Greetings All,
I intend this to be an ongoing thread helping me to stay sane (yes Laurie, I agree that is already questionable) during the next several weeks. Some of you may have noticed in earlier postings that I am scheduled to experience gcs on the 12th of September; two weeks two days two hours and forty minutes if anyone is counting.
The old me used to be extremely introverted and kept everything inside, maybe a common trait for those still stifling their identity. I had planned on doing the same throughout this experience but some crazy lady, appropriately named Happy Moni, encouraged me to journal a bit of my story. Thank you Moni girl, you are a good sister and friend.
Over the next several of weeks as my partner and I get ready and travel to Scottsdale I plan to share parts of the journey that brought us to this point and hunger to continue further along with as much of my recovery I can put into words. I look forward to and count on the support that you, my brothers and sisters at Susan's give so freely, to be able to get through this next big step.
Your emotional wreck of a sister,
Tia Anne
Anne,
I know you are gonna kick butt and take names. I am so happy for you, only wish I could be there to see your face when you are done. I can say that for me this experience is one I will always cherish. I hope you are able to relax and enjoy becoming a butterfly. A beautiful butterfly! Give Deb a hug for me. All my love to you!
Moni XOXO
Congratulations and I am very happy for you. I agree with Monica, although this part of the path has its moments, I cherish having had the experience and so greatly cherish my new life.
Quote from: Anne Blake on August 27, 2017, 12:03:17 PM
Greetings All,
I intend this to be an ongoing thread helping me to stay sane (yes Laurie, I agree that is already questionable) during the next several weeks. Some of you may have noticed in earlier postings that I am scheduled to experience gcs on the 12th of September; two weeks two days two hours and forty minutes if anyone is counting.
The old me used to be extremely introverted and kept everything inside, maybe a common trait for those still stifling their identity. I had planned on doing the same throughout this experience but some crazy lady, appropriately named Happy Moni, encouraged me to journal a bit of my story. Thank you Moni girl, you are a good sister and friend.
Over the next several of weeks as my partner and I get ready and travel to Scottsdale I plan to share parts of the journey that brought us to this point and hunger to continue further along with as much of my recovery I can put into words. I look forward to and count on the support that you, my brothers and sisters at Susan's give so freely, to be able to get through this next big step.
Your emotional wreck of a sister,
Tia Anne
May I be so forward as to ask for a sanity update?
Moni
Well Moni, yes, just because you asked so nicely.
Today is Monday evening, this coming Friday my partner and I will begin the drive to Scottsdale. A week from tomorrow is scheduled for surgery. Between now and Friday morning we only have about ten thousand things to accomplish but they are individually small busy work that will hopefully keep me distracted from all that is going on. My partner and I are ready for this while at the same time scared out of our wits; which I believe is a healthy place to be. As mentioned, surgery is on the 12th, I will be in their recovery center for 6 nights and then be staying in a local hotel for 3 more weeks for recovery before driving home.
Dr. Ley of Dr. Meltzer's center will be performing a partial or cosmetic gcs on me. The partial gcs will get rid of all my dangly bits and produce labia and a sensate clitoris but will not include a vaginal cavity. This was a decision that my partner and I made together with inputs from many here at Susan's. Our reasoning was age, risk, difficulties and/or complications of recovery, reduced maintenance combined with the fact that we have no intention of ever using the missing cavity. We are very comfortable with this choice.
Next year I will be turning 70 and have been finding my recovery strength has been diminishing rapidly with age. Two months ago I joined a local gym and have been working with a trainer to boost my core strength and general fitness. I am looking forward to seeing how much the physical training and simplified surgical procedure impact my recovery as compared to what some of the other younger girls have been going through lately. To be honest, some of their stories have me very nervous. If there is much interest, I will continue to post updates as this journey continues to unfold.
A very anxious sister,
Anne
Tia,
Let me put it this way... You best be keeping us informed about all that happens and if you cannot then Please have your partner make an account so she can update us. This um "suggestion" is not an idle one. Remember I know where you live and have not been on a good hunt in several months.....
That said Tia, take my hugs with you but save a few for your partner. In fact give her one for me now. I thnk of you two often and hope everything comes off (cough) without a hitch.
laurie
Laurie,
Thanks for the warning but you may just need to pick up Moni and the two of you come on down to Arizona to set me right.
Thanks for your well wishes and my partner thanks you for the hug.
Tia Anne
Quote from: Anne Blake on September 04, 2017, 10:34:44 PM
Laurie,
Thanks for the warning but you may just need to pick up Moni and the two of you come on down to Arizona to set me right.
Thanks for your well wishes and my partner thanks you for the hug.
Tia Anne
If it wasn't for this pesky work thing, I'd be there in a heart beat. I gotta believe you are gonna be just fine. At last Clyde will have a friend in 'doggy heaven.' You know, Laurie's living room. Woof woof!
Moni
Oh yeah, you ain't leavin us in the dark on this one, Girlfriend. :)
Moni, I have missed you girlfriend, welcome back.
By the way, I have found the perfect distraction from the craziness of my upcoming gcs, at least for a short while. A couple of days ago the afternoon was disturbed with the explosion of flash bags and teargas grenades as a local swat team dealt with a wanted bad guy that was holed up in a neighbor's house with automatic weapons. I found it difficult to remain focused on my little drama with armed folks running around the streets and snipers out and about. I highly recommend this method of distraction if any of you with upcoming surgeries are getting too anxious.
Anne
Quote from: Anne Blake on September 05, 2017, 06:32:13 PM
Moni, I have missed you girlfriend, welcome back.
By the way, I have found the perfect distraction from the craziness of my upcoming gcs, at least for a short while. A couple of days ago the afternoon was disturbed with the explosion of flash bags and teargas grenades as a local swat team dealt with a wanted bad guy that was holed up in a neighbor's house with automatic weapons. I found it difficult to remain focused on my little drama with armed folks running around the streets and snipers out and about. I highly recommend this method of distraction if any of you with upcoming surgeries are getting too anxious.
Anne
They must have been looking for Laurie.
Moni
Greetings All,
Time for another update.....tomorrow we will head off towards Scottsdale, planning to take three days on the road at a casual pace. We will be following Laurie's favorite route, mostly all back roads wandering around western Colorado, southern Utah and northern Arizona, getting into Scottsdale Sunday in time for pre op scheduled for Monday morning.
Right now, I am using this time as a warranted interruption to packing. I have never tried to pack for a month on the road mixed with the intrusion of recovery and healing. Let's see, that skirt is too pretty to be left behind, and of course I will need that pair of heels....well, we got the important priorities taken care of with getting our nails done this morning. All this dialog is just silly stuff keeping me distracted from actually getting started on something that I am so looking forward to while trying to avoid thinking about at all.....you know, just another normal day like every other day that I've known. I can't tell what exactly it is that has me all up and jumpy about getting on the road and surgery. I have never liked packing for a trip; I used to travel A LOT but the packing part was always difficult. I am so excited about getting to the other side of surgery and actually seeing myself in a mirror as the person that I am, no worries there. Perhaps it may be that I am anxious about something coming up that will disqualify me or postpone it all for some reason or deliverable that I neglected, or, or, or....you probably know what I am talking about, you have probably experienced it yourself.
Well, it is down to leaving tomorrow morning, three days on the road, one day of pre op and fun preparation and then surgery. Moni whined a lot about not eating for a long long time, I just need to go Monday with only clear liquids and Tuesday fasting until surgery at noon, should be a piece of cake, or pie, perhaps a muffin.... The biggest bugaboo about getting ready so far is giving up my little blue pills a week and a half ago, the night sweats have already begun, can't wait for them to let me get back on my wonder drug.
And of course, the mail man just dropped off a jury duty notification for me, I hope that I can put it off enough for my body mods and hopefully name change. That should make for an interesting jury selection interview.
Until next time.
Anne
Hi Tia,
I like that you and Deb are going to be wandering down to Arizona. Even though a lot of the way will be desert there is no lack of beauty to be seen along the way. Be safe and enjoy the road. And yes I have wander around the area a little bit though it has been many years. I think the last time was that trip through Estes Park and down to Durango that I told you about. That stretch was pretty nice as I remember. The part where the transmission was acting up wasn't as much fun. But we made it home. I'll be thinking about you two while you are away and will be looking for those updates. I hope that all goes as planned and with a minimum of discomfort to you. I'll have both you and Deb close in my heart.
Laurie
Love you Anne!
Greetings All,
It is time for another update. We arrived in Scottsdale last evening, a day early. My thoughts were that adding a little buffer to the schedule would be helpful, I was getting nervous and that wasn't helping at all. But the real reason is that there is a great breakfast/lunch grill in Old Town that serves a fantastic southwestern breakfast that I had been looking forward to since I arranged my surgery here last May and I only had today to enjoy it as tomorrow is to go without solid foods and it will be a while until I am able to get out on the town again.
