Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Welcome to my new short term thread about my GCS here in Australia

On 28 November 2018 I will be admitted to Masada Hospital for my GCS that day. The preliminary information I have is that I am due for surgery in the afternoon.

This new thread of mine is not really a replacement for my old thread "On being Liz" but simply a  new more focused thread specifically to provide information for Aussie girls in regards to this kind of surgery in Australia. When I went looking for information and to see what my options were I discovered a real lack of any detailed kind of information. By its very nature GCS is not the kind of surgery that you expect to see pictures of plastered all over the Internet, whilst there are plenty of postop GCS pictures available there none that I could find of surgery completed by Dr Ives there are any general information available about him.

One of the first topics I'm going to cover is the financial preparation required to the surgery. This will include a discussion on costs both at the time and the preparation. I will go over the procedure for obtaining funds via your superannuation although there is a thread to specifically deal with this there are a number of pitfalls of which I will try and give you the heads up.

I will be addressing other topics more specifically my appointment with Dr Ives. What information I was provided with, an idea of costs I was provided with and my general impressions of Dr Ives.

I will include any preparations that I am doing such as laser treatment, fitness regime, weight loss and anything else that I see as relevant to this part of the journey.

I hope this thread will be of some use to any of the Aussie girls who read it or any of the girls who read it for that matter.

Update

A quick update to go on with...Had my meeting with my brother and I came away with the feeling he had been quite dishonest and disingenuous...so I have decided that no matter what he does I will not be responding to him any further...maybe in 10 years or maybe never. I need some time...

I have continued back into my walking after my pump replacement and have been averaging 7 ks per day although tomorrow will be out unless I wake up feeling remarkably well. My hip continues to be an issue and each time I try and push to the next level I get a reminder I should be grateful I can get my hip to still function. If I injured it now that would be a real hassle.

I had noticed over the last 4-6 weeks a changes in my skin, more hair on my face, mood changes and generally not feeling myself. I saw Dr Kent and she took some bloods...if this "lowish" reading I had earlier is repeated  and not an anomaly then she will most likely double my Oestrogen...will have to wait and see but what ever we need to do to address these symptoms she will do. A really good outcome from my point of view. She has also offered to give me my first post op check up 4 weeks after I get home from Melbourne. So again...nice to have her genuinely caring.

This thread is now "open for business" I welcome any questions and am always happy to hear a different perspective.

Take care

Liz

PS......

Hi Liz, I believe even this girl from California will gain information from this thread.

In regards to your brother....you kinda suspected that all along.

Hugs and smiles from a California girl

Hi, Liz!  I do like the idea of a more tightly focused thread for each of our major transition experiences, and a GCS thread on your experience, especially on the NON-medical aspects of GCS is a very interesting topic.

I know that I and others focused pretty heavily on the medical side.  That may have been foremost on our minds, but as you say, there's a whole other side to this.

Thank You!
Michelle P.

here's to being Liz
an Aussie Girls GCS
share experience

prepare for great change
taking care of what matters
mind over matter

so many great goals
amazing weight loss achieved
a future well earned

Liz from down under
with surgery down under
making things all right

we do care so much
best family many have
right here at Susan's

Hi Liz!  You've got my attention and we're counting the days!

Sorry to hear about your brother.  I guess its his loss.  Que sera sera.

Judi

Hi Liz,

Thank you for starting this thread, I am very interested in what you have to say, I contacted Dr Ives yesterday and will be booking an initial consult for January.

Sorry about your brother, it's heart breaking when family members turn there backs on us. I hope time heals the wound.

Nicole

Hi Liz!!  I made it over here to lurk some more. Stalking = bad, lurking = good :)

Hi Liz,

Thank you for this thread. I will be following with great interest for you and also for myself, hopefully in the bit too distant future.

Sorry about your brother. These things are always hard when family is involved.

Your countdown is going down quickly now. Nearly less than 80D.

Looking forward to your updates.

Hugs,
Jayne

Hi Liz, I'm hanging out also. Not that I actually need to know much about Aussie GCS, but I want to stay connected to you and your experiences (and what also comes from others). You are a central connector on the site  :)

Good luck with all your preparation.  Randy

Hello Liz:
I am checking in to let you know that I made it to your new thread to follow the next phase of your journey.

This will be an exciting time for you and your followers.
I will eagerly looking for your updates as you feel so led to post them.

Hugs and well wishes.
Danielle

Oh wow thank you all so much for your kind words of encouragement,unfortunately I am feeling unwell but better than I was 8 hrs ago . I will make a more detailed reply hopefully in the next 24-48 hrs when things have settled down for me.

Take care
Liz

Quote from: LizK on September 10, 2018, 03:46:03 AM
Oh wow thank you all so much for your kind words of encouragement,unfortunately I am feeling unwell but better than I was 8 hrs ago . I will make a more detailed reply hopefully in the next 24-48 hrs when things have settled down for me.

Take care
Liz

Liz, so sorry you are not feeling well. Rest up and try to have a good sleep. I hope you are feeling better in the morning.

Hugs,
Jayne

Liz, hope you're feeling better.  Take two <no dosages please> and call your doctor in the morning.

I'll be following this thread with interest.

First question: If they are operating on day of admission, will you have to do the pre-op 'clear you out' process at home?

X


Sent from my MI 5s using Tapatalk

Hi to All thankyou for the posts and the kind words of encouragement. I am feeing a bit better....what I thought was  flu bug turned out to be a flare up of my Chronic illness. Pretty straight forward, I know what the cause is and I also know what the most effective treatment is.  Usually some rest and meds will do the trick but I also had the added bonus of a visit from Cindy who regaled me with stories of a miss spent youth and beauty pageants. It was a fun way to spend a few hours.  I am feeling so much better today...not quite 100%  but pretty darn good.

Quote from: Jessica on September 07, 2018, 07:46:15 AM
In regards to your brother....you kinda suspected that all along.

Jessica that is dead right I did kind of expect that....best thing is I have closure so no matter what he does it won't really impact me like it was befoer....he made this bed he can enjoy slleeping in it.

Quote from: Michelle_P on September 07, 2018, 12:15:50 PM
I know that I and others focused pretty heavily on the medical side.  That may have been foremost on our minds, but as you say, there's a whole other side to this.

Thank You!
Michelle P.

There is so much info on procedures and how things will look and dilation, depth and function....but where do I stay, how do  I finance, what about when I get home how will I cope , how do I get there, who is paying for what and how much? Plus I am sure a whole heap of other that I will endeavour to share with you all.

Quote from: Kendra on September 07, 2018, 12:48:33 PM
here's to being Liz
an Aussie Girls GCS
share experience

prepare for great change
taking care of what matters
mind over matter

so many great goals
amazing weight loss achieved
a future well earned

Liz from down under
with surgery down under
making things all right

we do care so much
best family many have
right here at Susan's

;D Brilliant I love it, thank you Kendra for taking the time to write this poem I was touched.

Quote from: JudiBlueEyes on September 07, 2018, 03:30:29 PM
Hi Liz!  You've got my attention and we're counting the days!
Sorry to hear about your brother.  I guess its his loss.  Que sera sera.

Judi

Judi I agree with you completely Que sera sera....he could have been a part of mine and my families life. He has no other relatives here in Australia, no family of his own apart from his toxic wife (whom I suspect responsible for a fair amount of the animosity) Such is life!!

Quote from: Nicole70 on September 07, 2018, 03:50:23 PM
Hi Liz,

Thank you for starting this thread, I am very interested in what you have to say, I contacted Dr Ives yesterday and will be booking an initial consult for January.

Sorry about your brother, it's heart breaking when family members turn there backs on us. I hope time heals the wound.

Nicole

Fantastic to hear you have your consult booked, I am sure the time will fly. You will get to experience his new rooms at Masada Hospital and probably get a tour of the facilities with is his new specialised nurse from England. Good luck

Quote from: Faith on September 07, 2018, 08:09:52 PM
Hi Liz!!  I made it over here to lurk some more. Stalking = bad, lurking = good :)

Love my lurkers/stalkers  ;D Glad to see you made it!!  ;)

Quote from: Jayne01 on September 07, 2018, 08:12:17 PM
Hi Liz,

Thank you for this thread. I will be following with great interest for you and also for myself, hopefully in the bit too distant future.

Sorry about your brother. These things are always hard when family is involved.

Your countdown is going down quickly now. Nearly less than 80D.

Looking forward to your updates.

Hugs,
Jayne

I hope this thread is able to provide you with some practical help when preparing for Surgery. ...as far as countdowns go...watch this space!!

Quote from: RandyL on September 07, 2018, 08:42:12 PM
Hi Liz, I'm hanging out also. Not that I actually need to know much about Aussie GCS, but I want to stay connected to you and your experiences (and what also comes from others). You are a central connector on the site  :)

Good luck with all your preparation.  Randy

Thanks Randy I appreciate you dropping by. I enjoy your post and interaction and hope you will be an active participant in this thread.  ;)

Quote from: Alaskan Danielle on September 07, 2018, 10:59:11 PM
Hello Liz:
I am checking in to let you know that I made it to your new thread to follow the next phase of your journey.

This will be an exciting time for you and your followers.
I will eagerly looking for your updates as you feel so led to post them.

Hugs and well wishes.
Danielle

Thankyou Danielle I am glad you made and hope you will get something from this thread and are able to share your experience's as well.

Quote from: Megan. on September 10, 2018, 12:33:08 PM
I'll be following this thread with interest.

First question: If they are operating on day of admission, will you have to do the pre-op 'clear you out' process at home?

X


Sent from my MI 5s using Tapatalk

Hi Megan

I am due for surgery on the 28th I fly into Melbourne on the morning of the 27th and will then proceed to the hospital and Dr Ives consulting rooms. I will collect my "elixir of life" and go back to my hotel where I shall have a few hours respite before commencing the cleaning out of my system....last time I had to do this I drank the two litre mix and about 30 minutes later I went to the loo....once only!!! I can assure you despite the infrequency I was a clean as a whistle according the Dr who did the colonoscopy  ;D


I will do a proper update since its been a few days since I last did one

Once again thank you all so much for your support.

Liz

First thing to report on are my two appointments from Monday. One with the Psychiatrist and one with the Psychologist.

I had been seeing the Psychiatrist since February 2016 and after 3 visits he really didn't know what to say to me anymore as we had very little to discuss.

The Psychologist I had been seeing since early 2015 and had been "discharged" from her care nearly 12 months ago.

The appointments were to do my surgery letters for November. I was surprisingly uptight about all this and spent Monday morning in a bit of self induced tail spin only to pull out of this dive into the rabbit hole at the last minute our other resident rabbit hole expert @Laurie would have been proud of me!!


I saw both these people at the same place one after the other and left the surgery with the letter from my Psych recommending the surgery for me. The second letter I will have in the next day or so the Psychologist is just finishing the formatting. I have been formally discharged from both their care but have made an appointment to see the Psychologhist only as a precaution after surgery plus I like her, we enjoy chatting LOL and she want s to see me to see how the surgery was etc etc


So my psychological gatekeepers are finished with me, finally,  both lovely people but I am still pleased to be finished...there is no longer any medical professional standing between me and GCS, in fact there is now nothing standing in the way at all.

This is all getting very real now. I have my phone appointment a week on Friday with Dr Ives. This will be the last time I speak with him before Melbourne. I would also expect to see a bill along with a list of requirements (in prep for surgery) in the next 30 days.

I continue to do my walking although this week I have reduced the walk to 5ks per day. I want to see how much difference that makes to my weight loss while preserving my hip. Speaking of which I weighed in on Monday and have lost again and sit now at 92.9kg....7.29Kgs to lose till I reach my ultimate goal weight of 85kgs.

I have my pinultimate genital laser treatment on Friday yay...not!!! But I have to say I am still concerned about my inability to get Genital electrolysis and what issuies this may cause me down the track. It is just so frustrating...I have again contacted another 1/2 dozen clinics asking if they do it and if they don't then who does? After several laser treatments there is not a whole lot there to worry about.


More updates to come

Liz

Hi Liz,

Congratulations on your milestone and great weight loss, your efforts are an inspiration, I'm still trying and making slow progress. Sorry to hear about your flare-up, I hope it clears soon.

It's definitely a problem not being able to access electrolysis for down there here in Adelaide, I spoke with mine and she said she is open to the idea but needs training and does not like to inflict that much pain.

Not long till your surgery!

Nicole

Quote from: Nicole70 on September 11, 2018, 09:16:31 PM
....

It's definitely a problem not being able to access electrolysis for down there here in Adelaide, I spoke with mine and she said she is open to the idea but needs training and does not like to inflict that much pain.

Not long till your surgery!

Nicole

I haven't given up completely.....Is that Amber you are talking about?? I am going to see someone at Morphettvale for an assessment on the 27th of this month. She wants to talk to me about the genital stuff(I think) but I also said to her I wanted my face looked at as well. I think I probably need about 10 hrs to finally finish off to a point where I am completely happy I actually thought I was pretty much done...I want my top lip cleared again...the hairs are so fine but can be annoying there a few along my bottom lip as well apart from that its just stragglers. 

Take care

Liz

Quote from: LizK on September 11, 2018, 06:01:32 PM
I have my pinultimate genital laser treatment on Friday yay...not!!! But I have to say I am still concerned about my inability to get Genital electrolysis and what issuies this may cause me down the track. It is just so frustrating...I have again contacted another 1/2 dozen clinics asking if they do it and if they don't then who does? After several laser treatments there is not a whole lot there to worry about.

Can you travel? You can definitely get it done in Sydney. Bus is probably quite cheap.

Quote from: AnonyMs on September 12, 2018, 03:22:01 AM
Can you travel? You can definitely get it done in Sydney. Bus is probably quite cheap.

After Months and Months of searching I have found a place to at least have a look at the electrolysis I want done. This happened about 4pm this afternoon and I have only just been able to log into the board I am astounded that it has taken this long but it sounds very promising. I spoke to the Technician who proceeded to give me a lecture regarding the pain of electrolysis. So I have an appointment for them to assess the area. It would seem I still have time....I was contemplating going to Melbourne but it would seem that is now unnecessary...

Quote from: Nicole70 on September 11, 2018, 09:16:31 PM
Hi Liz,
.....It's definitely a problem not being able to access electrolysis for down there here in Adelaide, I spoke with mine and she said she is open to the idea but needs training and does not like to inflict that much pain.

I think I have found someone to do this for me. I will happily share the details once I have had the assessment next week. I am, thinking about 8-10 hours max and should be less due to the amount of laser I have had...Anyway the 17th will tell...she wants to have a look before she commits to anything...so watch this space I may have found a resolution....


Take care'

Liz

Hi Liz,

It isn't Amber from Morphetvale, but I am interested if you have found someone else, I'm not certain the lady I see was very keen and I want to start soon so that I'm all clear for later next year when I hope to have surgery, all being well.

Please let me know how you get on.

Nicole

Quote from: Nicole70 on September 12, 2018, 05:55:16 AM
Hi Liz,

It isn't Amber from Morphetvale, but I am interested if you have found someone else, I'm not certain the lady I see was very keen and I want to start soon so that I'm all clear for later next year when I hope to have surgery, all being well.

Please let me know how you get on.

Nicole

I am seeing someone from Medispa opposite Southgate on the 20th about my face but the other place for the genital stuff is in the city...It will depend on exactly what I want done... she told me that I would need be an active participant and it sounds like she has had some experience in this...I will let you know as soon as I have had the consult.

Take care

Liz

I had an appointment with Medical lasers and Dermatology for Genital Electrolysis today and I was very apprehensive anticipating the whole thing being nothing more than an exercise in humiliation.

This particular business is located at the foot of a private a day surgery clinic and the rooms themselves are very clean, new, modern, bright and airy. The Electrologist herself was very professional, knowledgeable and friendly. We discussed at length the limitations that have been placed upon us for this. I have about 40 days of treatment time available but I will discuss this further with Mr Ives on Thursday when he calls and clarify how far out from surgery I need to finish with the electrolysis.

The tech examined me and declared that due to the very effective work of the laser I have under an hour's work to clear the entire area.  YAHOOOOOO!!! Relief!!

She then asked if I wanted to try having a couple of hairs zapped  to which I foolishly agreed. I have read that the penile base is one of the most sensitive area 's and that is where she went pulling three hairs. It hurt but as reported by others not as bad as I thought it would and not nearly as bad as my scar line on my top lip. Considering  I was totally unprepared at all to even try this today I was surprised. Its not going to be a picnic but its also not going to be as bad as I thought and only an hour anyway. I would like to complete the clearance at this first appointment

So how was it??

It hurt, it hurt like a hair caught in an epilator, like a blood test taken with poor needle technique, maybe even like a mild be sting due to the  residual burn that is left. After she had done the first one I was kind of surprised that it didn't hurt to the level I had expected.  Between the electrolysis, the laser I have already had and the follicles scrape and removal of any hair cells used for grafts at the time of surgery I am trying to be confident we will get them all..

For all you South Australia girls looking for someone to be able to do your hair removal prior to GCS then we have a solution now in South Australia.

On to more mundane things, the rest of my preparation continues, I had a weight gain this week of 800 grms and I know why, last week I was being really slack with my diet and paid the price on the scales. I am back on track again this week making a concerted effort to reduce my carb and milk intake and increase my daily exercise starting at 5KM  and rising by 1KM each day... This makes tomorrow a 7 km walk and by Saturday it will be a 10 km walk.
I have a consult with Mr Ives on Thursday morning I will write a further update in regards this appointment later in the afternoon after I've had my one-hour electrolysis jaunt!!.

Take care

Liz

PS Fun Fact....Low fat Milk contains more sugar that whole full fat Milk

Liz,

Thank you for this update, very good news for us South Aussie girls, and great news that you only have an hour to go.

Good luck with the weight loss and exercise 10k by Saturday will be a great achievement. You must be getting excited for your next Appointment with Dr Ives.

Nicole

Quote from: Nicole70 on September 18, 2018, 07:04:00 AM
Liz,

Thank you for this update, very good news for us South Aussie girls, and great news that you only have an hour to go.

Good luck with the weight loss and exercise 10k by Saturday will be a great achievement. You must be getting excited for your next Appointment with Dr Ives.

Nicole

Hi Nicole

Yeah it is good news for any of the girls wanting to have this done here in Adelaide. I was really happy that my expectation of an exercise in humiliation didn't occur. They were great

I am speaking with him tomorrow and the next time will be just prior to surgery...yeah I am feeing nervous and apprehensive about the consult...mainly because I am really not too sure what I need to ask if anything. I am sure I will babble on regardless.

Take care

Liz

@LizK
Dear Liz:
Reading your post regarding Genital Electrolysis gave me the shivers.... yikes, after having that procedure done I think I would rather have my fingernails pulled with a pair of pliers.   Yes indeed hurts like you stated with graphic descriptors.

As always, I follow your threads every time I log into the Forums, and I will be looking forward to reading your additional hair removal experiences and you pre-surgery comments as you post them.

Hugs and well wishes,
Danielle

@LizK @Alaskan Danielle


Liz I have to agree with Danielle, genital electrolysis gives me to shivers also.
I experienced my first hour of facial hair removal today, and yes it does hurt, but not as bad as I thought....but electrolysis down below....yow!
Lucky you are looking at only an hours work 🌸🌸🌸

Hugs and smiles from a California girl

Hi Liz,

  I am glad you took the plunge and let her get started. You don't have any time to lose. I am thinking of talking to Christina about it myself. I should have a couple years to get it done. Why wait until the last month and a half right? It isn't as if you weren't trying to find someone to do it. Good luck!

Hugs,
  Laurie

Quote from: Alaskan Danielle on September 18, 2018, 06:22:47 PM
@LizK
Dear Liz:
Reading your post regarding Genital Electrolysis gave me the shivers.... yikes, after having that procedure done I think I would rather have my fingernails pulled with a pair of pliers.   Yes indeed hurts like you stated with graphic descriptors.

As always, I follow your threads every time I log into the Forums, and I will be looking forward to reading your additional hair removal experiences and you pre-surgery comments as you post them.

Hugs and well wishes,
Danielle

Not sure about the fingernails being pulled but I do know that I don't have to deal with the Hypersensitivity like I did with my facial electrolysis...I will just have to grit my teeth and think positive thoughts...thanks for stopping by and I will do another update later today after the session.

Quote from: Jessica on September 18, 2018, 09:29:14 PM
@LizK @Alaskan Danielle


Liz I have to agree with Danielle, genital electrolysis gives me to shivers also.
I experienced my first hour of facial hair removal today, and yes it does hurt, but not as bad as I thought....but electrolysis down below....yow!
Lucky you are looking at only an hours work

Hugs and smiles from a California girl

Congrats on your first hour of zapping...it gets old pretty fast....Today should be bearable as I have under an hour to complete the clearance....still nervous though!!

Quote from: Laurie on September 18, 2018, 10:42:59 PM
Hi Liz,

  I am glad you took the plunge and let her get started. You don't have any time to lose. I am thinking of talking to Christina about it myself. I should have a couple years to get it done. Why wait until the last month and a half right? It isn't as if you weren't trying to find someone to do it. Good luck!

Hugs,
  Laurie

I am quietly and cautiously optimistic that it will not be as bad as it sounds...as I said to Jess I am not dealing with the issues I had on my face so hopefully with enough Anti-inflammatory, Valium and water onboard I should be Ok hopefully she is chatty as that seem to be the best distraction I have....I will have my audiobook, music and headphones to help with distraction....I am trying to psych myself up...its only an hour...how bad can it be...GULP!!

I will post another update later today to encompasmy Electrology appointment and my final pre surgical telephone appointment with Mr Ives...I am trying to work out what the heck to ask him and so far I only have a questions about the prep...I am hoping he tells me this electrolysis is a waste of time and I shouldn't do it...yeah right!!!

So I guess the other real concern is how much am I going to be immobilised after surgery and how we will manage the complications that will arise because of this. My chronic pain condition is not going to be happy about this immobilisation so we will need to discuss strategy for dealing with this. But apart from that each time I try to think about it I get stuck on these two points....I will have my answers in 3 hours so until then.... ;)

Take care

Liz

Quote from: LizK on September 19, 2018, 05:28:06 PM
I am quietly and cautiously optimistic that it will not be as bad as it sounds...as I said to Jess I am not dealing with the issues I had on my face so hopefully with enough Anti-inflammatory, Valium and water onboard I should be Ok hopefully she is chatty as that seem to be the best distraction I have....I will have my audiobook, music and headphones to help with distraction....I am trying to psych myself up...its only an hour...how bad can it be...GULP!!

Liz, the genital electrolysis is much easier than the upper lip under the nose.  It is easier than most of the upper lip.  Nearest I could match it with is upper neck/lower chin, and the hairs are much sparser down there than in a typical beard.

Thank you all for the encouragement....I am sitting here having completed my Electrolysis and Michelle you were so very right in my case...I could have dozed off at one point...although it would have been short lived as the next zap was a real toe clincher,  completed my Pre surgical Consult with Mr Ives and Started a possible row over my second surgery letter with my psychologist...So where to start


As many of you will know my relationship with Electrolysis has not exactly been a good one. My facial stuff was very painful for me due to the hypersensitivity issues and took nearly a year to work up to a regular full hour. Today I had my first genital electrolysis session...why wasn't my face as easy as this....yes it did sting at times and make me grit my teeth but the Emla lasted better and the Tech was even better than my facial one. She completely cleared Shaft, base and half way down the scrotum so I need to go back to finish off maybe another hour but not all that will be Electrolysis she wants to zap a few more hairs with laser as well. I will be able to fit in another full clearance before surgery cut off. I was so impressed and found it pretty easy to tolerate and made the full hour without hassle. I was walking a little slower and a bit like a jillaroo after a hard day :laugh:


Mr Ives asked about my surgery letters and I told him I had one and was expecting the second one any day now. He asked that I send them ASAP so if there is any issues they can be fixed in time for surgery. I contacted my psychologist who is wring the letter to ask where it was and she sent me the PAI personality test saying its part of crossing the t's and dotting the i's ...I sent her back an email asking what this has to do with a WPATH letter she was supposed to have sent me last Friday...I worded it nicely. What I find really unusual is that I finished with her nearly a year ago after asking her to write my letter she agreed and we parted out ways with the understanding therapy was done but I would be back to get my letter last week at our appoint especially for that purpose....Will wait and see what she has to say.



He is such a lovely man and immediately put me at my ease. I have to stop my HRT 4 weeks out, he wants my pump information ASAP and I have contacted the Dr who needs to write the report but he is overseas and not back until next Tuesday, He is a good guy and will have the report to me as soon as he humanly can. Mr Ives is also arranging for a consult with a specialist at Masada for my pump so it can be looked after whilst there(nothing to do)...Mr Ives wants me to send the Psych letter I do have and the other ASAP.I didn't know then that the psychologist was going to hit me with this personality test when I told him I expected it any day. Yes I have to be in bed for 2-3 days not allowed above 30 degrees but can move around in the bed. I should have received or was about to receive the surgery pack(arrived late today) with instruction once I get to Melbourne...


I found his earlier letter in regards to my height(wrong) and weight. His rules are clear BMI of 30 or under or under 100KGs or he will not operate...he originally told me to aim for 96kg (based on 184cm tall)...I have always been primarily aiming at 90 because that is when my BMI goes from Obese(BMI 30+) to Overweight`...he agreed that I should obtain that however I said I plan to be 85 kg by the time November comes around. last weigh in I had put on weight so I currently have 3.7KG to lose and 2 months to do it.  :laugh:


So there we have the steps I have to take towards GCS...now its getting exciting


Liz

LIZ!!!!

you keep chipping away and before you know it you won't be able to find anything to fix.

Late Thursday afternoon I checked for my mail and found a large manila envelope from Mr Ives rooms. This was the pack he mentioned during our conversation earlier in the day. It was not until late Friday I found some time to have a look at it as when I had tried to look at it on Thursday much of what I was looking at did not register.

Essentially there were 3 parts to it

Admission and consent Forms

Instructions for Melbourne

Requirements for GCS including shopping list for post op requirements


Included in all of this was an 8 week pre op countdown list advising when what things have to be completed week by week right up until day before admission. I will be changing my countdown to coincide with this It also included any prescriptions required preop.


I have what looks like about a billion blood tests to be done but is more likely to be a just 1/2 dozen vials. These blood tests I will get at my Dr's tomorrow along with a new referral. This will  leave only two items outstanding one of which is my second letter. I emailed the Psychologist for a polite please explain last Thursday and as yet have had no response. I certainly hope this is not an issue.


Weigh in has been moved to Fridays as the reading I had been doing told me that Mondays(when I do it) are statistically your heaviest day of the week with Friday being your best as you have had all week to prepare and if you have a bust out over the week end(the most likely time) you have the whole week to claw it back by working twice as hard  ;) Last weigh in I am 91.3 with leaves me 400 grams to lose for a weight Of 90.9 Kgs which is exactly a BMI of 30 which is the exact requirements for GCS. However my actual goal weight is 85 and to ensure there are no arguments about whether I am under the weight or I am not, my goal of 85 will take to a BMI Of 27 and will definitely be no argument. Aside from this the better my weight the better my recovery will be and more than likely the faster it will be.


My White board now has the 8 week countdown (which starts as of 3/10/18 or if your are an upside down American 10/3/18 ;D) with each item due and where each of these things currently is, in its progression to completion.
                                                                                                                                                                                                       
         
At this stage I have 5 Main priorities

1) 2nd Psych  letter...If no response by COB tomorrow then will follow up directly with phone call

2) Blood Tests...will request at tomorrows GP appointment

3) Blood Transfusion Typing (Melbourne) To be arranged with Mr Ives rooms

4) Referral for Mr Ives from GP...will request at tomorrows GP appointment

5) Pump information to Mr Ives...Dr who looks after this is over seas till next week but he has been sent a message

Busy Busy Busy...I am sure in the next few weeks all the outstanding tasks will get ticked off and then it will simply be waitng game.

Take care
Liz

Liz,

How exciting and scary at the same time, I so wish I was in your position right now, having a schedule of items to take care of before you go in eight weeks brings your operation into focus.

I hope all goes well with your second referral, and hopefully they have changed their minds on the personality test, I mean really?? I can't fathom why they would ask you to do that.

Good luck with the weight loss, you have done so well so far this year, you've got this girl!

Please keep us informed I'm reading this with great interest, thanks for starting this thread.

[emoji254][emoji254][emoji156][emoji254][emoji254]

Nicole

@Liz YES!! we're right here with you, waiting in anticipation. Not breathless though, wouldn't want anyone to pass out.

Hi,

Can you please PM the place you found in melbourne (i live here) that does genital electrolysis. as i plan to start my face (had laser) and the below area.. the sooner the better as i move thru the next year or two i can hopefully have it completed long before the letter.

all good foudn my answer in my 800 bookmarks..all it took was searching them with the right words lol.

Wow! It is getting close Liz! Congratulations on your progress so far.

Thanks for documenting your journey, it does contain so much valuable information.

The 8 weeks will be over in no time. We will all be thinking about you and hope everything goes well!

Hugs,

Sarah

Hey Liz you best add cleaning the top of your fridge to that list....

  Why does it seem that you have to pull teeth to get anything done for your GCS? Damn you have had to work hard girl! Go after that letter! Damn gatekeepers! You will get everything arranged. Of that I am sure. I know you lady! You will get this done.

Loves ya,
  Laurie

Thank you all for the kind words of encouragement.

I wrote to the Psychologist responsible for writing this second letter, forwarding my original email from Thursday to her via a different email address. She has made no response since her request to fill out the questionnaire and to tell me she should have the letter by the end of the weekend. Its now Monday evening and I have still not heard a peep out of her.

I don't understand what she is doing. My primary treating Psych wrote the letter as I sat there at my appointment with him 10 days ago same day for her. This is what I expected of her. In fact her letter is the secondary one and could have been done by any number of people but I left it to her.

The process is essentially stalled until I can ensure there is no issue with her doing this letter. My frustration levels over this are getting to the point where I don't trust myself to remain calm. She has known for over a year that the appointment we had 10 days ago was to get my surgery letter and yet I am still waiting. What is wrong with this scenario...what am I missing? I really don't know what to do...
Liz

On a more positive note, I have all the forms I need to get my pre-op tests completed. I will over the next 2 days get these done. In fact I am only missing one further piece of paperwork(as discussed above) and I can submit the results. Once this is completed I will just have to wait for Mr Ives team to ensure they have everything and all the bloods etc required for the surgery to go ahead. I would like to think that by the end of this week all these things are in place and completed.


Liz

Crossing my fingers and toes all goes as desired this week Liz.

Hugs,
  Laurie

Quote from: LizK on September 23, 2018, 02:26:40 AM
At this stage I have 5 Main priorities
1) 2nd Psych  letter...If no response by COB tomorrow then will follow up directly with phone call

2) Blood Tests...will request at tomorrows GP appointment

3) Blood Transfusion Typing (Melbourne) To be arranged with Mr Ives rooms

4) Referral for Mr Ives from GP...will request at tomorrows GP appointment

5) Pump information to Mr Ives...Dr who looks after this is over seas till next week but he has been sent a message

Its been about a week since my last update and many things have happened since then. Above is the list of priorities for last week.  So I got my Second psych letter on Tuesday, Wednesday I had various tests, including Blood Urinalysis , chest x-ray and ECG. I arranged my blood typing blood test to be handled at Masada Private upon my arrival in Melbourne on the 27th, this along with my referral from my GP was all sent to Mr Ives rooms on Thursday morning. I received an email back saying it all looks fine and if there are any issues with the letters they will contact the writers directly should there be any additional information required. This leaves only one outstanding item and that is the details on my Medication Pump. I have contacted my Pain Management Dr and he has been aware for 12 months that this report would be needed but as Murphy's Law would have it he has been out of the country for a month and returned only a few days ago. I have had another request for the report from Mr Ives rooms but they understand I can do no more.

