GCS & BA with Dr. Ley at Meltzer clinic

[KathyLauren]

Before experiencing the results of coming out to my parents six months ago, I didn't think I would ever receive an email like this - not in my lifetime.

From: (Kendra's mother)
To: Kendra F0wles
Thursday, January 25, 2018 9:36 PM

We just came home from Friday market
I bought shrimp and vegetable てんぷら for そばlunch
The shrimp てんぷらare very small shrimp, about '.5"'size,
They are good source of iron

I really appreciate thoughtful friend you have
This time, this operation to you are very important to you
Your friends came to you right after the operation and stayed with you
I am in tears
Please, thank to your friends for me

I knew you are recovering more than average
Because, you are healthy

I love you, kendra

Reading this make me cry for happiness.  What a beautiful letter!

[tgirlamg]

No words Kendra... Just an Awwwwwww and a tear!

Hugs!!!

A 😀❤️🌻

[Colleen_definitely]

Wow, your mom is awesome

[Kendra]

Yes she is.

And my father is sincerely supportive.  So much misunderstanding until six months ago, pushed aside with love as it should be.  I am very thankful.

I wanted to post earlier today but didn't have time.  So many incredible moments meeting people I never expected, and far more time than expected with those I was hoping to meet.  And of course all of us sharing online - that's what literally brought me here in so many ways, and brings us all together.  I can't believe how many times Dena stopped by, caring about every detail and wanting to make sure everything is going as planned - and got to see Mariah and Jamie again.  I was able to meet Gertrude today (yay!).  I went for a very nice walk with Denise, girlfriend and partner from 15 years ago who had moved from Seattle to Arizona.  We have ridden Harleys half way across the US but she agreed this wasn't the time to be doing that.

Post-Op Day 8, my last night here.  Started the morning with catheter removal, time to learn to be a whiz at something.  The surgery suddenly looks less abstract with the last bit of medical tubing removed.  No need to mentally block anything off, other than wait for swelling to go down and some fine-tuning a few months from now.  Continued recovery from swelling will take time, that's why they call us patients.

I have seen Dr. Ley or Dr. Meltzer every day.  I wasn't expecting that.  Both care deeply about their patients and it shows.  Deb is one of their patient coordinators to help reassure and explain essential processes in detail including dilation - saw her several times this week.  I am so glad to have met her, we swapped a few stories.  The hospital where Dr. Ley and Meltzer operate is nothing less than first class.  And it's more than facilities - the most important part is having the right people. 

Speaking of first class I noticed something after I woke up from anesthesia.  (Disclaimer: if I'm paying the tab I almost always fly coach - that's how I'm gettin' to South Korea a month from now).  Take a long nap, wake up somewhere new.  Buttons to adjust back angle - the little motors in the fold-flat bed even sound the same.  Press the call button and a super polite person shows up with whatever is needed.  Coincidence?

[Laurie]

  Have a good flight Home.

Hugs,
  Laurie

[Mariah]

I believe it Kendra. Dena was a huge help during my stay in that clinic. Your post reminded me again of just how much of a huge help she was for me as well. Kendra is amazing getting to visit you while you were here. I can't wait to here how your recovery progresses. One change that actually resulted in my asking the staff a question was the fact they gave you that little container for your water when we had the liter containers when I had my surgery. Even the staff doesn't know why. Your dilation schedule for that first day reminded me of mine because I had to start right around that t time for my first dilation too. Anyways all the best. Hugs
Mariah

[Colleen_definitely]

Yes those business/first class recliners do look amazing.  (especially when I'm shuffling past with the rest of the lemmings into steerage class)  My company is a bunch of cheapskates, and wow does intercontinental really get old in a hurry when you're in the cheap seats.

My recommendation is benadryl.  You'll be too comatose to be jealous of the nice seats, lol.

[Laura Micheal]

Hi , I was wondering how you able to get a reply from that office I made many attempts and never even a return call, txt or email
Laura

[Mariah]

I would try calling again Laura. When the office is open someone generally picks up the phone. Hugs
Mariah

Hi , I was wondering how you able to get a reply from that office I made many attempts and never even a return call, txt or email
Laura

[Kendra]

Hello Laura Micheal,

Thank you for joining Susan's Place and for posting.  I'll add information we provide to new members to help with initial navigation, and guidelines for the site.

Things that you should read

Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By	Standard Terms & Definitions	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)
Reputation rules	Cautionary Note	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy

When you get a chance it would be great if you can introduce yourself in the Introductions Forum.  We would all like to meet you!

Kendra

[Dena]

Welcome to Susan's Place Laura. I use the office for HRT and I have never had difficulty contacting anybody. They have two people working the desk during normal office hours and if I couldn't talk to who I needed, they took a message and it was followed up on. As for Texting, those are land lines so your text messages ended up in the bit bucket. You can only text to another cell phone and in some cases that will be transferred to a computer.

[Laurie]

  Are you home yet? huh? huh? are you home yet?

[Dena]

She isn't going to get home until early evening. She had a afternoon flight and she even was allowed to stay past the 11AM checkout time so  she could squeeze an extra dilation in before her fight. She seem to be flying first class so I suspect she may drop in during her flight.

Remember this is a pretty exhausting experience so nap time is pretty inviting after wandering around the airport.

[Kendra]

...just woke up at Phoenix airport (no anesthesia involved).  Arrived early since I'm not in shape to be sprinting to the gate, and the only shoes I packed were comfy flip flops.  Found a quiet corner not far from the gate, next to a window in the Arizona sunshine, and Zzzzzz.  I set an alarm 30 minutes before departure just in case.  3 hour nonstop flight, no worries.

Between routine medical checks and dilation schedule I found a few minutes to walk across the street.  Scottsdale has a Farmers Market every Saturday morning.  I enjoyed wandering around, bought a tray of Baklava made by a local family, refugees from Syria.  Other vendors had an amazing variety of food for sale - not all of it my style (I am somewhat sorta vegan when I can be) but I arrived back at the hospital quite hungry for the first time.  Food aromatherapy.

I said goodbye to Dr. Ley.  I will see her in July for a revision, and she will be in Seattle this August for the Gender Odyssey conference.


Beth & Saha plan to be waiting at SeaTac airport, they will handle the luggage.  No heavy lifting for awhile.  I can walk just fine but bathrooms are still a timed event... certain things I can't ignore during initial healing.  Their house is 20-30 minutes from the airport.  After I gain a bit more mobility I'll move back to my house but I am not in a hurry.

...and it's time to get on the plane at the Arizona side.  Quite the week and a half! 

[Gertrude]

It was great to meet Kendra yesterday. I can't believe how well she's doing. She's an inspiration to me! I wish I had more time to spend with her. When she's back in town, I'd like to hang.

[Devlyn]

Just got caught up on this thread. Kendra, your family is amazing! Get some rest, will ya? 

Hugs, Devlyn

[Saha]

Kendra is home safe and sound

[steph2.0]

Kendra is home safe and sound

Thank you for the update, Saha. I hope the trip wasn't too stressful and Kendra is getting enough rest. I know you and Bethany will take good care of her.

Stephanie

[Kendra]

Trip back was fine, no stress.  That did cause a time gap in dilation and it showed - first one after arrival was difficult but I managed to push through.  No more gaps of that type until end of February when dilation schedule drops from 4x/day to 2x/day.

Yay!

[Sarah_P]

Glad you're home and doing well!