We are now firmly lodged in our hotel for the duration, tomorrow morning is pre op and Tuesday mid day is surgery......and yes I will admit to a wee bit of anxiety. My sister had been planning to be down here with us, or more particularly with my partner while I was in surgery and for the rest of the week but she fell and injured her knee so travel was out for her. That sweet lady Dena is trying to arrange her schedule to provide support when possible. I just love it how the brothers and sisters at Susan's are willing to help out in any way they can. This is truly a unique site filled with awesome people.
My partner is currently in hiding, I have been getting so wound up and out of control I am afraid that I am pretty scary company for her. It will be much easier post surgery when I am drugged out of my mind, looking forward to it. Just getting to this point has been an amazing journey, these past few days or weeks have had me feeling completely comfortable being me with very few traces of the old life rearing their ugly heads. It is almost as if I do not need to go in to the operating center on Tuesday, I am feeling so completely whole but I know that if I stopped now the uglies would come back in no time.
Enough for now, I may get a post in tomorrow if I gain any insight from pre op but I expect that it will be Tuesday evening before I have anything to add. And it will be a challenge for you readers to try to interpret any insight from a groggy and stoned old lady.
Until then my friends,
Tia Anne
Hi Tia,
I am glad you two made it there w/o difficulty. Now why would you be making Deb go into hiding? You know she only wants the best for you. No you just behave yourself lady. I did look into a visit with you two but I have 2 appointment this wee and another early in the next with not enough time between then to shoot on down and get back in time. Monday it's a visit with my therapist and though I've pretty much come out of a dark place I think I still need to keep this appointment with him. The others are for facial torture and I made these a month ago. 3 sessions in less than two weeks. I'd hate to miss all that fun. lol. I hope Dena and any anyone else that may be in the area can fill in for me. I'm sorry but it does look like I will not be able to come hold Debi"s hand. I wish it was otherwise.
Do enjoy that breakfast I hope it is worth the trip there to get it. You and Debi will both be in my thoughts.
Hugs,
Laurie
Laurie girl, I appreciate the thought but I am just happy to see you getting back on your feet after that nasty hit you had to take from loved ones. It is good to see you regaining some strength. Now you need to keep your priorities straight and take care of yourself. We have it in control down here.
Love you girl,
Tia Anne & Deb
Thank You Tia.
Yeah I hope I'm done wallowing in that place though it is still a bit of a sore spot. I talked to my therapist last visit and thought I had a handle on it but I found out otherwise. Some give the advice that if you find yourself digging a hole, stop shoveling. Wish I had remember it. now what should I wear for my therapy session tomorrow? Decisions decisions.
Now quit picking on Debi and be nice. Have a good night and a great breakfast. I'll be with you in spirit if I can't be there in person.
Loves ya both,
Laurie
Anne,
You look wonderful in the new avatar. Glad you put it up before you got stoned. It wouldn't do to have you putting the wrong new you on there. Good luck tomorrow, Sweetie!
Monica
I find it kind of amazing, it is now less than 17 hours till show time and it still feels unreal. It looks like I will have to see myself in the mirror after the bandages are removed to believe that it is really happening.
This evening is the lovely time of preparation, probably would be tmi to go into the details but the short of it is that it will be a late night with much of it spent in the ladies room....wait, there are only ladies in this room so I need to specify the bathroom.
I met with Dr. Ley this morning for my pre op appointment, the more I get to know her the better that I like her. So far, I am very happy that she was the choice we made. Tomorrow has me getting to the surgical center near 10am and surgery at noon. The plan is to be three nights in recovery and back to the hotel on the third day post op. This is several days earlier than if we had chosen a full vaginoplasty. Dr. Ley discussed the options and benefits of full vs partial and we all agreed that it still makes the best sense.
Now to enjoy the cleansing procedure and try to get some sleep tonight (yeh, good luck at that) and then off to take another step in the journey.
I will post more after I shake off enough anesthesia to find my keyboard.
Anne
Anne,
It seems like yesterday when we talked and you had no thought at all that you would go for this. Remember?
Monica
What do you and the people in Florida have in common right now? You are both evacuating.
Best wishes for tomorrow! Get some rest, and hoping for a fast recovery.
Hi All,
Debi here to introduce myself as Tia Anne's stand in tomorrow for posting on this site. She thinks she will be sane enough to post in the evening but for her sake I hope not. In fact I am hoping she sleeps well tomorrow night. Her last few nights have been a little iffy. For those who don't recognize my name I am Tia Anne's partner/spouse/wife/sometimes better half and sometimes not. Anyway, I am the one who is walking though this crazy life with her. Thank you, Laurie for the hugs that were sent in your last post. They were received and appreciated. Dena, I am looking forward to seeing you again. I really appreciate that you will be with me tomorrow.
Until tomorrow evening,
Deb
Deb, great to see you here! We haven't met but I have heard wonderful things.
Since this is your first post to Susan's I will add information we always send to new members when they start to post. Here it is:
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The Internet Never Forgets, and the various web crawlers and archival sites out there may retain information that you post.
We cannot ensure that any information you share on the site will be protected from public view and/or copying or reproduction. This warning is also listed in the Terms of Service listed below.
If you give out personal information on Susan's you are responsible for any consequence.,kn
I also want to share some links with you. They include helpful information and the rules that govern the site. It is important for your enjoyment of the site to take a moment to go through them
Things that you should read
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Best wishes for Tia Anne's surgery tomorrow and we are so glad you are there with her.
Kendra
Quote from: Debi on September 11, 2017, 09:55:08 PM
Hi All,
Debi here to introduce myself as Tia Anne's stand in tomorrow for posting on this site. She thinks she will be sane enough to post in the evening but for her sake I hope not. In fact I am hoping she sleeps well tomorrow night. Her last few nights have been a little iffy. For those who don't recognize my name I am Tia Anne's partner/spouse/wife/sometimes better half and sometimes not. Anyway, I am the one who is walking though this crazy life with her. Thank you, Laurie for the hugs that were sent in your last post. They were received and appreciated. Dena, I am looking forward to seeing you again. I really appreciate that you will be with me tomorrow.
Until tomorrow evening,
Deb
Hi Deb, (((Hug)))
Would that I could be there with you too. We could have another one of those girl to girl talks. I really enjoy the one we had. I looked at my schedule again to see if there was some way and yes, I could make it there and back before my next appointment but that would give me only a day to visit and I have a few bills I should get paid this month. I didn't plans this very well did I? Sorry. I do want to be there. I guess you and Tia will just have to wait for me to drop in again in Loveland.
My prayers and thoughts will be with you both.
Hugs,
Laurie
Best wishes today!
Hugs, Devlyn
You both have been in my thoughts today. I trust all is or has gone smoothly.
Brook / Anne
Quote from: HappyMoni on September 11, 2017, 08:49:01 PM
Anne,
It seems like yesterday when we talked and you had no thought at all that you would go for this. Remember?
Monica
What do you and the people in Florida have in common right now? You are both evacuating.
OMG! Mohni, You didn't just say that, did you? Taking such serious and important preparations and flushing them right down the toilet!. Shame, SHAME! I say.
Tia/ Deb, I hope all is going well.
Hugs,
Laurie
Hi All, Tia was taken into surgery about 2pm. We (Dena and Me ) just heard from the nurse that everything is going fine. Will give you an update when they are done and the doctor lets me know everything went well. Probably about 6 to 7 pm. Debi
Quote from: Debi on September 12, 2017, 06:01:18 PM
Hi All, Tia was taken into surgery about 2pm. We (Dena and Me ) just heard from the nurse that everything is going fine. Will give you an update when they are done and the doctor lets me know everything went well. Probably about 6 to 7 pm. Debi
Thanks Deb,
I for one will be waiting on that update. I'm glad things are going well so far.
Hugs,
Laurie
Quote from: Debi on September 12, 2017, 06:01:18 PM
Hi All, Tia was taken into surgery about 2pm. We (Dena and Me ) just heard from the nurse that everything is going fine. Will give you an update when they are done and the doctor lets me know everything went well. Probably about 6 to 7 pm. Debi
Debi,
Hi this is Moni. I am glad for this early news. Will be waiting to hear further updates. Hope you are doing well through this. I have said I would rather go through this kind of surgery myself instead of watching someone go through it.
Glad Dena is there with you.
Moni
Status update from Tia's room.
The surgery ran about four and a half hours and we were then visited by a very exhausted Doctor. The surgery came off without any complication and Tia was in the recovery room. Tia was delivered to her room about 8:30 and was awake and alert. There is some pain but she has a pain pump so that can be controlled. Debi has decided to call it a night and has returned to her hotel room across the street so I am making the final post of the evening. More to come in the morning.
Thank you for letting us all know Dena, It is good news to hear. Go home and go to bed, get some sleep.
Hugs,
Laurie
Quote from: Dena on September 12, 2017, 11:55:09 PM
> The surgery came off without any complication
Yay!!!
Thanks for the update Dena good to know she is on her way to recovery
That is great news, yeaaaaaa! Thanks Dena.