I also had to log onto Masada hospitals web site and complete their admission forms which was very clear and simple enough to do.

The Surgery paperwork itself consisted of all the legal paperwork, scripts for Flagyl(antibiotic) and stuff to make you empty your bowel (whether you want to or not LOL). Included were of course the surgical consent forms.

Nearly the whole of the front page of the consent form deals with the possibility of complications(all of which I had read about). It did make me pause before I signed it...just for a second...things got very real very quickly as I read through the list of complications and potential poor outcomes...and signed it anyway  :) and with a great deal of satisfaction. :)


Had my second round of Genital Electrolysis which also surprisingly involved Laser. The tech was using Electrolysis to zap the grey hairs and the laser to vaporise the dark hairs....I don't know what this laser is called but it is far different from any I have seen previously. I have noticed that when I am having laser there is an increase in pain as hairs are zapped and this I am guessing is caused by the heat generated during the zapping. With the laser she was using on me I understand why some would use Emla...it was very strong and destroyed the majority of the hairs ...I was astounded to see that the laser had fried many of the hairs completely. I will get one more treatment in before surgery and it will be a final tidy up of any stragglers.

The electrolysis itself was substantially less painful for me than having either my top or bottom lip zapped. The machine itself was only a couple of years old which I think went a long way to making the whole procedure much more pleasant. The other thing that helped was her technique. Every other time I have had Emla cream in prep for the facial stuff the Techs have removed the entire dressing wiped away the Emla and begun to work...this woman would peel a small section back wipe away the Emla and zap the hairs she could see, she would then repeat the same procedure for the entire first session which made the Emla about "70%" more effective as each area she worked on was "freshly" numb. I am pretty sure I will be going back  for my facial stuff after November.


The only outstanding paperwork item at this stage is the report about my medication pump report. All other items have been completed including prep for the blood tests for Melbourne. This pump report could turn into a bit of a hassle as the Dr who will write it is not known for caring too much about other Dr's timelines. He is a really busy guy in great demand and would rather spend time with patients than paperwork...I may have an alternative if things are not resolved quickly. Its not ideal but it will work.

I still have yet to purchase the items on my shopping list, lube. pads, cotton undies, piece of foam etc etc which I will do a few weeks out.

I am currently sitting at about 91.8 KGs which gives me a BMI of 30.03...its needs to be 30 or lower. I need to be at 90.9kgs (BMI of 30)to be eligible for surgery...so under 1 kg to go to meet my first goal of qualifying for surgery. My goal for Fridays weigh in is to be at a BMI of 30 or below. My first full Friday to Friday result was good and averaged over the period of changing from Monday to Friday weigh ins to about an average of 850grams a week which is about the average since I started. My ultimate goal is 85kg so at most I have 6.8 to lose by 27/11.


Signing the consent form and sending back the paperwork made this seem very real to me. Over the last few months many people have asked me if I am looking forward to the surgery or if I am excited to have it. My answer has been fairly non-committal saying things like "I'll be happy when its finished" or " I would like to skip through that first 3 weeks"...excited? not really ...apprehensive...you betcha...but that has changed now, I am excited, I really want to get on with this and I want it to happen. The first three weeks will be what it will be and I will endure, just like every one of you girls who have already.




Whilst GCS has been on my mind for a long time now having it so close seems a bit surreal....I have these moments of absolute terror imagining the worst case scenario's. These are occasionally interupted with the absolute knowledge that I am off my rocker and this GCS is crazy...there was a point in time where this kind of thinking could throw me completely...nowdays I kind of think of it as something akin to a brain fart...within a few seconds of this thought it is crushed with logic of who I really am.


Take care
Liz

@LizK
My Dear Liz:
Thank you for sharing your very comprehensive and detailedupdate. 
Wow, this is all very exciting.  You do have a few things to take care of before surgery so I am wishing you success in getting everything ship-shape so you will be accepted for surgery and get a firm date on the calendar.

I just can't tell you how very happy I am for you....
Please continue keeping your followers tuned in.

I will be eagerly looking for more of your updates.... as always!!!
Hugs and well wishes,
Danielle

Hi;
Appreciate your issues with Laser & Electrolysis. If you are Victorian based you could try Depilation & Skin Care in Templestowe (Macedon Plaza). they are Trans friendly and do all my Laser and Electrolysis treatments (and other beauty treatments).  Ask for Sarah or Monica.

See www.depskin.com (http://www.depskin.com)

In terms of Pain Management, I have a Pain Management issue due to prior surgery and am prescribed Panadeine Forte. This is a very strong pain killer, but not to be taken lightly. If I know I have a big Electrolysis session coming up, I take two tablets 30 minutes beforehand, but its then important not to drive there or back (as it take a couple of hours to work its effects ofg. So I take public transport to the salon, rather than driving myself.

Actually its so effective that sometime I fall asleep on the treatment table.
Hope this helps

Judith Lynn

Quote from: Alaskan Danielle on September 29, 2018, 10:47:38 PM
@LizK
My Dear Liz:
Thank you for sharing your very comprehensive and detailedupdate. 
Wow, this is all very exciting.  You do have a few things to take care of before surgery so I am wishing you success in getting everything ship-shape so you will be accepted for surgery and get a firm date on the calendar.

I just can't tell you how very happy I am for you....
Please continue keeping your followers tuned in.

I will be eagerly looking for more of your updates.... as always!!!
Hugs and well wishes,
Danielle

Hi Danielle you comment and well wishes are always welcome. I am sure the things I have left to do will soo  sort themselves out. My GP is great and really on top of things so will no doubt be able to help fill in many of the details for Mr Ives if the there is anything missing. Considering how long ago I started this countdown if feels great to be under 60 days now. I would think the next up date will be the end of this week unless I am advised of issues surrounding the paperwork.

Quote from: judithlynn on September 29, 2018, 10:48:18 PM
Hi;
Appreciate your issues with Laser & Electrolysis. If you are Victorian based you could try Depilation & Skin Care in Templestowe (Macedon Plaza). they are Trans friendly and do all my Laser and Electrolysis treatments (and other beauty treatments).  Ask for Sarah or Monica.

See www.depskin.com (http://www.depskin.com)

In terms of Pain Management, I have a Pain Management issue due to prior surgery and am prescribed Panadeine Forte. This is a very strong pain killer, but not to be taken lightly. If I know I have a big Electrolysis session coming up, I take two tablets 30 minutes beforehand, but its then important not to drive there or back (as it take a couple of hours to work its effects ofg. So I take public transport to the salon, rather than driving myself.

Actually its so effective that sometime I fall asleep on the treatment table.
Hope this helps

Judith Lynn

Thanks Judith Lynn I feel for you with the super sensitive face stuff from surgery...I can relate. I was at a support group on Saturday and one of the girls had found someone to do their genital stuff at $130 per 1/2 hour so I really did well to get mine for 133 per full hour. I am prescribed Valium and use an anti-inflammatory, ibuprofen, about 30 minutes prior. If I can stay relaxed I can manage the pain so staying relaxed is usually my main goal. Thankyou for your advice I appreciate all the help I can get,  :)

Take care

Liz

Liz, I am so excited for you!  All your efforts have been successful and I know you're ready for the big day.  Thank you so much for documenting all this in your new thread.  I love how you've done it.

Hugs and smiles from a California girl

Today is exactly 8 weeks until surgery which is 55 Days 19Hrs 07Mins till surgery BWCA?  ;D

I now begin to follow the preparation timetable as set out by Mr Ives Rooms.  Each week has a set of tasks to be completed within them or others where documents are due back.

I am well ahead of where I should be with the next task due to start on the 24th of October and that is where I get to pay....it doesn't hold any great significance for me as I have already made a substantial financial commitment but is significant simply because I am one step closer to where I want to be. The next event on the timetable that involves a direct impact on me is stopping my HRT in 4 weeks...I am not going to enjoy that :(

Many, many, of us have done things that could have or should have killed us and I am one of the lucky ones, I survived my experience. It did leave me a constant reminder of the very real damage untreated GD can do. Dealing with my GD is the single most important thing I have ever done for myself.
Hopefully I can knock over my BMI target for surgery this week and will post the result of my weigh in on Friday...walked 18ks this week so far and should be 30ks my Fridays weigh in.


Take care

Liz

Tick tock tick tock... ;D

Wow! 8 weeks to go! I am very excited for you... Congratulations on getting to this point! This will most likely be the single most exhaustive and exciting milestone in your transition.

Being well ahead of the schedule? I have my first consult in 4 weeks and I am already done with all the paperwork. I think this is just natural that we are excited about such a step and we want to move forward as fast as we can.

I keep my fingers crossed for your weigh in! You can do it! (Ugh and a reminder for myself to lose a few more lbs).

Looking forward to reading more about your preparation... Oh... and don't forget to name you dilators!  ;D ;D

Hugs,

Sarah

@LizK
Dear Liz:
This is so very exciting for all of us to hear... and certainly as you count down to your special day, all the while completing the doctor's preparation tasks, you must be absolutely ecstatic to get going on this next milestone event in being able to reach your transition goal.

As @Devlyn commented....  Tick tock tick tock... ;D
 
.....and please know Liz, that we are all counting down with you.
Please continue to keep us all tuned in.
Hugs and hugs and and as always, best wishes,
Danielle

The countdown is getting shorter!  Great! :)

That's good that you are ahead of the plan.  Stopping HRT will hopefully be OK.  It didn't affect me too much until I re-started.  That was harder with hot flashes and all.  I hope it goes well.   All my best on your BMI goal.  You got it!
Judi

Quote from: Jessica on September 30, 2018, 07:49:22 AM
Liz, I am so excited for you!  All your efforts have been successful and I know you're ready for the big day.  Thank you so much for documenting all this in your new thread.  I love how you've done it.

Hugs and smiles from a California girl

Hi Jessica

Yes its all slowly coming together and I hope this is going to be of some value to another Gal going through this here is Aus. As I complete each step my excitement seems to be building slowly...each day I look forward to being a little closer to my ultimate goal.

Quote from: Devlyn on October 03, 2018, 04:24:57 AM
Tick tock tick tock... ;D

Hi Devlyn...yup...time is slowly moving forward...some days it feels like a snails pace but then it seems to just treak by on other occasions it just zips by...thanks for stopping by  :)

Quote from: Alaskan Danielle on October 03, 2018, 08:34:20 AM
@LizK
Dear Liz:
This is so very exciting for all of us to hear... and certainly as you count down to your special day, all the while completing the doctor's preparation tasks, you must be absolutely ecstatic to get going on this next milestone event in being able to reach your transition goal.

As @Devlyn commented....  Tick tock tick tock... ;D
 
.....and please know Liz, that we are all counting down with you.
Please continue to keep us all tuned in.
Hugs and hugs and and as always, best wishes,
Danielle

Hi Danielle

thanks for all the great encouragement...the last part of this weight loss has been a bit of a battle with me appearing to yo yo a bit in weight....this weeks Friday weigh in will be a more accurate gauge of how I am doing. Thanks for being along side counting with me its much appreciated

Quote from: JudiBlueEyes on October 03, 2018, 08:58:24 AM
The countdown is getting shorter!  Great! :)

That's good that you are ahead of the plan.  Stopping HRT will hopefully be OK.  It didn't affect me too much until I re-started.  That was harder with hot flashes and all.  I hope it goes well.   All my best on your BMI goal.  You got it!
Judi

Thanks Judi

Thank you for the kind words of encouragement...it really does help keep me on track and motivated. The stopping HRT is not going to be great fun but then I knew this when I decided to have surgery...its a bit like the pain from electrolysis...a necessary evil LOL

Once again thanks to all of you for you great support.

take care

Liz

I have my eyes on you Liz ... always watching and watching and watching ............

Hey there Liz. The big day is getting so close now. It's only next month! How exciting!!!

I'm curious, what is the reason for stopping HRT before surgery? What happens if you have an implant, it's not like you can remove it or tell it to stop working?

Keep up the good work with your weight loss. It gets harder to lose that last bit of weight as you get closer to your goal but I know you can do it.

Hugs,
Jayne

Hi Jayne

This is a left over from the days when HRT was pills and not much else available. I have Oestrogen as a gel so my risk(According to My HRT Dr) is just about non-existent...however because I will be immobilised for 3 days they are concerned about blood clots and oral Oestrogen increases this risk. It is a frustratingly pointless part of the prep and one I am not looking forward too. It is what it is...Mr Ives wants me to stop...so I will stop. Frustrating but what do you do?

The weight loss is a bit annoying at the moment I have 700 grams to hit my BMI of sub 30 I am sure I will get there Sigh!! but not this week!!

Take care

Liz

Hi Liz, while it was a few years ago I could not find much information about Andrew Ives so I made this thread. https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,196033.0.html

He has changed a few things, I'll be interviewing him in November to make sure there is updated information available online. Wish you all the best with your surgery.

Quote from: Jayne01 on October 04, 2018, 01:08:39 AM
I'm curious, what is the reason for stopping HRT before surgery? What happens if you have an implant, it's not like you can remove it or tell it to stop working?

Technically you can remove it, but you don't need to. You just arrange for the surgery to be around the time where it needs replacing, so its relatively low, and get a new one after surgery.

Snipped: 

Quote from: LizK on October 05, 2018, 03:41:07 AM
- - - - - - -
   - - - - - -
The weight loss is a bit annoying at the moment I have 700 grams to hit my BMI of sub 30 I am sure I will get there Sigh!! but not this week!!

Take care

Liz

@LizK
Dear Liz:
This is such good news... almost at your goal.

Weight comes off so very slowly but if one is not careful it can go back on so very quickly.
You are getting so close to your goal....  your motivation to reach your goal is probably very high now... continue on using all the willpower and determination that you can muster.

Thank you for keeping us all updated.

Hugs,
Danielle

Quote from: Serenation on October 05, 2018, 05:01:43 AM
Hi Liz, while it was a few years ago I could not find much information about Andrew Ives so I made this thread. https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,196033.0.html

He has changed a few things, I'll be interviewing him in November to make sure there is updated information available online. Wish you all the best with your surgery.

Thank you for the link I will be having a look at that is a few minutes. I saw on another place about this interview so will look forward to hearing what he has to say.

Take care

Edit: Serenation thank you for the link I read the thread from start to finish and had seen the vids before. The information is not too dissimilar to what I have ben given recently from Mr Ives rooms. One of the obvious exceptions is now you have to purchase your own foam, condoms, underwear and lube but apart from that it has been pretty much as you describe. Thanks I wish I could zip from here through to completely healed without stopping in between. I am preparing myself psychologically as well as physically. Kendra's recovery seemed to go much so smoother and with less complications due in part to being really fit. Once again thanks for sharing

Quote from: Alaskan Danielle on October 05, 2018, 01:14:26 PM
Snipped:  @LizK
Dear Liz:
This is such good news... almost at your goal.

Weight comes off so very slowly but if one is not careful it can go back on so very quickly.
You are getting so close to your goal....  your motivation to reach your goal is probably very high now... continue on using all the willpower and determination that you can muster.

Thank you for keeping us all updated.

Hugs,
Danielle

Thanks Danielle

You are so right the weight does come off very slowly...I am not certain about the accuracy of my scales either so that doesn't help. This last week I walked 36 ks with an average Heart rate of 111bpm and the scales told me I was exactly the same as I had been the previous week...I jumped on them the following day after lunch and they were weighing me 200 grams lighter than the reading from first thing the previous morning, straight after my walk...I don't get it and I don't know enough about weight loss to know what could be the issue...maybe just bad scales...although they are near new. I am modifying my diets again so we will see.


Thankyou for the kind words and you are right my motivation is very high...I am working hard this week on maintaining a good diet, increasing walks from average 6ks  back up too 7-8ks because I really want to have nailed this goal and be well on my way to creating a buffer of 5kgs.


Take care

Liz

Quote from: LizK on October 06, 2018, 11:57:05 PM
Thanks Danielle

You are so right the weight does come off very slowly...I am not certain about the accuracy of my scales either so that doesn't help. This last week I walked 36 ks with an average Heart rate of 111bpm and the scales told me I was exactly the same as I had been the previous week...I jumped on them the following day after lunch and they were weighing me 200 grams lighter than the reading from first thing the previous morning, straight after my walk...I don't get it and I don't know enough about weight loss to know what could be the issue...maybe just bad scales...although they are near new. I am modifying my diets again so we will see.


Thankyou for the kind words and you are right my motivation is very high...I am working hard this week on maintaining a good diet, increasing walks from average 6ks  back up too 7-8ks because I really want to have nailed this goal and be well on my way to creating a buffer of 5kgs.


Take care

Liz

It is very odd - I face the same issue. I am back to gym 2 - 3 times a week and about 15 km walking/running in addition. Have not lost a single pound. I ended up finding the reason behind it: my fat weight did I des go down but that was replaced primarily with muscles and an increase in bone weight. I hope the increase in muscle mass will long term result in burning more calories so I may start loosing weight.
I packed on almost 12 lbs in the last 6 months due to my depression and I want to get rid.

You can do it! You are so close!!!

Quote from: LizK on October 06, 2018, 11:57:05 PM
Thanks Danielle

You are so right the weight does come off very slowly...I am not certain about the accuracy of my scales either so that doesn't help. This last week I walked 36 ks with an average Heart rate of 111bpm and the scales told me I was exactly the same as I had been the previous week...I jumped on them the following day after lunch and they were weighing me 200 grams lighter than the reading from first thing the previous morning, straight after my walk...I don't get it and I don't know enough about weight loss to know what could be the issue...maybe just bad scales...although they are near new. I am modifying my diets again so we will see.


Thankyou for the kind words and you are right my motivation is very high...I am working hard this week on maintaining a good diet, increasing walks from average 6ks  back up too 7-8ks because I really want to have nailed this goal and be well on my way to creating a buffer of 5kgs.


Take care

Liz

not surprising, as getting fit one tends to gain weight. This is because muscle mass weighs more than fat but takes up less volume. Water intake tends to increase ones weight as well, to levels you should be at. hence the great amount of peeing :) like lots till your fluid levels reach optimum levels for you and you go back to regular intervals while maintaining your water level.

Your best measure of performance is a tape measure, measure parts of your body (waist, stomach, thighs etc). and dont do a casual walk, but speed walk with controlled breathing. also dont double up on food types when you eat, like double carbs etc. cause the body will simply store the excess. I would recommend drinking a glass of water like 5~10min before you eat and sip water while you eat and possibly dropping your portion size by 10~15% and eat slower. it takes time for your brain to register that your full. and i quote from this site https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/stomach-full-stop-eating-3080.html (https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/stomach-full-stop-eating-3080.html)

QuoteYour stomach can hold up to 4 liters of volume -- about 17 cups -- but the feeling of satiety is not caused by your stomach being full. Instead, feeling full is a result of your brain reacting to chemicals released when you put food or drink in your stomach. Your brain takes around 20 minutes to register these chemicals. After your meal, the levels continue to rise over 10 to 30 minutes. They stay elevated for three to five hours following the meal, keeping you sated. As the chemical levels fall, the feeling of hunger returns. If you do not feel full directly following a meal, wait. As the level of chemicals increases, your hunger will dissipate.

For Me i have began drinking way more water, way less coffee (1 per day - cant do without my morning cuppa)and energy drinks (zero). my body weight has climbed from 86kgs to 91kgs (I am 1.92metres tall). none of my clothes became too tight, and well the toilet became my friend for sure. now its tapered off and i no longer pee near as much as before. this could be the result of the toxins being expelled and replaced with water.

Genetics and age play a huge part in weight control, not to mention HRT. HRT affects your genetics and how your body processes protein and energy stores. i am battling on getting a flat stomach again, but for a 40 year old that aint so easy. and I want to improve my cardiovascular health as much as possible, I would love to get my resting heart rate down to around 50 beats per minute again. and be able to cycle the 30km to work every morning :)

Quote from: sarah1972 on October 07, 2018, 02:41:52 PM
It is very odd - I face the same issue. I am back to gym 2 - 3 times a week and about 15 km walking/running in addition. Have not lost a single pound. I ended up finding the reason behind it: my fat weight did I des go down but that was replaced primarily with muscles and an increase in bone weight. I hope the increase in muscle mass will long term result in burning more calories so I may start loosing weight.
I packed on almost 12 lbs in the last 6 months due to my depression and I want to get rid.

You can do it! You are so close!!!

Thanks Sarah

I feel your frustration...one of the things that I am bad at doing is restricting my carb intake. When I think back about the last week I can see the areas where I wasn't as strict as I would be normally and considering I am only aiming at 1kg per week it should be manageable...at least I thought so.  I get the whole muscle for fat equation but when we are talking about BMI it doesn't care about muscle mass and since it is this I need to aim at I need to physically lose the weight and not replace it with muscle at this stage..ha ha ha wishful thinkingg.


I hope you can start to move the weight you want.

Take care

Liz

Quote from: Veronica A on October 07, 2018, 04:24:31 PM
not surprising, as getting fit one tends to gain weight. This is because muscle mass weighs more than fat but takes up less volume. Water intake tends to increase ones weight as well, to levels you should be at. hence the great amount of peeing :) like lots till your fluid levels reach optimum levels for you and you go back to regular intervals while maintaining your water level.

Your best measure of performance is a tape measure, measure parts of your body (waist, stomach, thighs etc). and dont do a casual walk, but speed walk with controlled breathing. also dont double up on food types when you eat, like double carbs etc. cause the body will simply store the excess. I would recommend drinking a glass of water like 5~10min before you eat and sip water while you eat and possibly dropping your portion size by 10~15% and eat slower. it takes time for your brain to register that your full. and i quote from this site https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/stomach-full-stop-eating-3080.html (https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/stomach-full-stop-eating-3080.html)

For Me i have began drinking way more water, way less coffee (1 per day - cant do without my morning cuppa)and energy drinks (zero). my body weight has climbed from 86kgs to 91kgs (I am 1.92metres tall). none of my clothes became too tight, and well the toilet became my friend for sure. now its tapered off and i no longer pee near as much as before. this could be the result of the toxins being expelled and replaced with water.

Genetics and age play a huge part in weight control, not to mention HRT. HRT affects your genetics and how your body processes protein and energy stores. i am battling on getting a flat stomach again, but for a 40 year old that aint so easy. and I want to improve my cardiovascular health as much as possible, I would love to get my resting heart rate down to around 50 beats per minute again. and be able to cycle the 30km to work every morning :)

Thanks Veronica I appreciate your thoughts and advice. Mr Ives requires a BMI <30 or less than 100kgs or he will not operate I need to get to 90.7 Kgs to get a BMI of <30.


I agree with you for the need to drink plenty of water and the importance of waiting 20 minutes after eating to decide if you have had enough to eat. I am really fit with a resting heart rate of 54 bpm down from 70bpm. I am certainly due to do a physical measure up but to be honest, I can't really see a whole lot of difference despite losing 14kgs so far. The exception is my waist where I have lost 10cm.

I am sure with my low carb , high fruit and veg intake should be enough to start moving it....I hope... Drexy suggested it could be my carb intake and thinking about last week I think she was absolutely on the money along with the advice offered by Sarah and Veronika. Thank you all I will take what each of you have said and apply it to my situation. Update again on Friday.


I do have  UTI which is now moved to the nasty stage, I will see a Dr today and get some antibiotics to knock this thing on its head. I will not exercise today until I get the all clear to do so from the Dr this afternoon. The reading I did has made me cautious about exacerbating the condition by heavy exercise.

Take care

Liz

Hi Liz,

Sorry to hear you have a UTI, that is never very pleasant and I understand your reluctance to exacerbate it.

You have done so well with your weight loss and fitness routine so far, as frustrating as you have been about loosing those last few kilos you can be proud, from what I've found when I loose weight some weeks it just doesn't seem to shift no matter what, then all of a sudden it drops off a large chunk in one week, I put it down to fluid retention. I wish you every success.

I viewed the videos and read the posts linked about GCS with Dr Ives, wow it hasn't changed my mind that that is the path I want to take but it has made me a little nervous. I'm looking forward to your updates as your date approaches.

Hugs

Nicole

Quote from: LizK on October 07, 2018, 08:39:16 PM
I am sure with my low carb , high fruit and veg intake should be enough to start moving it....

I'd be careful with the fruit. It's not what it used to be.

https://www.smh.com.au/national/zoo-won-t-panda-to-taste-says-fruit-s-too-sweet-for-its-monkey-menu-20180928-p506lb.html

If you want a guaranteed way to get rid of weight quickly try fasting. Not much fun though.

Quote from: Nicole70 on October 07, 2018, 08:51:59 PM
Hi Liz,

Sorry to hear you have a UTI, that is never very pleasant and I understand your reluctance to exacerbate it.

You have done so well with your weight loss and fitness routine so far, as frustrating as you have been about loosing those last few kilos you can be proud, from what I've found when I loose weight some weeks it just doesn't seem to shift no matter what, then all of a sudden it drops off a large chunk in one week, I put it down to fluid retention. I wish you every success.

I viewed the videos and read the posts linked about GCS with Dr Ives, wow it hasn't changed my mind that that is the path I want to take but it has made me a little nervous. I'm looking forward to your updates as your date approaches.

Hugs

Nicole

Hi Nicole

I saw the Dr yesterday and have antibiotics to go on with. The most frustrating part for me is not being able to get out and walk. I really enjoy the time plus it does my hip no end of good, building my muscles in prep for the replacements early next year.


Oh I get what you mean about the video's making you nervous...I am more than that I have the underlying excitement mixed with a good solid dose of fear...not just about the procedure but my brain still wants to question if I am doing the right thing...it's fleeting but annoying to keep thinking that way. But as I said to a dear friend the other day....go back 12 months and it would have taken we a week to pull myself out the funk created by that one thought. Its now only a matter of split seconds and it s banished. I was having one of those moments the other night doing the whole "climbing into the Rabbit hole." then I began to smile, eventually laughed softly to myself and said the only person I am kidding about this surgery ...is me and I am not even doing that very well. lol

Quote from: AnonyMs on October 07, 2018, 09:17:48 PM
I'd be careful with the fruit. It's not what it used to be.

https://www.smh.com.au/national/zoo-won-t-panda-to-taste-says-fruit-s-too-sweet-for-its-monkey-menu-20180928-p506lb.html

If you want a guaranteed way to get rid of weight quickly try fasting. Not much fun though.

I used to fast a couple of days a week and don't mind it...yesterday I had very little to eat at all due to the infection /drugs making me feel unwell...I have to stop my exercise until Thursday to prevent it exacerbating the condition.


Oh thanks a bunch for that!!! Now I can't eat fruit!! no not true...and I don't heat it in excel because of the amount of sugar but I would eat 2-3 pieces a day as part of a balanced diets. Things like Banana's, apples, mandarins peaches in their own juice etc no added sugars but after reading the article you linked too I should be avoiding it. I didn't realise they had selectively bred the sweetness levels in...OMG

Take care
Liz

I received a call today from my Pain Management Dr's rooms responsible for writing the report to Mr Ives for November. The receptionist who called me is a really nice and she told me that she had finally managed to get the report written by the Dr and was faxing it to Mr Ives rooms now and did I want a copy. Yes thanks I told her...he is a lovely man and could you thank him

She then says "Oh yes of course, I have been trying to get him to do it for days" and that "Mr Ives rooms have not let up making requests for the report and were in fact on the phone to the our rooms on Monday again." Love your work Michelle and Elisa  :D

Mr Ives receptionists are great at what they do...this is not the first time I have seen them chase something from a Dr. Fantastic and this level of competency really makes me feel confident that I have chosen the right surgeon. So as far as I know he has all the paperwork he needs all the medical tests he needs. The last thing I have to do is pay the bill in a couple of weeks....wholly GCS Batgirl!!

take care

Liz

@LizK
Dear LizK:
Your  "All Paperwork Now Submitted"  udate report is so wonderful for your fans to read.
It is so very nice to work with a doctor and the office people there that are so concerned for you that they make certain that the little details are taken care of.  It certainly makes you feel more confident about your upcoming surgery.

I love your last sentence: 
    "The last thing I have to do is pay the bill in a couple of weeks....wholly GCS Batgirl!!!"

Thanks for filling us all in... we are rooting for you.
Hugs,
Danielle

Liz,
It's such good news that you have your paperwork all in place now, 50 days to go omg! Did I mention your date is the same as my birthday, so we are going to share the day as special in future [emoji4]

I hope your UTI is feeling better today

Hugs

Nicole

Good work Liz. I know how hard you have worked to get to this point. I know most or your worries, heartache, frustrations, and your persistent determination that you have invested. It is so good to see you are so close to getting what you need to get done when not that long ago it appeared all but impossible. You have earned this girl. Now you just need to get past the waiting. I have no doubt you will.

Love ya girl,
  Hugs,
  Laurie

Call from Mr Ives rooms to ask if I can admit a day earlier than planned...He wants me to see his resident pain management specialist prior to surgery the next day so we can ensure correct management should anything go haywire and my chronic condition decides to kick off...its very reasonable to assume it might, considering stress triggers acute phases and I would think the chances are well over 60 % that it might, however if they can keep my stress to a minimum then I should be Okay...if they can keep my other condition under control I usually heal very fast and with minimal fuss.

I asked her if she was waiting on anything else and she says no she fixed the issue with my second letter. The writer had described what I had done with out actually saying something like "I am satisfied that Liz has met all the requirements as set down under WPAth guidelines" I was told the letter was great just missing that vital line which was quickly rectified. She said I still needed my second one and I told her it was in the same package of documents as the one she has just looked at....as few minutes later and she was reading the letter title and then said its fine I can see the bit about you meeting the standards...so yes we have what we need.


New Instructions:
Arrive Melbourne,
Report to Devoritch Path labs next to Mr Ives rooms 1st Floor Masada Hospital.
Mr Ives Rooms and examination by pain specialist,
Admission to ward at 2pm

...fun and games start at 3pm with fasting except water. The administration of the fleet will be up to the hospital.


So my lonely night in a motel room, crawling between bed and toilet will just move location and will no longer be alone. Sounds better already!!! :laugh: I also will not have that dawn trek to the hospital that most girls have to make. Kind of a pilgrimage that I have read in nearly every girls account of their GCS, whether it is by cab, train or bus they all do it only the walking wounded get an early check in ... :) I guess I will get to sleep in, you know maybe breakfast in bed  :icon_chew:, heck I can lie in bed all morning  :icon_tetter: my op isn't till 1:30pm.  :D :D


She asked if I had done my shopping yet and I said to her no I have 3 things left to do, Pay you , Pay the Anaesthetist and get my supplies and as long as she has no more outstanding paperwork we are good to go.


"We will see you on the 27 after you have done your bloods"


I was sitting on the couch at my daughters place taking this call and I don't know what my face looked like but her and my wife both asked if I was Ok and of course I began to cry( time for a post about how complicated this all feels) and told them, this has been so long coming, that now that it is finally, nearly here, it kind of hits me hard sometimes. This "thing"  I have thought about in various forms and ways for years is now going to happen in just under 7 weeks...next month...48 Days.


Liz

Quote from: Alaskan Danielle on October 08, 2018, 10:05:10 PM
@LizK
Dear LizK:
Your  "All Paperwork Now Submitted"  udate report is so wonderful for your fans to read.
It is so very nice to work with a doctor and the office people there that are so concerned for you that they make certain that the little details are taken care of.  It certainly makes you feel more confident about your upcoming surgery.

I love your last sentence: 
    "The last thing I have to do is pay the bill in a couple of weeks....wholly GCS Batgirl!!!"

