GCS and BA with Dr. Ley on 21 Feb 2019 - Jessica_Rose

[Jessica_Rose]

Thanks everyone for your continuous encouragement!

I just took another round of meds, which included estrogen!!! I ordered lunch and dinner, now I plan to try walking around the halls for a bit. I did have one small area of persistent bleeding, but that has pretty much cleared up now.

[Jessica_Rose]

I consider myself to be in pretty good shape. When the nurses give me injections they always use my thighs because I have no stomach fat. I just walked (shuffled is more appropriate) down to the nurses station and back at a snail's pace, I even cheated by using a walker. It was like running back to back marathons. By the time I got back to my room I was exceptionally thirsty, extremely tired, and started shivering as I got into bed. Susan retrieved a warm blanket from the nurses station which really helped.

As others have said, try to get in shape before surgery. This is the most physically demanding thing I have ever done.

[Dena]

You're lucky that it's only two days on your back. The standard used to be 6 days on your back and you weren't permitted to elevate the bed. The only relief you had was you could lay on your sides but not on your stomach. When they let you out of bed, the first task they gave you was sitting on the edge of the bed without passing out. After you mastered that, you could stand next to the bed.

I am amazed that two days can knock a person down so much but I have seen it first hand. The good news is in a few days you should be able to move around pretty freely and may even consider a visit outside the hospital. Just don't overdo it as your surgery is still pretty fresh.

[Jessica_Rose]

Thanks Dena!

Apparently the rules recently changed here. The story I heard was that a patient had temporarily checked out to get lunch. While off the hospital grounds her insurance company called to see how she was doing, and she mentioned she had gone out to eat. The insurance company said that since she was well enough to leave campus, then she did not need to be in the hospital any longer -- they refused to pay for any additional days of recovery. For now I am restricted to the campus grounds until I am discharged. Darn, the weather was looking rather nice later this week!

I am doing my best not to push too hard. I don't want to take any chances popping a stitch or delaying my recovery. I am trying to be the best patient they ever had!

[Dena]

There are some places you can sit outside just outside the doors of the hospital. You would still be on hospital grounds and within a minute of getting to the phone. That would probably be about the same delay you would have if you were walking around the loop inside the hospital. I think just across from the nursing station, the outside area has seating and there is some downstairs. If there isn't seating, grab a wheel chair as there are normally a few next to the nursing station.

Sorry you can't get farther away but try to enjoy some of our typical winter weather even if it's just outside the door.

[LizK]

I was under the not above 30 degrees rule for a full 7 days. No sitting. only walking or standing. It was the most annoying part. You are doing great and what you say about being fit is soo true.

I would hate to be going into this surgery really unfit I would imagine the recovery would be even harder than it is.

It still puts a smile on my face to think in terms of "my vagina" etc and I can relate to the pleasant strangeness of being able to say it. I am sure that will fade over time.

Congrats you sound like you  are doing really really well.

Liz


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[Donica]

The doctors still want you to stay at least 4 or 5 more days don't they? And then you will need to stay close for another week after they discharge you? Perhaps ask the doctors and nurses where you can go without getting into trouble. I'm thinking I wouldn't want to do much for the first week.

[Jessica_Rose]

@Donica ,unless there are complications I should be released on 2 March, and we will start the drive back to Colorado on 3 March. It is a 12 hour drive, but I expect to split it into two or three days -- I am not going to push anything other than a dilator!

[Jessica_Rose]

Amazing the difference a few hours can make. I did two laps of the 2nd floor this afternoon, about 1/8 mile, without a walker or use of the handrails. Sometime within the next few hours I'll be taking my first shower ever without a built-in pointing device!

[Emma1017]

The smile of a champion!!!!

[Devlyn]

I am woman.

I began waking up about two hours ago. My throat is still scratchy, it feels like my bra is three sizes too small, and my crotch feels as though it has a slight rug burn. My pain pump is hooked up, and supper just arrived! Crackers and chicken broth, a veritable feast!

.. mirror mirror on the wall, who's the latest of them all?....

"That would be that bitch Devlyn. She misses everything." 

Sorry I didn't see this earlier. Speedy healing!

Hugs, Devlyn

[SarahWithin]

You look positively radiant! Congratulations, lovely lady!