(https://www.susans.org/forums/gallery/0/13844-080817062808.jpeg)
Quote from: Dena on September 12, 2017, 11:55:09 PM
> The surgery ran about four and a half hours and we were then visited by a very exhausted Doctor
Wow Dena your skills continue to amaze me! I had no idea you are a surgeon at your day job. How long have you known the other doctor down the hall? I hope they also got some rest.
Hi All,
Tia is doing very well. We are both posting but I want you all to remember that she is writing her posts while still on her happy juice. We just had a visit from the surgeon and she seemed to be very happy with the way the surgery went yesterday. Tia is at the moment eating a salad for lunch and the Doc even said I could bring her in one of her favorite Scottsdale meals which is cornmeal griddle cakes with chorizo and jalapeño with a touch of honey topped with a couple. of eggs over easy. What ever happened to Jello as the after surgery staple? They just came in and unhooked her from her happy juice so now she is going to try and nap. Guess I will try that also. Debi
Hi Deb
Thank you for the update and it sounds like things are all going according to the ugh plan. After your nap could you bring me one of those breakfasts too?
Hugs,
Laurie
I just love it when a plan comes together. ;D :) :) :) 8) 8) :) :) :) ;D
Moni
Well, Not all stories are smooth from beginning to end. This is my first full day post op and I am getting tired of staying in bed. All of the staff tell me that all is well but I am having a tough time handling the pain tonight. And for some reason I can not see very well. They have given me all of the pills that they can for now so it is time to sit it out for a while (perhaps sit was the wrong word for this application). Even thinking back to my hippy days never had me this stoned but the pain is still hanging around. They can explain where and why the pain is from but they can't make it go away.
Tomorrow is to be my first chance to get up and move around a bit, I was hoping for some Salsa dance lessons but they tell me that those are scheduled for next week and tomorrow I get some slow strolling and back to bed.
Tia Anne
Best possible wishes for the pain to diminish and go away... just think about how great you will feel very soon.
Hi Tia,
It is nice to hear from you. Now don't get me wrong I love talking to Debi but she's still a little shy with us here. And with the likes of What's her name.. oh right Monahie, and Stephanie, and Devyl N, and Kenunndra, who can blame her? I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem for if she only had to talk to me. (we get along you know).
Anyway, lady you just settle yourself done and take it easy. You shouldn't be wandering around when you're high as a kite on a windy day with 5 balls of string out. It's a lot of work to wind it back in. Be patient and wind it down slowly. Listen to the doctors and behave. There will be time for dancing later.
Oh course it hurts just think about what you had then do to you, girl. It surprises me they are going to let you up tomorrow. My gosh, they rearranged your plumbing! Gave you a whole new look. No No I don't want to see, you just keep those covers on. You and that woman can compare notes if you two want, but I don't have a need to know.
Glad you are okay Tia, Love ya. Now lie back and rest.
Hugs,
Laurie
Really, really, really hope you start feeling better soon. Keep the thought that you're on the other side now and all this shall pass sooner than later. Get well fast, Tia....!
Quote from: Anne Blake on September 13, 2017, 11:26:03 PM
Well, Not all stories are smooth from beginning to end. This is my first full day post op and I am getting tired of staying in bed. All of the staff tell me that all is well but I am having a tough time handling the pain tonight. And for some reason I can not see very well. They have given me all of the pills that they can for now so it is time to sit it out for a while (perhaps sit was the wrong word for this application). Even thinking back to my hippy days never had me this stoned but the pain is still hanging around. They can explain where and why the pain is from but they can't make it go away.
Tomorrow is to be my first chance to get up and move around a bit, I was hoping for some Salsa dance lessons but they tell me that those are scheduled for next week and tomorrow I get some slow strolling and back to bed.
Tia Anne
I had to grin as Laurie told me you sounded like you were fed up with being in bed...my response was great you are starting to show signs of recovery...I don't know what they recommend but in most cases getting up and about greatly slows lots of risks. Here's hoping you can have the Salsa lesson in 2 days instead of one LOL
Keep us posted as to your progress ;)
Quote from: Debi on September 13, 2017, 04:01:45 PM
Hi All,
Tia is doing very well. We are both posting but I want you all to remember that she is writing her posts while still on her happy juice. We just had a visit from the surgeon and she seemed to be very happy with the way the surgery went yesterday. Tia is at the moment eating a salad for lunch and the Doc even said I could bring her in one of her favorite Scottsdale meals which is cornmeal griddle cakes with chorizo and jalapeño with a touch of honey topped with a couple. of eggs over easy. What ever happened to Jello as the after surgery staple? They just came in and unhooked her from her happy juice so now she is going to try and nap. Guess I will try that also. Debi
Thanks for the update Debi I hope you are managing some rest as well. Thanks for keeping up updated
Hugs for you both
Liz
Dear Tia & Debi - it's great to hear from you both. After much preparation and anticipation, it must be a relief to be on this side of the event. Big, warm virtual hugs to you both.
Back to the sandbox for me tonight.
Brook
Anne,
I am wondering if you are doing ice for the pain. That seemed to help with my pain.
Moni
Quote from: Anne Blake on September 13, 2017, 11:26:03 PM
Well, Not all stories are smooth from beginning to end. This is my first full day post op and I am getting tired of staying in bed. All of the staff tell me that all is well but I am having a tough time handling the pain tonight. And for some reason I can not see very well. They have given me all of the pills that they can for now so it is time to sit it out for a while (perhaps sit was the wrong word for this application). Even thinking back to my hippy days never had me this stoned but the pain is still hanging around. They can explain where and why the pain is from but they can't make it go away.
Tomorrow is to be my first chance to get up and move around a bit, I was hoping for some Salsa dance lessons but they tell me that those are scheduled for next week and tomorrow I get some slow strolling and back to bed.
Tia Anne
Hi Anne,
Good to hear from you!. That lying in bed all day stuff does get old. I spent the first week of my recovery in bed, first at the hospital, then at the bed and breakfast in New Hope. In fact, I spent the majority of my first month post-op lying in bed. There is no other comfortable position. Standing gets old after a while and sitting down is out of the question.
They had me stand up the day after surgery, and on day three I did several laps around the nurses station. They absolutely had a fit, though, when I tried to go to the bathroom by myself.
Quote from: HappyMoni on September 14, 2017, 04:11:52 PM
Anne,
I am wondering if you are doing ice for the pain. That seemed to help with my pain.
Moni
I slept with those ice packs between my legs for three days but I can't say they did much. The morphine pump helped considerably, though.
The pain was somewhat diffuse. It was hard to pinpoint what hurt because all the nerves were in different places. Five weeks later, I am still plagued by constant pain I can't do much about. Ironically the pain comes from places that don't exist any more. It feels like someone is pinching the bottom of my scrotum really hard, interspersed with feelings like the tip of my penis is caught in my zipper. Fun, huh? There's nothing to rub or massage. I still can't sit down for any length of time, even with my little donut.
For those who don't know, Moni and I had the same surgeon (Dr. McGinn) and we had surgery exactly six weeks apart in the same hospital. We actually had the same room and the same bed! We probably had the same nurses, too.
~Terri
Quote from: Maybebaby56 on September 14, 2017, 07:15:23 PM
I slept with those ice packs between my legs for three days but I can't say they did much. The morphine pump helped considerably, though.
For those who don't know, Moni and I had the same surgeon (Dr. McGinn) and we had surgery exactly six weeks apart in the same hospital. We actually had the same room and the same bed! We probably had the same nurses, too.
~Terri
The ice packs did help me then and later on. The area has a lot of numbness so the cold is not easily felt at first. It also helped keep swelling down which was a problem for me.
Yes it was like that movie with the lake house where we would mail letters and they would go back and forth in time. I sent her my first meal too, a tuna fish sandwich. YUK!
Moni
Good morning to All,
I am making a quick post before heading to the hospital to bring Tia out this morning. A huge thank you to Dena as she stayed with T yesterday and helped with the walks around the halls. The nurse said it was only going to be around the room yesterday but when Tia said she was going to do the hall loop with her first time out of bed the nurse threw her hands into the air and did a good imitation of Sargent Shultz from the old TV show Hogan's Heroes. "I see NOTHING!" Then she left the room and let Dena and me follow Tia out into the hall and around the hall loop. I think she walked the loop three times yesterday. Anyway she was a hurting puppy last evening when I got back to her room. Most of my day, yesterday, was fighting with a hotel manager about getting us into the room I had originally reserved so she will have a place to recoup. I did finally prevail. I am a red head of Scots-Irish decent and when needed can be the most stubborn woman around. Now, I am going to pick up take out of Tia's favorite breakfast, (yes Laurie, I wish you could join us,) and then back to the hospital with a meal fit for a queen and preparations to break her out later this morning. I hope she had a good night. Will let you all know how the escape went, later today. Deb
Hi Deb,
Thank you for the update. I suppose Tia can be as stubborn as a mule when she puts her minds to something. Likely a holdover from a past life. btw I think you are treating the stubborn one too much like a princess by bringing her breakfast in bed. I say eat it yourself. She can wait until she's well enough to go have a proper breakfast out. lol
Please give Tia a hug from me.