Thanks for filling us all in... we are rooting for you.
Hugs,
Danielle

Hi Danielle

They are very professional and are taking a great deal of care over this. Thank you for your continued support I always love hearing from you. I like the Batgirl signature as well i may use it awhile longer LOL

Quote from: Nicole70 on October 08, 2018, 10:34:53 PM
Liz,
It's such good news that you have your paperwork all in place now, 50 days to go omg! Did I mention your date is the same as my birthday, so we are going to share the day as special in future [emoji4]

I hope your UTI is feeling better today

Hugs

Nicole

Hi Nicole

How cool is that...I actually asked for my birthday but it was already taken so I decided my Birth month was the second best choice. I apologise if I don't come and have a drink with you that day I could be a bit busy  :D

Quote from: Laurie on October 08, 2018, 10:44:14 PM
Good work Liz. I know how hard you have worked to get to this point. I know most or your worries, heartache, frustrations, and your persistent determination that you have invested. It is so good to see you are so close to getting what you need to get done when not that long ago it appeared all but impossible. You have earned this girl. Now you just need to get past the waiting. I have no doubt you will.

Love ya girl,
  Hugs,
  Laurie

Hi Laurie

Missed you girl...but I can't compete with that lovely woman you are so securely attached to. I understand  :)

We have talked about this along with so much other stuff over the last year or so and I am glad to see you happy. Yes I have been working at this for awhile...in fact the day my father dropped me at the outskirts of my hometown to thumb a ride to catch a plane to australia when I was 18 was the first day I knew deep down it could happen...one day...maybe


Wholly GCS Batgirl

Liz

6 weeks 6 Days to go and I have a mixture of emotions. I guess excitement is one but moreover there seems to be an underlying calmness finding it ways to me.

The other day I was standing in front of the mirror inspecting the job done by the laser and electrolysis. I don't really like doing this but I needed to see how "hair-less" things looked. I was about half way through when my GD was triggered and I went flying down that rabbit hole at a million miles an hour...

"Am I doing the right thing"

"Am I crazy"

"I'll never be a proper woman"

"Everyone stares and Laughs at me"

"I don't pass and never will under any circumstance"

Just the same stuff you have all done to yourselves.

The doubts and fears were not able to get a foothold in my head like they used to be able too and I was able to send them to garbage bin!! I have fears about the surgery that go racing through my mind spreading their seeds of doubt all over the place. But I now have capacity to deal with these thoughts so that they don't impact me in the same way.

With less than 7 weeks to go I would describe my feelings as a mixture of fear with a sprinkling of absolute terror but underneath is a sense of warm calm coupled with a slowly building feeling of what I think is excitement, the overwhelming sense, is of the steady unrelenting passage of time bringing me closer each day to one of my big goals. I still have GD, I still have days where I hate myself, I still have days where I think everyone is staring at me, I still have days when despite wearing my nicest clothes and doing my best makeup job all I can see is him(rare and getting rarer) I now have days when all I can see is her and the more I can see "her" the happier I am.

What I don't have much of anymore, are days when I just can't cope at all and retreat...those days a very few and far between now. It has been many months now since I have retreated from the world.


I will do another one of these "How I feel about things" with about 3 weeks to go and then again on Day -1 when I am lounging around at Masada.

Take care

Liz

good for you, beating that doubt demon into submission. They're feisty little buggers

I have just got off the phone from Mr Ives rooms and my date has been postponed. My pain management Dr suggested I may needs an extended stay in intensive care after the surgery and Masada cannot provide this so cannot have my surgery there. I am really upset and sorry of this post doesn't make any sense but I can't stop crying. The thought of having to have this surgery in a public hospital terrifies me...I will just have to wait and see what they come up with. Maybe in the next few days I will have a an answer...a date of the 4th of December has been suggested but I said to her that everything else in in place and has been bought and paid for. Including my wife's annual leave extended holidays for my daughter  and a whole heap of other things.   :'( :'(

Quote from: LizK on October 11, 2018, 07:36:41 PM

Surgery Date Postponed

I have just got off the phone from Mr Ives rooms and my date has been postponed. My pain management Dr suggested I may needs an extended stay in intensive care after the surgery and Masada cannot provide this so cannot have my surgery there. I am really upset and sorry of this post doesn't make any sense but I can't stop crying. The thought of having to have this surgery in a public hospital terrifies me...I will just have to wait and see what they come up with. Maybe in the next few days I will have a an answer...a date of the 4th of December has been suggested but I said to her that everything else in in place and has been bought and paid for. Including my wife's annual leave extended holidays for my daughter  and a whole heap of other things.   :'( :'(

Oh bugga.

You OK?

This is not good news.  Have you asked your pain management doctor for an explanation of what complications they might expect?   If there was an issue that Masada could not deal with you could always be transferred.   I'm sorry.  Hopefully this will be resolved in good time and in your favour.
Judi

Thanks Cindy Thanks Judi

It will be at a private Hospital, then transferred back to Masada once stable. Maybe 3 days. The issue is that I have this medication pump that delivers me a constant dose of extremely strong medication but in minute doses but I have over the years built up a tolerance to this stuff and many Opioid Pain medications will simply not have any effect on me as I will require a substantially higher dose than most people...I was on very high doses of slow release morphine for many years so in this case the suggestion is a Ketamine PCA pump and that due to the very high levels of pain medications I will need then ICU is a good place for me to be till my pain and secondary conditions remain controlled and I begin to recover.

Everyone is trying to do the right thing by me and I am grateful but it has thrown me off kilter and will now be anxiously awaiting the news for my new date and will then try and rearrange what ever I need to.

I will post again once I have some more news

Liz

Quote from: LizK on October 11, 2018, 07:36:41 PM

Surgery Date Postponed

I have just got off the phone from Mr Ives rooms and my date has been postponed. My pain management Dr suggested I may needs an extended stay in intensive care after the surgery and Masada cannot provide this so cannot have my surgery there. I am really upset and sorry of this post doesn't make any sense but I can't stop crying. The thought of having to have this surgery in a public hospital terrifies me...I will just have to wait and see what they come up with. Maybe in the next few days I will have a an answer...a date of the 4th of December has been suggested but I said to her that everything else in in place and has been bought and paid for. Including my wife's annual leave extended holidays for my daughter  and a whole heap of other things.   :'( :'(

I'm so sorry you received this crushing news.  I hope you can get all the arrangements back on track when the new date is confirmed.  What a lousy turn of events.  As if you haven't gone through enough!

Hugs from your good friend, Jess

Liz,

What devastating news, I hope it gets sorted out as soon as possible and does not delay your procedure any more than is necessary. If you need to talk over a coffee any time, message me.

Big hugs,

Nicole

Thank you for the explanation, even though you needn't say why.  I trust your doctors will determine the best path for you and all will be right.  You're in my thoughts.
Judi

Well crap!

  I know this is a true nightmare for you. I'm sorry Liz.

HUGSSS,
   Laurie

Hi,

wow hugs for you.. on the other hand the level of professionalism is astounding. they are thinking of the person and not just the bottom line.. that is like wow, thats like even more amazing.

Liz, I'm so sorry you have to deal with this at such a late date.  I hope your medical providers can find a solution and date that will be as minimally disruptive as possible for you. 

I'm keeping you in mind in my thoughts and prayers.  Fingers and toes crossed...

Hugs,
Michelle P.

Oh no! Liz, I am so sorry you have been delayed. I hope they find a way to sort things out quickly and minimise any disruption to your plans.

On the positive side, the doctors seem to be working together to achieve the best possible care for you.

I am wishing for a speedy resolution to this delay.

Big hugs,
Jayne

Liz I can only imagine how disappointed you are but this is a temporary setback.  Considering how much you have already accomplished, in the long run this delay will be a low single-digit percentage of time in your transition.

Thanks to each and every one of you for your support. It is times like this when we really need the support of our community. You have all been so kind and thoughtful. Thank you


This has the potential to go really badly and the closer it gets with no resolution....the 4th of December has been bandied about but that will run us right up till Xmass and we cannot afford to be in Melbourne all this time. This could easily be postponed till next year. No point in conjecture...I just have to wait

Yesterday was a really strange day...I had hoped that today my emotions would not have been so raw...but I detect that just below the calm exterior, my emotions are ready to boil over at the slightest provocation...I think this is going to be a long, long, week!!

Thanks once again for the support

Liz

well you have already anticapated the worse case.. only upwards from here

Hi Liz...

That's devastating.

Hopefully they can come up with the best option for you, in terms of treatment and accommodation.

Steff

Massive hugs, sry for the speed bumps on your road. I'm sure you'll get past them and they'll just be a blip in your rear view mirror in no time at all. Stay strong. X

Sent from my MI 5s using Tapatalk

Quote from: Megan. on October 13, 2018, 10:27:56 AM
Massive hugs, sry for the speed bumps on your road. I'm sure you'll get past them and they'll just be a blip in your rear view mirror in no time at all. Stay strong. X
Sent from my MI 5s using Tapatalk

I hope you are right and it remains a bump and doesn't end up being a pothole!! Thankyou for the kind words of encouragement. lets hope it remains a blip!!!

Quote from: SteffN on October 13, 2018, 09:58:57 AM
Hi Liz...
That's devastating.
Hopefully they can come up with the best option for you, in terms of treatment and accommodation.
Steff

Hey Steff welcome to my GCS thread. I hope it will not remain as devastating as it first was, I do feel better about things and hopefully the 4th December that they first suggested is their fall-back position and if it is the 4th then I will work with that.

Quote from: Veronica A on October 12, 2018, 09:10:29 PM
well you have already anticapated the worse case.. only upwards from here

Veronica I have had a look at the 4th December as first suggested and I can do it if they tell me in the next few days. Accommodation for that second week will be the tough part. But at this stage its a wait and see.



I thought I would take the time to record how I am feeling in response to this postponement.

Initially I was really upset and if asked could not have said exactly what was upsetting especially if we are talking only a week.


Each time I begin to think about the next few weeks and what I am doing there are constant reminders of the importance of this date and the many things put in place to accommodate it. Initially all I could think about was the worst case scenario...if they couldn't find a date and the surgery was postponed till next year, this would then impact 2 other surgeries starting in February....so begins the spiral of thoughts.

Each time I begin to think about anything it brings me to the situation I find myself in. I don't feel so emotionally raw today. I feel calmer more together...its not far from the front of my mind but at least I can now find things to distract me....Hopefully by this time tomorrow I will at least have a date to work with...it would be even nicer If I don't have to change anything except where I am admitted too....Maybe tomorrow, until then I am off to distract myself for the afternoon.  ;)

Take care

Liz

@LizK
Dear Liz:
When I read your original post a couple days ago regarding the delay and what you and your wife have done to prepare for your special day... I have been coming back to your thread hoping to see if an amicable solution has been achieved.

Please know that all of your followers are thinking of you and praying for a new date that will be acceptable to you and everyone.   I am glad that you already mentioned to them about the big inconvenience and costs for you if their backup date, December 4th date doesn't go as planned.   Certainly that has to be a big factor for them to think about... and might be the catalyst for giving you the good news that you are hoping for.

As always, you are in my thoughts... and I am wishing you well,
Hugs,
Danielle

Sorry not kept up with your thread, darling great big hugs and hope things get sorted soon as. Just a delay and you will get there. XXXXXXXXXXXXX

It just gets worse and worse...one hospital left( have already said no) and if no go again that's it...It does not matter whether I get the Dr who wrote the letter to review it or not. Its up to the anaesthetist...I have explained that this is the only surgery where he has suggested this...it makes no difference...Tomorrow they will officially tell me things are off...till next year sometime and I bet I don't get the front of the queue again...I am so angry with my pain management guy...why would he not tell me....I don't know what to say or do anymore...they have beaten me...I don't have a great deal left in the tank...

Oh Liz I'm so sorry this has happened!  This is entirely unfair. 
😥
Big hugs....

Quote from: LizK on October 14, 2018, 10:42:35 PM
It just gets worse and worse...one hospital left( have already said no) and if no go again that's it...It does not matter whether I get the Dr who wrote the letter to review it or not. Its up to the anaesthetist...I have explained that this is the only surgery where he has suggested this...it makes no difference...Tomorrow they will officially tell me things are off...till next year sometime and I bet I don't get the front of the queue again...I am so angry with my pain management guy...why would he not tell me....I don't know what to say or do anymore...they have beaten me...I don't have a great deal left in the tank...

Well Shishkabab, dam double dam..well zen hugs from melbourne.

Quote from: LizK on October 14, 2018, 10:42:35 PM
It just gets worse and worse...one hospital left( have already said no) and if no go again that's it...It does not matter whether I get the Dr who wrote the letter to review it or not. Its up to the anaesthetist...I have explained that this is the only surgery where he has suggested this...it makes no difference...Tomorrow they will officially tell me things are off...till next year sometime and I bet I don't get the front of the queue again...I am so angry with my pain management guy...why would he not tell me....I don't know what to say or do anymore...they have beaten me...I don't have a great deal left in the tank...

Oh Liz, I am so sorry you have been dealt another delay. I can't imagine how hard this must be on you. No matter what decision the  hospital makes tomorrow, you are a strong woman and you will get through this. They have not beaten you. Nobody has beaten you. They can't beat you because you have a determination to overcome any obstacle placed in your way.

Hang in there Liz. My thoughts and best wishes are with you.

Hugs,
Jayne

Liz, so sorry to hear the latest developments as others say, you're a strong woman.

We get to this point exactly because we are strong and determined. Remember what you've achieved and how far you've already come.

I'm sure you have the strength and energy to reach your goals. Hugs.

Megan. X

Sent from my MI 5s using Tapatalk

 
  Damn it! They have not beaten you Liz. It may be delayed but damn it it will happen. Now you just cut that "I am beaten" crap out. Yes it sucks if they put you off but you do not give up! Not the Liz that I know. You have fought too hard to let it go so easily. It SUCKS It really sucks but it is not over. Sure take some time, be upset. then figure out how you are going to get this thing done.  There has to be some way you can work this problem out. I am going to pester you until you do.

Love and Hugs,
  Laurie

It is so humbling to come back here and see the level of support you are all showing me. Thank you Jess, Veronika, Jayne, Meagan, Laurie. Thank each and every one of you for taking the time to support me.


Its about 6pm in Melbourne and I have not heard anything today. I just wanted to say that the issue I am having over my surgery has nothing to do with Mr Ives or the Ladies who work in his office. Those women have been fantastic...I have nothing but good things to say. They have been working really hard on this issue since Friday for me and I trust that they would have rung me if the whole idea of surgery before Xmass was dead in the water...they haven't called and I bet they don't want to give me bad news if there is till a chance of good news....they believe their is a chance they can make this all work....I am trying to be as positive  :)

Liz

My fingers are crossed for you Liz!

Quote from: LizK on October 16, 2018, 02:07:48 AM
I just wanted to say that the issue I am having over my surgery has nothing to do with Mr Ives or the Ladies who work in his office. Those women have been fantastic...I have nothing but good things to say. They have been working really hard on this issue since Friday for me and I trust that they would have rung me if the whole idea of surgery before Xmass was dead in the water...they haven't called and I bet they don't want to give me bad news if there is till a chance of good news....they believe their is a chance they can make this all work....I am trying to be as positive  :)

Liz, I have everything crossed for you to get this done before Christmas. Keep staying positive girl. I and everyone else here will stay positive with you to keep your spirits up.

As for the reception staff at Mr Ives office, I spoke with two different ladies there this morning and one of them I also spoke with last week. Each time I found them to be very helpful and a pleasure to deal with. From those few brief encounters I had, I have no doubt that they would be doing everything they can to secure the earliest possible date for your surgery.

Hang in there, you will get through this.

Big hugs,
Jayne

Liz, you know that I've sent my support via email. I felt that I should give voice on here as well. Your past proves that you have the strength to see this through. If at any time you feel differently, you have a large support group to lean on ... use it. I'm not a crutch but I don't mind being a cane.

Faith

Stay positive!  We're all pulling for you.
Judi

So ends Day 5 Since I was told my surgery was going to be postponed ...Its now about 6pm in Melbourne so I won't be getting a call tonight either. Tomorrow marks a week since they rang and asked if I could admit a day earlier and I went through the paperwork with them. Everything is all good. Only to be rung the following day to say nope its not all okay. As it went 9am in Melbourne today I became acutely nervous and agitated with my blood pressure ..I immediately commenced a few minutes of deep breathing, flipped on Utube...found something funny to watch trying to clear my mind, eventually succumbing to the stupidity that is rampant in Utube content. 30 minutes later was much calmer. But this has been happening constantly over the last 5 days and sometime I feel much worse than I did this morning and my  BP that I took was horrible this morning when that was happening. So I hope it stops soon

I am no further ahead....question is that good or bad?
My take on a possible Answer: if they haven't called and said its off then its not off for the 28th. My guess is they are waiting on a final confirmation of something before letting me know either a new date or New Hospital details. Tomorrow at some point they will call to discuss the final arrangements.....but who knows really when it will be I sure don't.


Liz

BIG HUG Liz!!!

I'm thinking of you while you wait anxiously for an answer.

More hugs!
Jayne

Quote from: LizK on October 17, 2018, 02:11:20 AM
So ends Day 5 Since I was told my surgery was going to be postponed ...Its now about 6pm in Melbourne so I won't be getting a call tonight either. Tomorrow marks a week since they rang and asked if I could admit a day earlier and I went through the paperwork with them. Everything is all good. Only to be rung the following day to say nope its not all okay. As it went 9am in Melbourne today I became acutely nervous and agitated with my blood pressure ..I immediately commenced a few minutes of deep breathing, flipped on Utube...found something funny to watch trying to clear my mind, eventually succumbing to the stupidity that is rampant in Utube content. 30 minutes later was much calmer. But this has been happening constantly over the last 5 days and sometime I feel much worse than I did this morning and my  BP that I took was horrible this morning when that was happening. So I hope it stops soon

I am no further ahead....question is that good or bad?
My take on a possible Answer: if they haven't called and said its off then its not off for the 28th. My guess is they are waiting on a final confirmation of something before letting me know either a new date or New Hospital details. Tomorrow at some point they will call to discuss the final arrangements.....but who knows really when it will be I sure don't.


Liz

bugger, makes me wish i still had my old place with a granny flat and all to help others. had big plans to separate it and let others just use it. it had its own parking spot and everything, didnt even need to walk down the side of the house.. i curse my small place now, that is my nature and one i struggle to control helping others no matter what... gotten expensive in the past.. meh i say sometimes

liz, the worst case is its postponed till next year. i sure hope it doesnt get postponed for you at all. all i have to offer is my support and zen huggs.

I am sending positive thoughts your way. I hope you realize your dreams soon.

Hi Liz,

  So you are hanging out in Melbourne waiting to hear what they have to say and there's been no word yet? Damn that sucks. I'm afraid I would be bugging them to tell me something. Waiting can be so painful when so much hangs in the balance.
  But I known you are taking it all in stride and calmly letting them work something out while you quietly hope for the best... Okay Okay it sounded good didn't it? Unfortunately that is really all you can do. Well sister we are all waiting with you and hoping for the best.  Keep thinking good thought and keep that blood pressure down.

  Love ya Liz and I am here for you if you need someone to talk to or just vent. You know how to get to me.


Hugs,
  Laurie

Thanks Veronica, Rachael and Laurie I appreciate the support.

Today is the end of day 6 and I am done. Tomorrow I will call the surgeons rooms and find out what is actually going on. They have not called me back as promised nor any other form of communication. I can't do this anymore its driving me crazy. I have been lucky with all the support I have been shown here and in my private life. Got to spend some time chatting to good friends today so that helped a lot. Coming here and seeing you all showing me support makes a big difference...Thank you!! Maybe once I get an answer I can restart my life!!

Until tomorrow
Liz

@LizK with all you have gone through to get where you are, there is no "done" until you have reached your goal.  It is what is in the future, and you can do it.  Tomorrow may give new hope.
I understand how this would make you feel mentally unraveled.  Take a spa day tomorrow to unwind, it seems to help me at least.

Hugs, Jess

Liz the foundation of all this is knowledge and your mind - and in that sense you've already won.  You know exactly who you are and where you want to go.  Some details are easy and some are frustrating and challenging.  You will get there.  If not this week or the next several weeks, you still will.  Think of all this in percentages of your journey, the amazing things you have already achieved to get to this point.  I am proud of you. 

Quote from: LizK on October 18, 2018, 02:15:48 AM
Thanks Veronica, Rachael and Laurie I appreciate the support.

Today is the end of day 6 and I am done. Tomorrow I will call the surgeons rooms and find out what is actually going on. They have not called me back as promised nor any other form of communication. I can't do this anymore its driving me crazy. I have been lucky with all the support I have been shown here and in my private life. Got to spend some time chatting to good friends today so that helped a lot. Coming here and seeing you all showing me support makes a big difference...Thank you!! Maybe once I get an answer I can restart my life!!

Until tomorrow
Liz

@LizK
Dear Liz:
Never give up, never surrender....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8NyviD3PR8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8NyviD3PR8)
Please keep us all updated with your followup efforts.
We are your biggest fans!!!!   We have shoulders available for you to lean on or to cry on.
Hugs,
Danielle

Quote from: Jessica on October 18, 2018, 02:26:53 AM
@LizK with all you have gone through to get where you are, there is no "done" until you have reached your goal.  It is what is in the future, and you can do it.  Tomorrow may give new hope.
I understand how this would make you feel mentally unraveled.  Take a spa day tomorrow to unwind, it seems to help me at least.

Hugs, Jess

Hi Jess when I said I was done I meant with the mucking about...no this whole process...I am past upset and heading towards angry. I will explain more further down but thanks for thinking of me

Quote from: Kendra on October 18, 2018, 07:02:52 AM
Liz the foundation of all this is knowledge and your mind - and in that sense you've already won.  You know exactly who you are and where you want to go.  Some details are easy and some are frustrating and challenging.  You will get there.  If not this week or the next several weeks, you still will.  Think of all this in percentages of your journey, the amazing things you have already achieved to get to this point.  I am proud of you. 

Thank you Kendra it has been a battle to get here and I will not get dumped at the posts, I will see this thing across the line. You are so right as far as what I have already achieved and I am not finished yet!!

Quote from: Alaskan Danielle on October 18, 2018, 10:15:37 AM
@LizK
Dear Liz:
Never give up, never surrender....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8NyviD3PR8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8NyviD3PR8)
Please keep us all updated with your followup efforts.
We are your biggest fans!!!!   We have shoulders available for you to lean on or to cry on.
Hugs,
Danielle

Thanks Danielle I love this move is such a great spoof on the who genre. You are right "Never give up never surrender"  I am going to need those shoulders if this goes on much longer.


Thanks once again for the incredible support.

Take care

Liz

Liz, I really hope this gets resolved quickly now.  I have trouble believing that the medical bureaucracy is dragging its feet so badly.  I do understand the issues, and all the moving parts that need to be scheduled together, but damn, they can't give you progress reports?

Despite only doing two walks this week and being very stressed all week I manged to lose the last 400 grams that put me over the top for my surgical goal weight of BMI < 30....its now 29.9. I qualify for surgery  ;D

Total Lost total of 15.5 kg since Sept 2017 but the majority has been lost from Jan 2018 at which point I was 104Kgs I am now 90.6.

I want to now work on a buffer of 5kg and get to my second goal which is 85kg.



So I called this morning Andy Said pretty much that the problem is the report saying I need an ICU bed and there is only one hospital I can do that at and we have to wait for the list to come up and then I can see if there is a spot.  It would be remiss of me not to follow the advice of your pain specialist...... All sounds pretty fair to me I thought

I went on to tell to him that I understand perfectly what the issue is with the ICU bed and how he has to follow this and I appreciate how hard they are working to fix this but maybe I need to fix this issue over the ICU bed and see his reasoning behind this. I went on to say to him that I could not understand my Dr's reasoning and wanted to talk to him about this...if my Dr came up with an alternative or was willing to reconsider his postion could we still do the 28th...Yes was the answer

I then asked if he could please set my Mind at ease...if the 28th won't work ,when can we do it and went on to ask ..."would it be like march April or as late as Nov -Dec next year."

He began to chuckle, he understood what was going on I think and then said, Oh  no I mean before Xmass or probably at worst January because many list get cancelled in January...they release the surgery lists slowly and some lists may be empty which he can then slot me in...however and this next peace of information explains the disconnect between me and the support staff....they have only released lists up till Mid November this year so far and they are full but there is the rest of November and Decembers lists to be release and if there is a space he will grab it. I think the office staff understand this but I never knew it so when I say I want a date I mean next month or next year (the staff are think I am meaning next week or the week after) I don't care when it is just give me a date. I am thinking its like filling in a Calendar...is that date free?...yup, so I can go ahead and book that theatre....it's not how it works at all. The reason she can't give me a date is because the hospital has not released what dates are available.... At worst its going to be sometime January providing there is a list available and Andy said to me he will grab any list he can to do including before the 28th. I said to him I understood with great clarity what the issues were but it was somewhat more reassuring knowing its not going to be next November. I can live with a delay but its the uncertainty that give me anxiety...he has promised that someone will get back to me with an update today.


So the issue remains the same however knowing how the process is working means it can change very quickly. I told Andy that I could be ready earlier if needed as well. I need to speak to my pain guy and see what is going on and if there is another way we can deal with this....I have sent him an email and his other secretary has sent him an email asking him to contact me urgently. If I can get him to look at another way of doing this rather than an ICU bed then the 28th can go ahead. In the mean time they will proceed with the ICU bed



The surgical lists are being released slowly over the next week or so and as soon as there is a spot I will get it.

The simplest way to do this is to find another way to manage without an ICU bed....I need to speak to my pain management Dr if I can ever get a hold of him...he is interstate today but I know where he will be on Tuesday.

There is no longer any point in me contacting Mr Ives Rooms and I won't be. I believe Andy when he says he will call.

I will continue with my prep(I started up walking again 2 days ago) and await a new Date...I am not even going to chase my pain management guy. He has 2 emails one of which is requesting he calls me so we shall see. Its likly going to be a terrible waste of everyones time and resources but one which I will be helpless to stop.

I intend to get back on with my life.

Liz                                       

PS: I will update again after talking withthem this afternoon.

NEW GCS Date


Remember, Remember the 4th of December


They just called a minute ago...you are the first to know.


Knox Hospital 4th December Admitting 5th December.....They are checking my private health details to ensure I am covered but barring that as an issue its a done deal.


More details when I have them


Liz

46 Days  ;D

EDIT Shows how excited I was the actual dates are 4th December Operation, and admission on the 3rd of December

 Hi Liz,

  Well girl that sounds a lot more hopeful than it did when we talked yesterday. I will be awaiting another update.

Love & Hugs,
  Laurie

  Dang you I hit post and get a warning and it is your update.  Congrats Dec 4th it is . better reset the countdown.
  LJW

Its about as hopeful as you get...but I am guessing you didn't see my new post with the date... ;D

Congratulations Liz! This is finally some good news here! I hope everything else works out too. I know how much you are looking forward to this!

Hugs,

Sarah

Quote from: LizK on October 18, 2018, 08:08:47 PM
NEW GCS Date


Remember, Remember the 4th of December


They just called a minute ago...you are the first to know.


Knox Hospital 4th December Admitting 5th December.....They are checking my private health details to ensure I am covered but barring that as an issue its a done deal.


More details when I have them


Liz

46 Days  ;D

Good news Liz!  You're back on schedule.   Your 2019 will be a wonderful new year! 
Judi

 Obviously you didn't read my addendum in my post. Bad timing for us both it appears.

@LizK
Dear Liz:
Wowzers, this is wonderful news indeed....  It is so good to see how it worked out so well...
Just remember that I said  "Never give up, never surrender" in my previous comment.
Persistence and follow up usually pays off.

I hope and am trusting that all the t's are crossed and all the i's are dotted and also that they determine that your private health insurance is all in proper order for the surgery to proceed.

Thank you for sharing this good report...
I will be eager to see more updates leading to your special day, December 4th

Hugs and wishing your well,
Danielle

Quote from: LizK on October 18, 2018, 08:08:47 PM
NEW GCS Date


Remember, Remember the 4th of December


They just called a minute ago...you are the first to know.


Knox Hospital 4th December Admitting 5th December.....They are checking my private health details to ensure I am covered but barring that as an issue its a done deal.


More details when I have them


Liz

46 Days  ;D

That's wonderful news Liz! You must feel so relieved to finally have this new date. I'm so happy for you. Let the new countdown begin!!!

Hugs,
Jayne

Thanks for the kinds words and the wonderful supportive messages. It is a great weight off my shoulders and I am so pleased. It is going to cost me about $1000 extra but it could have been a lot worse.

Irony or Murphys Law...?

Just got off the phone from my pain management Dr and as I suggested, he was quite open to looking at alternatives to ICU and that all that had to do was call him. I certainly didn't need an ICU bed "as such"(even though thats what he said in his report)but somewhere where they can keep an eye on me ....I explained that originally they were going to postpone surgery till next year and his response was "Oh No we can't have that" I explained that it was now all sorted and I was going to ICU....he said that was fine "if that was the facilities they had"...what the!!...If he had called me earlier today it would have made a difference but It doesn't matter it's all too late now anyway. I have my new date :icon_dance: :icon_dance: :icon_dance: :icon_dance:

Doctors!!!!   ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::)

Guess what Liz can hang on the Christmas Tree?

Baubles!

Quote from: Laurie on October 19, 2018, 12:13:37 AM

Doctors!!!!   ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::) ::)

You know it


I just received an email back from Mr Ives rooms and it seems that I may actually only need to change 1 flight as they will see me a bit earlier due to Xmass coming up and there is a good chance I can come home the day we orginally planned meaning it won't cost any more than a one way flight to Melbourne which is about $140AU. Phew...its is going to work out Okay.  :laugh: ^-^

Quote from: Cindy on October 19, 2018, 12:25:46 AM
Guess what Liz can hang on the Christmas Tree?

Baubles!

I like that suggestion...open to any others as well LOL

Quote from: LizK on October 19, 2018, 12:35:57 AM

Quote from: Cindy on October 19, 2018, 12:25:46 AM
Guess what Liz can hang on the Christmas Tree?

Baubles!

I like that suggestion...open to any others as well LOL

Car keys maybe but that is another story  >:-)

Liz, what a relief, and what wonderful news.  And that pain doc...  What a pain!  I hope the relief wins out over the annoyance.

Congratulations on clearing a huge roadblock!

That's great news Liz...

Happy dance [emoji126][emoji126][emoji126], great news Liz

Quote from: Cindy on October 19, 2018, 12:44:55 AM
I like that suggestion...open to any others as well LOL


Car keys maybe but that is another story  >:-)

Hmmm I wondered how long it would take you...LOL  ;)

Quote from: Nicole70 on October 19, 2018, 05:44:41 PM
Happy dance [emoji126][emoji126][emoji126], great news Liz

Thanks Nicole you support throughout this has been fantastic...Thank you

Quote from: SteffN on October 19, 2018, 04:26:27 PM
That's great news Liz...

Thanks SteffN thanks for taking the time to post.

Quote from: Michelle_P on October 19, 2018, 01:21:27 AM
Liz, what a relief, and what wonderful news.  And that pain doc...  What a pain!  I hope the relief wins out over the annoyance.

Congratulations on clearing a huge roadblock!

Yes Michelle it has been a torrid week and one I do not wish to repeat, however it had a silver lining which I will talk about a bit more in my next post.


My Pain(in the backside) mangement Dr....I knew what he was driving at and a negotiated position was possible, however he left no choice about it for my surgical team in his report...I have had this issue with him befoer over reports and the same kind of thing. Having said all that, in each case he has had my best interests at heart. Not that it matters anymore.


Take care

Liz

soo happy for you liz :)

Guessed you were back on track from the countdown appearing again, Wish you well and a speedy recovery that doesn't need ICU bed and prove your pain (in a**e ) doc wrong.

Quote from: Veronica A on October 20, 2018, 01:53:54 PM
soo happy for you liz :)

Thanks Veronica I have to say I am pretty happy too  :laugh:

Quote from: davina61 on October 20, 2018, 02:51:20 PM
Guessed you were back on track from the countdown appearing again, Wish you well and a speedy recovery that doesn't need ICU bed and prove your pain (in a**e ) doc wrong.

