I'm about to go to the airport. That should be my last update for a while. Yesterday I was so calm, now I'm getting anxious again. Like, super anxious. My imagination is very vivid at the moment.

I almost feel like I'm walking in a scam where I will end up in a bathtub with some organs missing - if I ever wake up. I mean, I wired my life savings to someone I've never met, and I'm now flying to South America. I'm so afraid.

Yet I have wasted my youth and a significant part of my life. Based on my age, my live expectancy means I'm at the 50% mark. I'd rather take my chances, to try and have a happy remaining half, even if it means taking huge risks.

I just feel so bad I asked a good friend to come with me. I mean, taking risks for myself is ok, but I don't want to endanger others. Even a tough guy. I mean, we're talking about South America  Sorry if that's not politically correct and I apologize in advance to the south american girls on the forum  

Have a *hug*

Try to relax...

and use your imagination for positive things.

You will have a nice time there, nice weather, meet nice people and have a good time.

Imagine yourself having a good outcome and enjoying the time, sipping on a fruit juice.

( or any other picture you like )....


wish you a good time.


hugs

Safe travels, Charlotte!

We can't wait to see how pretty you are.

Quote from: charlotte15 on May 26, 2015, 04:08:25 PM
I mean, we're talking about South America

People are people, all around the world. They want to live, have some fun... and maybe a fresh fruit juice or two

hugs

Good luck and have fun. Hugs
Mariah


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  Sorry I didn't quite feel up to relating my own recent FFS experiences yet, although I'm sure South America is plenty different from Montreal!  All the best to you and just do your best to relax through this whole ordeal.  If the doc knows what he's doing you'll probably be feeling pretty good in a couple weeks.  I'm doing pretty well now and almost looking normal again.

Thanks, I'm feeling much better now. The TSA agent were so nice! I was so afraid after reading some other threads, but it was all very professionnal. Laura, I now believe you about people being nice!!

I'm about to board now! I'll try to post an update from Brasil.

Hi Charlotte, best wishes for you with the travel and op.
You'll be fine...

Look forward to your reports back soon 

hugs Katy

Hi Charlotte,

I am sure the whole experience will mirror your experience with TSA who are nowhere near as scary as people make them out to be by reputation.

While I'm sure there are horror stories galore for most places I'd just say we folks who live outside US hear them all the time. I read one recently saying about the number of shootings in 3 US cities alone being 300 in a week which would be enough to have anyone planning a trip to them places cancelling their trip yet I know US is a lovely place where I've spent many a happy time.

I'm not wanting to criticise anywhere just to point out what gets reported and what actually happens to most people on trips is usually very different.

I hope in a few weeks you're posting about the wonderful job the surgeon did and how lovely you found the place you're in.

Hugs

Sorcha 

Well so far everything is good! I'm waiting in the airport in Sao Paulo, about to go to Argentina. All I had to go though was a metal detector, and nobody caused me any trouble.

However, the plane experience from DC to Sao Paulo was "special". When I came to my seat and went to open the luggage compartment above my head where there was just 1 spot free, the guy who was behind me pushed me forward slightly to put his backpack there. I was so suprised!! I mean, I opened the luggage compartment, and I was in front of him. He can't have not seen me. That was rude. Anyway, I found another luggage compartment, took my pillow and tried to sleep. After paying $7.99 for a wine (everything is soo expansive in planes) I had like a half night of sleep

Except that superrude experience, everything is good. I'm no so anxious, more like superexited! I look at the cute foreheads without much jalousy, hoping I will soon sport one of them

Well he possibly thought you were trying to get something out of there... or you were finished...

A wine in that height gives you a much stronger reaction

Well, you can look forward to your residence... probably first relaxing a bit, then having a look at the surrounding 


hugs

  You were allowed to drink alcohol still?  My surgeon told me to be off it completely for two weeks before and three weeks post.  I think they were concerned about it interfering with the antibiotic I had to take for seven days after.  Maybe like a lot of other things they were just being overly cautious.  Not to get you worried - I'm just jealous you could drink.  Summer is kicking in here and I still have to wait a week before I can have a refreshing cold beer!

Hey Charlotte

I'm about to go to the airport. That should be my last update for a while. Yesterday I was so calm, now I'm getting anxious again. Like, super anxious. My imagination is very vivid at the moment.   Time to move from Red Bull to camomile tea!  Just breathe, and get ready for something brilliant to happen.

I almost feel like I'm walking in a scam where I will end up in a bathtub with some organs missing - if I ever wake up. I mean, I wired my life savings to someone I've never met, and I'm now flying to South America. I'm so afraid. Honey, the risks are minimal.  Nobody's gonna whip out a kidney (and fortunately your brain is beyond reuse  ).  Plus these surgeons depend on their international clients.  You're-gonna-be-fine!