Hugs (for you Deb),
Laurie
Now Now Laurie, At first you were sort of kind and sweet but now you are crossing the line into meddling and if your meddling gets between me and my jalapeno chorizo and eggs breakfast, that on is on you and you will pay, dearly.
I got an early lap in walking around the hospital and tossed in a couple of dance moves, not wise. We have decided it will be good to stay in the hospital one more night to get things under control. They tell me that I have acquired a rather large hematoma, not dangerous but painful and may require quite some time to be absorbed. So Deb gets an extra night off of primary care giver duties and I get another night in the world of excellent pain control sources. Not a bad tradeoff.
I want to mention that all of the people involved in the operations have been over the top in care. Dr's Meltzer & Ley are good people to be around and their staff is warm friendly and very competent and the same can be said for the staff of the Greenbaum surgical center. Each and every one of them is warmly outgoing with a smile. There are a lot of good doctors and surgical solutions out there but I can think of no place better than here due to the compassionate care that I have been given.
I also want to give thanks and kudos to those at Susan's that have supported me on this entire journey.
I guess that it is the new round of meds kicking in, I am getting way too mushy,
Thank you all,
Tia Anne
Hi Tia,
I like chorizo too and started snacking on hot jalapeno slices about a month ago. I think I make a very good scramble with eggs, chorizo, jalapeno, rainbow bell peppers, onions. potato(optional), mushroom(optional) and sprinkled with shredded cheese if I do say so myself. Did you see my veggie frittata this morning?
Perhaps someday you and Debi can give me your opinion of it.
Glad you are being cared for properly there. You just behave yourself and follow doctors orders.
Hugs,
Laurie
I wanted to write a long missive about how happy I am for you, Tia. There's joy in your last message..maybe it's just the dope. Anyways, I can't get too floral as I just read Laurie's post and now I have to go make something to eat :P
Probably something spicy. Continue to heal well!! Were all so happy for you.
I think that my expectations have been a bit high and have gotten to me. Today is filled with fatigue, dizziness and I have almost fallen a couple of times this morning. This silly girl was trying to push herself too hard and I am paying for it. The medicos are pulling some blood and doing a bunch of testing. I just sent my primary care provider home to rest and get over her own problems and for some reason she isn't listening to me very well.....but she loves me and I wouldn't do it any different if our positions were reversed.
The nurse will let me know in a couple of hours if they can discharge me today.
Hey you girls that have gone through this, how long did it take to feel stable and in control? Four days should be enough right? Or is this just the foolish ramblings of a silly old lady?
Tia Anne
Anne,
I believe the term is, "Cool your jets." You will be tired, working up to a crescendo of exhausted for quite a while. I got advice to use this time to rest and recuperate and I will pass it to you. I am 2 1/2 months post-op and still get tired pretty easily. Take your time, pretend you are not a super heroine for a little while and allow yourself to heal. Take some time to lay in bed and think fond memories of fido, may he rest in peace. Love ya, ya crazy!
Moni
Quote from: Anne Blake on September 16, 2017, 03:30:52 PM
I think that my expectations have been a bit high and have gotten to me. Today is filled with fatigue, dizziness and I have almost fallen a couple of times this morning. This silly girl was trying to push herself too hard and I am paying for it. The medicos are pulling some blood and doing a bunch of testing. I just sent my primary care provider home to rest and get over her own problems and for some reason she isn't listening to me very well.....but she loves me and I wouldn't do it any different if our positions were reversed.
The nurse will let me know in a couple of hours if they can discharge me today.
Hey you girls that have gone through this, how long did it take to feel stable and in control? Four days should be enough right? Or is this just the foolish ramblings of a silly old lady?
Tia Anne
My orchi was on a Friday and the surgeon said back to work Tuesday so back to work I went and it almost killed me! I was exhausted. Wednesday wasn't much better but I'm feeling pretty chipper now. :)
Hugs, Devlyn
Thanks girls, I needed your reassurance. Today is just under four days post op and it hurts. Just being a wimp, laying here crying to myself for the last half hour. It is probably difficult for any of us to give ourselves permission to wuss out and be broken for a while. It is so much easier to be the care provider than the one in need.
Tia Anne
Devlyn,
I was going to say that you won the bruising contest hands down until I looked at my sides this morning! This surgery stuff is not for the faint of heart is it? But no real bruising in the genital area yet, go figure.
Anne
Quote from: Anne Blake on September 16, 2017, 03:30:52 PM
I think that my expectations have been a bit high and have gotten to me. Today is filled with fatigue, dizziness and I have almost fallen a couple of times this morning. This silly girl was trying to push herself too hard and I am paying for it. The medicos are pulling some blood and doing a bunch of testing. I just sent my primary care provider home to rest and get over her own problems and for some reason she isn't listening to me very well.....but she loves me and I wouldn't do it any different if our positions were reversed.
The nurse will let me know in a couple of hours if they can discharge me today.
Hey you girls that have gone through this, how long did it take to feel stable and in control? Four days should be enough right? Or is this just the foolish ramblings of a silly old lady?
Tia Anne
Hi Anne,
Four days should be fine, but everyone is different, so I don't feel my advice/experience is very helpful.
I was surprised how little pain there was, but I was in a very welcome morphine haze for the first two days in the hospital. I would have gone for day three, but I couldn't take the beeping from that damn CO2 alarm you're required to have when you're on the pump. I had no problem standing or walking.
On the other hand I had no interest in food at all. I can't say whether I had any problems with fatigue, because I didn't do anything. Dr. McGinn restricts her patients to bed rest for most of the first couple of weeks.
As far as getting back to work, that has been a much different issue for me. I had to go back to work after five weeks and I wasn't ready. I am in constant pain internally. I can't sit for any length of time. There are no accommodations for me to dilate at work, either.
Recovering for SRS is a huge deal. It takes months. Everyone has to deal with some issue or another, and life tends to get in the way more often than not.
I wish you all the best, Anne.
With kindness,
Terri
Well today is the fifth day since surgery, rested well last night and have now gotten back to my hotel room. My partner and I agree that I really suck at being a patient and she isn't that happy about having to put up with me. I would agree.
Planning a lot of bed rest with a few small walks around the motel. Small because I am as weak as kitten and also because it is 97 deg F outside. Tomorrow is my first visit at my doctors office, I believe that Dr. Ley will remove some stitches and some packing. Hurray for that, it feels like I have a football wedged down there.
Enough for now, I hear a nap calling my name
Tia Anne
Day six of post op has arrived and the day for some stiches and packing removal. They gave me a mirror to look at the work zone, wow, such an ugly sight! Dr. Ley says it all looks fine and it will be lovely after the swelling, bruising, stitches go away and the scars diminish; in eight to twelve weeks. This has continued to be an area of trust. She did tell me that there was a lot of sensitive nerve tissue in place and I should be able to enjoy the area when healed. Next office visit is Wednesday to hopefully lose the catheter!
Now my task is to develop more patience and wait for reduction of swelling and pain. How long does it take to be able to walk normally again. I wore a fun sundress and wedge sandals to her office today (it is Scottsdale and ninety degrees) and was moving with the grace of an old cowboy tossed off of way too many broncs, leaning heavily on my cane added to the picture. How soon till I regain the smooth straight line strut with heels and own the feeling? Someone please lie to me and say next week!
Tia Anne
Tia take it easy you just had major surgery with lots of cutting, moving part around and stitches; you to take it slow at first don't want to have a set back because you did too much. Walking will come, you have seen what was done between your legs; you have to give things time to hear.
Congrats Ann. Yes please do take it easy. Someone who was in while I was didn't and they ended staying longer and having additional surgery. Just passed by the surgical center on the bus back from Meltzer's office. Hugs
Mariah
We now have another milestone of a step in Tia's progress. I just watched her get out of bed without help (mine or her own my rolling to her side and pushing off into a crunched over position). Then she stood up straight and went and took a shower. Now we have her back in bed with pain again but for a moment she was on top of the world. One high point at a time.
Baby steps. Glad she has you there with her Deb (it can't be easy for you) ((Hugs)). Keep her in line and don't let her do too much or railroad you.
Hugs,
Laurie
Laurie, don't you know that the Scots-Irish in me means that I don't know what it means to be railroaded. After all we were the ones who built them. She is taking baby steps but I can see that in the very near future she will be running. It's then that I will need you to remind me that I won't need to keep up.
Deb
Day seven post op and it is a wee turning point. As my loving partner Deb said, I was able to get up and move around a bit without significant pain and feel so good about being me,and then taking on the immense challenge of a shower, I was humbled and laid to bed in consuming pain once again.......but it was a big step in my healing progress.