Hi Davina yes things are definitely back on track thanks for the kind wishes. It really scares me what they are proposing but I have to go with the flow at this stage. Hope your wrist is feeling better now.

Take care

Liz

I was holding off on this update hoping to have received the information about Knox Private Hospital. Its been over a week since they said they would send the new paperwork however I have received nothing...I will clarify this with them tomorrow after the post has been.

Had a pretty nice week and got to have a get together with Cindy and Nicole both separately and together which was fun...you do need to have some mountain goat qualities to navigate Nicole's place LOL  :laugh:

After obtaining my surgery weight last week I have maintained it this week and was a little disappointed I didn't lose more. This annoying Urinary Tract Infection seems like its all but gone now as I have been pushing fluids including Cranberry juice to the point of spending most of Friday just running to the loo. I have kept up the intake of water along with antibiotics and cranberry juice (Thanks Cindy and Nicole)....I would like to be clear of this by Friday...I will finish the antibiotics on Tuesday night and then need to wait 48 hrs before giving another sample. I cannot have surgery with a UTI...it really shouldn't be an issue to fix.


This next week I have my "1500km Service" due on my new pump LOL .... actually it is the first refill so hopefully it has not flipped (inside of me)over as it had the last time they replaced it and we spent 30 minutes stabbing through my skin into the solid metal plate(rather than the actual needle port on the front) on the back of the pump before someone realised it had flipped itself over.....it feels fine so I am sure it will be straight forward they know their stuff in that unit.


I also have to make another substantial financial commitment and pay the surgeons bill. It was amazing how this change in date actually works out better with the way the apartment and airfares have been booked and the big plus is I now will have a support person with me...the only extra cost is likely to be the later airfare for me but then I don't have to stay anywhere the night before. I can't book that flight until I get the information about the admission time...hopefully tomorrow.


I have to say I am really concerned of the impact my Pain managements Dr's letter has had on the proposed treatment for me post surgery. I am going to ICU post surgery this is not negotiable and if they follow his recommendations further they will initially heavily medicate me for at least the first 12 -24 hrs....I hate being heavily medicated and I managed my pump replacement, rhinoplasty and hair implants with nothing more than Panadol after each...they wanted to give me Endone...no thanks YUK. I was speaking with one of Mr Ives girls who was one month post op yesterday...she managed easily on Panadol and said to me that she had been given a pre med and when she woke up a "short" time later, she didn't even realise the surgery had been done until she had a feel around. Another dear friend told me she had also managed quite comfortably on Panadol and didn't even need much of that. Sigh I guess I will be a good girl and do as I am told...."for once in your life"...as Meryl is inclined to say to me...that amazing woman knows me too well LOL

So the main focus for the week...sluice out the UTI, complete my 1500km servicve and lose a little more weight to create a buffer, pay for surgery, complete new hospital paperwork...oh and of course...




Take care

Liz

@LizK
Dear Liz:
It is nice to see your "just posted" update....   you have had a busy, hectic, stressful ... and happy week, all rolled into one.
I sincerely hope that you get the information soon that you requested from Knox Hospital... I hate waiting for stuff that for no good excuse should have come sooner.
It is nice that you got together with @Cindy and @Nicole...   I take it that you were able to see Cindy's new vehicle... she seemed so happy to be able to more easily transport her wife in it.

The good news is at least that you maintained your surgery weight.  Sometimes as hard as we try the weight can be stubborn and just stays on.   Oh, and hoping that your UTI will go away soon and the antibiotics will do their thing.

Your "pump service" was quite an event from the sounds of it.  I love how you described them stabbing through your skin for 30 minutes....  not very pleasant for sure.

Regarding you financial commitment for your future surgery date.... I am so glad that they came through with a date that not only works for you but also is kinder to your finances.   

.... and all of your other concerns about your surgery and post surgery recovery....  it is stressful to worry about things that you can not control...  what will be, will be.

Again, thanks for keeping your curious followers updated.
Hugs and Hugs  [emoji173]
Danielle

Quote from: Alaskan Danielle on October 27, 2018, 06:51:58 PM
@LizK
Dear Liz:
It is nice to see your "just posted" update....   you have had a busy, hectic, stressful ... and happy week, all rolled into one.
I sincerely hope that you get the information soon that you requested from Knox Hospital... I hate waiting for stuff that for no good excuse should have come sooner.
It is nice that you got together with @Cindy and @Nicole...   I take it that you were able to see Cindy's new vehicle... she seemed so happy to be able to more easily transport her wife in it.

The good news is at least that you maintained your surgery weight.  Sometimes as hard as we try the weight can be stubborn and just stays on.   Oh, and hoping that your UTI will go away soon and the antibiotics will do their thing.

Your "pump service" was quite an event from the sounds of it.  I love how you described them stabbing through your skin for 30 minutes....  not very pleasant for sure.

Regarding you financial commitment for your future surgery date.... I am so glad that they came through with a date that not only works for you but also is kinder to your finances.   

.... and all of your other concerns about your surgery and post surgery recovery....  it is stressful to worry about things that you can not control...  what will be, will be.

Again, thanks for keeping your curious followers updated.
Hugs and Hugs  [emoji173]
Danielle

Hi Danielle

Thanks for dropping by and yes it was great to catch up with both Cindy and Nicole. Thank you for your kind words of encouragement...you always manage to say something nice which I really appreciate. Hope you are having a great day. I read your post about your suitors and even replied I hope you got my humour and I didn't offend, sorry of if I did we aussie girls can have a strange sense of humour  :laugh:

Take care

Liz

Awhile back I had my medication pump replaced and during this time I found out that my old name remained clearly visible on the front jacket of my hospital file and this in turn caused me to be treated poorly.

In fact when I managed today to get up close and snap a picture(I was so incensed I shared it with Cindy who was less than impressed) it was set out something like this. The name were hand written in thick black Texta in about 22point size and the male first name remained clearly visible but with a slash of text through it....

Surname         Male first name            male second name     UR Number

                             Elizabeth                "Liz"
The file jacket does not even have the correct name on it. I was so upset and angry and told my nurse, also asking to speak to the Nursing Unit Manager but she was away. So I promptly complained to the treating nurse telling her I was off to see the Adfvisory Board as so as she was done. I was in communication with Cindy at the time but unfortunately i couldn't follow through with her suggestion as we were in the middle of the proceedure when her TXT arrived back. Both the nurse were in agreement that this was really bad and I had every right ot be upset. I told them i was so angry I was off to find out how I could litigate the case.

I left the Unit and went to the advisoiry council to drop off my prepprapared complaint only to find that the only way to get to them was to call via an internal phone...of course no one answered and I was asked to leave a message...i asked for a call back asI had a complaint and took a complaint form went home thouroghly disgusted. I have since submitted the complaint form along with a photoigraph of the file which is so daming telling them I am looking to take legal action of the breach of my confidentiality. I felt quite sick by the time I got home...to think that my file has been seen by every person that has gone through that unit plus the other hospital and once you see the way the name is written on the file it is immediately obvious I am trans.


I sent the complaiunt tonight adding in todays encounter descibing how awful it made me feel

Will keep you updated

Liz

I'm so sorry Liz. There is no excuse for treating you this way. It's bad enough you had to go through it before and bring it to their attention back then. Seriously, how hard would it be to make a new cover for your file with only your correct name on it!!!

I hope your complaint will now be taken seriously and they fix the problem once and for all, and then do some major grovelling begging for your forgiveness.

Keep us updated on how things go.

Big hug,
Jayne

I usually cut people a break if they're busy or distracted but I believe this was deliberate and malicious. 
By pursuing this you are helping others in the future. 

Hi Jayne

It was pretty disappointing but I never actually got to complain about the first incident before the second one occurred. I was actually heading t9 make the original complaint after my appointment...anyway the complaint is lodged

I don't want this happening to anyone else and having them made to feel as I did

Thanks Jayne hows things with you?

Take care
Liz



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Quote from: Kendra on October 29, 2018, 01:28:00 PM
I usually cut people a break if they're busy or distracted but I believe this was deliberate and malicious. 
By pursuing this you are helping others in the future.

Hi Kendra

That is exactly why I am creating merry hell about it threatening litigation. This WILL NOT happen again to anyone if I have anything to say about it.

Thanks for the support
Liz


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Liz, I'm sorry you received poor treatment. I'm curious, are your medical records in your preferred name, or have you done a legal name change? I did a name change before the current set of records were created, so they say Devlyn on them but list me as a male. Which is fine by me, I understand that I still need the checks and procedures of a male bodied person, as well as some checks that a female requires, e.g. prostate health and breast cancer screenings.

Hugs, Devlyn

Quote from: Devlyn on October 30, 2018, 04:13:58 AM
Liz, I'm sorry you received poor treatment. I'm curious, are your medical records in your preferred name, or have you done a legal name change? I did a name change before the current set of records were created, so they say Devlyn on them but list me as a male. Which is fine by me, I understand that I still need the checks and procedures of a male bodied person, as well as some checks that a female requires, e.g. prostate health and breast cancer screenings.

Hugs, Devlyn

Hi Devlyn thanks for stopping by...My legal name and gender changes were done nearly 18months ago via our Government Medicare system where I am officially female and Liz. The Hospital  have a policy to follow but it would seem  it may have been ignored or maybe its down to some poor education.

Take care

Liz


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Quote from: LizK on October 30, 2018, 05:17:34 AM
Hi Devlyn thanks for stopping by...My legal name and gender changes were done nearly 18months ago via our Government Medicare system where I am officially female and Liz. The Hospital  have a policy to follow but it would seem  it may have been ignored or maybe its down to some poor education.

Take care

Liz

Thanks for explaining. Here they will use a preferred name even if you haven't legally changed your birthname. I'm not sure how well it is adhered to in practice, but it is an available option for us.

Hugs, Devlyn

Quote from: Devlyn on October 30, 2018, 05:22:13 AM
Thanks for explaining. Here they will use a preferred name even if you haven't legally changed your birthname. I'm not sure how well it is adhered to in practice, but it is an available option for us.

Hugs, Devlyn

Because we have govt funded health care when you go to hospital or the Dr in order to receive treatment then you are required to produce your Medicare card that shows you are entitled to Medicare benefits. What ever name and sex is registered with Medicare is what the Drs Offices , hospitals, pathology, xray etc etc companies have to use. Most places will give you the option of a "preferred Name" but it can be difficult to have people adhere to it.

Once officially done then it flows to all providers, sometimes with complications sometimes not.

Take care


Liz

Payday today...but not for me ....for my Surgery....My hand didn't shake too much and I only hesitated for a second. But each time I do something like this and another step is completed the reality of the surgery looms greater in my mind taking up many of my waking thoughts. Another milestone completed, Tomorrow I have my final Genital electrolysis session. With each step I find myself growing more excited...I also get to see if I have beaten this UTI yet...it really feels like I have...I have been drinking so much water I feel like a fountain 


As part of the prep for surgery I have a list of things I need to buy and one is foam rubber to be used in a mould. So I spent some time with my friend Mr Google and now know far more about foam rubber than anyone really should. Severely traumatised by my google experience, I checked the instruction and saw that they were supposed to be available from your local hardware store...So off I went, found the "Trans Women's mould inserts" section but wouldn't you know it!! they didn't have my size...In the end I emailed Mr Ives rooms who then advised a new post op regime was being instituted and to not bother with the foam rubber...phew!! Disaster averted...so what does this mean for our intrepid gendernaught....



I was leaving the shopping centre today wearing a simple knee length tunic style top, leggings, summer sandals my hair down and no makeup. Coming towards me was and Trans women's ancient natural foe...

a small child

He spotted me as he came through the front door as I was using my blue walking stick....I noticed him just as he eyeballed me and I realised he was about to say something ....every story I have ever heard of kids outing people flashed though my mind and I began to tense waiting for it...the little boy began to sing song a question to his mother...I am thinking hear it comes I am about to be outed...he continued to stare and me and then at the top of his voice "That lady's got a walking stick , that lady's got a walking stick..." the child's mother apologising as she swept him up in her arms and tore off to do her chores saying to the little boy "she probably has a sore leg"...as I walked out I could still hear him singing about the lady with the blue walking stick.... ;D

Perfect!!!

Take care

Wholly GCS Batgirl!!(Liz)

Well the kid didn't shout out -

That lady has a broom


It is Halloween after all.

If he did, I would sure as heck want to know how he found about my broom...its not like I ride it every day. LOL

@LizK
Dear Liz:
Overall, obviously except for the not-so-good report about your search (in a hardware store of all places) for foam rubber for your surgery, I found this report of yours very affirming for you..... 
     "That lady's got a walking stick , that lady's got a walking stick..."

Oh and I cringe every time I hear about hair removal down-below...  OUCH !!!   But that is a necessary step that must be taken...  hang on tight to the sides of the table, or bite a bullet or something while the electrolysis is in progress.

Thank you for keeping all of us up to date... we are your followers and we want to follow.
Hugs,
Danielle

We should travel somewhere together.  A broompool!

Quote from: LizK on October 31, 2018, 02:35:32 AM"That lady's got a walking stick , that lady's got a walking stick..."

Am I grinning for you or because you are? I guess it doesn't matter :D

PhantomFaith

Quote from: Faith on October 31, 2018, 08:31:11 AM
Am I grinning for you or because you are? I guess it doesn't matter :D

PhantomFaith

You are dead right but I thought I would share simply because many of us go through these tiny irrelevant interactions  with a certain amount of dread that we will be outed...Little kids are the worst...they say it as they see it. I thought it was funny so you are welcome to keep grinning I know I am  :D :D :D

Quote from: Kendra on October 31, 2018, 08:14:37 AM
We should travel somewhere together.  A broompool!

Sounds like a great idea....cruizing on my new Broom....I just updated mine to this years model as a blew the oreggabanix which was crazy as I only replaced it last century so it was time for a new one...what do you think?? ;)

(https://i.imgur.com/Dpj9bMw.png)

Quote from: LizK on October 31, 2018, 09:12:33 PM

Quote from: Kendra on October 31, 2018, 08:14:37 AM
We should travel somewhere together.  A broompool!

Sounds like a great idea....cruizing on my new Broom....I just updated mine to this years model as a blew the oreggabanix which was crazy as I only replaced it last century so it was time for a new one...what do you think?? ;)

(https://i.imgur.com/Dpj9bMw.png)

But is it red and what is the sound system like?


- and probably a Holden.

Quote

Quote from: Kendra on October 31, 2018, 08:14:37 AM
We should travel somewhere together.  A broompool!

Sounds like a great idea....cruizing on my new Broom....I just updated mine to this years model as a blew the oreggabanix which was crazy as I only replaced it last century so it was time for a new one...what do you think?? ;)

(https://i.imgur.com/Dpj9bMw.png)

  Is that a sissy bar I see?

Quote from: Cindy on October 31, 2018, 10:53:01 PM
Sounds like a great idea....cruizing on my new Broom....I just updated mine to this years model as a blew the oreggabanix which was crazy as I only replaced it last century so it was time for a new one...what do you think?? ;)

(https://i.imgur.com/Dpj9bMw.png)


But is it red and what is the sound system like?





- and probably a Holden.

No that is funny..... :D :D :D :D Gee I even forgot to ask how well it rode   :laugh:

Quote from: Laurie on October 31, 2018, 11:25:10 PM
Sounds like a great idea....cruizing on my new Broom....I just updated mine to this years model as a blew the oreggabanix which was crazy as I only replaced it last century so it was time for a new one...what do you think?? ;)

(https://i.imgur.com/Dpj9bMw.png)



  Is that a sissy bar I see?

Yes its right next to the Laurie whipping bar...

Reached another  milestone today


Genital Zapping is finished...done...over...never to happen again :icon_dance: :icon_dance: :icon_dance:


My Prep is all but finished....I have two outstanding Items....Pay the anaesthetist.....DONE


1 thing left to do...beat my UTI into submission, have submitted another sample today as I think I have accomplished that already. It takes the results three days before the Dr's Rooms will call me if the UTI has not run its course

Now its really getting exciting!!

Liz

Squeeeeeeee! I you as you are ready now! Hope the UTI is done and over too.

Are you starting to get nervous? Counting down the hours?

Hugs!

Sarah

Hi Sarah

After thinking surgery was over and would not happen till next yea(if at all) its an incredible feeling knowing that NEXT MONTH I will be having surgeryI that I promised myself at 14  I would have....yes I am starting to get excited. I found out a few weeks ago just exactly how important it was to me... Roll on the 4th only 32 days to go.....I will be really surprised if this UTI is not fixed it sure as heck feels like it.

Take care
Liz


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Whilst not exactly 4 weeks out it is the day designated By Mr Ives  in his last instructions to me after the Surgery date change.

I know all the argument for and against but after waiting all these years to finally have this surgery I am not going to quibble over a few weeks on HRT. The least I say on the subject the lower my blood pressure will remain...which is a good thing. I have just had my Oestrogen  levels checked and somehow the sample got contaminated and they came back at over 2000 so I repeated the bloods again today. If my UTI is still active I would expect a phone call today to tell me to continue with the Antibiotics and to test again in a week , last time they called was late in the day nearly 5:40pm. I think the infection is gone...but then again, I never realised I had it in the first place. LOL I am still keeping "very" hydrated :icon_drunk: including cranberry juice  :icon_drunk: so fingers crossed it has finally gone. I would like to cruise into the last 4 weeks just maintaining my weight on its way to 85 Kgs.

Today is day one of no Oestrogen gel and traditionally I have not reacted well when my Oestrogen levels drop in the past so I will have to keep my eye on the prize...eye on the prize... :o :o

Heading out for dinner with the family tonight so that should be fun  :laugh:

Take care

Liz

Hang in there Liz. This IS happening for you. It is settled. You will have your surgery as scheduled and you will recover nicely. You will be happy as you have ever been in your life.

Hugs,
  Laurie

Happy Birthday Liz 🌸🌸🌸

@LizK
Dear Liz:
Another year older and another year wiser!!!!
    Wishing you a very H A P P Y   B I R T H D A Y
      :icon_birthday:

What are your plans on your special day?   Is cake involved?
Hugs and more hugs,
Danielle

Happy Birthday Liz!  What a great year it is turning out to be!

Judi

I had my Birthday yesterday thank you ladies and I was spoiled rotten...which is very cool. I did have to have some interaction with my parents...they only had to speak to me for less that 5 minutes without misnaming or misgendering me and managed to do both with ease in under 2 minutes." of course we use Liz along with She/Her pronouns when we speak of you" . Yeah...sure you do...sure you do. ::)

I went out for dinner, where I was the star attraction for the first 5 minutes was me but the novelty soon ran out and we all settled to a thoroughly enjoyable meal. Home for more gifts including some jazzy new walking gear which I will model for tomorrow's walk and post the glamour shoot before I head off in the morning.  :'(


I had a really nice day, very quiet,  in fact I am not sure how Jess knew it was my birthday? but either way thank you all for the kind wishes.  :D

Take care

Liz

@LizK 

Liz, I'm so happy your birthday spoiled you rotten.  That's what birthdays are for. 
Hiccups that happen in life's celebrations, such as a "relative nuisance", is best dealt with by holding your breath and patting your back, it will soon be better.

As far as me knowing it was your birthday.....
If I was the snooping type, I could say I found it nefariously.
But even though your birthdate is not on your profile, it was in the happy birthday box near the bottom of the page on most forum feeds. (Below the "who's online")

Hugs and smiles from a California girl

I am going to call it....Tested 6 Days ago, no call to say positive result = no UTI...I drowned my UTI(applause erupts)...thankyou... although it could also have been scared off by the unsweetened cranberry juice that it was swimming in...makes me shudder just thinking about it. LOL

Received my (new) final instructions and admission forms for Knox surgery is an afternoon event...1:30pm.... Like Masada they have an online patient registration which I have completed and with the exception of my Meds and Dr's Details.

I actually think everything is now completely in order and paid for!!...there are no apparent barriers or even hoops between me and GCS in 4 weeks...only took me about 42 years  and 3 attempts to get my stuff together LOL  ;D

I am now looking to maintain my weight around the 89Kg Mark if Possible....so long as my BMI remains under 30 I am fine. My fitness is pretty good I just did my BP, 120/72 resting heart rate of 50 bpm. I have trimmed my daily walk to 5 KS with 1-200m "jogs" where permissible. I have promised myself if I can maintain my weight till I am out of hospital then I am going shopping for new clothes in Melbourne.

Had a busy day doing housework and now just catching up on the goings on around here

Take care

Liz

Happy for you Liz, just thought I'd tell you while I'm logged in instead of just thinking it.

Faith

Happy birthday Liz!!! [emoji322] [emoji324] [emoji322]

So happy you had a great day and got spoilt. You deserve it.

Glad to hear you managed to ditch that UTI. Now, with all the paperwork out of the way, it should just be matter of counting down the days or hours as you seem to be doing now. [emoji2]

Hugs and happy birthday wishes!
Jayne

Great news Liz all systems go for rebirth. (I wouldn't be surprised to see her emerge as a roo). Never know about them Aussies.. Glad to hear you have all your ducks in a row and paid for.

btw belated Happy Birthday Liz May you have many many more to just be you.

Love you,
  Laurie

No more barriers!  No more hoops to jump through!  Awesome news.  You are sooooo close.

I'm happy to hear you're feeling better.
Judi

Great News Liz!!

Hi Liz,

I'm back, work around the house is now all but finished, thank you for checking up on me during my absence from the forum, would love to catch up soon.

Congratulations on seeing off your UTI, cranberry juice always seemed to help my girls when they have had it in the past, and a massive well done on achieving your weight goal!

Super exciting times ahead only a few weeks away now, I'm getting excited for you too.

Hugs

Nicole

@SteffN

Quote from: SteffN on November 08, 2018, 12:15:16 PM
Great News Liz!!

Hi SteffN 🙋‍♀️ Welcome to Susan's Place!  I'm Jessica.
Here you are right under our noses and no one has greeted you yet.
You are new here, so I'll post some links that may help you get better acquainted with the site. Pay attention to the site rules they can be of great help and don't forget the link highlighted red.  It has answers to questions that are commonly asked.  Then join in on a topic you find interesting and learn and share.

Please feel free to stop by the Introductions (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/board,8.0.html) Forum to tell the members about yourself!

If you are one of our younger members, please stop by the Youth Introductions (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/board,544.0.html) Forum and get acquainted with us all!

Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,2.0.html)	Standard Terms & Definitions (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,54369.0.html)	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar) (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,114.0.html.)	Cautionary Note (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,82221.0.html)
Reputation rules (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,18960.0.html)	News posting & quoting guidelines (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,174951.0.html)	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,59974.msg383866.html#msg383866)	Membership Agreement (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,216851.0.html)

Re: @Alaskan Danielle

Quote from: SteffN on November 08, 2018, 12:15:16 PM
Great News Liz!!

@SteffN
Dear SteffN:
    I am most pleased that you had decided to join the Susan's Place.

    I see that our lovely member and California Girl   @Jessica   has already welcomed you to Susan's Place.  Please allow me to also welcome you here.
    Thank you for writing your several first postings.... as you get more involved in exchanging comments on various posts other members will be along to offer their thoughts and comments in response to any of your specific questions and concerns..

    This is the right place for you to be to find out what others may have to say that may have been in your circumstances and with your questions and concerns.
    There are a lot of members here that will be able to identify with your situation as you continue to feel free to share it.

    I want to warmly WELCOME you to Susan's Place. 
You will find this a safe and friendly place to share with others and to read about others similar trials, tribulations, and successes.

    As you are certainly aware you can share with others and involve yourself with some give and take with other like-minded members.  When frustrated or if you have successes you can share it here if you wish and receive support from others and offer support to others. ....
     ***It's a very good chance that you might find that you will make some new friends here. 

    Please come in and continue to be involved at your own pace.
   
    There is information and important LINKS that  Jessica  included in her welcome message to you.   You will find information about the site that will help you navigate around and best utilize the features here.   
Please look closely at the LINKS in RED, answers are there to many questions that new members ask.

Again, Welcome to Susan's Place.
Danielle

@SteffN
Oh, and another thing SteffN,
As our lovely member @Jessica mentioned in her Welcome Message to you please make certain that you find your way to the Introductions Forum (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/board,8.0.html)  to let more members about yourself!

If you are one of our younger members, please stop by the Youth Introductions Forum (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/board,544.0.html) and introduce yourself therel!

Again, Welcome to Susan's Place
Best wishes to you and enjoy your time here.
Danielle

@LizK
Dear Liz:
So very sorry to interrupt your thread with a little "greeting" activity for our new member.... 

I am mow most happy to return your thread back to you... 
....again, sorry for the interruption.

Many Hugs,
Danielle

Quote from: LizK on November 07, 2018, 02:47:21 AM

UTI DROWNED

I am going to call it....Tested 6 Days ago, no call to say positive result = no UTI...I drowned my UTI(applause erupts)...thankyou... although it could also have been scared off by the unsweetened cranberry juice that it was swimming in...makes me shudder just thinking about it. LOL

Received my (new) final instructions and admission forms for Knox surgery is an afternoon event...1:30pm.... Like Masada they have an online patient registration which I have completed and with the exception of my Meds and Dr's Details.

I actually think everything is now completely in order and paid for!!...there are no apparent barriers or even hoops between me and GCS in 4 weeks...only took me about 42 years  and 3 attempts to get my stuff together LOL  ;D

I am now looking to maintain my weight around the 89Kg Mark if Possible....so long as my BMI remains under 30 I am fine. My fitness is pretty good I just did my BP, 120/72 resting heart rate of 50 bpm. I have trimmed my daily walk to 5 KS with 1-200m "jogs" where permissible. I have promised myself if I can maintain my weight till I am out of hospital then I am going shopping for new clothes in Melbourne.

Had a busy day doing housework and now just catching up on the goings on around here

Take care

Liz

@LizK
Dear Liz:
How many ways can I say I am so very happy for you that everything is now working out for your surgery day.... 
... the UTI is gone, you got an acceptable date scheduled for your surgery, you have your latest final instructions and admission forms....  and all of it is Paid For...   

Yes indeed, do your very best to maintain your weight and keep healthy......
... and after your recovery period in the hospital.... 
          it will be post-op clothes shopping therapy time.

I will be eagerly looking for any and all of your postings and updates as you feel free to share them.
Thank you for keeping us all in the loop...  your followers want to follow...
Hugs and best wishes,
Danielle

Quote from: Faith on November 07, 2018, 07:17:41 AM
Happy for you Liz, just thought I'd tell you while I'm logged in instead of just thinking it.

Faith

Thank you Faith I had a wonderful day

Quote from: Jayne01 on November 07, 2018, 08:12:27 AM
Happy birthday Liz!!! [emoji322] [emoji324] [emoji322]

So happy you had a great day and got spoilt. You deserve it.

Glad to hear you managed to ditch that UTI. Now, with all the paperwork out of the way, it should just be matter of counting down the days or hours as you seem to be doing now. [emoji2]

Hugs and happy birthday wishes!
Jayne

Thanks Jayne yes it is very much just counting away the  days and I keep updating my countdown just for the fun of it...going to switch it to hours soon LOL

Quote from: Laurie on November 08, 2018, 12:17:16 AM
Great news Liz all systems go for rebirth. (I wouldn't be surprised to see her emerge as a roo). Never know about them Aussies.. Glad to hear you have all your ducks in a row and paid for.

btw belated Happy Birthday Liz May you have many many more to just be you.

Love you,
  Laurie

Well we Aussies girls are known for being exceptions to the rule in everything we do...why should this be any different  ;D

Quote from: JudiBlueEyes on November 08, 2018, 09:53:33 AM
No more barriers!  No more hoops to jump through!  Awesome news.  You are sooooo close.

I'm happy to hear you're feeling better.
Judi

I am so happy the hoop jumping is over...although I am building good looking legs with all that exercise...Thanks Judi  ;)

Quote from: SteffN on November 08, 2018, 12:15:16 PM
Great News Liz!!

Thanks Steffn


I hope you consider yourself well and truly welcomed LOL...thanks for popping by and wishing me well.

Quote from: Nicole70 on November 09, 2018, 08:13:51 PM
Hi Liz,

I'm back, work around the house is now all but finished, thank you for checking up on me during my absence from the forum, would love to catch up soon.

Congratulations on seeing off your UTI, cranberry juice always seemed to help my girls when they have had it in the past, and a massive well done on achieving your weight goal!

Super exciting times ahead only a few weeks away now, I'm getting excited for you too.

Hugs

Nicole

To be honest it was your comment last time we got together that prompted me to follow through on the cranberry juice. Thanks for the compliment I hope we can catch up over the coming week if you have time I know Cindy is keen...

Quote from: Alaskan Danielle on November 09, 2018, 09:24:03 PM
@LizK
Dear Liz:
How many ways can I say I am so very happy for you that everything is now working out for your surgery day.... 
... the UTI is gone, you got an acceptable date scheduled for your surgery, you have your latest final instructions and admission forms....  and all of it is Paid For...   

Yes indeed, do your very best to maintain your weight and keep healthy......
... and after your recovery period in the hospital.... 
          it will be post-op clothes shopping therapy time.

I will be eagerly looking for any and all of your postings and updates as you feel free to share them.
Thank you for keeping us all in the loop...  your followers want to follow...
Hugs and best wishes,
Danielle

Hi  Danielle don't worry about the "interruption" you have a job to do and welcome one at that!(sorry but ti was there for the taking)...Thanks for the job you do greeting our newest members. It is an important one that you do very well.

Thanks for the kind words...I was staring into my wardrobe today and all I could see was the need for some clothes that fit!!


At only 23 days out I have been off my Oestrogen for about a week and well that...kinda...just..... sucks!!!!

I may be a little slow to respond over the he next few weeks as I continue to try and distract myself that comes with the discomfort of reducing hormone level....by this time next week they will be lower than they have ever been since 2015.  So that should be fun  ;D trying to keep positive here guys and gals


Weightloss...hmmm had a birthday this week...did I mention that....ummm...so I put on some weight but still weighed in under my surgery weight....just a mars bars difference LOL

Take care

Liz

Hi Liz and all!

I've got to exclaim that Liz, you've had one hell of a ride, and everyone's support turned your story into a cliffhanger with a Greek Tragedy chorus. What a sweet, kind, wise blanket of women's energy here! Such a soft buffer for Liz as she hit hard bumps along the road.

I add my wishes for your best chances at happy distractions during the rest of your countdown. May you slide into the start/finish line on a magic carpet of tranquility.

Quote from: Moonflower on November 12, 2018, 06:59:16 PM
Hi Liz and all!

I've got to exclaim that Liz, you've had one hell of a ride, and everyone's support turned your story into a cliffhanger with a Greek Tragedy chorus. What a sweet, kind, wise blanket of women's energy here! Such a soft buffer for Liz as she hit hard bumps along the road.

I add my wishes for your best chances at happy distractions during the rest of your countdown. May you slide into the start/finish line on a magic carpet of tranquility.

Hi Moonflower

Glad you made it over and thank for the lovely invocation...

The women and men who have supported me through my journey have been amazing....I have made some great friendships and grown close to a number of these gals.

It has been a bumpy ride but each one of those bumps has taught me some hard won lessons. I am currently keeping my head down concentrating keeping it all together with only...21 days and 29 minutes to go.[emoji3]

Take care



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Quote from: LizK on November 07, 2018, 02:47:21 AM

UTI DROWNED

I am going to call it....Tested 6 Days ago, no call to say positive result = no UTI...I drowned my UTI(applause erupts)...thankyou... although it could also have been scared off by the unsweetened cranberry juice that it was swimming in...makes me shudder just thinking about it. LOL

....

