Denise's GCS Thread

[Jennifer M]

Just a bit over two years from starting HRT to this "last step" is amazing. Best of luck.

[Northern Star Girl]

@Denise
Dear Denise:
This is very exciting as we are following your very big event in your journey....
        2 Days ! .....  tick tock   tick tock

Tomorrow is the never comfortable but necessary cleansing ..... 
...looking back after your surgery it will all seem quite worth the discomfort.

All of us here are wishing you well, and we appreciate your updates so
we can follow along and be your cheer-squad   

We are all rooting for you, we are your biggest fans....

Hugs and well wishes as always,
Hugs,
Danielle

[Denise]

14 hours and counting.

Thanks @Alaskan.Danielle.

Today I spent doing laundry.  Last minute christmas shopping.  sitting on the toilet, drinking way too much liquid.  Overdosing on laxatives (14x the daily recommended amount, just sayin!)

But without a doubt the most asked question has been "are you excited? scared?..." and I couldn't come up with an emotion.  None of those applied and I've been struggling to figure out what I have been feeling about this.  I told people "resolved, next step, matter-of-fact" not really excited nor scared just Blah.  BUT today WHAM! it hit me.  I'm in disbelief.  I'm just coming to the realization that I'm about to get a life long, unobtainable, unreasonable, not-going-to-happen-don't-think-about-it desire.  Guess what!!! 13 hours 35 minutes!

When i was 12-15ish (maybe even longer) I had a recurring dream that I woke up and found I was a girl.  I had that dream dozens of times and mostly the dream was the same (details not included.) but by this time tomorrow, my dream/wish/... will be realized.

and here come the tears, the flood gates have opened.

[Denise]

Now the practical part of this.
What to pack and how to get to the hospital.
I live alone and the hospital is 3km (2mi) away. For BA I took the bus, for FFS I walked for GCS I'm thinking about walking again but it's going to be -1C (30F) so it would be a little chilly.  It might help me clear my head to do that so that's the way I'm leaning.

The surgery time was originally set for 7:30 but it was moved up to 7:00.  That means I need to be at the hospital at 5:15am. (Zzzzzz)

I've collected little tidbits from people on what TO bring and what NOT to bring.
So, in my bag:
Cell phone, charger, cables
Computer (Chromebook in my case) and charger
Extension cord since the plugs are used for monitors near the bed.
Flip Flops because you need to get out and walk around.
Tooth brush/paste
Face cream
razor/shaving cream (I still have a bit of electrolysis to complete 🙁 )
shampoo/conditioner (on the 6th day it's said the shower is available)
A book (and my reading glasses)
Paperwork to submit to the state of New Jersey for Birth Certificate update !!!
DARK loungewear to wear home from the hospital.
I hope to make cookies tonight to take for the staff and visitors.
ID/Medical insurance/prescription card/credit card/some money (But I don't know why)

I don't have a comfort "teddy bear" which I was advised to bring by a few people.  So I'm hoping my friends bring me one. (they will because they are wonderful!)

What I'm not taking.
Clothes
My meds
my full laptop
curling iron (I'm in the hospital, I'm allowed to look like I'm in the hospital
makeup.  This is easy for me to leave at home.  (You can take it if you want)

[steph2.0]

and here come the tears, the flood gates have opened.

And now they have for me, too, Denise. I'm so happy for you. All the best tomorrow.


Stephanie

[LizK]

Oh I remember that countdown as if it was yesterday...it was only 9 days ago...

I had a similar discussion in my thread the few days before surgery. I wasn't overly excited...I did have periods where I was but on the whole no...calm was prevalent until I hit the table and burst into tears.

What to take..I spent the first 3-4 days being nursed at no higher than 30degrees which meant my phone was my lifeline...so had 2 backup batteries to keep me going...and I slept...a lot...not much pain at all but so tired

Good luck for a swift recovery take care Liz


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[KathyLauren]

Good luck, Denise!

[Denise]

Well it's the morning after. 

I got back to my room at 5:00 to find my two best friends and a new friend, Kristy. 

The discomfort when I woke up was interesting.  My FEET HURT.  Not a little but like I was walking on razor blades.  Recommendation: bring a good moisturizer and a friend to apply it.
The other pain is the lower back.  I found laying the bed flat helps a lot.

The self administered morphine is your friend.



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[LizK]

Thanks for the update Denise...take it easy...use the PCA and keep on top of the discomfort. Congrats and welcome to post op life [emoji3]...I hope you have a swift recovery..

take care

Liz


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[KathyLauren]

Congratulations, Denise! 

[Claire]

Congratulations Denise! [emoji1635]. I've never been one for aphorism, but today really is the first day of the rest of your life... your true self.
You reached out to me when I needed help and I will be forever grateful. You're a remarkable and caring woman. I wish you nothing but good health and happiness!


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[Denise]

It's 11 am I'm thinking it should be midnight.

I actually got food today:)  well if you count lemon ice, Jell-O, chicken broth food.  I really want a full meal!!!

The physical therapist gave me the  "Rockstar" status for doing  two full laps of the hospital unit.

And I've taken a few naps.

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[Denise]

Apparently my blood pressure is no low.  83/51

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[Donica]

Congratulations Denise! And thanks for the heads up on what and what not to bring. Watch that BP girl! Maybe wiggling your toes will help with that? I don't really know if that works, just sayin .

BTW! Love the teddy bear!

Hugs,
Donica. 

[Denise]

Congratulations Denise! And thanks for the heads up on what and what not to bring. Watch that BP girl! Maybe wiggling your toes will help with that? I don't really know if that works, just sayin .

BTW! Love the teddy bear!

Hugs,
Donica.

Thanks @Donica I like Kristi too.    a comfort something was suggested and I didn't have one.  My friend Chrissy brought her for me when I came out of surgery.  She induces sleep just by holding her. 

Bring a very good foot/hand cream.  Also lip gloss or balm. 

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[LizK]

It's 11 am I'm thinking it should be midnight.

I actually got food today:)  well if you count lemon ice, Jell-O, chicken broth food.  I really want a full meal!!!

The physical therapist gave me the  "Rockstar" status for doing  two full laps of the hospital unit.

And I've taken a few naps.

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Congrats on doing so well...it's called a low residue diet here lol...I concur...where is the real food although I understand why they do it.

I was not allowed out of bed except to stand for no longer than a few minutes for the first 3 days and then only with a nurse till drains, catheter and IV came out. So that is huge...I hope you keep recovering well

Take care
Liz


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[Lisa89125]

Congratulations Denise!

I hope you recover swiftly.

Big hugs,

Lisa

[Beverly Anne]

Yay! So happy for you!

[JanePlain]

Congrats and feel better soon.  And just so you know pressing the morphine button over and over doesn't make it give you more faster.    A nurse had to explain that to me after I had cancer surgery. 

[Denise]

I stopped all pain meds this morning.  They have me solid food for dinner. I did 4 laps of the unit.  Let's see what tomorrow brings.

PS they tell me I'm way ahead of most.  Apparently being in good shape helps

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