Last night, or actually early this morning, laying awake in the dark I was having second thoughts about choosing surgery. I had so underestimated the physical demands it would put on my body and I had so overestimated my personal strength; it has turned out to be quite the humbling event. I know, deep in my heart and soul that I could not have denied taking this step and chosen to not embrace me fully, that I needed to get rid of those dangly bits. But I am glad that I did not see how difficult it would be, as, if I had, I might have stumbled and never known the joy of this morning.
I am feeling strong enough to do it alone for a while and am chasing my primary care giver away so that she can explore the fun things that Old Town Scottsdale has to offer; museums, shopping, eating, et al, as long as she saves some of the shopping fun for when I can get out and join her. There are a couple of jewelry shops that I can not pass up.
The rest of the day has a few short walks planned with plenty of rest in between. Tomorrow is the big day and the hopeful removal of the catheter and freedom.
Tia Anne
Anne,
I remember the beautiful little town of New Hope in PA. Of course everyone saw it but me, except for the brief ride through in the car. But I had something better, I got a lifelong goal of having mind and body match, so recovery, it ain't so bad. Get Deb to take some pictures for you. Plan a return trip and visit Dena maybe.
As for showers, I hated them. It was the thing that completely wiped me out and left me shivering, wanting that bed in a bad way. I was wondering if you have the hot flashes yet. I had that pretty bad. I felt like a microwave bag of veggies, steam then freeze then steam again. Oh, fond memories!
I know you are uncomfortable, but soon the pain will be a memory and your new reality will be there to enjoy for a long time. Now be nice to Deb, we all know how awesome she is.
Love,
Monica
In the shape she's in, it's better if I make the 25 mile drive to visit her as Phoenix has grown enough to have nasty freeway traffic. Besides that, I live in a relatively isolated part of the city and other than fast food places, you have to drive about 10 miles for a decent place to eat. Tia is staying in the middle of the tourist trap and pretty much anything she could desire is only a short distance away.
Now on the other hand, if you like 5 hamburger joints, 3 pizza places, 3 Mexican places, 3 sub shops, 2 chinese places and a bar barque place all in one intersection just over a mile away, I have found heaven for you.
Ut oh now you have done it Dena,,,3 Mexican places? You're on her list of places to visit now.
Hugs,
Laurie
Quote from: Anne Blake on September 19, 2017, 01:51:30 PM
Day seven post op and it is a wee turning point. As my loving partner Deb said, I was able to get up and move around a bit without significant pain and feel so good about being me,and then taking on the immense challenge of a shower, I was humbled and laid to bed in consuming pain once again.......but it was a big step in my healing progress.
Last night, or actually early this morning, laying awake in the dark I was having second thoughts about choosing surgery. I had so underestimated the physical demands it would put on my body and I had so overestimated my personal strength; it has turned out to be quite the humbling event. I know, deep in my heart and soul that I could not have denied taking this step and chosen to not embrace me fully, that I needed to get rid of those dangly bits. But I am glad that I did not see how difficult it would be, as, if I had, I might have stumbled and never known the joy of this morning.
I am feeling strong enough to do it alone for a while and am chasing my primary care giver away so that she can explore the fun things that Old Town Scottsdale has to offer; museums, shopping, eating, et al, as long as she saves some of the shopping fun for when I can get out and join her. There are a couple of jewelry shops that I can not pass up.
The rest of the day has a few short walks planned with plenty of rest in between. Tomorrow is the big day and the hopeful removal of the catheter and freedom.
Tia Anne
Big hug! For me, all my satisfaction in living independently for decades came crashing down when I realized that I was going to have to ask for help, that I wasn't going to be able to do this alone. Humbling, indeed. I'm glad you already had your support in place.
Hugs, Devlyn
Quote from: Laurie on September 19, 2017, 07:59:22 PM
Ut oh now you have done it Dena,,,3 Mexican places? You're on her list of places to visit now.
Hugs,
Laurie
I don't think so. Toco Bell, Chipotle and Filiberto's (slightly better than Toco Bell). The really good place is in Tempe, about 6 miles from where she is saying. There were two more but I think they went out of business however they were no big loss.
Dena, You may yet be safe...
Devlyn,
The old me used to handle being out on my own and being able to handle whatever but I hated what it had done to him. My new problem is that the old me knew how to handle this but the new me has no idea. I believe that being on such new ground offers opportunity for growth but it is indeed scary at times having to learn in real time, humbling is an oft used term lately. I guess that having these brothers and sisters on Susan's is a great safety net.
Except Laurie. >:-)
<running away>
Personal strength loss that I under estimated was really noticeable that first time that I was on my feet in the hospital. I had so many things I wanted to get done and did try to do, but ended up getting dizzy and lightheaded and realized quickly I needed to take it easier as Dena saw when I was in the hospital. The other thing that you will notice is that as much as you are gaining strength your going to need a certain amount of rest too. I might have a descent amount of energy, but then needed to rest to allow my body a chance to catch up due to the fact I was still healing and that takes up a lot of energy. Just take things one step at a time and you will be fine during the healing process. Hugs
Mariah
Quote from: Anne Blake on September 19, 2017, 01:51:30 PM
Day seven post op and it is a wee turning point. As my loving partner Deb said, I was able to get up and move around a bit without significant pain and feel so good about being me,and then taking on the immense challenge of a shower, I was humbled and laid to bed in consuming pain once again.......but it was a big step in my healing progress.
Last night, or actually early this morning, laying awake in the dark I was having second thoughts about choosing surgery. I had so underestimated the physical demands it would put on my body and I had so overestimated my personal strength; it has turned out to be quite the humbling event. I know, deep in my heart and soul that I could not have denied taking this step and chosen to not embrace me fully, that I needed to get rid of those dangly bits. But I am glad that I did not see how difficult it would be, as, if I had, I might have stumbled and never known the joy of this morning.
I am feeling strong enough to do it alone for a while and am chasing my primary care giver away so that she can explore the fun things that Old Town Scottsdale has to offer; museums, shopping, eating, et al, as long as she saves some of the shopping fun for when I can get out and join her. There are a couple of jewelry shops that I can not pass up.
The rest of the day has a few short walks planned with plenty of rest in between. Tomorrow is the big day and the hopeful removal of the catheter and freedom.
Tia Anne
Day 8 post op and a fine day it is. Yesterday started out great and then the shower took it out of me. The full shower story was that I threw my back out in the shower and I twisted up like a tortured pretzel. For fullness of truth, the twisted tortured pretzel is still present. Today was my second post op office visit and the day for the catheter to go bye bye. Yes, a bit of tmi; the tube went away (strange but not at all painful feeling), sat around drinking water and coffee, went to the Ladies room and succeeded at using the newly modified hardware, full spray pattern but what the heck, IT WORKED! Walked out with a few copies of a signed and notarized letter saying, "It's a girl". Then went out and had some great jalapeno, chorizo and corn pancakes with eggs, best meal around for me to celebrate being certifiably me!
Yes, the back is still twisted and I am in excruciating pain but my smile has never been wider. Next stop, some more healing, drive home (~900 miles) and begin documentation changes.
Tia Anne
Congrat's Tia...it has to be so wonderful to feel whole. I'll keep your continued progress in my thoughts and sling positivity your way ;D
Hi Tia,
Congrats on being free of extra add accessories and a good meal. Sorry about that back though. I went to the store today and now have to figure out what to do with chicken broth, garlic heavy cream, onions, flour and four funny looking dark green things. (think they call them poorblamos or something like that, I got kicked out of Spanish class sorry).
When you and Deb do head for home you be sure to take it easy.
Loves ya two,
Laurie
Laurie, that shopping bag contents sure does sound delicious! You almost make me want to return home via a west coast swing. You get some practice with that stuff and we will definitely be out your way for a visit.
Love you girl,
Tia Anne (and Deb of course)
Never tried a poblano sauce but Rachael Ray's sounds good and you mentioning it Twice, I figured I would try it. I understand it freezes well too.
laurie
I can't say if it freezes well or not, it never got the chance around us.
Quote from: Anne Blake on September 20, 2017, 09:58:24 PM
I can't say if it freezes well or not, it never got the chance around us.
I guess I'll find out 2 things. the recipe is supposed to make several cups.
Do you recommend cilantro in it? My sister won't be trying it so I could cook it with the cilantro. She hates the stuff.
Laurie
To me the magic of the poblano sauce is all about the buttery smoothness with warmth that is not overpowering but complimenting. The presence of cilantro is not in my taste memory. In fact the my favorite versions of it has nothing standing out and stating their presence but rather blending in and contributing to the whole, as most good sauces do. A good spaghetti sauce is the focus and needs the contributors to make their presence known but the softer hollandaise like creations need to quietly contribute with out overtaking the primary meal. Just this old lady's humble opinion.
Quote from: Anne Blake on September 21, 2017, 03:41:51 PM
To me the magic of the poblano sauce is all about the buttery smoothness with warmth that is not overpowering but complimenting. The presence of cilantro is not in my taste memory. In fact the my favorite versions of it has nothing standing out and stating their presence but rather blending in and contributing to the whole, as most good sauces do. A good spaghetti sauce is the focus and needs the contributors to make their presence known but the softer hollandaise like creations need to quietly contribute with out overtaking the primary meal. Just this old lady's humble opinion.