I am now looking to maintain my weight around the 89Kg Mark if Possible....so long as my BMI remains under 30 I am fine. My fitness is pretty good I just did my BP, 120/72 resting heart rate of 50 bpm. I have trimmed my daily walk to 5 KS with 1-200m "jogs" where permissible. I have promised myself if I can maintain my weight till I am out of hospital then I am going shopping for new clothes in Melbourne.

Good news on the UTI XD

I wish my BP would stay low, but all my life it has fluctuated wildly based mainly on life events or even if i am nervous.. which is always when a BP is taken and it shoots up, heck when i was 18~19 it was high enough to prompt a trip to the ER and into ICU (which i declined, and meds which i declined as well and it came down after an hour). apparently i was in extreme danger territory esp for someone my age too :) , anyway gonna have to find ways to bring mine down as well.. i am hoping exercise will help..

soo super excited for you. XD

V

Quote from: Veronica A on November 14, 2018, 01:46:48 PM
Good news on the UTI XD

I wish my BP would stay low, but all my life it has fluctuated wildly based mainly on life events or even if i am nervous.. which is always when a BP is taken and it shoots up, heck when i was 18~19 it was high enough to prompt a trip to the ER and into ICU (which i declined, and meds which i declined as well and it came down after an hour). apparently i was in extreme danger territory esp for someone my age too :) , anyway gonna have to find ways to bring mine down as well.. i am hoping exercise will help..

soo super excited for you. XD

V

Hi V

Thanks for dropping by. My BP was consistently high when I saw the GP and she asked me to take it at home and see what it was. This is when we discovered that I my blood pressure reacts to being in a medical environment  which they call White Coat syndrome. My Bp at home is somewhere around 120 to 130 over 60 - 70 when in the Drs office its always above 150 over 70+ so based on this I have added a high blood pressure pill at the insistance of my Dr. She wants it to be no more than 130 in her office...whihc we achieved and promptly made me dizzy as my BP was 90-110 over 40-60  ??? So I still take a small dose to keep my Dr Happy...


I would have thought exercise and losing weight would have helped but to be honest in my case it hasn't made that much difference because it was never that high.


I am about to do another update on how I am feeling and changes that are occurring so rather than talk about it twice I will finish the update I am currently working on...thanks again for dropping by


Take care
'
Liz                   

Quote from: LizK on November 14, 2018, 06:39:06 PM
Hi V

Thanks for dropping by. My BP was consistently high when I saw the GP and she asked me to take it at home and see what it was. This is when we discovered that I my blood pressure reacts to being in a medical environment  which they call White Coat syndrome. My Bp at home is somewhere around 120 to 130 over 60 - 70 when in the Drs office its always above 150 over 70+ so based on this I have added a high blood pressure pill at the insistance of my Dr. She wants it to be no more than 130 in her office...whihc we achieved and promptly made me dizzy as my BP was 90-110 over 40-60  ??? So I still take a small dose to keep my Dr Happy...


I would have thought exercise and losing weight would have helped but to be honest in my case it hasn't made that much difference because it was never that high.


I am about to do another update on how I am feeling and changes that are occurring so rather than talk about it twice I will finish the update I am currently working on...thanks again for dropping by


Take care
'
Liz                   

yeah i think food as well as stressing over things. i just want to stay away from those tablets as much as possible. when i am relaxed or at home just chilling its well within norms. but i stress each time my blood pressure is taken..so it climbs.. it really should never have climbed when i was 19 and even now it really shouldn't climb as much as it does under pressure.

Quote from: Veronica A on November 15, 2018, 03:54:39 PM
yeah i think food as well as stressing over things. i just want to stay away from those tablets as much as possible. when i am relaxed or at home just chilling its well within norms. but i stress each time my blood pressure is taken..so it climbs.. it really should never have climbed when i was 19 and even now it really shouldn't climb as much as it does under pressure.

My Dr made the point that if mine was rising like that at the Dr's where else was it rising and how often. About 4 weeks ago I was really upset thinking about what had gone down with my family and took my blood pressure in the middle of it. My BP was something ridiculous like 160/95. It was around this time that I began to rethink how I was dealing with the situation with my family...I am not happy taking any medication but in this case it has good preventative qualities.

Take care

Liz

Quote from: Veronica A on November 15, 2018, 03:54:39 PM
yeah i think food as well as stressing over things. i just want to stay away from those tablets as much as possible. when i am relaxed or at home just chilling its well within norms. but i stress each time my blood pressure is taken..so it climbs.. it really should never have climbed when i was 19 and even now it really shouldn't climb as much as it does under pressure.

@LizK   @Veronica A
Dear Liz & Veronica:
Stress and worry are very bad for BOTH mental health and physical health.  It can leave a person feeling restless and jumpy, cause a rise in blood pressure,  sleep problems, headaches, stomach and digestion problems, and muscle tension, and make it difficult to concentrate at work or at school.... and impact one's immune system.

Constant worrying and negative thinking, and always expecting the worst can take a toll on one's emotional and physical health.

If you have not been there yet you might want to visit my thread:
         "Positive Mindset... put away negativity" (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,238255.0.html)

Hugs and well wishes,
Danielle

Tick, Tick, Tick ...time moves on steadily and the date gets closer...as the date gets closer the more I feel the need to pull back and start focussing on the next part of my journey. To focus my mind on the upcoming task like you might do if you were focusing on a job interview or a particularly hard exam.


It has been awhile coming and I knew maybe 3 weeks ago my walking days were numbered. My hip has been firing waring signals at me to "slow up" and finally on Wednesday night I was getting around home like a 90 year, shuffling along barely able to lift my leg, requiring my stick when moving around inside the house...Meryl yelled at me :icon_yikes:..ok maybe it was more like a severe talking too :icon_rolleyes2: anyway long story short my days of walking 6 days a week are over. I took Thursday off and walked Friday and Saturday instead. I still maintained my weight easily this week and in fact lost slightly, to be sitting almost exactly on 90KGS...


I have been asked that several times.... I don't know that I am that excited.(maybe a little lol [emoji23] ) There has been too much fear for me to seriously consider anything else until recently. My mood at the moment would be subdued to flat but always better when I have some company. I am calm and not anxious at all, I am still fearful but even that has no strong power over me...maybe "contented" is the word I am looking for. I said to Cindy that I was "hunkering down" keeping myself in good health both physically and mentally. There have been several days where I have let myself fall into a "doubt trap" which usually inevitably leads to a rabbit hole...but that seems to have abated now...all the silly doubts over the last few years have all come back to be replayed in technicolour with surround sound seemed to have mainly stopped....I knew much of this was spurred on by my falling Oestrogen levels so I was ready for it. Being mentally prepared made many of those rabbit holes very shallow. I knew what to expect and  preparedness myself a bit more. 

Did I mention that stopping HRT.....SUCKS!  ::) just sayin...if you are wondering is it as "bad" as you have heard...Roger That!! YMMV...I am 14 days and starting to see physical signs(just the beginnings) as well as experiencing the moods changes. Its is quite unpleasant at times but after everything I have been through I am not prepared to add any Oestrogen because if there is going to be a first person who's surgery is stopped because of "Oestrogen levels" you just know it will be me LOL

I am trying to learn how to use Tapatalk so I can use my iPad to communicate with the board whilst away. Funny enough... I got told the other night that I seem a bit preoccupied lately...guess I am a bit. Till next update...

Take care

Liz

Edit:I removed a section talking about fear as I want to discuss that as a seperate post and I also made other minor changes to make it easier to read.

Less than three, but more than two, soon to be just one.
Your excitement is a mix of your fears and your hopes.  Feeling it is life.
The end of this section in your journey is just the start of the next one.

Hugs and smiles from a California girl

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself" was said in March 1933 but is just as relevant now.  With all the careful decisions and preparations you have made I think your fear is natural but mostly residual - much as we achieve great goals in other ways but our minds take more time to catch up with what we have accomplished.

Don't make the mistake I made... keep your coffee intake to a reasonable amount before surgery.  It's tempting to offset the blah feeling from temporarily stopping HRT with additional coffee.  My sudden caffeine withdrawal headache (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?topic=230213.200) one day post-op was worse than any pain from surgery. 

Quote from: Jessica on November 16, 2018, 09:59:44 PM
Less than three, but more than two, soon to be just one.
Your excitement is a mix of your fears and your hopes.  Feeling it is life.
The end of this section in your journey is just the start of the next one.

Hugs and smiles from a California girl

Hi Jessica

I was heartened to see things starting to improve with you and your better half [emoji3] Hopefully things will get easier on that front....You are dead right, this feels like closing the door on that part of my life. Yes time races along and I feel to a certain extent to be coasting as I have nothing left to do except fill a prescription, pack a bag and get on the plane...once I hit the hospital the fun and games will really start. LOL

Take care Liz


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Quote from: Kendra on November 17, 2018, 02:56:19 PM
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself" was said in March 1933 but is just as relevant now.  With all the careful decisions and preparations you have made I think your fear is natural but mostly residual - much as we achieve great goals in other ways but our minds take more time to catch up with what we have accomplished.

Don't make the mistake I made... keep your coffee intake to a reasonable amount before surgery.  It's tempting to offset the blah feeling from temporarily stopping HRT with additional coffee.  My sudden caffeine withdrawal headache (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?topic=230213.200) one day post-op was worse than any pain from surgery.

Kendra you are so right and the saying you quoted is no less relevant now than when it was first spoken.

I did remove a section of the post that Kendra is referring to as I want to discuss the topic of  "fear" in  more detail and as a seperate post but it makes what Kendra had to say very relevant.

I think you are right, Cindy used the term "boil over"...which describes perfectly what it feels like and what is happening.

Thanks for the tip on the coffee....it is the only vice I have left...I will probably get my last coffee after landing in Melbourne the day before surgery...I go "nil by mouth" at 12:30 on the day before surgery....I arrive in Melbourne at 9:35am which gives me a chance to get some good quality coffee and donuts(pre surgical meal of champions)before I relinquish control of my life at the hospital.

Take care

Liz


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Quote from: Alaskan Danielle on November 16, 2018, 05:53:49 PM
@LizK   @Veronica A
Dear Liz & Veronica:
Stress and worry are very bad for BOTH mental health and physical health.  It can leave a person feeling restless and jumpy, cause a rise in blood pressure,  sleep problems, headaches, stomach and digestion problems, and muscle tension, and make it difficult to concentrate at work or at school.... and impact one's immune system.

Constant worrying and negative thinking, and always expecting the worst can take a toll on one's emotional and physical health.

If you have not been there yet you might want to visit my thread:
         "Positive Mindset... put away negativity" (https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,238255.0.html)

Hugs and well wishes,
Danielle

the only thing i suffer from is sleep problems, i just get a mild panic attack (feels that way to me) when i get my blood pressure being taken, stems from when i was 19ish and that whole incident of danger.... i start to feel my heart rate increase and the oh bugger sensations rising. i have a tendency to simply shove everything to the side when its too much, and just keep doing that till it smacks me in the face. and old habit of survival over the years, breaking down there and then is hard for me to do. for bp when i am home and measure it at least 2~3 times its in the normal range, the first is boderline.. like yesterday it was high the first time, i took a deep breath and it drop to the top of the normal range and the third time it was squarly in the normal range.

Liz the stopping hrt sucks and its what i am totally afraid of as well for my FFS and other surgeries. i am hoping my T production is crippled completely by that time.. and i dont suffer a sudden surge of T..  it has to suck, but as you said being mentally prepared sure helps.. will keep that in mind. i think i am excited because its a momentous milestone and totally happy for you. the only way i know how to convey everything i think and feel for all the ladies who get SRS.

Liz

Not been keeping up, so engrossed that forgot to plug laptop in when bat low came on and it died . I have the same prob with blood pressure as I can feel heart rate increase as they start test and I try to relax . Yes we all have that back ground worry about the (slightly) unknown out come from any surgery , just remember we are all with you. Just remember you room will be full of bunches of (virtual) flowers. XXXXX darling best wishes and look after that hip.

Liz, I'm loving your new avatar. So cool how the curtain changes the clouds into mountains.

Best wished to you as you continue to prepare for a momentous day. Remember to keep hour toolkit up to date with positive thoughts,  deep breathing, visualizing what you want, and whatever works for you.

Quote from: Veronica A on November 17, 2018, 03:49:16 PM

Liz the stopping hrt sucks and its what i am totally afraid of as well for my FFS and other surgeries. i am hoping my T production is crippled completely by that time.. and i dont suffer a sudden surge of T..  it has to suck, but as you said being mentally prepared sure helps.. will keep that in mind. i think i am excited because its a momentous milestone and totally happy for you. the only way i know how to convey everything i think and feel for all the ladies who get SRS.

Liz

Hi Veronica

I am now a day 17 with no HRT and I would categorically state that being mentally prepared is the key. Knowing what is causing the emotions you are feeling is essential to keeping them in perspective. Unfortunately for me the first couple of times when my oestrogen became low I was unsure as to what was causing the feelings I had. This time I am aware of what it is causing the feelings on experiencing which in turn makes them had a much lower impact than they did the last time.

The downside of this is the physical stuff. Yes it's not great but there is an end in sight with only two weeks to go before I can start oestrogen again. As far as testosterone levels going up I am lucky in that I don't have to suppress them anyway. My testosterone levels are suppressed by my medication pump. I suspect that this was not the case I may have far more physical symptoms than I actually do.

Things I've noticed so far are changes to my hair, skin, breasts, oval all body hair just to name a few that I can put my finger on. None of these items have run rampant and are showing only early signs. To give you an example I have noticed an increase in terminal hairs on my face, I have noticed my hair has once again become more oily but only slightly, my skin is no longer slightly dry but more towards what it used to be... So none of these things are at a really bad stage and I doubt that they will get to that stage before I'm able to take some more oestrogen.

I wanted to say that whilst stopping HRT does in fact... Suck!!!. It is not as bad as I anticipated. I am going to be okay and so will you. ;) ;D


Take care
Liz

Quote from: davina61 on November 17, 2018, 04:00:29 PM
Not been keeping up, so engrossed that forgot to plug laptop in when bat low came on and it died . I have the same prob with blood pressure as I can feel heart rate increase as they start test and I try to relax . Yes we all have that back ground worry about the (slightly) unknown out come from any surgery , just remember we are all with you. Just remember you room will be full of bunches of (virtual) flowers. XXXXX darling best wishes and look after that hip.

You have been really busy, so I'm not surprised especially having an injured wrist.

I don't get it either... My blood pressure when I went to see my doctor on Monday was really high but then I had hustled myself to get into her surgery and to get myself seated. So when you consider that the simple act of hustling along the 10 m to the Dr rooms is enough to increase your blood pressure shows how touchy it really is.

Thanks for the words of encouragement I will do my best to look after my hip although I have to be realistic about it and I know that my walking days are numbered... But so are the days that I need to keep this weight off LOL  Thanks Davina

Take care

Liz

Quote from: Moonflower on November 19, 2018, 09:55:16 AM
Liz, I'm loving your new avatar. So cool how the curtain changes the clouds into mountains.

Best wished to you as you continue to prepare for a momentous day. Remember to keep hour toolkit up to date with positive thoughts,  deep breathing, visualizing what you want, and whatever works for you.

Thanks Moonflower

I will be changing the Avatar to a new Pic of myself which I will do sometime over the next week But I really like this type of art and enjoy the story with each of the creations. I keep using visualisations when I am walking to motivate me and when things are getting tough. Thanks for the encouragement.


Take care


Liz

It is now only 12 days to go, I was trying to think of it in hours and minutes but I can't wrap my brain around that. Days seem more relatable to me but as the time winds down I will no doubt change to an hour-based clocks and bearing in mind please...that I am the "clock" LOL

Okay, Okay... I am too old to be excited... Aren't I?... Well...Maybe not. If you asked me to answer that question a week ago I probably would have said...."Don't be silly of course not."... To be serious though, I think I am experiencing excitement and the reason I say that is simply because I last described myself as being calm...Unnaturally calm. This is different, this is excitement that I've never known, so it's a bit hard to recognise it when it comes along... It's like a mantra slowly building in tempo and volume... This mantra is saying "it's going to happen, it's going to happen, is going to happen..." I guess there is no other word for it... Excitement. I think at the age of 55 being excited is a thing that happened so rarely now that it becomes difficult to recognise the emotions when they occur. Since I was about 12 or 13 excitement has been restricted to 3 or four times throughout my life, one being the day I got married, two and three being the births of my two daughters. Maybe this is the fourth time... :laugh:

I had the last of my doctor's appointments on Monday, getting the all clear health wise to proceed with my surgery (not that it mattered to get the clearance from that Dr anyway). I also completed the last of my purchases required postop. The last couple of things I have to do is fill the script for the antibiotics and the bowel preparation which I will do on the weekend before I go.

Just when I thought all the worms had been securely squared away in their cans and there was really nothing of any great consequence that needed doing before surgery. However there was one  thing left toi do and that was to have "The Talk" with her

"The talk" centred on the worst case scenario(during surgery) and what would happen. It is not a conversation either of us wanted to have but one that was necessary and the reason I bring it up is simply because out of it came a small complication for me... Meryl asked me if I had told anyone from my family and of course I haven't told anyone from my family about surgery in December. Meryl asked that I pick one of my brothers and in the very least give them the "heads up" about my surgery. She understands how difficult this is for but it was important to her and I agreed.

The last couple of days I have been a little preoccupied thinking about how to approach the subject, which brother to speak to and when to do it. Some of the things I have decided, I will speak to my immediate older brother and let him know that I am having surgery, the risks associated and those specific to me. I will have to explain to him what surgery, but more importantly I want him to understand that should anything happen to me there is to be no, repeat no, interference in Meryl's wishes in the event of complications. Meryl is fully versed on exactly what I want to happen.
All this sounds so simple and I wish it was. I will have to see but I have my suspicions that he is gonna want to talk to my parents about this which is why the timing of my talk with him is important. I may in fact wait until the night before I leave before speaking to him or even maybe the day I arrive in Melbourne.... I am unsure at this stage.

My hip is not happy, I took Monday off walking and walked Tuesday and today restricting myself to 5 km each day. I will have a rest day tomorrow and then walk Friday and Saturday morning having a rest day Sunday. I'm going to try, walk two days, rest one day although I suspect it may end up walk one rest one. I am not sure but I think the last few months have really placed a lot of strain on the joint. I know they encourage me to exercise on it but I can't imagine they wanted me to be walking 7 km every day at an increased pace. I think I am really fit at the moment and my resting pulse/BP are indicators of just how fit I am. When I come back from Melbourne I will need to try and maintain my weight not only because I am having surgery but it is also much better for HbA1c results.

I expect to be around here the next week or two up until my surgery. After surgery I will let a couple of people know once I am out of ICU and any possible danger. I'm hoping this will be in the first 24 to 36 hours but don't be surprised that it's three days. If it is going to be this long I will get Meryl to get in touch.

Looking forward to catching up with Cindy and Nicole tomorrow for a coffee...always a good laugh.

Take care

Liz

Quote from: LizK on November 20, 2018, 10:38:18 PM

Hi Veronica

I am now a day 17 with no HRT and I would categorically state that being mentally prepared is the key. Knowing what is causing the emotions you are feeling is essential to keeping them in perspective. Unfortunately for me the first couple of times when my oestrogen became low I was unsure as to what was causing the feelings I had. This time I am aware of what it is causing the feelings on experiencing which in turn makes them had a much lower impact than they did the last time.

The downside of this is the physical stuff. Yes it's not great but there is an end in sight with only two weeks to go before I can start oestrogen again. As far as testosterone levels going up I am lucky in that I don't have to suppress them anyway. My testosterone levels are suppressed by my medication pump. I suspect that this was not the case I may have far more physical symptoms than I actually do.

Things I've noticed so far are changes to my hair, skin, breasts, oval all body hair just to name a few that I can put my finger on. None of these items have run rampant and are showing only early signs. To give you an example I have noticed an increase in terminal hairs on my face, I have noticed my hair has once again become more oily but only slightly, my skin is no longer slightly dry but more towards what it used to be... So none of these things are at a really bad stage and I doubt that they will get to that stage before I'm able to take some more oestrogen.

I wanted to say that whilst stopping HRT does in fact... Suck!!!. It is not as bad as I anticipated. I am going to be okay and so will you. ;) ;D


Take care
Liz

thanks for that thats good to know.. XD

Liz,
   So excited for you and proud of you for doing what you did to get here. The adventure is about to begin. I hope it is easy for you. When I look back at my time, well it was one of the most special times of my life. I am so glad I took it all in as it was happening. I don't even think of any of the discomfort as I look back. Things like @Rachel and @Laurie visiting me and getting flowers from friends, those are the emotional things I really appreciate. Of course, the transformation was amazing in its impact on my life. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Good luck Sweetie and look forward to cheering you on.
Moni

LIZ!!  I share your excitement, I get to share it over and over on the forums here but with some people it's more so.

I know how you feel about telling someone in your family about the upcoming surgery. I tend to withhold any issues with myself until it's all done and over. I hate when a big deal is made out of it, stirring up "what if's". Your wife is right, this is one to share ahead, I still don't know if I would. I think Lori would do it for me when I 'forgot' :P

Anyways, just sticking my head in while I await incoming emails. I think it's broken, I haven't been getting any ........

Faith

Just getting caught up, Liz. Being off the oestrogen has got to suck. Preparing your mind for the effects was a wise move. You are almost into single digits on your countdown to the big day. Have a great time with Cindy and Nicole tomorrow, tell them i said Hi.

Looking forward to seeing more of your updates.

Hugs,
Jayne

Quote from: HappyMoni on November 21, 2018, 04:59:26 AM
Liz,
   So excited for you and proud of you for doing what you did to get here. The adventure is about to begin. I hope it is easy for you. When I look back at my time, well it was one of the most special times of my life. I am so glad I took it all in as it was happening. I don't even think of any of the discomfort as I look back. Things like @Rachel and @Laurie visiting me and getting flowers from friends, those are the emotional things I really appreciate. Of course, the transformation was amazing in its impact on my life. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Good luck Sweetie and look forward to cheering you on.
Moni

Hi Moni

I do think you are right, everything up until recently has really been prep for the "finale" which for me will mark the end of one part of my life and the "new" start I have  wanted. It became apparent that for me there was no choice about surgery it was the natural progression for me. Despite being full of doubts when I booked my surgery I have over the last 18months come to understand so much more about myself and how I survived to 50.

I can well imagine that in 12 months much of the way I am feeling now, will be forgotten....I still have the occasional thoughts questioning what and why I am doing this...interestingly the conversation has become very straight forward as I finally now have the answers to those questions...I also realise now that the only person that does have the answers to those difficult questions is...ME!!!

Thanks for the kind words of support...each and every one of you makes a difference in my life.

Take care

Liz

Quote from: Faith on November 21, 2018, 07:10:03 AM
LIZ!!  I share your excitement, I get to share it over and over on the forums here but with some people it's more so.

I know how you feel about telling someone in your family about the upcoming surgery. I tend to withhold any issues with myself until it's all done and over. I hate when a big deal is made out of it, stirring up "what if's". Your wife is right, this is one to share ahead, I still don't know if I would. I think Lori would do it for me when I 'forgot' :P

Anyways, just sticking my head in while I await incoming emails. I think it's broken, I haven't been getting any ........

Faith

Hi Faith
I had wanted to get through my surgery without involving my family at all. I especially didn't want my Parents knowing as I have no doubt they would "judge" me for the decision...one of the few things my Mother did say to me the day I came out to her is that "I would not need the surgery"....I was too "old" and "wasn't like those who needed the surgery".

Telling them directly would be a big mistake in my book and just opening myself up for an argument I do not wish to have. So I will tell my second to oldest brother who out of all of them is probably the closest to Meryl and since this is about her and not me then I will speak to Chris. He is the CEO of an international company and is well versed in trans issues from a business as well as personal point of view and has also been like my older brother a pragmatic and loyal supporter even in the face of bigotry from my parents. He refuses to let such a small thing as gender get in the way of his family relationships. This is the guy I am going to tell...he will be able to keep it too himself until told otherwise. I am trusting of how he will handle this and I won't be giving him enough time to "do" anything anyway. I will keep you updated as the week goes along


Take care


Liz

Quote from: Jayne01 on November 21, 2018, 07:50:00 AM
Just getting caught up, Liz. Being off the oestrogen has got to suck. Preparing your mind for the effects was a wise move. You are almost into single digits on your countdown to the big day. Have a great time with Cindy and Nicole tomorrow, tell them i said Hi.

Looking forward to seeing more of your updates.

Hugs,
Jayne

Hi Jayne

Yes being off Oestrogen does in fact suck but I was mentally prepared for it and knew that my GD was likely to kick off and give me hard time. Yes it has done that but I am in such a good place, that managing this temporary Oestrogen drop is not that difficult and it has only had minor effects on me.

Its really crazy that the one time when surgeons need their patients to be "on top of their game" and feeling the fittest both physically and mentally they can be, they want to take away arguably the most important catalyst for physical change and good mental health that most trans people experience during transition. There is no science behind the stopping of HRT(with the exception of oral HRT) and it feels like it is simply another "Hoop" to jump through...the last one for me. After GCS I will not be jumping through any hoops for anyone anymore....maybe with the exception of Meryl and Oscar LOL

Take care

Liz

Day 11 Begins

Better nights sleep, Got about 5 hours which is about average for me. I was forced up about 5am with the need to move my body especially my hips.

I don't have much else planned today except my catch-up at some point with the other Ladies. No walking today...it is a rest day...grumble grumble  ;D

I am still thinking about how and what to tell my brother...I don't really know but he has a Birthday coming up next Thursday and I have always called him on this day. That seems like the best time to ask but I have to say I feel a bit weird about ringing him up to wish him Happy Birthday to then drop my impending GCS on him...anyway I could throw it casually into the conversation because I have no doubt he will ask when my hip will be done or some other open ended question that I can tell him about it. The alternative is just to contact him today and say I want to talk and take it from there....hmmmmmmm  ??? :D

I am going to take a cab from the airport to Knox Hospital which takes about 40 minutes as opposed the alternative of about 2 hrs by public transport. I like the idea of a 40 minute ride even though it will be really expensive. I will have approximately 4 hours from the time I land till I have to stop eating solid food and leave the airport for Knox Hospital. My plan is to stop somewhere (maybe even the airport) and have a meal or a celebratory brunch...Having a look at the Knox Hospital site there are all the typical fast food outlets around the area but if this is going to be my last proper food for a week I want it to be a nice one!!

Thats all for now

Liz

DAY 11


Slept till 6 am this morning which is good for me, 6 hours straight! Had groceries arriving this morning between 7am and 10am so could not go for my walk until they were delivered..instead I talked turkey dinners with Laurie and surfed my Facebook. Groceries arrived at about 9:30am of course LOL Off for my walk back 50 minutes later feeling much better.

I awoke this morning with excitement butterflies in my stomach(that is a first) and the realisation of just how close things are. I actually said to Laurie it felt too soon but as I explained, what I really mean is that for so long surgery is this impossible dream, away,                                                                                                        far off in the distance and then suddenly its here, now, next week...so as part of the excitement or because of it, I got slapped with the reality stick... which has left me excited to be moving forward to the next part of my transition.


No further thoughts on the talking to my brother. Nicole came over yesterday for coffee and we had a great afternoon. Meryl sat with us for the afternoon which was really surprising. It is the first time she has ever sat in when someone has come to visit. @Nicole you made an impression!! I think Meryl also realised that me speaking to my brother was no simple task and came with a certain angst on my part. I have the next few days to work it out and will probably try and speak to him on Sunday....

Went for my walk today and did my 5 ks I can tell that there has definitely been a change in my hips functioning...Normally around the 2/2.5 km mark I get the endorphins kicking in and become quite comfortable as long as I stay in a rhythm...its weigh in day tomorrow, after my walk and hopefully I have maintained my sub 30 BMI I only have next week to worry about. At this point weight and fitness don't seem to be an issue, keeping my hip in a viable condition is a bigger priority. I am grateful that it has lasted as long as it has...I always knew it was going to be a sketchy proposition getting my hip to stay viable for the lead up to GCS. I am still confident that I can manage the remaining 4 workouts left before I pack up for Melbourne.... ;) I even have a countdown for my workouts LOL

Feeling good, feeling healthy, feeling positive.... :laugh:

Take care

Liz

@LizK
Dear Liz: 
Your recent updates and continued countdown definitely show your resolve and determination to do what you feel that you must do.  Yes, butterflies and uncertainty, and perhaps some fear will always rear it's head but continue to be strong and think positive thoughts.

I really like your last statements in your update:
;) I even have a countdown for my workouts LOL

Feeling good, feeling healthy, feeling positive.... :laugh:

Thank you for keeping us all tuned into your exciting life events...
Hugs,
Danielle

Quote from: LizK on November 22, 2018, 11:06:21 PM
DAY 11

Feeling good, feeling healthy, feeling positive.... :laugh:

Take care

Liz

This is wonderful Liz!

Another good solid 5 hours sleep last night. Today was the last day I will go walking on a Saturday before my surgery. In fact, next Friday will be my last official weigh in and exercise prep for my surgery. This leaves me only three workouts to complete. It seems such a long time ago I was at 106KG and I had to lose 16 Kgs...it was about 18months ago. I spent the time on my walk this morning thinking about how and what I was going to say to my brother...as soon as I got in from my walk I sent him a message asking if we can talk...he has a really high powered job and is constantly in demand 7 days a week so I sent him a txt and he said he would call me today...actually I expected him to have rung already but so far he hasn't.

I decided, that when speaking with my older brother I would try and keep to generalities and just explain to him why I have called and what I want him to know. I can't imagine he will want to know that many of the details. I can't do much except wait, hopefully tomorrow I will be able to describe how the phone call went.

Well I am officially nervous!! yes excited...looking forward to getting on with it, in a hurry up I am sick of waiting kind of way...maybe I should try being less impatient...

Thankyou Jessica and Danielle for the kind words and encouragement....I would have used a "mention" but mine won't work anymore :'( thanks for your comments :)

Feeling Good, Feeling Healthy, Feeling Positive.... ;D

Liz

Heya Liz. With you current attitude and approach, I don't foresee any issues for you. You've got this.

Keep smiling
Faith

Terrible night last night up and down half the night. I suspect much of it had to do with the phone call to my older brother. He was really supportive of me and what I am doing and asked pertinent and reasonable questions. We talked fairly extensively about my upcoming surgery and the inevitable conversation about my other brother was had.  Suffice to say that things are worse than I thought with my parents and him..so be it! The ball is in their court.


My Daughter comes over yesterday and shows me her new iPhone x. Nice looking phone and she then hands me her iPhone 7plus and says here Dad you can have this if you want it...I am have an iPhone 6...I was really surprised but so grateful. What a really generous thing for her to do. So I spent last might transferring my data across. There is an issue with the camera on the phone but I can get it to work fine. It needs a new clear face cover and it will be perfect. I am really grateful to her for her generosity.

I have also been doing some prep for Melbourne and a girl needs some new shoes if she is going away, Hence...


(https://i.imgur.com/1WRKrmI.jpg)

First two at normal price and the third one for $1...I now have shoes for Melbourne...I was down to one pair of sandals that had seen better days. So I think I am Okay for shoes...will do some more clothes shopping whilst in Melbourne. ;)
Its weird to be thinking about this surgery in terms of "next week" or a "few days". I don't think it will fully hit me until I am walking out the door to catch my plane Monday week...it is such a momentous occasion for me and still does not seem real in many ways ATM. I am now having these moments of acute nervousness/excitement when I think about my surgery and as the reality of it grows. :D


I keep thinking I am missing something LOL not very rational I know but I have been off HRT for over 3 weeks and I feel, in general, lousy...if it wasn't for this upcoming surgery keeping me on track it would be easy to let the physical discomfort get the better of me. These are such familiar feelings and I hate them, these are what drove me to seek help in the first place. The physical change stuff kicks off my GD and then I have to deal with that, which I am more than equipped to do but it still makes for an unnecessary crappy time...enough of that as I could go on and on and on..... ;D

I have a very quiet week ahead...I will catch up with the walking wounded sometime during the week. I know Nicole is pretty busy but you never know, she might find some time to join us with any luck. Other than that as far as I am aware everything is in place...I actually think I have even completed all my purchases...it feels like all I have done for the last month is spend large sums of money LOL even that's done!!


