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

[mm]

Congrad, peeing now as a lady and not spraying all over is great to hear.  Just another step in being complete lady.  Just need to keep up the dilating.

[Jessica_Rose]

I just found out that I will be released early Saturday morning, they are doing the paperwork now. Although we had not planned to hit the road until Sunday, I think we will leave town tomorrow if possible. Hotel checkout time is 11:00am. I could do my first dilation around 6:00am in the recovery center, and a second just before leaving the hotel. Albuquerque should only be about 7 hours away, so I would do a third as soon as we check in, and a fourth before going to bed. The time between dilations may not be optimal, but I think it will be sufficient. We are expecting quite a bit of snow at our house Saturday into Sunday, but a friend said he would clear the driveway for us.

I am excited to be going home, but a little sad to leave all the wonderful folks here at the surgical center, my new place of birth. I already have a return visit planned, so it won't be 'goodbye'.

[jill610]

Wow, I leave for a few days and you have a mountain of new updates! So happy for you! Especially the peeing part, a healthy % have to go home with a catheter and that kinda sucked let me tell you.

Have you managed to keep the perineal stitches intact? Mine broke shortly after I got home from a bowel movement and it will be at least another month (it's been a month already) since it happened.

They don't really tell you any of this, but to your point this is what we are getting into and at some point it's just a big realization how different our bodies now are. I had a hard time with the swelling and a similar reaction to you. I wasn't expecting it and it was like "whoa. Glad it's gone but this is t what I thought I was getting". After 7 weeks (TODAY!!), it's starting to come down but still super sore.

Definitely keep an eye on the dots, Nicole will hound you every Monday to make sure you are keeping depth. I am now on #4 with 6.5" (all dots), but you are right, it's uncomfortable. Doesn't hurt but isn't the most pleasant thing to do either. Once you get down to twice a day, it becomes a lot more manageable!! Oh and your investment in lube and pads slows down a bit too haha!

Good luck with your discharge tomorrow and take all the goodies you can - lube, bacitracin, pads, etc!

Wow we almost bumped into each other in July - I was scheduled for labiaplasty on the 27th (26th is my birthday), but ended up moving it back to May because scheduling around it got out of hand.

[Rayna]

Hi Jessica,

I'm so glad you get to come home! It's been quite a journey, and I'm so glad you and Susan are getting through it so well.

Take it easy on your drive. With the snow, there's no hurry and you don't want to get trapped somewhere. Snow flurries here today, but not much yet. Except the peak has been getting hammered all day.

Congratulations on your entry to this new part of your life!

Sent from my Victor 9000 using Tapatalk

[Donica]

Wow! Great news Jessica. Leaving for home tomorrow. Such a long drive. Have a safe trip home ladies. Let us know when you get to Albuquerque.

Big hugs.

[Anne Blake]

Be careful coming home girl, lots of snow on Saturday and some more on Sunday with really cold scheduled for Sunday. Don't hurry it, stay safe!

Tia Anne

[Jessica_Rose]

Have you managed to keep the perineal stitches intact? Mine broke shortly after I got home from a bowel movement and it will be at least another month (it's been a month already) since it happened.

They don't really tell you any of this, but to your point this is what we are getting into and at some point it's just a big realization how different our bodies now are. I had a hard time with the swelling and a similar reaction to you. I wasn't expecting it and it was like "whoa. Glad it's gone but this is t what I thought I was getting". After 7 weeks (TODAY!!), it's starting to come down but still super sore.

Definitely keep an eye on the dots, Nicole will hound you every Monday to make sure you are keeping depth. I am now on #4 with 6.5" (all dots), but you are right, it's uncomfortable. Doesn't hurt but isn't the most pleasant thing to do either. Once you get down to twice a day, it becomes a lot more manageable!! Oh and your investment in lube and pads slows down a bit too haha!

Good luck with your discharge tomorrow and take all the goodies you can - lube, bacitracin, pads, etc!

So far all of my stitches are intact. I plan to continue taking a mild laxative and stool softener for a few months until the stitches dissolve. I have had issues with constipation in the past, and I certainly don't want something like that to interfere with my recovery.

Yes indeed, that first peek at my new entertainment center was somewhat traumatic, all the bruising and swelling was way beyond what I expected. I don't think there is any way to mentally prepare for such a drastic visual change. It already looks quite a bit better, squinting helps a bit, but ... ouch.

I am not quite sure where we are supposed to measure from, the surface of the labia, or the vaginal opening near the urethra? I am bottoming out (another ouch), but I know the discomfort will not last forever. Congrats on your dilation success!

I am hoping for some parting gifts!

[Jessica_Rose]

@RandyL , @Donica , @Anne Blake , thank you all for your travel concerns. The trip to Albuquerque may be wet around Flagstaff, but there is no snow in the forecast along tomorrow's route. Sunday definitely concerns me. With my winter tires safe at home in the garage, I do not look forward to driving in snowy or icy conditions. If I am uncomfortable with the potential road conditions near my home, we may just try to get a bit closer on Sunday and complete the trip Monday. I have not gone through all of this just to take a gamble getting home.

