I have to share something...apart from my teeth ending up in my stomach and wearing an orange sized bruise on my shoulder...my support person, a kindred spirit of some 40 years, came with me. Her job was to sit back and enjoy the ride and be my voice for me. She didn't. I don't know why, I really don't. I know she hated Seoul and the way people stared at us. She was homesick (so was I) but in spite of her all-expenses paid trip my friend of 40 years attempted to kill herself in the Palace Grounds in Seoul. I was taking my medication with a drink at the tourist shop when she walked off. Imagine the scenario if you can. I wasn't too concerned so carried on to the display of the King and his guards, fully expecting to see her in the crowd of thousands. After 4 hours and looking for her, I had no choice but to go to the information centre and between writing on a pad and crying, trying to explain my friend had disappeared.
Four hours later the police and palace security came and told me they thought they had found her. They asked me to come with them as she was hysterical and wouldn't let anyone near her.
Oh Shiiiit!.
Before this happened I was pleading with her not to make me talk. But she seemed fascinated with what had happened to me and yes there was some psychiatric stuff going on obviously.
She had confided in me about how her partner of 25 years had been abusing her. She is 64, and will never get those years back. She has Hep C too so she knows the chances of getting procedures are pretty unlikely.
Jessie asked her if she would like to have her Adam's Apple (Shaved I suppose) and this would cost $2500 U.S. I think she just came out and asked her. And my friend doesn't do anything to hide it or wear clothes to hide how emaciated she has become.
She had a sex change (many years ago) and ended up with this guy...In spite of me seeing her every day I never knew the extent of what he was doing to her, but I did know they had been able to own three homes because she was on a benefit. In our country you aren't allowed to be on a benefit if you have a partner. Because of her benefit she never changed her legal status from male to female. I was quite shocked...
I have learned a lot from my journey to Chonburi, from many of the ladies here, and from my friends situation.
We're all different.
My choices aren't necessarily going to be yours. And I have no right to expect anyone else to make the choices I have.
Some people like their Adam's Apples. They like to look different.
She performed in shows and was very good at it.
Her performance in Seoul was a mix of her psychiatric issues and shame & jealousy. Shame because she tried to kill herself (and planned it before we left!) and I have photographed it - I was terrified. Suddenly I had to mother her, and there was no support for me. I was also very worried that Korean mental health would get hold of her and how would I get her released. It was a nightmare.
We flew home 1st Class (got upgraded) and it was on the long journey where she ate everything and behaved normally that I realized my friend really had died in Seoul.
Her partner (and 2 other men) were there to chaperone her from the airport and she never said goodbye.
So I was worried that maybe I had done damage to my voice, because I hadn't been able to rest it till I got home, not really.
Hopefully I am wrong. She did have me laughing in Seoul. Without a voice...you know, you can do it through your neck. And I had a very high pitched laugh.
My throat no longer feels like sandpaper and it is getting a lot of rest (no stress)
Maybe I am wrong, but it did seem a little like the only way I could destroy the procedure would be if I yelled and tore the sutures (I have 2) I have never done that.
I don't feel good sharing this but it's true.
Please ladies, don't accept 2nd best in a relationship, you only have the one life and you deserve better. My friends partner used her for her benefit (and helped her to commit benefit fraud) it's a sad story of abuse, and we all need to be extra careful to ensure we don't let people take advantage of us because of our vulnerability. Because of who we are...