Feeling Good, Feeling Healthy, Feeling Positive... :laugh:

Liz

Quote from: Faith on November 24, 2018, 06:26:26 AM
Heya Liz. With you current attitude and approach, I don't foresee any issues for you. You've got this.

Keep smiling
Faith

Thank you faith I appreciate your support.

Liz

Squeeee! Liz! The countdown has started! 9 days to go. So happy for you!

I fully understand not sleeping well... I am 143 days away and even I have had a night without sleep about it...

You got this! I am sure you have everything packed and arranged!

Please take good care of you the next few days! Hope you can catch up some sleep!

Hugs,

Sarah

Quote from: sarah1972 on November 24, 2018, 10:53:31 PM
Squeeee! Liz! The countdown has started! 9 days to go. So happy for you!

I fully understand not sleeping well... I am 143 days away and even I have had a night without sleep about it...

You got this! I am sure you have everything packed and arranged!

Please take good care of you the next few days! Hope you can catch up some sleep!

Hugs,

Sarah

Thank Sarah

Not long for you either...you getting excited about it yet??..it has taken me quite awhile to become excited...Meryl and I were discussing packing today and discovered we need new suitcases so its off to get some tomorrow. But apart form that I think I am pretty right...I will probably do a test pack over the weekend to ensure I can get everything in that I want....I have had lots of great advice on what to take and I am open to more if someone has it to give LOL


I don't intend to do too much but enough to keep my weight where I want it and avoid getting sick LOL


Take care

Liz

I am usually not someone giving advise , but this one has to be. It also applies to dilators....

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181125/3958cca1dbb2709d2cb3052e67334a6c.jpg)

Quote from: LizK on November 24, 2018, 05:42:03 PM

9 Days

I have a very quiet week ahead...I will catch up with the walking wounded sometime during the week. I know Nicole is pretty busy but you never know, she might find some time to join us with any luck. Other than that as far as I am aware everything is in place...I actually think I have even completed all my purchases...it feels like all I have done for the last month is spend large sums of money LOL even that's done!!


Feeling Good, Feeling Healthy, Feeling Positive... :laugh:

Liz

Hi Liz,

I have a birthday breakfast with one of my friends hopefully Wednesday morning and my hair done on Thursday morning, should be able to slip out at other times workload allowing [emoji16].

Nice update Liz, it's good you are feeling good [emoji16]

Nicole

Quote from: Nicole70 on November 25, 2018, 06:42:39 PM
Hi Liz,

I have a birthday breakfast with one of my friends hopefully Wednesday morning and my hair done on Thursday morning, should be able to slip out at other times workload allowing [emoji16].

Nice update Liz, it's good you are feeling good [emoji16]

Nicole

Hi Nicole

Great, would love to catch up if it works out. I have been busy all day with the mundane stuff of life buit will send you a txt when we have worked out what we are doing..

Take care
Liz

Liz, I'm glad to hear you are ready with a week to go.  A calm, quiet period before the hospital stay is a blessing. Enjoy!

Up and out for a walk after about 5 hours sleep. I was really lacking the motivation to go today but got myself out the door by 6:10am and completed my 5ks. Came home grabbed the dog and walked him about a 1km which was enough then back home to have some breakfast.

No decent coffee this morning I turned on our coffee machine and got smoke pouring out (instead of frothy milk)along with an acrid burnt smell...RIP the coffee Machine...its only 3.5years old but I would have to say its probably made somewhere around 9000 cups of coffee. That is probably a pretty good effort by that little machine...Meryl is going to pick up another one for us today. Most likely the basic version but at least we will be able to make decent coffee again.

So after a terrible cup of instant coffee and breakfast I got into the house cleaning and have just finished those chores now. I am about to have some "lunch" and chill for the rest of the day.

Tomorrow I will go get the new suitcases as I have to go get my scrip filled for the bowel prep...apart from that I will be keeping a low profile and out of harms way.

It felt great to be walking my last Monday prior to surgery, with only another 2 workouts before the final weigh in on Saturday. I am hoping to return to walking sometime in January in prep for my hip op in March/April. IMy hip is fine if I can keep it moving in a straight line but when it rotates either left or right it cause me distress...in fact for the first time ever it literally bought me to tears on Friday night the pain was so intense and lasted for about 2 minutes (instead of the normal 20 to 30 seconds) at maximum level and then slowly subsided over the next 15 minutes....it happened again this morning after getting ready for my shower. Prior to this when I have rotated my hip it has never been as painful as it is now, nor the discomfort lasting as long as it did...I am going to be taking it very easy for my last two walks. Other than this issue with my stupid hip I feel physically fitter than I have for as long as I can remember.


The ongoing physical changes from lack of HRT continue, which include, increased terminal facial hairs, lack of motivation, lack of drive and increasing irritability to name a few... 8) 8)  :) This too shall pass  :laugh:

I have been thinking about my surgery in positive ways trying to banish the negative thoughts that periodically flood my idle mind. I dispel them just a quickly and replace them with positive thoughts about how good this surgery is going to be for me...its going to hurt and be uncomfortable but as @Moni pointed out in one of her posts that will all be soon forgotten. The idea that I am actually having surgery seems strange and fanciful that this is even happening...but its not and it is happening LOL


Feeling Good, Feeling Healthy, Feeling Positive...  :laugh:

Take care

Liz
 

Quote from: Michelle_P on November 25, 2018, 09:45:28 PM
Liz, I'm glad to hear you are ready with a week to go.  A calm, quiet period before the hospital stay is a blessing. Enjoy!

Thank you Michelle

I think you are very right...I would like to go into the weekend with nothing left to do except put my stuff into a suitcase and enjoy the weekend with my family. I will have about 3 hours on Monday morning when I get to Melbourne and that will be my last time being able to please myself for the next 8 days. I intend to have a really nice long leisurely breakfast while I wait for the time to tick up to my admission.


Take care

Liz

Quote from: sarah1972 on November 25, 2018, 03:41:16 PM
I am usually not someone giving advise , but this one has to be. It also applies to dilators....

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181125/3958cca1dbb2709d2cb3052e67334a6c.jpg)

Oh heck...that really made me laugh hard...I didn't see it until I picked up my notifications on Tapatalk...lucky for me we can't buy tasers here...LOL

Thanks for the laugh

Liz

Quote from: LizK on November 25, 2018, 10:15:36 PM
Thank you Michelle

I think you are very right...I would like to go into the weekend with nothing left to do except put my stuff into a suitcase and enjoy the weekend with my family. I will have about 3 hours on Monday morning when I get to Melbourne and that will be my last time being able to please myself for the next 8 days. I intend to have a really nice long leisurely breakfast while I wait for the time to tick up to my admission.

Take care

Liz

@liz K
Dear Liz:
I am certainly enjoying your daily updates and seeing how you are methodically preparing for your big event.
 
You certainly have most everything lined up for a smooth trip to your surgery day... 
...your planned long leisurely breakfast while waiting and anticipating your admission sound like a good thing to do.   

You have a great attitude about all of this...
I am eagerly following every update and am also looking forward to your post surgery updates.

Thank you for keeping all of your followers up to date with your well thought out plans.
Hugs,
Danielle

Marked it on my calendar so will be thinking of you, think I am making up your excitement myself (if you see what I mean) wishing its all straight forward . HUGS and XXXXXXs

Quote from: Alaskan Danielle on November 25, 2018, 11:56:18 PM
@liz K
Dear Liz:
I am certainly enjoying your daily updates and seeing how you are methodically preparing for your big event.
 
You certainly have most everything lined up for a smooth trip to your surgery day... 
...your planned long leisurely breakfast while waiting and anticipating your admission sound like a good thing to do.   

You have a great attitude about all of this...
I am eagerly following every update and am also looking forward to your post surgery updates.

Thank you for keeping all of your followers up to date with your well thought out plans.
Hugs,
Danielle

I am getting wound up now...lord knows what I will be like by Monday!!! So for me I think it is important to try and reduce the amount of self induced stress. I can feel my irritability increasing each day. I am not sure if that is due to lack of HRT or nerves or a combination of both. I am trying to keep this week as low key as possible....thanks for the kind words

Quote from: davina61 on November 26, 2018, 04:22:07 AM
Marked it on my calendar so will be thinking of you, think I am making up your excitement myself (if you see what I mean) wishing its all straight forward . HUGS and XXXXXXs

I unbderstand what you mean perfectly and thank you Davina for the support. II really appreciate it  :)

Its actually 6 days till I leave for Melbourne...excited!!!....maybe just a little bit ;)

Had a short night last with my hip driving me out of bed at 4am...I managed to doze for nearly another hour but by 5am my day had begun. I have been looking around social media sites since then.

Meryl went hunting for a coffee machine on her way home from work last night and between her being on the ground and me on the internet we scored a replacement model coffee machine for the same price as a new basic model. They had limited stock of this slighly older model (same as what we just blew up) Nespresso Lattissima for $279...normal retail $5-600. Works a treat!!

Not much on today. Organise some suitcases that a friend has offered to lend me, catch up for a coffee and chat. I might go and get my script filled for the bowel prep and the antibiotics. Even that is not urgent as I am sure I will be over at the chemists again before I go...I probably need to think about doing a packing list so I don't forget any of the creature comforts I want to take with me...


I am generally feeling physically flat but ok. I need to watch my hydration as I suspect it has not been up to scratch over the last week. I know I will be back on HRT next week so that will certainly alleviate some of the physical stuff  but that also won't be an instant fix and will take a good few days for the levels to rise and reverse the physical stuff...so be it.


I am creating a texting group which includes not only my family but a few friends some of whom are on this board. This group will be the one that Meryl will text updates of my progress until I can do it myself on probably Wednesday or Thursday depending on when I get out of ICU. Not much else to say today...if anything exciting happens I will be sure to jump on and tell you all...its Tuesday already this week is flying along. I had all these things in my head I wanted to to do before I left for Melbourne that I still may get to but I don't feel the urgency to do any of it.


Until the next update..

Take care

Liz

Quote from: LizK on November 26, 2018, 03:19:16 PM

7 Days

Its actually 6 days till I leave for Melbourne...excited!!!....maybe just a little bit ;)

Had a short night last with my hip driving me out of bed at 4am...I managed to doze for nearly another hour but by 5am my day had begun. I have been looking around social media sites since then.

Meryl went hunting for a coffee machine on her way home from work last night and between her being on the ground and me on the internet we scored a replacement model coffee machine for the same price as a new basic model. They had limited stock of this slighly older model (same as what we just blew up) Nespresso Lattissima for $279...normal retail $5-600. Works a treat!!

Not much on today. Organise some suitcases that a friend has offered to lend me, catch up for a coffee and chat. I might go and get my script filled for the bowel prep and the antibiotics. Even that is not urgent as I am sure I will be over at the chemists again before I go...I probably need to think about doing a packing list so I don't forget any of the creature comforts I want to take with me...


I am generally feeling physically flat but ok. I need to watch my hydration as I suspect it has not been up to scratch over the last week. I know I will be back on HRT next week so that will certainly alleviate some of the physical stuff  but that also won't be an instant fix and will take a good few days for the levels to rise and reverse the physical stuff...so be it.


I am creating a texting group which includes not only my family but a few friends some of whom are on this board. This group will be the one that Meryl will text updates of my progress until I can do it myself on probably Wednesday or Thursday depending on when I get out of ICU. Not much else to say today...if anything exciting happens I will be sure to jump on and tell you all...its Tuesday already this week is flying along. I had all these things in my head I wanted to to do before I left for Melbourne that I still may get to but I don't feel the urgency to do any of it.


Until the next update..

Take care

Liz

Hi Liz,
             the atmosphere is electric with anticipation. So fantastic to have your story to read as a budding transwoman myself - thanks so much for putting it out there.

I think about your current life everyday and I hope I can make it there too.

My thoughts are with you.

Sending hugs and best wishes through the ether,

                                                                       Kirsten. x

Hi Kirsten

Thank you for the support. I have put my story out there for the reason that I had difficulty finding any recently documented  Aussie girls journey but I guess in the whole scheme of things there are not that many of us...I know when you are on this board it seems like we are abundant but the reality is we are rare. 

I hope that someone gets some benefit from this even if its only ..."OH gee I am feeling the same way...so its nothing to panic about" I have accomplished what I set out to do and that is to have at least an impact on one person and help them through a tough time. I hope I can provide some useful information as well as insight for those coming along behind me.  ;D

Take care

Liz

Slept Ok last night, about 4.5 hrs and was up by 5am this morning. Off for my walk after a real battle with motivation but I did my 5ks and headed home where Meryl was getting ready to go to work. Will spend this afternoon taking it easy. Tomorrow is mow the lawn day as io am not walking.

Picked up my suitcases...the bright pink one was assigned to me  ;D..not gonna lose that one in a hurry. The pink one was the larger of the two and she seemed to think I need more room...huh ...the cheek of her. To be honest I probably will fill it LOL


Two thing happened this afternoon of interest. The first being I got a call from an old work colleague I knew when I was nursing. She is a nurse trainer and is putting together the subject materiels for the courses she teaches...could I help out on an ongoing basis with my knowledge of Trans stuff? We talked generally for about 2 hours touching on all sorts of stuff. She has aked me to write my upcomming         experiences of being nursed as a trans patient and she will contact me after xmass to do a podcast interview with me as part of this, along with written questions she wants me to answer.

I received the enivetable TXT from my Father wanting to Skype...how coincidental that I spoke to my older brother the other day. I have not responded to him and I don't want to respond to him. I was just going to ignore it like it never happened. I don't want to be going into surgery feeling upset and cosumed with anger for them. I do not want to spend any more time on this but I just can't ignore it as it won't just go away....for the moment I am going to ignore it.

Did I say that coming off HRT sucks...  :laugh: not sure if I mentioned it or not :laugh:.....As I said to Cindy yesterday "At the time when you need to be on top of your game physicall and mentally they make you stop one of the things that helps you to be yourself. Go Figure....


Take care

Liz

What happened to "Feeling Good, Feeling Healthy, Feeling Positive..."
I kinda like that from you.

Hugs and smiles, Jess

@LizK           cc: @Jessica
Dear Liz:
I am with Jess, what did happen to your great statement? ???

"Feeling Good, Feeling Healthy, Feeling Positive..."

Please, think positive thoughts... you are on a very exciting part of your exciting journey.   
You have so very much to be thankful for.

Hugs, and well wishes,
Danielle

Quote from: Jessica on November 27, 2018, 10:50:16 PM
What happened to "Feeling Good, Feeling Healthy, Feeling Positive..."
I kinda like that from you.

Hugs and smiles, Jess

Quote from: Alaskan Danielle on November 27, 2018, 11:11:33 PM
@LizK           cc: @Jessica
Dear Liz:
I am with Jess, what did happen to your great statement? ???

"Feeling Good, Feeling Healthy, Feeling Positive..."

Please, think positive thoughts... you are on a very exciting part of your exciting journey.   
You have so very much to be thankful for.

Hugs, and well wishes,
Danielle

Ladies what can I say its been one of those days and leaving the line out is more indicative of my day than you would believe

I am feeling all of those things you ask, however I have been totally distracted today and I will tell you girls a story if you promise not to tell anyone else.  ;) LOL

Off I go for my walk this morning, thinking about next week, along with several other things. I arrive at my local park and set off at my usual ambling pace. Setting the music going, I get about 20 foot only and I am having difficulty getting the car key into the small pocket of my 3/4 exercise leggings. Irritated I look down, noticing for the first time something doesn't quite look right...actually for that matter, something doesn't feel right...where is that darn pocket...what?? its on the left...at the back????OH NO..... I look down and realise as I am looking, not only do I have my leggings on inside out, but they are back to front as well...I skulked back to the car and swapped them in for the right way round.

That little story is indicative of my day :)...I have been very distracted and simply forgot, so will fix it here


Feeling Good, Feeling Healthy, Feeling Positive, Feeling Ditzy..... :laugh:

Take care

Liz

Quote from: LizK on November 24, 2018, 05:42:03 PM
Terrible night last night up and down half the night. I suspect much of it had to do with the phone call to my older brother. He was really supportive of me and what I am doing and asked pertinent and reasonable questions.

What a relief! So many wonderful coming out stories here at Susan's of people responding in surprising AND marvelous ways.
Thanks, Liz, for contributing to people's hopeful expectations.

Quote
talked fairly extensively about my upcoming surgery and the inevitable conversation about my other brother was had.  Suffice to say that things are worse than I thought with my parents and him..so be it! The ball is in their court.

I think it's so essential for people to recognize that how others respond says more about the other people than anything else. Brava for you! I hope it is easy for you to hold onto that belief, and refuse to be judged by people who don't share your values.

Quote
Its weird to be thinking about this surgery in terms of "next week" or a "few days". I don't think it will fully hit me until I am walking out the door to catch my plane Monday week...it is such a momentous occasion for me and still does not seem real in many ways ATM. I am now having these moments of acute nervousness/excitement when I think about my surgery and as the reality of it grows. :D
I've been loving feeling the contagiousness of your consistent enthusiasm. My heart speeds up as I put myself in your shoes. Or sandals. I love seeing the reality growing you.

Quote
I keep thinking I am missing something LOL not very rational I know but I have been off HRT for over 3 weeks and I feel, in general, lousy...if it wasn't for this upcoming surgery keeping me on track it would be easy to let the physical discomfort get the better of me. These are such familiar feelings and I hate them, these are what drove me to seek help in the first place. The physical change stuff kicks off my GD and then I have to deal with that, which I am more than equipped to do but it still makes for an unnecessary crappy time...enough of that as I could go on and on and on..... ;D

What a marvelous perspective! Fantastic that your anticipation can distract you from the unpleasantries of being off HRT. How nice that being off HRT happens to reinforce your clarity that the upcoming surgery is right.

Quote
Feeling Good, Feeling Healthy, Feeling Positive... :laugh:

:cheering: with you!

Quote from: LizK on November 27, 2018, 10:19:25 PM
Two thing happened this afternoon of interest. The first being I got a call from an old work colleague I knew when I was nursing. She is a nurse trainer and is putting together the subject materiels for the courses she teaches...could I help out on an ongoing basis with my knowledge of Trans stuff? We talked generally for about 2 hours touching on all sorts of stuff.

Very cool!

Quote
She has aked me to write my upcomming         experiences of being nursed as a trans patient and she will contact me after xmass to do a podcast interview with me as part of this, along with written questions she wants me to answer.

Double cool!

Quote
I received the enivetable TXT from my Father wanting to Skype...how coincidental that I spoke to my older brother the other day. I have not responded to him and I don't want to respond to him. I was just going to ignore it like it never happened. I don't want to be going into surgery feeling upset and cosumed with anger for them. I do not want to spend any more time on this but I just can't ignore it as it won't just go away....for the moment I am going to ignore it.

Sounds like a wise choice to me. Choose your battles? Rank your priorities? Save your energy?

Quote from: Moonflower on November 28, 2018, 03:23:16 PM


....Sounds like a wise choice to me. Choose your battles? Rank your priorities? Save your energy?

You got it perfectly...Picking my battles and saving my energy is where I am at the moment. thanks for you support I appreciate it


take care

Liz

The focus is what is right for you right now. Don't let any crap get in your way. Hey, this is a wonderful, happy moment for you. You only get one like this, enjoy the hell out of it. Hugs!
Moni

Don't tell Liz but I intend catching up with her tomorrow and will give her a good kicking hug from everyone.

Quote from: Cindy on November 28, 2018, 10:18:00 PM
Don't tell Liz but I intend catching up with her tomorrow and will give her a good kicking hug from everyone.

@Cindy

Please be certain to include me in "everyone" when you give Liz a "good hug"

Danielle

@Cindy

Quote from: Cindy on November 28, 2018, 10:18:00 PM
Don't tell Liz but I intend catching up with her tomorrow and will give her a good kicking hug from everyone.

Give her two from me.  She deserves it!

Had a lousy night last night and was up at 4am again this morning. Prior to that I had been up and down on the hour all night...My hip was the main driver and has left me pretty Tired


Call from Knox hospital to remind me that I have a $500 excess due for payment on Monday when I arrive(Thanks for that  ;) ). I told her no problem. The interaction was less than a minute...About an hour later as I am pushing the lawn mower around the back lawn after using the trimmer to trim the edges etc my phone goes and its the Anaesthetist from Knox wanting to chat to me about Tuesday. He was a nice guy and we went through all the standard stuff plus my medication pump and he will speak to me again on Tuesday when he knocks me out. The anaesthetist seems to think he may have some compliance issues with the nursing staff over the levels of pain medication I may require. I am not overly worried about the ICU at this stage as I am supposed to see the pain management Dr on Monday afternoon and we will work out any potential issues at that point. 


I didn't cave into my Father's request for a skype but I didn't say no either. I told him I was pretty busy for the next "little while" and I would get back to him...this takes the immeadiate pressure off me and I now have time to think about what my final response will be. I have not quantified the time line so if he really does know about my surgery he will make a concerted effort to get to me before Monday. We will see... I don't know if that's being a coward but I have other things to deal with at the moment.


As I said earlier I mowed the lawns and cleaned up the outside of the house for the last time in a long time. They look really good now and I managed to only wrench my hip twice...so that was a bonus  :laugh:


This GCS is really beginning to feel very real and despite being distracted, tired and irritable I am still enjoying this run up to my surgery and trying to adjust my brain to the idea that I will be missing that nasty little appendage by this time next week and will have gained my self a cute new vagina ...I should stop moaning and be greatful...at least I got my pants on the right way today LOL always a bonus.


Okay so made it through another uneventful day...Tomorrow is pick up the antibiotics and bowel prep final walk and weigh in, seriously consider how I am going to get 50kgs into 23kgs..Hmmmm will have to think about that one.


Feeling Good, Feeling Healthy, Feeling Positive, Feeling Ditzy.....   :laugh:

Look out Melbourne

Take care

Liz

Liz!  You're almost there.  Wish I could be there with you, definitely thinking of you and excited for you.  You have prepared so well for v-day.  I hope you can get more rest.  And relax! 

Quote from: HappyMoni on November 28, 2018, 09:08:19 PM
The focus is what is right for you right now. Don't let any crap get in your way. Hey, this is a wonderful, happy moment for you. You only get one like this, enjoy the hell out of it. Hugs!
Moni

Moni
You make a really good point...I will only get to do this once and I should enjoy it. I am starting to now as I realise now that everything that can be organised is organised, everything is paid for, I am hovering around my goal weight and that will not be an issue. Many many different things have all had to align in order for me to have this surgery and as far as I can tell they have done just that...aligned so enjoy it I will. I am not going to let anyone rain on my parade !!

Quote from: Cindy on November 28, 2018, 10:18:00 PM
Don't tell Liz but I intend catching up with her tomorrow and will give her a good kicking hug from everyone.

I sooner the Hug  ;) LOL you are of course welcome anytime.

Quote from: Alaskan Danielle on November 28, 2018, 10:23:43 PM
@Cindy

Please be certain to include me in "everyone" when you give Liz a "good hug"

Danielle

Thank you Danielle I really appreciate you well thought out thoughtful replies to me. Thank you for the Hug

Quote from: Jessica on November 28, 2018, 10:24:20 PM
@Cindy

Give her two from me.  She deserves it!

Oh Jessica how are you? I hope things went well with your voice. I am sorry I have been a little distracted these last few days.  Thank you for the hug I always appreciate your timely advice as well. Thank you for the hugs

Quote from: Kendra on November 28, 2018, 10:40:07 PM
Liz!  You're almost there.  Wish I could be there with you, definitely thinking of you and excited for you.  You have prepared so well for v-day.  I hope you can get more rest.  And relax! 

Thanks Kendra I really appreciate you stopping by. The excitement levels are rising and there is a deep feeling of satisfaction knowing its all completely on track. It is so close know I keep getting little shivers just thinking about it

Thanks to each and every one of you for being part of my support network through to this surgery and beyond.

Take care

Liz

Quote from: LizK on November 28, 2018, 10:27:03 PM
I didn't cave into my Father's request for a skype... I don't know if that's being a coward but I have other things to deal with at the moment.

Not a coward. Prioritizing! Save your energy. You'll connect with him later.

Quote
Feeling Good, Feeling Healthy, Feeling Positive, Feeling Ditzy.....   :laugh:

Marvelous! Let it happen!

Hi Liz, I'm doing pretty good, I'm on my forth day of silence with only one mistake saying good morning to my son.  No pain at all.  Had a couple of giggles come out after reading @Steph2.0 thread, I need to read more banal material or the political news here, but then I would want to scream, so nix that idea.....

The clock is winding down for you girl!
Remember to feel good, feel healthy, feel positive and embrace the ditz!

Hugs and smiles from a California girl

Quote from: Jessica on November 29, 2018, 11:00:48 AM
Hi Liz, I'm doing pretty good, I'm on my forth day of silence with only one mistake saying good morning to my son.  No pain at all.  Had a couple of giggles come out after reading @Steph2.0 thread, I need to read more banal material or the political news here, but then I would want to scream, so nix that idea.....

The clock is winding down for you girl!
Remember to feel good, feel healthy, feel positive and embrace the ditz!

Hugs and smiles from a California girl

@Jessica
Dear Jess: 
I am so very glad that your recovery is going well for you.
Yes, it would be difficult for me to "remember" to be quiet... I hope that the inadvertant greeting of "hello" too your son was not painful or caused any issues with your recovery.   I love to talk as is evident from my plethoa of posting on the forums so I would have to have my mouth taped up with Duct Tape to keep me quiet.
Hugs and wishing you a speedy recovery.
Danielle

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
@LizK
Dear Liz:
Ditto to Jess's remarks that she made to you... 

The clock is winding down for you girl!
Remember to feel good, feel healthy, feel positive and embrace the ditz!

All of your followers are eagerly following this important part of your "journey" ...
please, as you feel so led, keep us all updated as you have time.   Pictures might be nice too !!!

Many hugs for YOU and as always I am wishing you well,
Danielle

Just a quick update and I will respond to the posts a bit later.

Feeling really nostalgic...it was over 2 years ago when I first started my walks...I was 115 kgs took me nearly an hour to do 3ks...it now takes about 40 mins to do 5ks...and I am about 90kgs.

I spent many hours thinking and visualising this mornings final walk before my surgery. It feels really weird to know that this is it...I am as prepared as I can be

Thankyou Jess and Danielle for you kind words of support. I will respond in more detail later this morning or today

EDIT: Feeling Good, Feeling Healthy, Feeling Positive, Feeling Ditzy.....   (for Danielle :) )

Take care

Liz


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Quote from: LizK on November 29, 2018, 01:51:34 PM
Just a quick update and I will respond to the posts a bit later.

Feeling really nostalgic...it was over 2 years ago when I first started my walks...I was 115 kgs took me nearly an hour to do 3ks...it now takes about 40 mins to do 5ks...and I am about 90kgs.

I spent many hours thinking and visualising this mornings final walk before my surgery. It feels really weird to know that this is it...I am as prepared as I can be

Thankyou Jess and Danielle for you kind words of support. I will respond in more detail later this morning or today

Take care
Liz

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

@liz K
Dear Liz:
As you are busy today doing what you must do...
....please remember to adhere to your self described personal mantra...
 
    "Feel good, feel healthy, feel positive and embrace the ditz!"

I will be reminding you of this frequently when I reply to your posts!!!
Hugs,
Danielle

Quote from: Alaskan Danielle on November 29, 2018, 02:02:51 PM
@liz K
Dear Liz:
As you are busy today doing what you must do...
....please remember to adhere to your self described personal mantra...
 
    "Feel good, feel healthy, feel positive and embrace the ditz!"

I will be reminding you of this frequently when I reply to your posts!!!
Hugs,
Danielle

Hi Danielle you will have to forgive me as that post was 6am this morning and my brain was not fully engaged. I have edited my post to reflect my positive thoughts...thanks for the reminder ;)

Take care

Feeling Good, Feeling Healthy, Feeling Positive, Feeling Ditzy..... 

Liz :laugh:

Quote from: Jessica on November 29, 2018, 11:00:48 AM
Hi Liz, I'm doing pretty good, I'm on my forth day of silence with only one mistake saying good morning to my son.  No pain at all.  Had a couple of giggles come out after reading @Steph2.0 thread, I need to read more banal material or the political news here, but then I would want to scream, so nix that idea.....

The clock is winding down for you girl!
Remember to feel good, feel healthy, feel positive and embrace the ditz!

Hugs and smiles from a California girl

Hi Jessica

I am so glad you are on the mend...1 slip up is not so bad and it sounds like you haven't done any damage so all is good. How much longer do you need to be silent? I have my voice surgery on the 1st of February and have to be quiet for 3 days and I am not looking forward to that part but like all of these surgeries its not the recovery I am looking forward too but the end result. I understand yours was not one of those surgeries but more a medical issue.

Yes you are right its all very soon...my excitement is rising incrementally as the day gets closer  and I remain

Feeling Good, Feeling Healthy, Feeling Positive, Feeling Ditzy.....  ;D 

Take care

4 Days

Slightly better sleep last night up once and then back to bed. I woke au at 4:30 freezing cold sitting on the side of the bed...been sleepwalking again. Probably just went to the Kitchen and back but as usual I don't get back into bed  but tend to just sit on the side. This is usually when I have been woken by hip pain...this is something the hospitals need to be aware of. I am not sure if it qualifies as proper sleep walking but it is not something I have any control over. It would happen a couple of times a week...Meryl says that I quite often will swing my feet onto the floor and never go any further anyway we will see.

Finished off the last of my shopping today and have yet to pick up my scripts which I will do tomorrow. Apart from that I have only to pack.

Last walk this morning and I completed it in the 45 Minutes, 5ks average pace of about 9 minute KM. As I began the final stretch directly towards my finish point and one of my all timer favourite songs began to play...one that I have used to motivate me for a long time so it was very fitting.

These lyrics in particular

"This is my fight song
Take back my life song
Prove I'm alright song
My power's turned on
Starting right now I'll be strong
I'll play my fight song
And I don't really care if nobody else believes
'Cause I've still got a lot of fight left in me

A lot of fight left in me"



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eSY8o3oEOY&feature=youtu.be

I was really quite emotional as I finished, realising that after all these months and I actually started this back in early 2016 and lost down to about 92 kgs. Then this whole blow up with my family occurred and I put on all the weight I had lost plus more due to the stress I was feeling. I ended up back in June of this year at the official start weight of 106.3 Kgs and a BMI of 35.6 I finished this morning at 89.5 Kgs and a BMI of 29.6. Here are some of the area's I have lost cm's as well as weight

Weight   16.5   KG Loss
Butt         2.5   cm Loss
waist           17.0   cm Loss
neck             5.5   cm Loss

I will resume walking as soon as Andy says I am able, as I want to keep my weight/fitness under control for my upcoming hip replacement... ;D Where's Laurie (to put Cindy on the fridge) when we need her!!

All in all I am really satisfied with my prep for surgery and as you have heard me say before...

Feeling Good, Feeling Healthy, Feeling Positive, Feeling Ditzy.....  ;D 

Take care

Liz

Quote from: LizK on November 29, 2018, 04:29:14 PM

Hi Jessica

I am so glad you are on the mend...1 slip up is not so bad and it sounds like you haven't done any damage so all is good. How much longer do you need to be silent? I have my voice surgery on the 1st of February and have to be quiet for 3 days and I am not looking forward to that part but like all of these surgeries its not the recovery I am looking forward too but the end result. I understand yours was not one of those surgeries but more a medical issue.