Yet I have wasted my youth and a significant part of my life. Based on my age, my live expectancy means I'm at the 50% mark. I'd rather take my chances, to try and have a happy remaining half, even if it means taking huge risks.     Oh, what nonsense, girlfriend.  You've had the most brilliant good luck to be able to have experienced two lives in one.  How many of us can experience both genders?  If there should ever be some insightful people out there, it's us.  Looking back gives you perspective, and shouldn't give you a sense of loss.  OK, I'd have loved to have met a husband by my 30s, but there's still time.  And the years I had with my wife were enormously positive ones.  It's a journey, and you're ready for it when you're ready for it.  Now is when you're ready for it.

I just feel so bad I asked a good friend to come with me. I mean, taking risks for myself is ok, but I don't want to endanger others. Even a tough guy. I mean, we're talking about South America  Sorry if that's not politically correct and I apologize in advance to the south american girls on the forum      He he he.  I do understand.  Some cities are rather surreal, but not Buenos Aires, which is where I think you're going.  Porteños - as we call people from that city - are lovely warm generous folk.  And in common with you and me, they've almost all got a therapist !!  It's practically a cultural requirement.

In a few days you will wake up renewed.  Take it slow, and send us a photo.  BTW, although your avatar looks fuzzy, you look a little like someone I used to know terribly well.  In the mirror at least ;-) 

Good luck!  Report back!
Un abrazo
xxx
Julia

Violet, I only had a drink, I mean the small vial they sell you in the planes! When I was feeling bad with myself I had a troubled relationship with alcohol. I don't want to go down that route again. 1 or 2 glasses of wine at night when I feel bad is where I put the limit.

Julia, I'm so fortunate my brain is beyond reuse  I'm so glad that part won't interest anyone  But you're right, I'm swearing off coffee as I need to C A L M D O W N.

I know I should count my blessings, it's just hard sometimes. But you're right, we have such a special journey. We know both genders, both sides of the coin - and also the sides of the coin as we transition!

I'm on my new journey, which really started last fall with HRT, and will take a new direction when the image will unblur as the FFS heals.

The preview picture for VFFS is not super nice in my eyes - I mean it looks very androgynous, but I'm in a psycho mode. I mean, I look at the girl in the streets and online and 70% don't pass. So I know it's all my head and my judgement shouldn't be trusted.

Dr DiMaggio is super nice and friendly, I fee like I'm in good hands. It's just waiting and relaxing now. That will be extra hard for me. I will try to visit a bit of the city tomorrow.

Quote from: charlotte15 on May 27, 2015, 07:23:16 PM
I will try to visit a bit of the city tomorrow.

Have fun.
And I'd say take a few pictures... so you have some nice memories

hugs

Quote from: charlotte15 on May 27, 2015, 07:23:16 PM
Violet, I only had a drink, I mean the small vial they sell you in the planes! When I was feeling bad with myself I had a troubled relationship with alcohol. I don't want to go down that route again. 1 or 2 glasses of wine at night when I feel bad is where I put the limit.

  My dad shelled out for Business Class train tickets for my trip to Montreal.  As part of the premium service the staff kept trying to offer us complimentary wine.  I don't even drink the stuff much but I was certainly tempted!  It really sucked to have to say no to free stuff.

Glad you made it safely Charlotte. Will be thinking of you!

Quote from: charlotte15 on May 27, 2015, 07:23:16 PM
Violet, I only had a drink, I mean the small vial they sell you in the planes! When I was feeling bad with myself I had a troubled relationship with alcohol. I don't want to go down that route again. 1 or 2 glasses of wine at night when I feel bad is where I put the limit.

Julia, I'm so fortunate my brain is beyond reuse  I'm so glad that part won't interest anyone  But you're right, I'm swearing off coffee as I need to C A L M D O W N.

I know I should count my blessings, it's just hard sometimes. But you're right, we have such a special journey. We know both genders, both sides of the coin - and also the sides of the coin as we transition!

I'm on my new journey, which really started last fall with HRT, and will take a new direction when the image will unblur as the FFS heals.

The preview picture for VFFS is not super nice in my eyes - I mean it looks very androgynous, but I'm in a psycho mode. I mean, I look at the girl in the streets and online and 70% don't pass. So I know it's all my head and my judgement shouldn't be trusted.

Dr DiMaggio is super nice and friendly, I fee like I'm in good hands. It's just waiting and relaxing now. That will be extra hard for me. I will try to visit a bit of the city tomorrow.

Glad to hear you've arrived safely in BsAs.
Good luck with your surgery.

Jannicke