Sara's Wild Ride (Part II)

[Jenn104]

BTW, my "last supper" before going on liquid diet is tonight, so my girlfriends and I are going out to one of our favorite restaurants.  It'll be fun.  I don't deserve these wonderful women!

I hate to be so argumentive...

but...

You totally and completely deserve wonderful friends around you. 100 percent.

Enjoy tonight and good luck over the next few weeks. You got this.

~Jenn

[TXSara]

Oh wow! I just had the time this morning to read through this thread and it was amazing. Really. You are super resilient, determined, and persistent. I'm impressed. The time in leading up to my GCS had me so on edge that I could barely tolerate interacting with others. You? You're going out and meeting people and actually doing things! That alone is impressive. But the whole dating thing also? Dang, I'll state it again, impressive.

Thanks, Kelly!  I really appreciate it.

I think the leadup to my GCS is similar to the leadup to starting HRT.  I remember talking with my therapist at the time about my complete lack of concern.  Interestingly, I was concerned about the fact that I wasn't concerned.  I asked her, "Am I that well-adjusted, or am I just not thinking this all the way through?"  She responded, "Let's go with well-adjusted... for now." 

That's about how I feel today.  I'm well-adjusted... for now.  I'm excited and nervous, and I'm trying not to think on it very much.  It definitely helps that I have a TON of stuff to do over the next couple days before I leave.  That keeps my mind from going to places it doesn't need to be...

Ask me again on Monday when I'm hangry from not having any real food for two days, and I may not feel the same!! 

~Sara

[davina61]

That seems a long time to not eat, my doc just said 24hrs.Mind you the enema made up for it!!! Like all things I took it in my stride ,sounds like your doing the same. Best wishes dear XXX

[TXSara]

So, surgery prep has begun in earnest this morning.

I'm not able to eat anything solid today, but at least I can eat things that have some substance.  I already downed a protein drink, and I'm eating a huge bowl of Malt-o-Meal right now.  I'm definitely going to load up on anything I can over the course of the day so that I can push through tomorrow and Tuesday morning.  What a beating THAT is going to be!

At dinner last night, my friends gave me a gift.  In true "Lizzie" style, the gift was... well... um... a large silicone toy in the shape of a phallus that is typically referred to with a 5-letter word starting with "d" and ending with "o"  .  She tells the table, "This one is called The King!  This company is also black-owned, BTW..." while giving everyone a knowing look and nod.  Too frickin' funny!  I said, "Yeah, it may be a while before I can put this to use, girls!  You may be giving Dr. McGinn a bit TOO much credit!"  We had a great time. 

At one point, the waitress came by and asked if this was a birthday celebration.  Lu responds with, "Well, sort of... I guess it's more like a rebirth celebration!"  It was good enough -- we got the free dessert LOL. I'm sure we were a bit loud for the rest of the customers with all the whooping, hollering, and laughter.  You can dress us up, but you can't take us out!

~Sara

[Jessica_Rose]

Good luck Sara! The near future will hold many challenges, but years from now all you will remember is 'oh yeah, this is the anniversary of getting that little birth defect corrected. I wish I hadn't waited so long.' Good luck to you, and the surgical team!

By the way, my bottom surgery was on 21 Feb 2019.

Love always -- Jess

[REM.1126]

You should probably plan to celebrate the day every year.

[TXSara]

The countdown is REALLY getting close now.  I received a call from the hospital letting me know when to be there for surgery, and I lucked into the early slot!  Awesome!  I have to be there at 4:45am.

This is good for two reasons— First, I'm getting really hungry at this point.  It would have been horrible to go the better part of another day without food!  Second, this gives me less time to be anxious.  I'll get up, get ready, then go straight to the hospital.  No time to think about it.

It's crazy to think that I'm less than 12 hours away...

~Sara

[Jenn104]

The countdown is REALLY getting close now.  I received a call from the hospital letting me know when to be there for surgery, and I lucked into the early slot!  Awesome!  I have to be there at 4:45am.

This is good for two reasons— First, I'm getting really hungry at this point.  It would have been horrible to go the better part of another day without food!  Second, this gives me less time to be anxious.  I'll get up, get ready, then go straight to the hospital.  No time to think about it.

It's crazy to think that I'm less than 12 hours away...

~Sara

Sending positive thoughts your way...

Jenn

[Sarah B]

Hi Sara

The anticipation is killing me, Sara!  Hurry up and get on the table!  Please remember these days, they will be your most fondest memories that you will ever have.

If I remember correctly I worked on Friday and my surgery was on Tuesday, I was supposed to be there on Sunday but I rocked up on Monday.  Talk about cutting it close.  Don't worry I had it done.

Take care and as I said before I will see you on the other side.

Best wishes for the surgery, love and hugs
Sarah B

[Jessica_Rose]

As my anesthesiologist said just before knocking me out -- 'better living through pharmaceuticals'.

Surgery tip -- don't try to help them perform the procedure, and take all the drugs they offer.

Tomorrow is a new day, the dawn of a new Sara.

Love always -- Jess

[Nadine Spirit]

Best of luck cutie!

[tgirlamg]

Go get 'em Tiger!!! 💕🐯💕

[davina61]

Yes Devlin will be waiting with the Its a Girl post!!!

[Gina P]

I wanted to be the first one to congratulate you on your surgery. I know you are probably not going to remember much of today, much less be reading posts, nevertheless, you made it!! Sarah, you are such an inspiration to us all.
Hugs Gina

[Sarah B]

Hi Sara

Congratulations you are a GIRL!!
Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Best wishes love and hugs
Sarah B

[Sarah B]

Hi Sara

I wanted to be the first one to congratulate you on your surgery. I know you are probably not going to remember much of today, much less be reading posts, nevertheless, you made it!! Sarah, you are such an inspiration to us all.
Hugs Gina

Oh she will I hope, remember pretty much the main points like me.

Best wishes love and hugs
Sarah B

[Jenn104]

This is a pretty cool moment when you think about it. Like we're collectively sending good vibes and wishes, holding our breath, and anticipating great news...



Jenn

[davina61]

All I can remember is walking! to the theatre, laying on the trolley and getting the sleep jab and then waking in the room in my bed feeling fine.Hope you have the same experience, best wishes XXXXX

[Oldandcreaky]

Please remember these days, they will be your most fondest memories that you will ever have.

Gosh, I can't agree. I remember being in the dark. I heard the voices of my nurses, spouse, and friends. I mumbled a lot and no one knew what I was saying. Then I awoke and couldn't move much. I slept a lot. When I could finally leave my bed for the first time, I couldn't decide whether to puke or faint. Sad, shuffling steps with a walker were a challenge. Then I could not pee and the pressure grew worse and worse. They were about to discharge me and I couldn't pee and they gave me a cath kit, which would have been impossible. Finally, the dam burst.

My fondest memories of my journey came after all that, i.e. loving and being loved as I am.

I'm guessing Sara's in the dark right now and soon she'll be mumbling. I just want her to get past all this and get back to living her life, loving her friends, colleagues, and family, and being loved in return.

and then waking in the room in my bed feeling fine

Whoa, Davina! No darkness? No mumbling? No choosing between vomiting or fainting? No shuffling down the hallway and being exhausted by that? No struggle to pee?

On the other hand, once home, I did recover pretty quickly.

[Courtney G]

I cheated - sent Sara a text last night instead of posting here. But I am chomping at the bit, waiting to hear that our girl is all finished! Sara, we're all so happy for you!!!!