys for me....

[KateR]

Well I got my biopsy back from Tuesday’s little surgery:


- Testicular atrophy with azoospermia.
- There is no evidence of malignancy.

I laughed.  (Of course Patty was a little sad....)

“Testicular atrophy with azoospermia”?  You think Estradiol would do that?

I’m glad to be rid of them. 

Now to figure out how to bring Patty along with what I need to do for me.  :-]  I do want her to be happy!!!!!


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[Northern Star Girl]

@KateR
Dear Kate:
That sure is good news regarding the biopsy.

Wishing you well with what comes next for you and your spouse....

HUGS and my best wishes....
Danielle

[KateR]

Hi all:

Well I just got home from another trip to KC.

I saw the surgeon yesterday.  I’m healing up properly, and am to start on scar mitigation.

I saw my endo today, and we discussed my updated Hormone Routine.  We’re starting by cutting my estradiol dose in half and do blood work in 4 weeks.  We will adjust from there.

She also told me it was time...

She ordered Mams.


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[Northern Star Girl]

@KateR
Dear Kate:
That is good news regarding your followup with your surgeon and that you are healing up properly.
A word of free advice, do not skip on the scar mitigation... 
....usually if done "by the book" many scars will just about disappear.

Kudos to you for getting regular visits with your endo... regular checkups and blood-work are essential for sure.

She also told me it was time...
She ordered Mams.

Awe... another ritual of being a woman...  I trust that your future mammogram test goes well.
If you have not read it yet, here is my experience with breast exams and my (free) advice about getting checked regularly.
       Mammogram alert

HUGS, and as always, wishing you well.
Danielle

[KateR]

Hi Danielle:

Thanks for the reminder.

I remember you going through all that last fall.  I’m grateful for you that it was benign.

As a ritual of womanhood, I knew it was coming.

Womanhood, as is manhood, is a package deal.  We trade one set of rituals for another set.  The difference is this we’re/I’m happy now.   

This ritual, while uncomfortable is another confirmation of my making it to womanhood.  Strangely enough that makes it a bit exciting.

I know, I’m weird!


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[Ellie_Arroway]

Womanhood, as is manhood, is a package deal.  We trade one set of rituals for another set.  The difference is this we’re/I’m happy now.   

This ritual, while uncomfortable is another confirmation of my making it to womanhood.  Strangely enough that makes it a bit exciting.

I know, I’m weird!

With the exception of your last sentence there, I agree!

In my case, though, I'm all about being me. I have come to embrace being trans and now view that as a really positive aspect of me.

I have no wish to conform to all of the stereotypical female behaviours. I want to learn to sound like a woman, but I don't want to give up the ability to sound like a man. I have the level of confidence necessary to be me, not passing as female unless I want to, which saves me from desiring a lot of surgeries. The only one I'm thinking of is the GRS.

Having freed myself from the shackles of male gender conformance, as I put it recently, I see no reason to wear the shackles of female gender conformance. I want to be me!

[KateR]

Ellie

You go!  More power to you.


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[Wendi]

Congratulations on your surgery. I'm glad to hear your doing well.

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[KateR]

Well stitches came out this morning.  Everything looks and feels just fine.

Have a hiccup with Aetna.  They paid everything but the physician’s charge.  So I need to run down where that disconnect is.  I have the Clinical Policy Bulletin for my plan saying the procedure is covered and the pre-authorization letter.  So something is mismatching.

I’m also now officially registered with NYU Langone’s Transgender Surgery program for my full FFS & GCS.  Glad to have that clock ticking now.

Finally, I think I’m liking the public face mask requirements.  When I have mask on, I never get misgendered!!!


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[KateR]

Whoever said ‘Honesty is the best policy’ obviously wasn’t Trans!


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[Northern Star Girl]

@KateR
Dear Kate:
I completely understand your sentiment about 'Honesty" but regarding my own experience in my transition I wanted to control how and when my friends, business clients and townspeople found out about my past.   When it was time, and I knew when the time was, I made the "global" announcement myself so that there would be no gossip or whispered conversations about me.

Best wishes to you....
HUGS,
Danielle

Whoever said ‘Honesty is the best policy’ obviously wasn’t Trans!

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[Ellie_Arroway]

Whoever said ‘Honesty is the best policy’ obviously wasn’t Trans!

To add to what Danielle said, I felt a HUGE weight off my shoulders when I came out as trans.

Keeping secrets can be stressful.

I do recognise of course that there are down sides. - E

[KateR]

I know this song is 10 years old.  However, I heard it on the radio today.

I’ve always had an emotional response every time I’ve heard it; Jealousy, Envy, Sadness, maybe a little Arousal.

Again, I heard this on the radio today and my response was “Yeah! I got this!”  (and looking forward to next Wednesday’s GNO.  It’s our first one since quarantine.)





Halfway through transition and enjoying my “prerogative to have a little fun!”

Oh and Wednesday’s dress.




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[Wendi]

I've always loved and felt connected to that song.

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[KateR]

Hi all

This week is a busy week on the Transition railway.

Electrolysis on Tuesday, Mams on Wednesday (and GNO Wednesday evening) and 5 week surgery follow up on Thursday.

I'm going to have to tell my Surgeon that he, obviously has never been kicked down there.  He told me I'd feel like I'd been kicked by a bull.

I was kicked by a horse, growing up (she didn't appreciate my shodding efforts). That hurt way worse, and for a much longer period of time this little surgery did.

OH - why railway vs. highway.

It was suggested to me it's like I'm on a runaway freight train.   I'm OK with that analogy.  At this point I can't get off without killing myself, and frankly I don't want off.


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[Northern Star Girl]

@KateR
Dear Kate:
I noticed that you had some difficulty attaching the song video to your previous posting.... 
Thank you for sharing and posting your continuing story.   
As one of your avid followers I am always looking for posts and updates on your thread and elsewhere on the various threads on the forums.
HUGS,   
Danielle

.....    here it is:

      Shania Twain - Man! I Feel Like A Woman

[KateR]

Well today was the first day of this weeks travels. 

I had to stop for diesel and one of the associates was outside collecting the trash from the cans by the pumps.

We struck up a conversation and it quickly became the most affirming thing that has happened to me recently.

He stopped what he was doing and pumped my fuel for me.  It was the most chivalrous thing that I’ve experienced.

Tomorrow afternoon is the big squeeze, then our first Girls Night Out since quarantine.

I heard from NYU and Dr. Bluebond-Langer’s office.   Things are moving forward there. 

It’s been a very affirming day!


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