Athena's ramblings revisited

[Lori Dee]

One thing that people should know about before getting SRS is the 4-6 weeks of heavy discharge. It's disgusting.

That would be bothersome, but healing takes time and everyone's body heals at a different rate.

But overall, how are you doing? No regrets? Are you up and walking around?

Hopefully, the nastiness will soon be a thing of the past and you can get on with the business of living your life as YOU.

Big Hugs!

[Athena]

I was up walking around 2 days after the surgery. Zero regrets about the GRS just a bit about going with the canal.

I seem to be healing very well and fairly quickly.

[Lori Dee]

I was up walking around 2 days after the surgery. Zero regrets about the GRS just a bit about going with the canal.

I seem to be healing very well and fairly quickly.

That is good news! I am glad it is going well. Maybe as it heals more you will be happy you went with that option. I know that sometimes I second guess my decisions, but later I remember how I arrived at that decision in the first place.

What's that old saying?

"When you are up to your ass in alligators it is difficult to remember that you came here to drain the swamp."

Hang in there. You got this. 

[Athena]

Sorry I haven't updated about my recovery for a while.

Starting in October the pain from dilating seemed to go away and fortunately for me my screwing around with my dilation schedule didn't appear to have negatively affected me. I started following the schedule that GRS Montreal suggests and I plan on following it just a month pushed back. I am dilating 4 times a day now and the only real issue is the amount of time it takes out of my day. I have started listening to tic tok while dilating and now a half hour fly's by there is no real pain and the sitz bath can be comforting. I have just recently stopped using dilator 3 and now I just use dilator 4 for 30 + minutes, last night I did it for over 50 minutes as I was busy and had to miss a dilation. In September I could barely keep the number 4 in for more than 5 minutes because of pain but now it's just time consuming.

In September I really regretted going with the canal and had a really hard time justifying dilating but now not so much. It is actually a nice break and me time while dilating now. I still have no real plans for using my canal but I no longer regret it. Like I said earlier the only real concern is the amount of time out of the day that is required for the prep, dilation, clean up , shower/sitz bath , douche and the air drying time 4 times a day.

[Northern Star Girl]

@Athena
Dear Athena:
Thank you for your update regarding your surgery recovery and necessary tasks related
to followup with Dilation, etc.
I agree... I am more than certain that you will not regret going "all the way" with
the "canal" procedure.

Thank you for your update, please continue to keep us all updated as you continue on.

HUGS, Danielle

[Athena]

Well tonight I just learned something else about dilating.

I was laying there for about 40-45 minutes dilating, I was watching tic tok so the time went by fairly quickly. For some bright reason my dumb butt decided to pull the dilator out rather quickly. It turns out that when you do so, it causes a vacuum effect which can be uncomfortable for a little while.

So please if you are dilating take the dilator out in a slow gentle manner, you will appreciate it.

[Lori Dee]

OUCH!

[Jessica_Rose]

Also, try not to cough or sneeze. You don't want to launch a torpedo.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

[Athena]

New Tattoo on my right butt cheek

[Athena]

Hey all sorry for no updates in a while. My neighbours dog passed away a few weeks ago and I was hit really hard by her passing.

I just got off a video call with my endo and he agreed to start me on progesterone which makes me really happy. My lack of breast growth and no nipples to speak of have really been bothering me so I am hoping this works. I am trying to get off of my antidepressants as they really aren't doing anything for me but when I tried to start reducing them I got to a point where I was ready to cut my own face off, I didn't think I had a knife sharp enough forgetting about the exacto knife. I went back to the full dose the day after that so I am not so ready to cut my face off anymore.

In about an hour I off to get my third tattoo it's another one on my hand so I am not looking forward to the next couple hours.

[Lori Dee]

I think you will find that the progesterone really starts things moving for breast development. It does in people with ovaries, so should be part of our protocol too.

Usually, prescribers follow outdated guidelines and only prescribe a once-a-day-before-bedtime dose. Ovaries produce progesterone 24/7 so it makes more sense to take smaller doses several times per day. That is what I do.

Just be aware that progesterone can make you feel tired or sleepy, and if you suffer from depression, taking it during the day is not the best for you. Taking it before bed means you sleep through the sleepiness, depression, and dizziness that are common at the higher doses. YMMV.

I am happy that you are finally getting it though.

[Athena]

Latest tattoo

[Gina P]

I've heard that Progesterone can have emotional side effects. I have not experienced this but have had wild dreams while on it. Anyway, keep the sharp knives out of reach to be safe.

[Athena]

Best of the season all

[Lori Dee]

You too, Athena!
You are truly a blessing.

[ChrissyRyan]

Merry Christmas Athena!

Chrissy

[Athena]

Bleh I just got an infection in one of my teeth yesterday. My face has really swollen up and I've temporarily lost about 50% vision in my left eye because of swelling. I can't go out and about because people may worry about me being a victim of domestic violence (not to make light of DV). The swelling around my eye is red and may look like bruising.

Next thursday I have to get 2 teeth pulled YAY!!

[Lori Dee]

Oh ouch!

Dental pain is the worst. I would rather have a migraine than a toothache.
I hope it resolves quickly.

[Natali400]

Congratulations ❤️

[Athena]

An interesting situation happened the other day. I was exposed to stimuli that I haven't bothered with for a while then oops out popped my libido. For the first time since September 3 I might have felt a very minor regret for getting the surgery. I allowed my libido to take charge and even though for the first time I am glad for the canal, I think that it might have been easier to come to a happy ending before the surgery. It still felt very nice though.

I hope this wasn't TMI