Hugs x 2,
Sarah From Chitown
[emoji257]

[Jessica_Rose]

No worries @Devlyn , you have an annoying habit of speaking your mind and calling things as you see them. You may be a bitch at times, but you are a lovable one!!!

Thanks for your constant support @Emma1017 . The comments really help keep my spirits up!

I did take a shower earlier today, and it wore me out! I was starting to brown out a bit while drying off. I did not spend too much time checking out the new equipment, but my breasts are amazing and the pointing device appears to have been successfully recycled into a beautiful vagina. The day after surgery Dr. Ley mentioned she expected depth to be 6 - 6.5 inches, which is her normal target. Unpacking will occur on 27 Feb, then the real fun begins!

Dr. Ley dropped by while I was walking the halls earlier today. When we got back to my room I asked if she would mind taking a photo with me, and she was happy to do so. As we got the pose situated she said 'I am still jealous of your hips!'

[jill610]

Good advice on getting in shape before hand. The 90+ days of no strenuous exercise is starting to pay a toll on me... going from 6 spin classes a week to 0... eek.

You look like you are doing fantastic, just make sure you don't push yourself too hard. That's how I got this annoying perineal dehiscence.

Say hi to dr Ley for me

[Anne Blake]

@Donica ,unless there are complications I should be released on 2 March, and we will start the drive back to Colorado on 3 March. It is a 12 hour drive, but I expect to split it into two or three days -- I am not going to push anything other than a dilator!

Jessica,

I spent three days going home from Scottsdale. I drove to Santa Fe, spend a day of recovery there and then finished the drive home on the third day. Deb was under the weather and I did most all of the driving and it was totally exhausting. Take it easy going home girl, it is a long go of it.

Tia Anne

[Entropic Variable]

@Jessica_Rose –

You are an incredible inspiration to me; thank you so much for sharing this part of your journey here!

Sending you lots of Good Energy for a speedy recovery and Warmest Wishes for a very long, happy, and especially Complete life.

eHug.

[Jessica_Rose]

Tia (@Anne Blake ), as always thanks for your words of wisdom. At this time of year weather is a big factor to consider, and I don't want to stray too far from my dilation schedule. The trip home will take as long as it takes for us to arrive safely.

Thanks for your kind words @Entropic Variable , knowing that some of my struggles may help someone else overcome theirs is a nice feeling.

After my shower I took a nap then had supper. I was feeling pretty good, so I decided to try taking another walk. For the first time since surgery I did not nearly black out on my initial attempt to stand. I successfully completed two more laps around my floor, and I didn't collapse as soon as I made it back to my room!

This has been much more difficult than I had anticipated, but yes, it has been worth it.

[Lacy]

Thank you for keeping us updated Jessica! There are a few things that I didn't really think about being a big part of the experience when I first started down the path.

I know from talking to a TS woman in my industry that relearning how to empty your bladder is a challenge! She said it was extremely exciting when she finally managed it.

Also the thought of seeing your new body for the first time in the shower has to be a butterfly inducing experience!

It sounds like your recovery is going well and that you had a great team that worked on you!

Big congratulations on your Vagina!
Lacy

[Jessica_Rose]

Big congratulations on your Vagina!
Lacy

OK. That is not a phrase that I ever expected to hear in my lifetime! I don't know whether to laugh or cry tears of joy! I think the latter is more appropriate, since the hormones are starting to kick in again. Lacy, thanks for making my day!!!

There are a few odd things after surgery. One is the feeling that you need to pee. Wait, I have a catheter, how is that possible? Sometimes a catheter can be very sensitive to position, and it may not drain your bladder properly. Sitting on the toilet and uncapping the catheter usually works to drain your bladder, and it feels quite natural.

The nurses here are awesome. One got me situated for overnight, she checked my surgical sites, drained my catheter bag, brought my meds and a fresh ice bag, then told me the overnight schedule. Before leaving she asked if there was anything I needed, I said 'how about some chocolate ice cream?' Guess what? She brought me some! This place is awesome!!! A new vagina AND chocolate ice cream all in one stop!!!

[Entropic Variable]

[...]
Big congratulations on your Vagina!
Lacy

OK. That is not a phrase that I ever expected to hear in my lifetime! I don't know whether to laugh or cry tears of joy!
[...]

I did both when I read @RealLacy 's message.  I'm just so completely delighted for you @Jessica_Rose!

       

P.S.:  I'd say that you absolutely earned that chocolate ice cream.