Hmmm Perhaps I need to hire a chef
Today is day nine post op and things are continuing to look up. Alas, no, my back is still allowing me to walk slowly bent over my cane but helping me prepare the character of an ancient old crone of a witch for Halloween. Body parts are continuing to heal and I haven't yet needed the "Pillow" for sitting in chairs or riding in the car. We just spent an hour at the Breakfast Club for a casual late breakfast. The seats were of a woven rattan and forgiving enough for me to find comfortable positions more limited by back pain than my lower regions. Hopefully I will find the same when we are joined by Dena for an early dinner this afternoon. Perhaps throwing one's back out should be part of every girls distraction plan during healing from surgery.
I am not going to get into details without specific requests but so far, no opened stitches, excess bleeding, granulation, and of course no dilation (at least for now, very happy with that choice, no judgement and time will tell). No it does not look pretty yet and it does feel swollen and sore but not consumingly so. We are still considering getting on the road home next Wednesday if things continue as they are going. Not able to tell if the past couple of months of physical training and getting in shape has helped or not but no complaints yet and I have sent some thank you posts to my trainer (perhaps the sweat and the sore muscles paid off).
Hi Tia
Great to see how well your recover is going. I would love to pick your brains about a couple of things but will do that at a later date when you have healed and are feeling well. Take care and I hope the rest of your recovery goes as well as the first part.
Hi Liz, nice to hear from you. Feel free to pick away but I am not sure what you may find there, endeavor at your own risk. You know how to get hold of me, ask away, pm me if you want more than some would want to hear.
Luv you girl,
Tia Anne
Day ten post op and not a lot to report. My back is getting better but way too slowly. This was the first time that I wished that I had taken my pillow with me as sitting through breakfast was pretty distracting. I tried for a longer walk today but a quarter mile really drained me. Maybe more tomorrow. Planning on five more days in town and heading home slowly next Thursday morning, day 16 post op. It is about nine hundred miles and we plan to break it into a couple of days driving with a one day layover in Santa Fe, NM. (a little retail therapy for the jewelry box)
Congratulations, I am sorry I missed your early days of recovery.
Hi Tia,
I thought I'd share a picture with you.
(https://i.imgur.com/TouRp1f.jpg)
Quote from: Laurie on September 23, 2017, 06:02:15 PM
Hi Tia,
I thought I'd share a picture with you.
(https://i.imgur.com/TouRp1f.jpg)
Dang Woman, those are some fine looking Poblano's. I'm hungry! adios!
They are all peeled, deribbed, and seeded and waiting in the fridge for the time to use them. recipe called for 2 and as you can see I have 4. I'm an overachiever.. It's supposed to make about 4 cups.
Laurie
Oh Laurie honey, you can come visiting anytime.
Tia Anne
Day eleven post op, slow continued progress. I am finding it strange that I had no interest or need for "My pillow" until yesterday. Sitting on most types of surfaces was not a major source of discomfort. Yesterday and today it is becoming a need.
Energy levels are slowly growing but growing pain is sucking it back out. Swelling is continuing to diminish but pretty is not yet an applicable adjective. Still looking for enough more healing in the next five days to handle hours in the car but dare I say, doubt is creeping in.
Quote from: Laurie on September 23, 2017, 06:40:39 PM
They are all peeled, deribbed, and seeded and waiting in the fridge for the time to use them. recipe called for 2 and as you can see I have 4. I'm an overachiever.. It's supposed to make about 4 cups.
Laurie
(note to self: next time find gloves....)
Quote from: Laurie on September 24, 2017, 02:14:15 AM
(note to self: next time find gloves....)
did you cut yourself, Laurie?
Quote from: Jessica Lynne on September 24, 2017, 07:40:33 AM
did you cut yourself, Laurie?
No Jess, but I have discovered that pablano peppers though considered mild to medium heat when eaten can be quite potent on the skin. Several hours after peeling and cleaning these four peppers, and washing my hands after, my hands and fingers began to sting as if burned. Repeated washing did not help. The sensation took several hours to go away.
laurie
QuoteSeveral hours after peeling and cleaning these four peppers, and washing my hands after, my hands and fingers began to sting as if burned.
Don't forget to wash your hands BEFORE going to the washroom! ;)
Quote from: Laurie on September 24, 2017, 01:01:49 PM
No Jess, but I have discovered that pablano peppers though considered mild to medium heat when eaten can be quite potent on the skin. Several hours after peeling and cleaning these four peppers, and washing my hands after, my hands and fingers began to sting as if burned. Repeated washing did not help. The sensation took several hours to go away.
laurie
Gloves are a good idea as once on Good Eats, Alton talked about handling peppers without gloves. It seems he wears contacts and well, you get the idea. When eating hot food, holding milk in your mouth will kill the heat. I suspect any fat or oil containing lotion to your hands would stop the burning.
How is it you turn each thread you post on into a cooking show, my dear Laurie? lol Hope you are better today Anne. I sat in the back of my Caravan with the front seat down so I could put feet up. It helped.
Moni
Quote from: Laurie on September 24, 2017, 01:01:49 PM
No Jess, but I have discovered that pablano peppers though considered mild to medium heat when eaten can be quite potent on the skin. Several hours after peeling and cleaning these four peppers, and washing my hands after, my hands and fingers began to sting as if burned. Repeated washing did not help. The sensation took several hours to go away.
laurie
So strange? Perhaps some mild dermal allergy? I know capsacin can burn the skin but I never thought Poblano's had much? Oh well. Maybe you could wear those disposable surgeons gloves? Keep your lovely manicure nice as well. ;)
Today is the beginning of post op day 13, just some laid back healing time. I had to change the avatar to show this morning's busyness. Healing is still slower than I have patience for but no complaints; sure I can complain, this hurts, that aches a bit but wow, I just love being able to don a suit and lay by the pool. We are so glad that we had the luxury to take some extra healing time lounging about before the long drive home (leaving town this Thursday post op day 16), just hope that I am not putting on too much weight that will need to be worked off when given permission. After that note, we are heading off for lunch and a bit of shopping in Old Town Scottsdale. Michelle made a comment in her thread yesterday about, just loving being a girl, and I will second that.
Tia Anne
You look like one happy, lazing girl on that chaise! I'm Jealous ;D
Tia,
It's done. now to put it in baggies and freeze for later delivery someday. I used twice the butter, twice the peppers, and twice the garlic. It tastes good in my opinion
(https://i.imgur.com/mGMgERF.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/KTbofH2.jpg)
And for the Laurie touch..
(https://i.imgur.com/hqlIkd9.jpg)
Laurie,
Too bad that I am not cleared for long miles yet or I would be there for breakfast.
Tia Anne
Jessica,
We are all just doing what we can. This healing stuff can really wear a girl out and I needed my rest. Ho hum, time for another nap.
Quote from: Anne Blake on September 25, 2017, 05:49:56 PM
Jessica,
We are all just doing what we can. This healing stuff can really wear a girl out and I needed my rest. Ho hum, time for another nap.
So, now you're resting up from resting up? ;)
A few years ago, before I met myself, I would push from hard to harder. I always carried the load and when I broke, I would continue to push....a good way to die young. It has actually been hard for me to lay back and rest, obeying the doctor; my partner will attest to this. But I am working at shedding or putting aside the old ways that created the lonely pained man I used to know.....and if it takes resting by the poolside with a smile on my face I am in on it. So I will turn in early tonight and I will be found in that lounger tomorrow morning, just obeying doctor's orders and loving being me.
Tia Anne
Quote from: Anne Blake on September 25, 2017, 01:40:28 PM
Today is the beginning of post op day 13, just some laid back healing time. I had to change the avatar to show this morning's busyness. Healing is still slower than I have patience for but no complaints; sure I can complain, this hurts, that aches a bit but wow, I just love being able to don a suit and lay by the pool. We are so glad that we had the luxury to take some extra healing time lounging about before the long drive home (leaving town this Thursday post op day 16), just hope that I am not putting on too much weight that will need to be worked off when given permission. After that note, we are heading off for lunch and a bit of shopping in Old Town Scottsdale. Michelle made a comment in her thread yesterday about, just loving being a girl, and I will second that.
Tia Anne
From now on your Delta Tau Chi name is Legs. Jeepers, girl! You got a mile of inseam. :)
Hugs, Devlyn
Dear Hot Stuff,
Get your butt up and start working on that recuperation thing. What are you thinking, laying around like that. Jeese Louise! How you expect to rest like that?
Moni
My my but you girls are so sweet.
Devlyn, I just love those forgiving camera angles. That was my first photo with all the proper parts in place (though still mighty swollen and sore).
