An update on me...

[Dena]

The hair would have come off had the surgeon been working in the facial area but as the hair wouldn't interfere with the surgery or get blood on it, there wasn't a problem leaving it on.

As for the pain killer, they might be desirable when you first start dilating. It can be a bit sensitive down there when you start dilating but given time, it gets better. Try and get some sleep tomorrow because 5 session are going to cut into your sleep.

[Michelle_P]

Yup!  It's still nice to see, because some of the pre-op teams I have had before for unrelated stuff were less than trans-friendly.

I did get the drains removed, and the packing out. I did the first dilation as well.  NO visible dots. [emoji7]  That will likely change as the swelling goes down, but dang, that's some depth.


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[Laurie]

Dang it sounds like you are doing pretty darned good girl

[Megan.]

Brilliant! And gosh,  is there an echo? [emoji23]

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[LizK]

Oh wow what a great outcome...it will nice for you to be able to start moving around...you will be running marathons before you know it!!

[Michelle_P]

And...  the estradiol has been restarted. The little pills, not my $40/week patch habit!

Naturally, my instinctive response was to split the dosage and take it sublingually after a quick check against the drug image library showed this one to be micronized bioidentical estradiol.

Ok, seriously, this delivery will bypass the low liver risk and will raise the serum estradiol level very quickly.  The sooner I can get the estrogen receptors in my neuroendocrine system populated the happier I'll be. Literally...

I think I dropped from a 34Barely to a 34A over the past month, between no estradiol, and a week of clear liquids only diet.   I'm hoping to recover that soon without any significant testosterone sources running, what with the twins moving on to their new job as microscope specimens and the prostate being cored out and shrunk.

Testosterone and DHT inhibit breast tissue growth, which is why mild anti androgens like finasteride and deutisteride used for male pattern baldness also produce man-boobs.

I'm hoping to see fast recovery and new growth beyond what I had pre-op.   

What's it look like down there?

A vulva. Sketched by Picasso. Using colored pencils. [emoji79][emoji1465]‍[emoji439]

Everything is swollen and bruised. It'll take time to recover. But, all the parts are there, and the clitoris and hood are quite sensitive.

It's all good.




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[Kendra]

> What's it look like down there?

A vulva. Sketched by Picasso. Using colored pencils.

Cool!  Artistry by the best.
Although I would be concerned about a Salvador Dali sketch. 

[steph2.0]

Cool!  Artistry by the best.
Although I would be concerned about a Salvador Dali sketch.

Persistence of Mammary?

I don't know whether I should post congrats here or on the "What made me happy today" thread, but it makes me smile to know you're doing so well, Michelle!

Steph

[Dayta]

Persistence of Mammary?

OMG, I almost coughed out my sublingual tablet and a half! 

Glad to hear you're doing well, Michelle.  Who knows, maybe one day I'll be so inspired. 

Erin

[LizK]

And...  the estradiol has been restarted. The little pills, not my $40/week patch habit!

..............
It's all good.

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I can hear the relief in that opening sentence...Glad to see you are feeling so good

[Michelle_P]

I am home.
I am sleeping in my own bed.
I am surrounded by friends, helping me to heal.

All is well.



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[SadieBlake]

Hoorah for being home Michelle! Hugs and so glad you have help and love around you <3 <3

[Laurie]

  I am very happy that your are home and have the help you need. Now be a good girl and follow doctor's orders so you can heal properly. Take it easy Michelle and let those friends care for as they have volunteered to do. It helps them to be able to help you as much as it helps you my dear.

  Hugs,
    Laurie

[Drexy/Drex]

I am home.
I am sleeping in my own bed.
I am surrounded by friends, helping me to heal.

All is well.
Yesss ! 😊



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[Michelle_P]

(Day 9 since GCS with Dr Thomas and Selim, Kaiser NorCal)

I've had a weekend of post-hospital recovery back at home.  Some of my friends have taken shifts keeping an eye on me, to make sure i didn't do anything dumb or get into trouble. I've actually been off the hospital's narcotics for a while, so 'space-case' me hasn't shown up.


As far as pain management goes, I haven't needed any yet.  So far the worst thing I feel since discharge is some irritation on the edges of the surgery site, something like having a rash in sensation.

Today I'll have visitors dropping by of course, but I'll be on my own much more.  I think I'll do fine, though.

My mobility continues to improve, and I went for a walk in the park next door yesterday.  I'll repeat that and extend it today, and may even hit the Starbucks or Panera a block from me. [emoji4]

My big nuisance complication is an indwelling catheter.  It's there because of a bizarre hospital rules interaction that denied me access to my old bladder relaxation meds while in the hospital, which meant that when it was time to pee, I couldn't empty my bladder (which is why I was prescribed the meds, DUH!).  The attending physician hadn't put them on my meds list so the hospital couldn't give them to me and I am not permitted pills from home thankyewverymuch...

The surgery rules say if ya can't empty the bladder, ya takes home a door prize, one Foley with day and night bags. Fun side effect is that my primary physician for my bladder issue is now the top Urology surgeon in the system.  This will get fixed.

Meanwhile its a nuisance, less intrusive than 4 dilations a day.  Oh, those are going OK.  I'm still burying the last dot. [emoji16]


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[Laurie]

Hi  Michelle,

  I am happy to see you continue to make progress and are not having any difficulties more serious than an annoyance. I do hope you are not pushing the limits on tour walks but it is good to see you are getting your exercise.

Hugs,
Laurie

[davina61]

Well done on things going easy,lets hope it continues and your lucky to have helping friends. Very happy for you XXX Davina

[LizK]

Good to hear of your progress and that the pain is under control.  I understand your experience with the catheter and sometimes it can be very frustrating. I have had similar issues when meds were "forgotten" whilst being admitted leading to all sorts of issues....Such is life, I managed to find a work around much to the chagrin of the nurses.

Hope the next part of your recovery is as swift as the first part seems to have been 

[Michelle_P]

Hi  Michelle,

  I am happy to see you continue to make progress and are not having any difficulties more serious than an annoyance. I do hope you are not pushing the limits on tour walks but it is good to see you are getting your exercise.

Hugs,
Laurie

Oh, I won't be doing the big walking tours until spring, so I think I'm allowing plenty of time to heal up.  My big day out was 1,000 steps out, a half-hour break, and 1,000 steps back home, about 2/3 mile round trip.  I won't push it any farther.

The walking tours I do are things like a 6 mile loop through San Francisco (waterfront, North Beach, Chinatown, Union Square walk-n-shop tour), and the 10 mile Ferry-to-Ferry trek from the San Francisco Ferry Building across the city, Golden Gate Bridge, and down to the Sausalito Ferry Terminal.  We ride the ferry back to close the loop.  I don't plan on doing those before March 2018.



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[Michelle_P]

Thanks, Davina!  This is a heck of a ride we are all on, isn't it?   I think it is so cool that you are still out there wrenching on stuff and hitting the racetrack.  The drag racing stuff is just scary awesome to me.

And, Liz, thank you.  The whole medical thing is overwhelming, and I am so happy my friends are there to step up and take on aiding me.    There are family things that would sound horribly familiar, and I'm just avoiding engaging in them and starting another round of nastiness. I don't need that on top of this.


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