[Dena]

I know it's the long way around but you might be better off considering taking I 10 east if there is much in the way of bad weather. We call it the southern route and sometime we preferred it in the summer because it was flatter, an important consideration with the motor home.

[jill610]

So far all of my stitches are intact. I plan to continue taking a mild laxative and stool softener for a few months until the stitches dissolve. I have had issues with constipation in the past, and I certainly don't want something like that to interfere with my recovery.

Yes indeed, that first peek at my new entertainment center was somewhat traumatic, all the bruising and swelling was way beyond what I expected. I don't think there is any way to mentally prepare for such a drastic visual change. It already looks quite a bit better, squinting helps a bit, but ... ouch.

I am not quite sure where we are supposed to measure from, the surface of the labia, or the vaginal opening near the urethra? I am bottoming out (another ouch), but I know the discomfort will not last forever. Congrats on your dilation success!

I am hoping for some parting gifts!

I have what my gp calls a "lazy" bowel. So miralax and I are frenemies.

Keep the packet they gave you at the preop visit handy, if you lost that then reprint the PDF. Measuring is from the outer edge of the labia, and in the packet they say to expect to "lose" half inch to reduction in swelling. I don't know that I've lost much, but swelling is down significantly.

Now if only I could say the same for my ravenous appetite!!

[Jessica_Rose]

I know it's the long way around but you might be better off considering taking I 10 east if there is much in the way of bad weather. We call it the southern route and sometime we preferred it in the summer because it was flatter, an important consideration with the motor home.

Thanks Dena! We actually came here via the southern route so we could visit our daughter in Socorro, NM, but it does add about an hour to our road time. I will check the weather again before we leave tomorrow, and if the route through Flagstaff looks questionable we will take I-10 over to I-25.

[christinej78]

Thanks Dena! We actually came here via the southern route so we could visit our daughter in Socorro, NM, but it does add about an hour to our road time. I will check the weather again before we leave tomorrow, and if the route through Flagstaff looks questionable we will take I-10 over to I-25.

Hi Jessica,                       02 March 2019

I have been following your thread; what you have written has given me the incentive to follow suit after I have relocated to Phoenix this spring. I am a good bit older than you, by about 18 years. I hope to have many years as the woman I long to be. I know with Dena helping me, I will succeed. Thank you for your frank discussion of your transition adventure.

Dena gave me advice the night of 17 January 2019. I didn't listen and the night didn't end well. Fortunately, the only injuries were to the car, tree and my ego, in that order.

Take the safest route home even if it takes an extra day or two.

God Bless both you and Susan; have a safe and enjoyable trip home and happy and enjoyable new lives together.

Best Always, Love
Christine

[Jessica_Rose]

Just a quick update... We arrived safely in Albuquerque. There was a little more rain than expected south of Flagstaff, but it didn't slow us down much. The trip took about 7 hours, counting three stops to stretch, eat, refill the ice pack between my legs,, and fuel up. As soon as we got to the room I dilated, and I didn't have any issues. We are eating at IHOP then making a run to Target -- I need to replace my favorite fleece lined leggings. They are showing signs of wear.

I will watch the weather closely before heading north tomorrow. We will wait an extra day here if the road conditions are poor.

[Laurie]

Jessica and Susan,

  I am glad to see you both doing well and on your way home at last. Do be careful and do not tire yourself out in the process. My hat is off to Susan as I am sure she has been a real trooper in helping you whenever she can. It is probably a wonder she hasn't walloped you at least once in the adventure.
  Hey I have an idea..... instead of chancing the snow, you could head west to Michelle's and wait for the snow to melt. I am sure she would love that company. I happen to know she has frozen cookie dough balls in the freezer just waiting for someone to cook them for to arrive. ( You might want to clear it with her first though)

Hugs,
  Laurie

[Jessica_Rose]

I will make a longer post later, but for now just wanted to say that we made it home safely. I didn't get much sleep last night, and I am dead tired.

[Rayna]

Great news that you made it home!  There's a lot of snow up here where I am, and snowing actively again.  It's great to get that trip behind you, and now you have home sweet home to comfort you (along with Susan).

[Kendra]

Welcome home!  And in so many ways, You Have Arrived.

[Julie -2010]

I will make a longer post later, but for now just wanted to say that we made it home safely. I didn't get much sleep last night, and I am dead tired.

Welcome back to Colorado.  It is probably a relief to be home.  Take care of yourself.

Julie

[steph2.0]

Welcome back home, sister Jessica. Stay warm, relax, and heal now.

Stephanie

[Michelle_P]

Welcome home, Jessica and Susan!  Now, rest and recover.  Both of you!

With love and hugs,
Michelle_P and Laurie