Moni, Deb and I did go out for lunch, an effective shopping spree and hit a ice cream shop for a soda before my afternoon nap. How much harder do you want a girl to work? And yes, the shopping was for jewelry, two words (shopping & jewelry) you love so much or has switching to skirts enhanced your love of accessories?
Tia Anne
Being able to wear a bathing suit and lounge by the pool without worries - that is soooo cool! Your new avatar photo says it all. I am jealous and I don't mean that in a bad way at all - I know what I need to do.
Oh Kendra, you do know just how awesome it was to be able to put on that swimsuit and lay out on that lounger. I was so looking forward to doing that for so long and the reality left the dreams behind. Thank you for being able to understand, and I have been worried about generating the bad kind of jealousy. Your time is coming girl and you will nail it!
Tia Anne
Tia Anne, your new outfit suits you! Stay out of the dives, or men may start to chaise you. Some day I'll join the pool of girls who can wear such things. If you start to ache, a back stroke (or a breast stroke?) from Deb may help. I hope things are going swimmingly. Water your next plans?
Stephanie
I hope you don't drown in Stephanie's humor - she is quite the pundit.
Thanks for the warning Kendra but just a little too late.
Stephanie, many women at the three month mark of hrt go strongly emotional, with your tendency to dive into the puns, you may want to check your hrt recipe with your doctor.
Though it does feel like family around here, please keep it coming.
Tia Anne
It's not pretty but it sure was good. chorizo omelet
(https://i.imgur.com/VOlyQ9E.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/80wLVzA.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/Fdae4vF.jpg)
Jeesh, Laurie........how on gods green earth do you stay so trim?
Quote from: Anne Blake on September 26, 2017, 12:00:34 PM
Thanks for the warning Kendra but just a little too late.
Ha. Watch out for that Kendra lady, she's sneaky. You can regard my post as preemptive, attempting to use up all the puns before she gets to them. Did you see the reference to drowning? Uh-huh. That was one of the few I didn't use.
And don't get her started on haiku or limericks. Yikes!
Quote
Stephanie, many women at the three month mark of hrt go strongly emotional, with your tendency to dive into the puns, you may want to check your hrt recipe with your doctor.
If this is bad, I don't wanna feel good. Actually, I've always had this bizarre tendency. It's something I hope I don't lose through the transition. And Miss Kendra seems to trigger it in me.
Quote
Though it does feel like family around here, please keep it coming.
Be careful what you wish for, though there's no avoiding it anyway with this crowd, so you might as well enjoy the ride.
Stephanie
Thank you for the warnings Stephanie but that feeling of family is one of the strongest take aways that I have received from Susan's, something that I treasure......golly, now you have made me emotional and a bit teary eyed.
This morning I had my final visit with Dr. Ley before heading home. Tomorrow morning we head off to Santa Fe and then back home on Saturday, eighteen days after leaving home (it sure seems longer, perhaps a lifetime ago) Yesterday was the two week mark since surgery so I thought that I would give a mid-course summary of where I am in this phase of the "Amazing Journey".
- Two weeks ago I had a partial vaginoplasty performed by Dr. Ley of Dr. Meltzer's office. My partner and I chose partial for simplicity, lower risk, lower maintenance, age and low expectations of use of a full vaginal canal.
- At this point I have to tell you that I absolutely love not dilating. There may come a point where I regret this choice but for now, that point is not even on the horizon.
- I have been very pleased with Dr. Meltzer and Dr. Ley's organization and the choice of Dr. Ley as my surgeon. I have been pleased in every way and can think of no dissatisfied instances, two thumbs up for her services!
- My healing to date, while glacially slow has been without complication. Yes, I am sore and wish that I was whole and fit but I have never had good patience for required healing time. I am constantly being told, "you just had major surgery, slow down and let time do its job" but I don't listen well.
- At some point in the past month or two I foolishly thought that I could get through this experience on my own. I now know that it would have been foolish for me to try it (absolutely no disrespect for those that have done this solo, actually total respect for their determination and strength). I want to thank my partner for putting up with all my crying. I also want to include a huge thank you for Dena for stepping in and helping us so much when we needed it. Thank you Dena!
- I fully believe that the two months of fitness training at the gym with a trainer was significantly beneficial in the ease of my recovery. If you can work this in, I highly recommend it.
- There have been postings on this site that query, "When is transition complete?". While I am still early in my recovery phase of GCS, I in no way sense a completeness, a definite milestone but not completion of becoming me. My next step is documentation changes but the biggest part of all of this for me is to figure out and integrate into what being "me" is all about and I hope to spend the next twenty or thirty years figuring that part out.
I plan to continue posting about my recovery and stepping back into whatever "Normal" life is like. I also realize that my journey of pursuing partial GCS at nearly 70 years of age is not the common path (if there ever was such a thing) that most women on this site take. Please feel free to ask any questions that may arise, either through this thread or via pm's.
Many thanks and hugs to my sisters and brothers here at Susan's,
Tia Anne
Those stix and your profession of your age make my brain do cartwheels trying to reconcile what you say :-\ :P
Congrats on another milestone in your journey, Anne. Good luck on your spiritual path to continuity and bliss....or is that bliss and continuity ;)
Hi Tia,
I is so good to hear all about your surgery and enjoying the parts of recovery you have shared with us. One of these days I'll have to bring you that frozen baggy of poblano sauce I've put away for you and send you off to thaw it and enjoy it while I get "The rest of the story" from Deb. I'm sure there are aspects you two have chosen not to share publicly here. Or at the very least I'm sure it would be interesting to hear it from Deb's point of view.
Enjoy the shopping in Santa Fe and take it easy on the road trip home.
Hugs for both of you,
Laurie
I am happy you feel well and are going home. Happy travels.
Ok, something else to report. I was spending some time around the pool on our last day in Arizona, my partner was resting in our room when I noticed two or three men staring and checking me out. It didn't appear that they had read me and what bothered me most was being ogled by guys who didn't read me, kind of made me feel a bit dirty. I don't have any idea of what I would have done if any of them had approached me. Great, I am transitioning but I am not ready to take some of the down sides that the cis women have always had to live with! My partner just says it comes with the territory.
Quote from: Anne Blake on September 27, 2017, 08:09:49 PM
Ok, something else to report. I was spending some time around the pool on our last day in Arizona, my partner was resting in our room when I noticed two or three men staring and checking me out. It didn't appear that they had read me and what bothered me most was being ogled by guys who didn't read me, kind of made me feel a bit dirty. I don't have any idea of what I would have done if any of them had approached me. Great, I am transitioning but I am not ready to take some of the down sides that the cis women have always had to live with! My partner just says it comes with the territory.
Hi Tia,
I'm sure you with learn to handle it. You may even get to where you'll take is as a compliment.
Greetings All,
It had been fun showing pictures laying around the pool and feeling a bit better each day. I had been feeling good enough to head back home a week earlier than originally planned. Well many good plans work out but not all. Most of the return trip home has had me in the primary care giver and principle driver position and I have not been up for it. Going from pool side weather to Colorado temperatures and seriously over extended physically is taking a toll. Today appears to be all about getting some laundry done and hiding curled up under my blankets feeling sorry for my self, this kind of sucks. The guy that we killed off would have just toughed it out and walked out of this the hero, this broken girl hasn't figured out how to get rid of the guilty feeling of breaking and needing help and how to let go of feeling sorry for myself; not even up for any retail therapy. Any suggestions?
Tia Anne
Quote from: Anne Blake on October 01, 2017, 01:14:28 PM
Greetings All,
It had been fun showing pictures laying around the pool and feeling a bit better each day. I had been feeling good enough to head back home a week earlier than originally planned. Well many good plans work out but not all. Most of the return trip home has had me in the primary care giver and principle driver position and I have not been up for it. Going from pool side weather to Colorado temperatures and seriously over extended physically is taking a toll. Today appears to be all about getting some laundry done and hiding curled up under my blankets feeling sorry for my self, this kind of sucks. The guy that we killed off would have just toughed it out and walked out of this the hero, this broken girl hasn't figured out how to get rid of the guilty feeling of breaking and needing help and how to let go of feeling sorry for myself; not even up for any retail therapy. Any suggestions?
Tia Anne
Hi Tia
Not any real expert on that stuff sorry, but how about a hug? Consider yourself hugged!! ;D The guy you killed off would not have made it through what you have been through. I have heard of girls feeling down when they get home after GCS and I am sure those that have had experience with this will be able to help more than I can. Take good care of yourself
Hugs
Liz
Thanks Liz, you have been there for me throughout this journey and it had been appreciated.
Tia Anne
I'm glad you and Debi made it home. The only thing I might suggest is that you have one wonderful partner there by your side. Listen to her and let her help you. I know for a fact she has far more experience at coping with emotional difficulties than you have. It's time to let her lead for at least awhile.
Quote from: Anne Blake on September 27, 2017, 08:09:49 PM
Ok, something else to report. I was spending some time around the pool on our last day in Arizona, my partner was resting in our room when I noticed two or three men staring and checking me out. It didn't appear that they had read me and what bothered me most was being ogled by guys who didn't read me, kind of made me feel a bit dirty. I don't have any idea of what I would have done if any of them had approached me. Great, I am transitioning but I am not ready to take some of the down sides that the cis women have always had to live with! My partner just says it comes with the territory.
