On February 4th, I began seeing a new PCP in the area who has done more for me in the last month than ANY doctor has done for me in the last decade.
I've decided to drop the Gynecologist I was seeing for my HRT for him. She blew off checking a lump in my breast as nothing serious. My new PCP found out what it really is and I now need a lumpectomy to remove a fibroadenoma thats roughly the size of a kumquat or date. My surgery for that is on hold until after my GRS. It just pisses me off that so many doctors can be so hands off when it comes to transgender patients that it gets in the way of providing us the preventive care we need to stay healthy.
So last week, My car got totaled on the way to work. I don't even really remember the details of what happened, just that I lost control, couldn't stop, hit my head and then the next thing i remember I was already in the wall being cut out of what was left of the car and put in an ambulance.
Yea, I know, "oh my God, are you OK?" Yes and no. While I'm "lucky that I survived without breaking any bones, I still have a bunch of bruises in my knees, ribs, face and collar bone. My right hand took the worst of it, still showing a lot of swelling and discoloration. Im pretty sure the blood vessels got damaged, since its a couple shades darker than my left hand, looks like my knuckles broke on my pointer and middle finger with them really swollen and hard and much warmer than the rest of my hands. There's also dark red splotches around my other joints in the fingers. I'm more worried about that than being out of work already on med leave for till next week.
For most of the week, my mood was Bleak. Mother was beating a dead horse over me about how "careless and irresponsible" I've been to get to this point. I told her "I wish I DID die in that accident with how you've been treating me." I really meant it, feeling like it was all going to end with me being unable to return to work from lack of transportation, her astute uncaring attitude that all i do is ->-bleeped-<- her and destroy her things, and the need to move out and escape from her grasp for the last time.
And then on Thursday, Robin called and everything started to change.
Quote from: veritatemfurto on March 13, 2015, 02:22:13 AM
This is just so freaking surreal... Robin from Dr Bowers office called me to confirm that my GRS is prepaid from the insurance, minus my out of pocket cost of $3500. but she had some even better news: MY DATE JUST MOVED UP 7 MONTHS
GAH! That only gives me 30 days to get ready now. sure i can use my credit card to cover the cost, but daamn a 7 month advance? how am i going to do this with my new car payments? So much to do in so little time... oh well I'll still take it!
I had originally been scheduled for the lumpectomy on last Tuesday, but with all the pain killers from the accident, I couldn't do it. so now it has to wait until after my other priorities. This whole chain of events just seems pretty weird on its timing.
Today I booked my flights for my GRS. First time flying into San Jose. I also confirmed my place to stay, back with the same friend I finally met in person for my consultation trip last September. My mother, despite all her moodiness, wanted to go with me but she can't afford the trip.
Robin did let us know about the special rate for the Staybridge Inn that routinely houses visiting patients at roughly $150/night. Staying the minimum of 3 weeks would cost us about $3150, which is undoable in my current situation. I need that much for a replacement vehicle.
With that cost, I'll be flying alone.
I wish I had a girlfriend to go with me, but dating has to take a back seat in the list of priorities now.
So going onto the Airline's website, I searched for flights to the San Francisco area. "damn, 55,000 points needed for the ideal day to fly out there? crap." and that was just for flying out one way on a Saturday. I was hoping to fly out on Saturday so I could work a 6th day on Friday. I had to settle for flying out midday on Thursday for just 28000 points round trip- almost a week in advance of my date. As long as I can get off that day I'll be fine, since my work schedule has me off of work on Fridays and Saturdays anyways. If my GRS was on a thursday or friday, it would have been better timing. beggars can't be choosers. I made the return trip for May 16, so I would have ample time to recover and to stay on the same plane all the way back versus going standby like the last trip when the original outbound flight got delayed.
By the time I entered in my credit card information for the portion of fees not covered by my redeemed miles, I started crying. Its the first time that I really realized this is really happening.
I'M REALLY FINALLY GETTING MY GRS <:'-) This emotional roller coaster of the last month has really impacted me, literally. I thought it would never really happen, but now it will. I still have my worries about keeping my job and the insurance thats got me through all this, and that something else is in store for me like a clot from the hand injury causing complications during the trip or the surgery or the plane having some midair catastrophe.
Next I need to talk to my DR about getting me some Phentermine to get rid of whatever weight i can lose in the next 3 weeks and some serious fast acting anti-anxiety pills like Valium.
tips: Always plan your finances well in advance of your surgery date. make sure you can cover the cost of staying in town for up to 6 weeks, but DON"T think you'll be able to make a vacation of it and do sightseeing afterwards. You'll be spending most of your time sleeping, resting, groaning, and dilating.
Booking airfare is always cheaper when booked earlier in the month for a flight in the middle of the week, and no later than 30 days from your intended time of arrival.