Yes you are right its all very soon...my excitement is rising incrementally as the day gets closer  and I remain

Feeling Good, Feeling Healthy, Feeling Positive, Feeling Ditzy.....  ;D 

Take care

I was told not to talk for 5 days and the following weeks only guarded minimal speech.  The small blurts I've made have not caused a bit of discomfort.  Keep in mind though, this was not voice surgery, but a removal of what they think is HyperKeratosis.  No stitches involved.  Coughing has been my biggest issue, but still no discomfort even from that.

Btw....do you track your mileage when you sleepwalk.  That should count on your totals.  Lol

Tick, tick, tick......

Hugs and smiles from a California girl

Quote from: Jessica on November 29, 2018, 10:24:37 PM

Btw....do you track your mileage when you sleepwalk.  That should count on your totals.  Lol

Tick, tick, tick......

Hugs and smiles from a California girl

I think its only fair that I should

Great to hear you are on the mend


Liz

Didn't sleep to bad last night...the opposite from the previous night and was really warm...we are having some storms come through soon so hopefully will clear the air.

I had a knock on the door from Cindy just as the phone went with Knox Hospital Admissions wanting to go through the admission form. Meryl got coffee organised and chatted with Cindy whilst I sorted out Knox. After about 20 minutes and with my confidence slightly shaken I sat down for coffee with Cindy. She didn't have long but long enough to wish me all the best and give me a gift. Picture below

(https://i.imgur.com/FgkHmvT.jpg) The Note said from Cindy and all the Susans Gang

Thank you Cindy and to all the "Susans Gang" I am looking forward to being able to sit and eat these beautiful chocolates. Meryl received a box and was very touched by the gift, I would say once I am relased from Hospital we will sit and have some nice coffee and sample these wonderful Bracegirdles Chocolates. Thank you to everyone involved I was really touched.


After a getting myself made up and ready this morning I went off to the pharmacy to get my 3 Flagyll and 2 pkts of bowel prep. While the script was filled I went off and bought some bits and pieces I needed  inbcluding a couple a new belts a and a cute top...Back to the pharmacy only to have a nice interaction with the ladies waiting in line..girl chat...The lady went off to get my script and was gone for quite some time and as she approaced the bench I could see there was only one item on the tray...eh sorry...can't fill the flagyll no dosage on the scrip pointing...sure enough no dosage... called Mr Ives rooms and spoke to one of the girls there and she definitely sounded wary when she realised it was me but as soon as I said about the script she relaxed immeadiately, I guess Saturday morning phone calls 3 days out from Surgery are noty always good....I was surprised to get her so I gave the chemist the number and he rang Mr Ives rooms...5 minutes later all I am heading out the door with Flagyl in hand. Great!!

I was packing my Oestrogen Gel pkts today and thinking looking at the litle siler packets how many I will need for the bath tub I am going fill up with Oestrogen Gel and soak in for a week when this is finished...lwho's with me!!

I have one very simple task left to do and that is pack...I have everything I need now and will spend the time I have left with Meryl, My Daughters and my suitcase. I have a list of stuff I am taking which is a pretty good guide...I am not going to need much as I don't expect to be out and about that much after only 1 week. The first week I am not going to really need much at all as I will be nursed in a gown then released in to the wild to fend for myself...ok so not quite the wild...but to the apartment and it will be then that I will begin to need some clothes.


I am in full procrasitnation mode and might just go off and have something to eat...got all afternoon and tomorrow to pack my bag so long as I have everthing ready I will be fine.... Everything is ready...at least I am pretty sure it is.LOL

Feeling Good, Feeling Healthy, Feeling Positive, Feeling Ditzy.....  ;D 

Take Care

Liz

I cannot imagine how you must be feeling right now, but I will be at the same point in early April! It is probably an odd feeling, knowing that in just a few days your body will finally match your mind. My wife and I will be thinking about you, and we wish you all the best!

Love always -- Jessica Rose

Quote from: Jessica_Rose on November 30, 2018, 09:17:03 PM
I cannot imagine how you must be feeling right now, but I will be at the same point in early April! It is probably an odd feeling, knowing that in just a few days your body will finally match your mind. My wife and I will be thinking about you, and we wish you all the best!

Love always -- Jessica Rose

Hi Jessica Rose

It's not so much an odd feeling, as a feeling more akin to "Holy GCS Batgirl"....I don't know what it will feel like nor what to expect but when I allow myself to think of it as being real I get this fleeting kind of excited squirming sensation ...I have thought about all my other surgeries and each one has been to "fix" something that is not working correctly...for this surgery there was nothing wrong with that tissues functionality however after long consideration I do think it can be put to a better purpose...so rather than removing, I am thinking of this as creating something new from something that is "surplus to requirements" LOL  Thank you for your kind words of support.

Feeling Good, Feeling Healthy, Feeling Positive, Feeling a little bit less Ditzy.....  ;D 

Take care

Liz

would quote your comment but not worked out how yet so " to make something new out of something not needed" I totally agree , something that never operated properly for me anyway. Don't forget your lucky nickers when you pack XXXXXXXXXXX

Quote from: davina61 on December 01, 2018, 04:23:32 AM
would quote your comment but not worked out how yet so " to make something new out of something not needed" I totally agree , something that never operated properly for me anyway. Don't forget your lucky nickers when you pack XXXXXXXXXXX

On the top Right of every post is the Insert Quote...just click on that and it will either open a new window with the quoted post or paste the quote directly to where ever your cursor is sitting in the open posting box....


Lucky Knickers...hhmmmmm..yup got a pair I am thinking of...now the first thing in my case


Liz

LIZ!! loving that avatar girlie!!  And took at that countdown :D

Quote from: LizK on December 01, 2018, 04:39:06 AM

On the top Right of every post is the Insert Quote...just click on that and it will either open a new window with the quoted post or paste the quote directly to where ever your cursor is sitting in the open posting box....


Lucky Knickers...hhmmmmm..yup got a pair I am thinking of...now the first thing in my case


Liz

Quote from: Faith on December 01, 2018, 06:05:47 AM
LIZ!! loving that avatar girlie!!  And took at that countdown :D

Glad you like the Pic!! the countdown is all but done and my place is a mess of clothes and bit's and pieces I am taking with me tomorrow.....TOMORROW...can you see that...TOMORROW!!!!!!!!

  I told you yesterday to get those bags packed didn't I?

Quick Update

I had a terrible night last night and up really early this morning. Mostly due to my stupid hip.

I was able to use the time and have sorted out my boarding pass and cleared some room so I can get everything I need to pack in one spot and check I have it all in front of me before I pack. I will write a proper update later after I am done.

Tomorrow TOMORROW eeeeeEEEEEKKKKK!!! :icon_yikes: :icon_yikes: Liz runs(hobbles) shrieking into the  back yard (Benny Hill chase style) ...no that's not true at all...I am experiencing a whole raft of emotions none of which is being helped by my lack of hormones. Its all it a crazy when you think about it....anyway I have plenty to do so better get on and do it...

Feeling Good, Feeling Healthy, Feeling Positive, Feeling Ditzy/Tired.....  ;D 

Take care


Liz

Good luck Liz! You will be a great im-patient. Enjoy what you can of the process and look forward to feeling much better soon.

Sent from my Victor 9000 using Tapatalk

 

Quote from: RandyL on December 01, 2018, 02:44:23 PM
Good luck Liz! You will be a great im-patient. Enjoy what you can of the process and look forward to feeling much better soon.

Sent from my Victor 9000 using Tapatalk

Thanks Randy...funny you should mention impatient...I am always in a hurry to get out of hospitals....I have seen the inside of so many that I have this real aversion that I just can't shake...I need to pull my head in and let the nurse and Drs do their job  ;) :)

Take care

Liz

Quote from: LizK on December 01, 2018, 02:37:45 PM
Quick Update

I had a terrible night last night and up really early this morning. Mostly due to my stupid hip.

I was able to use the time and have sorted out my boarding pass and cleared some room so I can get everything I need to pack in one spot and check I have it all in front of me before I pack. I will write a proper update later after I am done.

Tomorrow TOMORROW eeeeeEEEEEKKKKK!!! :icon_yikes: :icon_yikes: Liz runs(hobbles) shrieking into the  back yard (Benny Hill chase style) ...no that's not true at all...I am experiencing a whole raft of emotions none of which is being helped by my lack of hormones. Its all it a crazy when you think about it....anyway I have plenty to do so better get on and do it...

Feeling Good, Feeling Healthy, Feeling Positive, Feeling Ditzy/Tired.....  ;D 

Take care

Liz

@LizK
Dear Liz:
So sorry that your "stupid hip" resulted in not getting a good rest last night.

You are for certain very busy getting everything prepared for your next adventure, and you have every right to be very excited... and impatient too!!!

We are all rooting for you, please know that we are wishing you well.
Post updates as you have time and feel so led.

Thanks for keeping us posted.
Hugs,
Danielle

well my has time flown. I am blown away.. time for me seems to be slowing down lol..

i love the fight song, i esp like the acoustic version on spotify

https://open.spotify.com/track/5CyWu4wp8Q8pII8RTo6d2d

fight song - acoustic veresion by safari

Quote from: LizK on December 01, 2018, 03:11:08 PM
... I need to pull my head in and let the nurse and Drs do their job  ;) :) ...

I see what you did there

Quote from: Alaskan Danielle on December 01, 2018, 03:12:35 PM
@LizK
Dear Liz:
So sorry that your "stupid hip" resulted in not getting a good rest last night.

You are for certain very busy getting everything prepared for your next adventure, and you have every right to be very excited... and impatient too!!!

We are all rooting for you, please know that we are wishing you well.
Post updates as you have time and feel so led.

Thanks for keeping us posted.
Hugs,
Danielle

I am Sitting here in my "Femme Den" piling up everything I need and everything I think I will need for the next 2 -3 weeks. It is a slow task and easily side-tracked...like now LOL but anyway I digress...thanks foir the support and I had better get on with it...

Take care

Liz

Quote from: Faith on December 01, 2018, 04:03:42 PM
I see what you did there

Nothing gets by some folks... ;D

Quote from: Veronica A on December 01, 2018, 03:28:15 PM
well my has time flown. I am blown away.. time for me seems to be slowing down lol..

i love the fight song, i esp like the acoustic version on spotify

https://open.spotify.com/track/5CyWu4wp8Q8pII8RTo6d2d

fight song - acoustic veresion by safari

Thanks for the link I have not heard the acoustic version before. The song itself probably speaks to most of us in some way and possibly the writer in the same way. 
Take care
Liz

Quote from: LizK on December 01, 2018, 04:13:21 PM
Thanks for the link I have not heard the acoustic version before. The song itself probably speaks to most of us in some way and possibly the writer in the same way. 
Take care
Liz

I have around a dozen or so tracks i listen when i am down and start to struggle..but enough of me..

I am blown away by your courage and strength... I am in awe , and go daily (the last 2 weeks) if liz can! I can!.. and so i soldier on as they say.

i recently ran low and had to drop my spiro dose in half (1 tablet per day) and that hit me like a ton of bricks on day 2 and stayed till i got a new script.. and 1 day after normal dose all back to normal physically..

all the best liz, all the best

Peace to you and yours

have a great day everyone :)

I will try to enjoy working at shania twain concert.

ps i really love her music, now thats a women who has overcome many things..

Quote from: Veronica A on December 01, 2018, 04:30:43 PM
I have around a dozen or so tracks i listen when i am down and start to struggle..but enough of me..

I am blown away by your courage and strength... I am in awe , and go daily (the last 2 weeks) if liz can! I can!.. and so i soldier on as they say.

i recently ran low and had to drop my spiro dose in half (1 tablet per day) and that hit me like a ton of bricks on day 2 and stayed till i got a new script.. and 1 day after normal dose all back to normal physically..

all the best liz, all the best

Peace to you and yours

have a great day everyone :)

I will try to enjoy working at shania twain concert.

ps i really love her music, now thats a women who has overcome many things..

I have to say I am slightly envious of you r getting ot work at Shania Twain...Every trans woman secret anthem..it was mine !!


Thank you for the kind words most of the time its about putting one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward even if its only a millimetre...backwards is not an option.


Take care

Liz

Quote from: LizK on December 01, 2018, 04:56:23 PM
I have to say I am slightly envious of you r getting ot work at Shania Twain...Every trans woman secret anthem..it was mine !!


Thank you for the kind words most of the time its about putting one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward even if its only a millimetre...backwards is not an option.


Take care

Liz

always and thanks :)  I heard it on launch in New zealand way back when.. and bought the cds as soon as they were available :)

Quote from: LizK on December 01, 2018, 04:56:23 PM
most of the time its about putting one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward even if its only a millimetre...backwards is not an option.

May all of the tiny baby steps that you put in place form a smooth, gentle gust of wind that carries you through the next couple days and through a smooth recovery.

May any stress or fear melt into clarity and confidence.

May you find all of your courage sticking to you like bubble gum.

May you recover in the dreamiest state of peace and wellness.

Quote from: Moonflower on December 01, 2018, 07:32:28 PM
May all of the tiny baby steps that you put in place form a smooth, gentle gust of wind that carries you through the next couple days and through a smooth recovery.

May any stress or fear melt into clarity and confidence.

May you find all of your courage sticking to you like bubble gum.

May you recover in the dreamiest state of peace and wellness.

Thankyou for all your wonderful affirmations...I do appreciate them sincerely, I wil take all the help I can get as far as positive thoughts, prayers and affirmations go.

Take care

Liz

Liz, in a bit more than two days you will need to reset the ticker to start counting up. 
That will be the start of the next chapter in your book of life!

Hugs and smiles from a California girl

I am Packed, I have approximately 21kgs and I have absolutely everything I want and then some...Any whoooo I might just reorganise a little and take a second Bag...or lose some clothes so I have room for the shopping...just thinking. Apart from those terribly difficult decisions I am ready to go :D.


Had a visit from my eldest daughter who had to go and we had a very emotional goodbye. It took my breath away that I could love another human being that much...she is 27 years old and I feel no differently about her now as I did when she was 2 seconds old. I won't see her until I return in two weeks.

My other daughter is on her way up to see me and I can't imagine that will be any easier with her. The hardest will be my wife in the morning...but lets not go there at the moment.

I will do a very quick update in the morning before I catch my flight and once again after completing admission at Knox and if have some free time.

Feeling Good, Feeling Healthy, Feeling Positive, Feeling Ditzy, Feeling Tired Feeling Packed .....  ;D 

Take care

Liz

Quote from: Jessica on December 01, 2018, 09:26:51 PM
Liz, in a bit more than two days you will need to reset the ticker to start counting up. 
That will be the start of the next chapter in your book of life!

Hugs and smiles from a California girl

Absolutely but the increments in which I count will be more like months and years rather than hours and minutes  ;D

I am looking forward to the peace from the clocks LOL

Take care

Liz

Oh my goodness!  The time is almost here!!!  We will be waiting for news with antic...





ipation!

Cheers! Have a safe trip.
Judi

  Hi Liz,

  In case I miss your morning post I will say love you girl, have a great trip and may all go well.

Love and hugs,
  Laurie

Have a safe trip dear, I am sure you will find room in your bag for a little shopping. Best wishes and hugs and XXXXXs

Quote from: JudiBlueEyes on December 01, 2018, 10:25:42 PM
Oh my goodness!  The time is almost here!!!  We will be waiting for news with antic...





ipation!

Cheers! Have a safe trip.
Judi

Thanks Judi

"I could show you my favourite obsession.

I've been making a man

With blond hair and a tan

And he's good for relieving my... ...tension"

Quote from: Laurie on December 02, 2018, 01:03:59 AM
  Hi Liz,

  In case I miss your morning post I will say love you girl, have a great trip and may all go well.

Love and hugs,
  Laurie

Thanks for your support Laurie. I hope it all works out for you and we get to chat again soon. Love ya Girl

Quote from: davina61 on December 02, 2018, 03:46:30 AM
Have a safe trip dear, I am sure you will find room in your bag for a little shopping. Best wishes and hugs and XXXXXs

Thanks Davina

There is always room for a little shopping I think,.. take care of that wrist and don't rest too hard over Xmass


Take care

Liz

I envision nothing but success for you Liz. A new day will dawn for you soon, and may it be filled with nothing but sunshine and happiness. We hope your recovery is uneventful.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

Liz, have a safe journey and we wish you the best of all outcomes.  Take care of yourself, and heal well.

Your friends around the world are holding you in our thoughts.

Virtual hugs,
Michelle P.

Slept reasonable well was in bed by 11AM and was up about 3:30am to the sound of my text message going from Virgin Airlines...flight delay of 1 hour....Perfect...gives me plenty of time to get ready. I have heaps of time at the other end as well so no biggie.

I am all ready to go just waiting on my ride...

(https://i.imgur.com/0lhopKM.jpg)

I feel really calm considering...really happy and looking forward to this next "big adventure"


For thoses out there where it may seem impossible for you to be who you are...you can be.


All the hard work of prep is done there is only one th ing left to doy. Sit back and enjoy the process for what it is.


Take care and I will update from Knox after admission.


Feeling Good, Feeling Healthy, Feeling Positive, Feeling Ditzy, Feeling Tired Feeling Packed .....  ;D 


Liz

Quote from: Jessica_Rose on December 02, 2018, 05:46:54 AM
I envision nothing but success for you Liz. A new day will dawn for you soon, and may it be filled with nothing but sunshine and happiness. We hope your recovery is uneventful.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

Thank you...I appreciate all the positive thoughts and well wishes. The more positive Karma going my way the better.  :) :laugh:

Take care

Liz

Quote from: Michelle_P on December 02, 2018, 10:05:32 AM
Liz, have a safe journey and we wish you the best of all outcomes.  Take care of yourself, and heal well.

Your friends around the world are holding you in our thoughts.

Virtual hugs,
Michelle P.

It does my heart good to know there are real world people behind the names who really do care. Thankyou for your positive outlook, on more than one occasion have you upflifted my flagging feeling making me once again feel positive as you have again this morning.

Take care of yourself and Laurie

Liz

Safe travels Liz! We are all thinking about you and we have our fingers, toes and whatever else we can, crossed for you!!!

You are hours away now. I am glad you are so calm.

Good luck!

Hugs,

Sarah

Quote from: LizK on December 02, 2018, 12:25:53 PM

1 Day

Slept reasonable well was in bed by 11AM and was up about 3:30am to the sound of my text message going from Virgin Airlines...flight delay of 1 hour....Perfect...gives me plenty of time to get ready. I have heaps of time at the other end as well so no biggie.

I am all ready to go just waiting on my ride...

(https://i.imgur.com/0lhopKM.jpg)

I feel really calm considering...really happy and looking forward to this next "big adventure"


For thoses out there where it may seem impossible for you to be who you are...you can be.


All the hard work of prep is done there is only one th ing left to doy. Sit back and enjoy the process for what it is.


Take care and I will update from Knox after admission.


Feeling Good, Feeling Healthy, Feeling Positive, Feeling Ditzy, Feeling Tired Feeling Packed .....  ;D 


Liz

Hi Liz,

Only now read through this thread. Thank you for sharing this. So glad, I looked at the last pages first, otherwise some of those early ones would have been too stressful to read.

From one Aussie girl to another, wishing you all the best for tomorrow. I am sending positive energy to you and all the professionals caring for you.

~Dee.

Quote from: sarah1972 on December 02, 2018, 02:18:23 PM
Safe travels Liz! We are all thinking about you and we have our fingers, toes and whatever else we can, crossed for you!!!

You are hours away now. I am glad you are so calm.

Good luck!

Hugs,

Sarah

Thanks Sarah

I feel remarkably calm which surprises me  but is good lol yes not long now

28H 25M BWCA [emoji51]


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Quote from: dee82 on December 02, 2018, 02:35:41 PM
Hi Liz,

Only now read through this thread. Thank you for sharing this. So glad, I looked at the last pages first, otherwise some of those early ones would have been too stressful to read.

From one Aussie girl to another, wishing you all the best for tomorrow. I am sending positive energy to you and all the professionals caring for you.

~Dee.

Thanks Dee

I really appreciate the support. I am glad you found it useful...Yes I have had a few battles to get this far, each one hard fought. There were days when I thought it would never happen but yet here I am

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Just thought I  would update you all where in Australia Liz is. She is currently in the air heading to Melbourne. She is finally other way.

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Did I mention I was excited...lol... ;D We are just on approach to Melbourne. It's about to go 9am here and they came through and collected the coffee (poor excuse lol) ready for landing. Will post again when I have landed.

Take Care

Liz

Quote from: LizK on December 02, 2018, 03:36:15 PM

Quote from: sarah1972 on December 02, 2018, 02:18:23 PM
Safe travels Liz! We are all thinking about you and we have our fingers, toes and whatever else we can, crossed for you!!!

You are hours away now. I am glad you are so calm.

Good luck!

Hugs,

Sarah

Thanks Sarah

I feel remarkably calm which surprises me  but is good lol yes not long now

28H 25M BWCA [emoji51]


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135D15H for me... not counting the minutes yet (but it is 21)

Good luck!

Quote from: sarah1972 on December 02, 2018, 04:39:36 PM
Thanks Sarah

I feel remarkably calm which surprises me  but is good lol yes not long now

28H 25M BWCA [emoji51]


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135D15H for me... not counting the minutes yet (but it is 21)

Good luck!

Yay another countdown...thats so exciting Sarah [emoji3]


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Hi Liz,

It had been awhile that we have watched each other's journeys, getting to the places we need to go. You are taking a big step in that journey, way to go girl. Deb and I are praying for you and sending all kinds of good thoughts your way. You have a lot of folks on your team, do good.

Love you,
Tia Anne

Thanks Tia yes it has been a long time coming but I am pretty sure worth the wait lol. Thanks for the support

Take care

Liz


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Trying to remain positive...was just admitted to Knox and noted "male" all over my paperwork...this is why I did not want to go to Knox.  Anyway it's only a small thing at this stage and it has been rectified for the moment...how insensitive can you be... no bed at the moment so waiting in a corridor to  get one. Groan...really!!


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Good luck Sweetie!
Hugs,
Moni and Ann

Have a temp bed but unsure after that... nothing much going on at the moment off to find a drink


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Completed 1st sachets of picoprep at about 3:30 this afternoon. Just completed the second one about 20 min ago. The last one took over 3hrs to storm my bowels so it will be 12midnight to 1am  for the second one...after the first I was pretty darn "clean" after this one...well let's just say the next round  is not going to be fun lol


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That 'prep' is definitely not pleasant, but soon it will be forgotten as you explore the new world you are about to enter. Some may consider the admission price high, but we know the price we pay is a bargain to finally be at peace with ourselves.

You will be in the thoughts and prayers of many. Sleep well, for tomorrow will be a beautiful new day.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

Liz, absolute best possible wishes.  You're going to do great! 
Kendra

Liz
Sleep well and good luck for tomorrow
Safe travels
Aisla

I was sure I posted in this thread within the last couple of days, but I must be losing my marbles: I don't see the post.

So, better late than never, I'd like to wish you all the best.  May you wake up refreshed and fully yourself!

The very best wishes Liz.

Peace and love and all that good stuff,

Sadie

Quote from: Jessica_Rose on December 03, 2018, 05:01:23 AM
That 'prep' is definitely not pleasant, but soon it will be forgotten as you explore the new world you are about to enter. Some may consider the admission price high, but we know the price we pay is a bargain to finally be at peace with ourselves.

You will be in the thoughts and prayers of many. Sleep well, for tomorrow will be a beautiful new day.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

Thanks Jessica-rose the support I get from Susans is fantastic and you especially. Thanks



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Quote from: Kendra on December 03, 2018, 05:31:34 AM
Liz, absolute best possible wishes.  You're going to do great! 
Kendra

Thanks Kendra how can I not with support like this!! Thank you [emoji4]


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Quote from: Aisla on December 03, 2018, 05:34:33 AM
Liz
Sleep well and good luck for tomorrow
Safe travels
Aisla
[/t sorequote]

Thanks Aisia , I appreciate the support


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Quote from: KathyLauren on December 03, 2018, 08:10:22 AM
I was sure I posted in this thread within the last couple of days, but I must be losing my marbles: I don't see the post.

So, better late than never, I'd like to wish you all the best.  May you wake up refreshed and fully yourself!

Hi Kathy
Not sure where that post is but I do know you have posted in the last little while and thanks once again for the great support...take care all
Liz




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Its about to go 2am here and I think this infernal need to evacuate is over...I am squeaky clean and funnily enough no one was hurt in the process...My stomach is still quite tender and I am not venturing far away from a loo....

Under 12 Hours CAN'T WAIT...yahooo


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Quote from: LizK on December 03, 2018, 09:03:43 AM
Its about to go 2am here and I think this infernal need to evacuate is over...I am squeaky clean and funnily enough no one was hurt in the process...My stomach is still quite tender and I am not venturing far away from a loo....

Under 12 Hours CAN'T WAIT...yahooo

cleansing .. there must me a better way!! It'll be worth it in the end.

Tick, tick, tick....the alarm is about to go off!
Good luck Liz.  You will do wonderfully.
My heart and thoughts are with you.

Hugs and smiles from a California girl

I saw your countdown was at 12 hours, while reading another thread! I just wanted to pop over her and say Good Luck! I hope you have a good surgery and everything goes smoothly. How exciting! I imagine you have a migrations worth of butterflies in your tender stomach!

My thoughts will be with you!
Lacy

Quote from: Jessica on December 03, 2018, 09:22:46 AM
Tick, tick, tick....the alarm is about to go off!
Good luck Liz.  You will do wonderfully.
My heart and thoughts are with you.

Hugs and smiles from a California girl

Hi Jessica

Yes only a few more hours 9 and a smidge(offical time increment)...I was a little premature in my assumption that I was clean as whistle....someone forgot to tell my bowels and just to add another level of excitement the lady I am sharing a room with is also having a bowel prep...two of us tag teaming ourselves at the loos however as is likely to occur both of us needed to go at the same time....she beat me too it so I had to go find a nurse, to find a toilet...their response...to ask me at 4am if I want to move into my private room soy...hmmmm still sitting here 20minutes later...Guess I am not moving LOL


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Quote from: RealLacy on December 03, 2018, 10:55:20 AM
I saw your countdown was at 12 hours, while reading another thread! I just wanted to pop over her and say Good Luck! I hope you have a good surgery and everything goes smoothly. How exciting! I imagine you have a migrations worth of butterflies in your tender stomach!

My thoughts will be with you!
Lacy

Hi Lacy

Thanks for stopping by to wish me well...its about  4:30am here and I am up for my big day....this is going to be the slow part until surgery this afternoon. Once again thanks for the support

Take care

Liz


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Quote from: LizK on December 03, 2018, 11:29:04 AM

Hi Jessica

Yes only a few more hours 9 and a smidge(offical time increment)...I was a little premature in my assumption that I was clean as whistle....someone forgot to tell my bowels and just to add another level of excitement the lady I am sharing a room with is also having a bowel prep...two of us tag teaming ourselves at the loos however as is likely to occur both of us needed to go at the same time....she beat me too it so I had to go find a nurse, to find a toilet...their response...to ask me at 4am if I want to move into my private room soy...hmmmm still sitting here 20minutes later...Guess I am not moving LOL


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@LizK
Dear Liz:
How can you be so calm? I am so very excited for you that I can hardly sit still....
Obviously you won't be able to post your updates during your procedure, but if you can, I will be looking for your comments!!!

So, please know that it is very difficult for me as it is obviously even more difficult
for you to wait for all of these smidges of time to go by. smidge(offical time increment)

Hugs and wishing you well,
Danielle

Liz, just be a good girl, now!  May you have a relaxed morning, and a nice long nap this afternoon.  Perhaps the Gender Fairy will grant your hearts desire while you nap.

(Picturing Mr Ives as the Gender Fairy....  🤗 )

Just relax, and I do hope all goes well today.  See you on the flip side!

Hi Danielle its 6am and I have one hour before I go totally nil by mouth so here is a quick update...I am not sure what is "wrong" with me but I am not really nervous at all...I should be...I don't really know what to say....my anxiety about this is almost none existent.....every now and then. I have these fleeting moments of excitement but apart from that I just want to get on with it..after sitting here thinking about it for the last 10minutes I have managed to make myself nervous....hahahah how silly is that...oh wow I could even go some breakfast [emoji3][emoji6]


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Quote from: Michelle_P on December 03, 2018, 12:19:51 PM
Liz, just be a good girl, now!  May you have a relaxed morning, and a nice long nap this afternoon.  Perhaps the Gender Fairy will grant your hearts desire while you nap.

(Picturing Mr Ives as the Gender Fairy....  [emoji847] )

Just relax, and I do hope all goes well today.  See you on the flip side!
[/quote)
Hi Michellle


I promise to be good...my focus now is remaining calm and trying not to think too hard about my new "bits"...actually to be honest I have thought of nothing else in the last week...The bowel prep has certainly taken my mind off surgery. With roughly 6 1/2 hrs to go the focus is going to tighten as I need to get the final preps underway for surgery after lunch...did I mention I was hungry...like really hungry..Will keep updating as my morning progresses....I have very little else to do :)



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Quote from: LizK on December 03, 2018, 12:53:47 PM
Hi Danielle its 6am and I have one hour before I go totally nil by mouth so here is a quick update...I am not sure what is "wrong" with me but I am not really nervous at all...I should be...I don't really know what to say....my anxiety about this is almost none existent.....every now and then. I have these fleeting moments of excitement but apart from that I just want to get on with it..after sitting here thinking about it for the last 10minutes I have managed to make myself nervous....hahahah how silly is that...oh wow I could even go some breakfast [emoji3][emoji6]


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Nothing is wrong Liz. You have already made this decision thousands of times, and you know it is the right path for you. I'm smiling and crying right now because I'm so happy for you.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

I just had a heap of messages of support from my family and that of course has set the tears flowing...I am under control now but it's not far from the surface.

Quote from: LizK on December 03, 2018, 02:36:04 PM
I just had a heap of messages of support from my family and that of course has set the tears flowing...I am under control now but it's not far from the surface.

This is of course wonderful news!  I hope the tears were out of joy....

Quote from: Jessica on December 03, 2018, 03:44:25 PM
This is of course wonderful news!  I hope the tears were out of joy....

Yes they were, lots of love and good wishes


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This will most likely be my last post prior to surgery. I am currently fine but each time a Nurse comes in and tells me what is happening I get a slightly differnt story  :laugh: ,it makes me just that little more anxious... ::)

I have decided I am not asking any more questions as each answer is different from the last lol

I have no doubt Andy will let them know the important stuff and everything will be absolutely fine.

I will update my countdown if I get a chance before surgery but right now I have a few things to do in order to get organised for "the gender fairy"    ;D

Take care

Liz

Yes Liz, everything will be fine. Have a nice nap, and wake up to a new beginning.

Lots of hugs! Love always -- Jessica Rose

After reading all this, I think I'm getting more nervous than Liz is. Of course, though, it will go well. Good luck, Hon!
Moni

"I am not sure what is "wrong" with me but I am not really nervous at all...I should be...I don't really know what to say....my anxiety about this is almost none existent.....every now and then."

Oh course, you're on auto pilot now.  No need for nerves.   I remember being as calm as I could possibly be. 

Patiently awaiting news...

  About an hour and a half ago Liz was wheeled away for her date with the surgeons. She was in good, if ornery spirits. Something about prep and clear liquids and then no food with friends of hers taunting her with marmalade slathered biscuits, eggs, bacon and sausage, and delicious pizzas I believe. She may have been a bit hungry but she was happy when they came for her.
  So now we wait with fingers crossed.

Hugs,
  Laurie

Just had a report.
Liz is out of surgery and is in ICU (as expected). All is good.

 Its a girl :icon_birthday:

Liz, welcome to your new beginning. The discomfort will fade and joy will soon fill your world. We all wish you a comfortable and smooth recovery.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

Glad to hear everything went well for Liz! Hoping for a speedy recovery. Such a big moment!