Lol, just feel flattered. I have never been ogled, checked out, asked out, approached, complimented, flirted with, or bought a drink. I did have a door held open for me once. That's about it, and I have been full-time for a year. Whatever you're doing, it's working!
~Terri
Quote from: Maybebaby56 on October 02, 2017, 03:26:29 PM
Lol, just feel flattered. I have never been ogled, checked out, asked out, approached, complimented, flirted with, or bought a drink. I did have a door held open for me once. That's about it, and I have been full-time for a year. Whatever you're doing, it's working!
~Terri
Oh come on, I got some of these covered. I ogled you, checked you out, approached, and complimented you. Next time I see you I'll buy you a drink. Holding the door open is for the boys, I draw the line there. (Hey Anne, what does ogle mean?) Well don't feel alone, I got a hand kiss from a gay guy, the extent of my sex appeal.
Moni
Today is the three week post op mark, time for an update. I walked downtown for breakfast this morning, a mile walk. It totally drained me. The drive home last weekend way overextended my physical capacity and left me curled up in a ball crying in pain....yes, really stupid but I had gotten myself into a position and needed to ride it out. After two days in bed I was able to walk a mile and while exhausted felt great. But the really neat part came in two separate steps. First, lookin in the mirror, while the lower parts still look ghastly and swollen they are mine and do not include dangly parts, hooray! The next and better part is that walking down town, sitting in my favorite restaurant, shopping this afternoon, going out to dinner, all of it, there was not a single hint or question of being out of place or being read or anything other than being totally and completely me and I have never felt better. I know that gcs is sort of a graduation step but the feelings that I have about who I am are more than I could ever have expected, way more than a ceremonial milestone.
FYI, I made an appointment with my therapist for next week to begin the next step of figuring out what I want to be/do when I grow up.
Tia Anne
Quote from: Anne Blake on October 03, 2017, 10:18:10 PM
Today is the three week post op mark, time for an update. I walked downtown for breakfast this morning, a mile walk. It totally drained me. The drive home last weekend way overextended my physical capacity and left me curled up in a ball crying in pain....yes, really stupid but I had gotten myself into a position and needed to ride it out. After two days in bed I was able to walk a mile and while exhausted felt great. But the really neat part came in two separate steps. First, lookin in the mirror, while the lower parts still look ghastly and swollen they are mine and do not include dangly parts, hooray! The next and better part is that walking down town, sitting in my favorite restaurant, shopping this afternoon, going out to dinner, all of it, there was not a single hint or question of being out of place or being read or anything other than being totally and completely me and I have never felt better. I know that gcs is sort of a graduation step but the feelings that I have about who I am are more than I could ever have expected, way more than a ceremonial milestone.
FYI, I made an appointment with my therapist for next week to begin the next step of figuring out what I want to be/do when I grow up.
Tia Anne
Hi Anne - I've been away from here for awhile and am trying to catch up. I have started reading this blog and I'm so happy for you! You are where I hope to be one day and it's such an enlightening inspiration to read what you're posting. Thank you for sharing! I've already told you in the past how beautiful you look. One would not have known that you weren't already post-op! Please take care to get yourself healthy and pain free as quickly as you can.
I can't tell you how thankful I am to be able to have you, Alaskan Danielle, Laurie and so many other precious ladies to relate to and communicate with. Much, much love to you all - you make a girl feel so good!
Hugs,
Sarah From Chitown
[emoji257]
Quote from: Anne Blake on October 03, 2017, 10:18:10 PM
Today is the three week post op mark, time for an update. I walked downtown for breakfast this morning, a mile walk. It totally drained me. The drive home last weekend way overextended my physical capacity and left me curled up in a ball crying in pain....yes, really stupid but I had gotten myself into a position and needed to ride it out. After two days in bed I was able to walk a mile and while exhausted felt great. But the really neat part came in two separate steps. First, lookin in the mirror, while the lower parts still look ghastly and swollen they are mine and do not include dangly parts, hooray! The next and better part is that walking down town, sitting in my favorite restaurant, shopping this afternoon, going out to dinner, all of it, there was not a single hint or question of being out of place or being read or anything other than being totally and completely me and I have never felt better. I know that gcs is sort of a graduation step but the feelings that I have about who I am are more than I could ever have expected, way more than a ceremonial milestone.
FYI, I made an appointment with my therapist for next week to begin the next step of figuring out what I want to be/do when I grow up.
Tia Anne
Hi Tia Anne
As I approach my own "time of tribulation" it was great to see your update. I didn't realise how short of time it has been since your op. I am sorry to hear of the result of the car ride but will gladly store that under "Things not to do just after GCS" but I guess you probably didn't have much choice.
I was smiling from ear to ear reading you describing your feelings about yourself, I went back and re-read some of our earlier emails and in one you talk about dysphoria in your life...this last post of yours in comparison to the one of the ones when life was tougher for us both.....to me it is so heart warming to hear you write as you do now.
You are so right my friend you have also been with me from the beginning and have been part of my journey.
Take care
Liz
Hi Sarah & Liz,
It has been a while since I looked at this thread and thought of all the emotions, trepidations and fears leading up to that day a little over a year ago. So much has happened since then that just a year ago is a distant memory and it feels like the body that I have now is the one that I have always had.....but don't for one moment think that I take it for granted! I love every change that has allowed me to become me.
Not everything with the gcs is perfect yet. There are still areas of numbness (hopefully continuing to improve) and I am considering getting the second stage of the surgery completed. Perhaps tmi but my clit is quite large and sensitive and a hood for protection may be a good solution. This is something that I intend to discuss with Dr Ley in the future. And while we always second guess our choices and I occasionally feel a desire to have a full depth vaginal channel, I treasure and constantly celebrate never having to dialate!
The truth of it all is that I am extremely happy with the choices that were made, the skilled work Dr Ley provided and my comfort with myself and life in general.
Liz, I fully believe that you will be saying the same thing at a year post op. You and I need to get together at that time to celebrate these amazing journeys!
Tia Anne
OMG, Tia Anne, how is it that I totally missed this thread at the time? Congratulations on being a year post-op!
I have just caught up on your thread. Thank you for posting about your surgery and recovery. Your experiences will be valuable for me, since I am planning to have the same surgery with Dr. Brassard as soon as it can be scheduled (likely several months away yet).
Kathy,
Thank you for your kind words. I have been following your thread and seen your progress in collecting letters. Getting your second letter must be so exciting! When mine was ready, Laurie had just arrived on her first visit, she all but came in the door when I left her with Debi as I headed off on a three hour round trip to get that cherished letter in my hands....not much of a hostess for a new visitor.
I am sure that you will do well with the surgery and we will be here to encourage you through your recovery.
Farewell sister friend,
Tia Anne
Quote from: Anne Blake on October 07, 2018, 10:33:58 AM
> I am considering getting the second stage of the surgery completed.
I went back for the second stage and found several benefits beyond cosmetic. First benefit was a chance to fine-tune exact position of the urethra, I no longer make a mess when peeing. If you need an improvement there bring it up during the pre-op meeting. The other benefit is I have better physical sensation - way better. The hood keeps things protected and that results in much stronger sensations when I want it. Three months after labiaplasty had a chance to heal I've found that area is quite the... wow. And it looks great.
The second stage for the girls that have the two stage procedure is a real benefit. The clitoris need some protection for it so sensitive.
Kendra and mm, thank you for your suggestions and replies. Second stage is definitely something that I am looking into.
Kendra, how would you compare the recovery in relation to what you experienced from the first stage? How long until you could comfortably wear your pants as tight as you usually like them? And time until you could play?
Tia Anne
Oh but Tia, that 3 hours spent alone with Debi was so well worth it. We got to know each other a bit and cemented the friendship for the three of us... You didn't think I was convinced to go to dinner and stay the night because you came back did you?
Love you and Debi,
Hugs,
Laurie
Laurie, I will always agree that Deb is by far the better half of this pair.
Tia Anne
I'll be very curious as to how this turns out.
My surgeons at Kaiser NorCal tried for a single-stage surgery, but the clitoral hood and labia minora vanished within weeks. I have an appointment next month to request a revision/Stage 2 surgery if possible.
I am hoping something can be done.
I found recovery from GCS-2 substantially easier than GCS-1, but I had underestimated that after reading from some who described GCS-2 as almost an outpatient procedure. I found that definitely wasn't the case for me - this isn't a trivial surgery, and I added to the recovery requirements by having breast augmentation done at the same time. But every aspect of GCS-2 was easier and recovery was several times faster than with GCS-1. The most difficult part was resuming dilation so soon after surgery in that area, but within a half week that wasn't too bad. I think it was about 2 weeks before I could wear anything other than loose skirts, compared to 2 months after GCS-1.