Happy rebirth!
Lacy

YES!!  So happy for you Liz !

Liz, congratulations!!

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Congratulations Liz!!!  Its a new day!

  Liz, my very good friend. It's done and this day is the first day of the you youhave always dreamed of. I wish you a Happy Re-Birthday!  :icon_flower: :icon_birthday: :icon_chick: :icon_female: :icon_bunch: I love you for who you are and the support you have given me personally. This day will be one I'll remember for reasons we have talked about before and will always be special now for 2 reasons.
  Love to you and yours, GIRL!,

Laurie

Quote from: Cindy on December 04, 2018, 03:38:55 AM
Just had a report.
Liz is out of surgery and is in ICU (as expected). All is good.

Wonderful!  Thank you for this update Cindy.

Liz, I'm so happy everything is going to plan.  ICU is a place that will give you the strongest opportunity for a complete recovery.  Your dreams have come true so far in your life.  Time to dream of the future!

Big hugs, Jess

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! And Wow-Whee...

Congratulations Liz. Hope You recover quickly...

Hugs,

Sarah

Hi everyone

I am resting comfortably...Thankyou all for the support. I can barely read the txts properly...my eyesore is still a little blurred. The only sensation I can feel is tightness...and that thing between my legs is gone...I feel happy...recovery is going to take awhile but I expect that. I'll try and post again when I have the energy. Lov to you all who took the time to post I will respond in time...just a little "tied" up at the moment

Did I mention I was Happy [emoji2]

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WOOOHOO LIZ!!  :D :D :D  :icon_dance: :icon_dance: :icon_dance:
well, maybe don't dance .. yet  ...

woohoo congrats liz :)

Fantastic update Liz! So happy for you, [emoji126][emoji254]

Nicole

Congratulations, Liz!!

We both have something to celebrate today!

Stephanie

  l  Love seeing that smile, Liz. Great smile!

Look at that cutie all snuggled up in bed. Way happy for you Liz!

You look radiant Liz!.....or is that irradiated from the screen so close?

Hugs, Jess

Yay Liz! Congratulations...that has been a long road. Now rest and recover.

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Lunch is served




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Look at that smile!  You look great.  That tightness is a telltale sign that things are different!  Whoo-hoo!

@LizK
My dear Liz:
Wow, another page in your transition journey has turned....  I am so very happy for you and your look great in your post-op photo.....  yes indeed, you certainly do look happy!

Well, your hospital food looks quite nice....  I hope that your meals taste as good as they look!!!
Just watch out for the standard hospital issue Green Jello .... 
...you can nail it to a tree and the taste, well, there is no taste to it

Keep your updates coming as you feel that you are able and as you feel so led...
Heal up "real good" and real fast !!!

When are they going to let you check out of the hospital???

Thank you for sharing your life endeavors from your hospital bed.
Hugs and well wishes,
Danielle

Hi Liz, Great news and thank you for using some of your precious recovery energy to keep us informed.

~Dee.

I am on the ward now, private room...low residue diet but as you can see thats pretty good.

I have had my ketamine infusion stopped and have a PCA with the good stuff in it. [emoji6]

yes I am a little achy and every now and then I will get sharpish pain but its not as bad as you think by any means.

will be here at Knox for another day and then off to masada for about 5-6 days then to an apartment for a week then off home

last update today I am pretty beat


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Liz
Thank you for your update. So very happy all is well. Enjoy your rest
Aisla

Have a well deserved rest, you've got some healing to do.  Then you'll be back doing your lovely walks again!

Hugs and smiles from a California girl

Hey, Liz! So amazing to see how great you're looking, and how comfortable you are. Thanks for all the reassurance that all went well. You are a real trooper, taking us along with you as you prepared for this Major Life Event, and continuing with the status reports as you begin recovery.

I understand that a key to the best recovery us to allow yourself plenty of rest. May you take full advantage of the opportunities.

Hi Liz, congratulations for achieving this wonderful moment in your life. I wish you a speedy recovery so you can settle into your new life. I'm sorry for not being present here in the forum to offer you my support in the lead up to your surgery.

So happy for you!

Many hugs and good wishes,
Jayne

You are looking very happy Liz!

It sounds like you are recovering well and being able to handle the pain! How exciting!
Some hospitals have great chefs, so hopefully you are in one that meets that discription!

Thank you for keeping us updated. I look forward to hearing more about how things go!

Lacy

Hey Liz...any updates you might want to share?  We all are wondering how it's going with you.

Hugs, Jess

Hi Everyone

I am in Masada Hospital arrived here yesterday after transferring from Knox.  My first post was from ICU the nurses were fantastic and my care was superb. The whole being nursed at no higher than 30degrees seemed to cause confusion with a couple of the nurses wanting to sit me up...I refused to go above 30 but in the end I was at their mercy. I was not allowed  to do anything for myself but was assisted with everything..brilliant

Things started to go wrong after getting back to the ward where the next 24-48hrs were nothing short of hell. I will give a couple of examples but just bare in mind that these are indicative of the overall care.

I was feeling so good that I didnt really care what the nurses were doing but 48hrs after leaving ICU I had still not even been offered a face washer. I had to ask for some water to clean my dentures in which was still sitting there on my tray 16hrs later. I hope you get the idea. There a number of things but bottom line it was very poor....Obvious question...Why not complain? I did once a few years ago and this got the nurses off side and my remaining time in hospital was hell. Considering the level of care I was getting I was concerned this was going to happen again.

The other thing (I am sure any of the girls who have had GCS will know what I mean) I just felt so great, content beyond my expectations, I'm me!!  So I didn't really care that much initially. Eventually I had no choice the care was so appalling I began to get uncomfortable...but the less I said the less care I got. I was so uncomfortable that I just stopped communicating and began to withdraw...as a result my medication use went through the roof...when Asked, I simply said...I had to get comfortable and I used the medication to do it....I had no significant pain really from about day 2.5....

Yesterday morning after having high pitched IV and  PCA alarms ringing at me for 15minutes and then escalating to a single loud tone(8 mins)...the nurse came in and said sorry have to wait till after handover(another 15- 20 min)...she had to raise her voice significantly to be heard over the noise Of the alarm...I then begged her to just turn off the machine until it could be fixed..she wouldn't so I told her unless she did I was going to rip the IV and catheter out and waddle up the corridor on my own to get away from it...she turned it off...They came back 30minutes later and fixed my IV's No one came near me again until the NUM turned up.

The Nursing Unit Manager sat down and we talked. Suffice to say that she was appalled at the care I had been given. At one point I thought she was going to cry. She then took over my care until discharge to Masada which was great.

The NUM was still apologising to me when the ambulance guys took me to Masada...I felt a bit sorry for her because after we talked I have no doubt what a good nurse she was.

Masada is just so different..I can imagine had I been here in the first place the care would have been amazingly good.

Mr Ives has been brilliant and will also follow up....there is no reason there should be any confusion about how I am to be cared for.

How do I feel?

Complete...Me...Liz...like it should always have been that way....I can only assume that for most people you feel a certain familiarity with yourself and know that you are you....for us none of this quite fits that well, a bit like trying to put the lid on a container that is to big to take it. Hard to put you finger on...its like that internal argument has finally been settled...deep down where we all live.

Take care Everyone

Liz [emoji3]


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Liz, I'm sorry to hear that your first few days of care were so poor. I'm glad that it didn't significantly reduce the joy you are feeling at finally becoming Liz. I do understand the feeling you are trying to describe, somehow the world always felt a bit off-center, like you were playing a role in a movie that made no sense -- as though you had a different script than everyone else. Now you are reading from the same script, and the world suddenly makes sense (such as it is). I am so happy for you.

I am glad your care has significantly improved, and I hope your recovery is going well. Thanks for the update, and get some rest. The world will be waiting for you in the morning.

Love always -- Jessica Rose

Well at least you have the care you deserve now, good to see you have managed to get out of bed . How much longer do you have before your sent home , bet you cant wait.

OMG, I'm sorry to hear about the poor care. What a scary thing to have to deal with. I'm glad it's better now, but there was no excuse for it. Hopefully the NUM will address it and it'll never happen again.

Now that you're getting better care, relax and heal. I'm doing the same - on my own now, and on a much smaller scale, of course, but in a beautiful setting. Healing gets better every day.

Keep us up to date, and again, congratulations!


Stephanie

Hi Liz,

Sorry to hear about your horrible experience but glad you were so happy to finally be complete that it you were able to get through it.

I hope all goes well at Masada and you have a fast recovery, looking forward to catching up again when you are back home. Take care, and take it easy, big hugs.

Nicole

Quote from: LizK on December 07, 2018, 04:43:02 PM
I am in Masada Hospital arrived here yesterday after transferring from Knox.  My first post was from ICU the nurses were fantastic and my care was superb.

Yay!  :icon_flower:

Quote
Things started to go wrong after getting back to the ward where the next 24-48hrs were nothing short of hell.

Booooooo!  :eusa_doh:

Quote
The other thing (I am sure any of the girls who have had GCS will know what I mean) I just felt so great, content beyond my expectations, I'm me!! 

Yes! Yes!  :icon_flower: :icon_birthday:

Quote
The Nursing Unit Manager sat down and we talked. Suffice to say that she was appalled at the care I had been given. At one point I thought she was going to cry. She then took over my care until discharge to Masada which was great.

That confirmation must have been so reassuring! And comforting! And healing!

Quote
How do I feel?

Complete...Me...Liz...like it should always have been that way....I can only assume that for most people you feel a certain familiarity with yourself and know that you are you....for us none of this quite fits that well, a bit like trying to put the lid on a container that is to big to take it. Hard to put you finger on...its like that internal argument has finally been settled...deep down where we all live.

Hooray for this resolution! Savor it! Be emboldened by it! May you feel more free to let out a girlish giggle each time you delight in your synchronicity.

Liz, I'm so glad you have the care problems behind you and are doing better at Masada. Enjoy the rest of your recovery, and look forward to living completely.

Day 6 Hospital...Day 5 post surgery...

To everyone who has posted to me on this thread thank you so much...I will probably not get to reply to each and every one of you individually and for that I apologise.  But to all of you waking up and reaching for my phone or iPad and seeing all the support I have been shown is truly humbling. EVERY single message helped me...all of them and especially when things were going bad at Knox they meant so much to me...on occasion bringing me to tears...Thank you...all of you!

Mr Ives was here again this morning...he has been in to see me every day this week between 6 and 7am. He is lovely and has greeted me each time with a big smile and whilst holding my hand says  "How are you Lizzy my love..." and has been very warm and caring from day 1. I am allowed up and about walking as I can tolerate...above 30 degrees elevation whilst in bed is Okay but not something I want to do now LOL [emoji23] Drains,IV and catheter out tomorrow...if all is well and If I can poop, pee and dialate then I will be discharged Tuesday.

Speaking with the my nurse and she wants to be with me the first couple of times I walk until she is sure I can mange on my own....I walked about 150m this morning and fell exhausted into bed straight after...wow I am so glad I was fit before I started, I can't imagine how awful it would be. Whilst we were walking and talking I asked her if I was on track with my recovery or should I be further ahead...she laughed and said you are well ahead of many of the women she has looked after and she was astounded at what a high pain tolerance I had....Good to know I am on track.

Bit of a Liz issue last night....had one of my famous "vivid" nightmares that were so devastating a few years ago...these days I dont usually remember them and this time I only have a fleeting Idea what it was about but I did come too standing beside the bed, I stood on my drain but apart from it being OUCH I did no permanent damage....got sprung by the night nurse as I stood (cursing at my drain)clutching my tray table...long story short...back to bed with rails up and frequent "checks" to see I am Okay..

I am so tired just from writing this and my walk that I will finish now and update again after dressing removal tomorrow

Take care
Liz


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Despite any discomfort or issues with your care, it is easy to see that you are appreciating the change that has occurred for you. That is the part that you will remember and cherish when this is over. For this I am very happy for you. The nice thing is, no one can take this moment away from you either. Now rest and get better. Big hugs!
Monica

Quote from: LizK on December 08, 2018, 05:32:10 PM
Day 6 Hospital...Day 5 post surgery...

To everyone who has posted to me on this thread thank you so much...I will probably not get to reply to each and every one of you individually and for that I apologise.  But to all of you waking up and reaching for my phone or iPad and seeing all the support I have been shown is truly humbling. EVERY single message helped me...all of them and especially when things were going bad at Knox they meant so much to me...on occasion bringing me to tears...Thank you...all of you!

Mr Ives was here again this morning...he has been in to see me every day this week between 6 and 7am. He is lovely and has greeted me each time with a big smile and whilst holding my hand says  "How are you Lizzy my love..." and has been very warm and caring from day 1. I am allowed up and about walking as I can tolerate...above 30 degrees elevation whilst in bed is Okay but not something I want to do now LOL [emoji23] Drains,IV and catheter out tomorrow...if all is well and If I can poop, pee and dialate then I will be discharged Tuesday.

Speaking with the my nurse and she wants to be with me the first couple of times I walk until she is sure I can mange on my own....I walked about 150m this morning and fell exhausted into bed straight after...wow I am so glad I was fit before I started, I can't imagine how awful it would be. Whilst we were walking and talking I asked her if I was on track with my recovery or should I be further ahead...she laughed and said you are well ahead of many of the women she has looked after and she was astounded at what a high pain tolerance I had....Good to know I am on track.

Bit of a Liz issue last night....had one of my famous "vivid" nightmares that were so devastating a few years ago...these days I dont usually remember them and this time I only have a fleeting Idea what it was about but I did come too standing beside the bed, I stood on my drain but apart from it being OUCH I did no permanent damage....got sprung by the night nurse as I stood (cursing at my drain)clutching my tray table...long story short...back to bed with rails up and frequent "checks" to see I am Okay..

I am so tired just from writing this and my walk that I will finish now and update again after dressing removal tomorrow

Take care
Liz


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Not expecting a reply Liz. Just want to pass on my get well soon and best wishes. I think many of us are so blown away and grateful for your blow by blow account of what the GRS experience really is.

Often we see someone report all the way to hospital and then just disappear- not good old Liz though.

Often we are left wondering if everything went good or bad! It was so reassuring to hear that the post op experience is affirming and relieving. Apart from pain and healing it must fantastic to the point of being surreal.

Thank you so much for putting it out there. My thoughts are with you,
                       Kirsten.

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Liz!  No reason to continue your step count at night right now, it's hard to tie shoe laces in your sleep.  Hopefully your nightmare wasn't about the very first nurse that was so poor at her duties.

So wait to put on those track shoes for a bit!

Hugs and smiles from a California girl

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Meals at Masada


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Lovely report Liz! I'm so glad you're doing so well now. I guess I'd better start getting into shape. Being physically fit before surgery seems to make a huge difference - Kendra walked to breakfast with us four days after her GCS. I'll never be as fit as her, but I can try to get close.

Wow, those must be some dreams you have! Yes, put the rails up! Standing on the drain - oh my!!

Listen to your nurse, dear, and build up your strength slowly. It's so cool you'll be able to leave soon, but don't let them boot you before you're ready!

Take care!


Stephanie

Quote from: LizK on December 09, 2018, 01:58:53 AM
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Meals at Masada

Well, at least I don't see any plain yogurt! Bleh!


Stephanie

Liz, I am glad you are recovering well, and that your standard of care has improved.  Do what you are told, and stay in bed when you are asleep!

@LizK
Dear Liz:
Apparently from your report and the pictures of your meals you are certainly getting better treatment now at Masada.

As @KathyLauren mentioned in her comment...
"Do what you are told, and stay in bed when you are asleep!"

Continue to recover and heal up so you can get home soon.
Thank you for keeping all of your curious followers updated...

Hugs and well wishes,
Danielle

Quote from: LizK on December 09, 2018, 01:58:53 AM
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Meals at Masada


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At least you didn't fall out of bed!!! Good news on the quick recovery , recon its time to slap some shrimp on the barbie . Wont be long now

Quote from: davina61 on December 09, 2018, 02:50:55 PM
> recon its time to slap some shrimp on the barbie . Wont be long now

And no wiener.  ;)

 - That can't be Aussie hospital food!

Where is the splodge of utterly indigestible mashed potato?

You know the one when they ask  "Have your bowels moved today?"  If you say Yes you get extra mashed potato and if you say No you get even more mashed potato.

BTW hospital mashed potato is not to be confused with anything that comes from a vegetable or has any nutritional value.

Day 6 post op Day 7in hospitaL

Good sleep last night, Was apprehensive about this mornings removal of my Tubes,packing,catheter and IV.

Had a couple of Lorazapam to keep me calm, Drain was the first to be taken out which I didn't feel. The stitches were a little tight and uncomfortable otherwise fine with minute discomfort....next comes the packing and the catheter...again unusual, felt weird but not painful...

Guided by the nurse I put the Dialator in as she showed me and whilst there was not pain there was pressure, made a little worse because of my bowel being full. I repeated my sitz bath again about 3pm as part of my second dialation I did a 20 minute session on my own for the first time and will do another about 8pm..both occasions  with the big purple brute...although I did see my future....I better get a dinner if we are going to be so intimate with those other guys

Apparently my healing is good  the wound is clean and dry. I was surprised at how it looked. Looks like a normal surgical site to me and I even. have some sensation...in places..

Last Dialation due in about 2hrs...

After my second session I had a sitz bath and a full shower Nd washed my hair for the first time in 7 days...Heaven....I am going to post again with some pretty important topics that have arisen from today

Take Care

Liz




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Yesterday was possibly the toughest day emotionally post op that I have had. I was crying a number of times for no apparent reason, feeling really flat and down...Most likley due to the drugs, I had a little cry this morning  and I was just feeling lousy but it was time for treatments

We had just removed the dressings, taken out the drain and pulled out the catheter...inserted the first Dialator....Just as we were finishing someone was banging on the door..who in the hecK was disturbing us...oohhh my partner had stopped by and bustling in behind her was someone delivering some flowers...probably the wrong room



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To Jayne01 and Sarah1972 you two lovelies changed my life today  more than you can ever imagine...This beautiful basket put a huge grin all over my face and then there was the big box  of chocolate praline to set my tummy growling

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You girls are sweethearts...your timing could not have been better and as you can see my little buddy has found herself right at home snuggling into me...which I love

Thank you ladies

You made my day with you kind thoughts And actions [emoji8][emoji8][emoji847][emoji847]

Liz








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Quote from: LizK on December 10, 2018, 02:13:17 AM
Yesterday was possibly the toughest day emotionally post op that I have had. I was crying a number of times for no apparent reason, feeling really flat and down...Most likley due to the drugs, I had a little cry this morning  and I was just feeling lousy but it was time for treatments

We had just removed the dressings, taken out the drain and pulled out the catheter...inserted the first Dialator....Just as we were finishing someone was banging on the door..who in the hecK was disturbing us...oohhh my partner had stopped by and bustling in behind her was someone delivering some flowers...probably the wrong room



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To Jayne01 and Sarah1972 you two lovelies changed my life today  more than you can ever imagine...This beautiful basket putbanhige grin all over my face and then there was the big box  of chocolate praline

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You girls are sweethearts...your timing could not have been better and as you can see my little buddy has found herself right at home snuggling into me...which I love

Thank you ladies

You made my day with you kind thoughts And actions [emoji8][emoji8][emoji847][emoji847]

SQUEEEE indeed! Jayne and Sarah, that was awesome!

It's so lovely to see you smiling, Liz!

Stephanie

PS: I just realized that if I type "SQ" into my phone, it autofills "SQUEEEE". I guess I use it a lot. [emoji16]

Is that why when I type sh it auto suggests ???

Quote from: davina61 on December 10, 2018, 10:56:14 AM
Is that why when I type sh it auto suggests ???

Miss Davina! Language!

IMPORTANT NAMES REQUIRED

I wanted to invite everyone who would like to offer some name suggestions

First up is my Little teddy that I was given by Sarah and Jayne..she is so cute and  I would love to hear your naming suggestions..

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The second is this guy

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He tends to get a bit on the intimate side, even inappropriately some would say and still owes me at least a dinner before our next encounter. The other issues being I can never seem to get him off his phone.

Would love to hear your naming suggestions and I will pick one in the next 24hrs or so.

take care

Liz

Hmm. In order, I'd call the teddy "Claire" (Claire Bear) and the dilator "Inspector Javert".

( @Steph2.0 put me up to this, BTW)

It could be like a childrens' show: The Clair Bear and Javert hour. Clair Bear gives out big fluffy hugs while Javert...erm...goes about his business.

Quote from: SassyCassie on December 10, 2018, 02:03:33 PM
Hmm. In order, I'd call the teddy "Claire" (Claire Bear) and the dilator "Inspector Javert".

( @Steph2.0 put me up to this, BTW)

It could be like a childrens' show: The Clair Bear and Javert hour. Clair Bear gives out big fluffy hugs while Javert...erm...goes about his business.

Ummm. An "M" rated children's show?

Quote from: Steph2.0 on December 10, 2018, 02:17:51 PM
Ummm. An "M" rated children's show?

Rated "M" for "Medically Necessary"!

What about Guinevere and Excalibur 

Quote from: davina61 on December 11, 2018, 10:47:52 AM
What about Guinevere and Excalibur

I love your style...I love Excalibur for my guy...I always had a soft spot for Guinevere......

Thanks Davina


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Quote from: SassyCassie on December 10, 2018, 02:03:33 PM
Hmm. In order, I'd call the teddy "Claire" (Claire Bear) and the dilator "Inspector Javert".

( @Steph2.0 put me up to this, BTW)

It could be like a childrens' show: The Clair Bear and Javert hour. Clair Bear gives out big fluffy hugs while Javert...erm...goes about his business.

Definitely sounds like a Tag Team to me !!

Claire bear....hmmmmm...perfect[emoji38]




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Congratulations!!....  should be a nice summer to recover!

Quote from: SteffN on December 11, 2018, 12:02:22 PM
Congratulations!!....  should be a nice summer to recover!

Thanks SteffN

I agree it should be a great summer for healing...At the moment it is just full on looking after myself. [emoji3]

Liz


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Quote from: LizK on December 11, 2018, 01:00:29 PM
Thanks SteffN

I agree it should be a great summer for healing...At the moment it is just full on looking after myself. [emoji3]

Liz

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@LizK
Dear Liz:
Your latest updates have been quite fun to read.   
I am so very happy for you and your good recovery... 
Yes, as @SteffN mentioned, you will have your entire summer season to get back on your feet and heel up.   

It will be so much fun for you to experience the new you as time goes on and do know that we are all counting on you to keep us all updated with your life endeavors.

Hugs and as always our continuing  well wishes,
Danielle

Hi Danielle

I am glad you are enjoying the updates...was trying to think of a way to introduce the dialators into my story...they "shoved" their way into my life 2 days ago...

I will update properly a bit later this morning but wanted to thank you for your continued support...I may not have said it to you properly but I really appreciate your support

Thanks [emoji8]

Take care

Liz


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Post Op Day 9....Renewal

My recovery continues at a steady pace. Plenty of surprises as I get used to my new "bits".... Dialation is.....different than I expect and this close to surgery does give me some  discomfort as my vaginal canal([emoji3]) feels "bruised" especially the first one for the day

I am having real difficulty doing much more than short walks...yesterday I managed to walk to breakfast and back ...maybe 1/2km in total. By the time I got Back to the apartment I was exhausted and fell onto the couch sleeping for nearly 2 hrs....I managed some lunch and then spent the rest of the day resting on my bed.

Being back on HRT is making me start to feel human again...only back on my third dose. I am sure many of you know what its like to go from 0 to full dose....but a new experience for me. I can notice the HRT already after just over 5weeks having none...all the usual stuff, mood swings ,sweats ,increased appetite, feelings of well being and calm, Will take a while to get some of the gains back. I have noticed I am attracting far more attention than normal...but then again I look like I have been dragged through a bush backward...my skin is oily, My hair is dry, frizzy and falling out, I have increased hair facial hair growth, eyebrows like dancing worms...I don't actually care that much how I look....a few weeks from now and you will never know.[emoji3]

The reason I titled this Renewal is because today I had confirmed for me what I thought had gone on with my parents and my brother.....They have not accepted me but tolerate me because I am "blood". They don't understand and have heaps of issues about me being trans despite telling me for the last 3 1/2 years that they were "Fine"....all the time having significant issues that they tried to make me believe were in my head.


Renewal is for me...My new Birthday is 4 December and the family I have does not include my parents or brother.... I have so many wonderful people in my life being positive I do not need them or their negativity. If it causes them some problems then I am sure they will get over it. I feel content...the dysphoria has stopped raging and appears to be losing any power it had. Yes there will always be things that will cause me to experience it...but it has lost a significant amount of its potency.

So how do I feel about myself now, I feel GOOD..VERY GOOD about myself and who I am...

This post has taken me all day to write and now its time to post but before I finish I wanted to share this

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From Nicole....Thanks Nicole [emoji8]

Take care

Liz

.


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That's nice, now you take it easy and don't overdo things . Look after that nice young man , whats he called Excalibur?  :icon_bunch: from me XXXXXXXX

Hi Liz,
          It often seems we have to take the initiative being trans individuals. Some friends & family seem to cope no worries. Others seem to see it as a personal affront. It seems we often have to push the education angle and leadership in explaining& understanding what trans is.
I personally have mixed results with friends and family when just telling it like it is. Not everyone thinks I'm fair dinkum.

Funny though when this stuff has been evident for years.

I love hearing your story Liz.

Kindest regards, Kirsten.

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Thank you Liz for your long update! I am happy to read your recovery is going reasonably well. I can not imagine how big of a change it must be to be and feel right. Glad to read you are walking again! You are only a few days post op and it seems you have made great progress so far.

Sorry to hear about your family trouble. I do like you are still having positive spirits and having friends and new family is a great bonus too!

If you name the small one Excalibur, what about the other ones?

When will you be able to go home?

Hope you recovery continues as well as it has started, not much longer and you will be back to your 5k walks....

Hugs,

Sarah

Thank you for the nice update.  I hope your healing continues well. I understand how taking short walks can be tiring!  Yes, going back to full dose of E can be hard!  I had to ramp up slowly.  Sorry to read about your family but I suppose you aren't surprised.  You can move on emotionally now and let them catch up, if they wish. 

I am glad that you are healing, albeit slowly.  Take your time; don't push yourself faster than your body can cope.  So sorry to hear about the loss of your blood family.  You have plenty of family-by-choice to make up for them.

Quote from: LizK on December 13, 2018, 12:58:45 AM
So how do I feel about myself now, I feel GOOD..VERY GOOD about myself and who I am...

Yay!  That's what this journey is all about.

Hi Liz,

Glad your recovery is going well, I'm amazed at how well you are doing already [emoji4]. Hopefully you should be back home soon.

Hugs

Nicole

Nicole thankyou for the wonderful flowers, chocolates and support. That was really sweet of you

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Glad you liked them [emoji16]

Quote from: davina61 on December 11, 2018, 10:47:52 AM
What about Guinevere and Excalibur

It looks like I missed the time frame on the naming. I didn't have one for the bear, but thought Deep Purple would have been a good name for the other.

Hi to everyone

This is a very short post to say I am ok and recovering well..Arrived home Wednesday night about 7pm and eventually found my way to be about midnight.. The last day or so have been recovering from the trip home from. Melbourne ....I have been so tired...but hopefully tomorrow I will be able to post a full update...

Take care

Liz



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wont be long and you will be sprinting round the park!!!! have a good rest and don't eat to many Christmas chock's Take all the rest you can get dear as you body recovers and if it don't get around to it have a lovely Christmas XXXXXXXXXXXX

Hi Liz,
   I am happy to see  you are doing so well. I love the attitude you have toward family, very healthy! Love hearing the dysphoria is departing. It all sounds about right. Don't  be surprised if you get a little sad once the excitement wears off and recovering starts getting old. It happened to me, but it didn't last.
   Okay, what crass American version of a Aussie stereotype can I leave you with? Hope to hear of you hopping around like a kangaroo soon. (Sorry, that was bad, but I do have to keep up my rep for horrible humor, you understand!)
Moni

Liz, I hope you continue to heal well.  Remember, don't push it! 

For everyone, a teeny little bit too much can have pretty severe consequences, at this early stage of healing.  I've had the unfortunate experience of seeing someone's W incision ripped completely open because they walked a little too far, too soon, and ignored their body's warnings... They were OK after an ER visit, medical evac, and three weeks in hospital.  :(

I would first of all like to thank you all for the continued support throughout this journey.
I am home trying to get my life back into some kind of routine. Taking care of me is a big commitment which will get simpler with time. 

I cannot speak highly enough of the care I received whilst at Masada Hospital under the care of Mr Ives. I at all times had confidence his care and skill...He has a method and everything is done in a certain way for a reason. Following his guidelines along with the addition of Iffy the Specialist Nurse who I might add is fantastic, an absolute professional with a depth of knowledge second to none. The care I received at Masada Hospital was excellent and those nurses really know their stuff and care. The work really hard at trying to make things comfortable and help in any way they can.

I have spoken with HR Department from Knox Hospital and we discussed my concerns. Suffice to say they are aware of the issue and I am sure this is more likely a very localised issue that they are addressing. I think that the next one of Mr Ives patients that goes there will have a much better experience which is a good outcome.
How do I feel about the decision to go to Knox to be in ICU? Let me just say there was an "incident" as I came out of the anaesthetic involving my hip...in the end they put me "out" again and I came too in ICU as per my photo.  I am glad I was in ICU and not on the ward at Knox for the first 12 Hrs.

This surgery exacts a toll on your body which is far greater than I realised or expected and while your body is frantically trying to heal there is not a great deal of spare energy left. If you are overweight try and lose some of it...but most of all get fit. I am so glad I pushed myself to the end. I have a fast initial recovery and I was able to manage my pain really well. I have been doing it for awhile and the nurses were happy on the whole with the way I was managing it so it was a win, win. Had I not been physically fit then this would have been way more difficult than it already is.

I welcome PM's or emails, I am on Facebook and I will remain in the forum. But for the moment I need to concentrate on getting through this recovery. . I will continue to update this thread but I think I have accomplished. in this thread was to give an account of what it was like to have GCS with Mr Ives in Melbourne I will be reading the forums but not necessarily responding. I have my next Post op follow up with Mr Ives and Iffy at the end of January; we will see from there what changes.

I set out at the beginning of this thread to try and give anyone thinking about GCS, having GCS or wondering what it's like to have GCS here in Australia in Melbourne the straigh forward druim on my experience which overall whaty good..

I have shared my preparation which came with its own set of challenges  ;D  introduced you to the joys of physical hair removal, we have been on a journey of jumping not just through but over and under hoops. We have plumbed the depths of despair when dates were changed and airfares and accommodation costs were teetering on being lost seeing the whole enterprise come tumbling down to the joys of things working better than I could have imagined. You were with me through the long days weeks hour and minutes wait to surgery, and there to greet me when it was behind me...You were there to witness the joy of renewal and you were there to be introduced to the realities of being post GCS life.....but now this next part, this recovery of my body and my psyche...well my dear friends, and there are so many of you, that part, is mine to do mostly on my own.... it won't be long till the next update. :)

Hopefully one day soon my recovery will be a small part of my life and not its entire focus. I don't imagine it will be to long before I can post update but in the meantime I will be around the forums.  ;) :)

Take Care

Liz

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year dear XXXXXXX

@LizK
My Dear Liz:
I have been very much enjoyed reading your recent updates and photos that you have been posting and following your life journey.  This is definitely the season for all of us to find happiness in our lives.

For some, this can be a very difficult time of year but I hope and trust that you are finding the joy and happiness that you so much deserve,  so I am wishing you a very
  MERRY CHRISTMAS
and a prosperous and Happy NEW YEAR 

Hugs and as always, Well Wishes
Danielle