Congratulations Beth,

Sounds like you made a well informed choice.  I am getting ready to send my balls to the pathology lab too now that Kaiser has come around.  An inguinal orchiectomy also removes the spermatic cord but why, when no sperm can possibly be produced?  The inguinal canal can be a place where hernias form but the easy approach to an orchi is through the scrotum and this can be done with a  local anesthetic and sedation.  Some surgeons also perform a scrotal reduction if the patient does not plan further GCS/SRS.  Any urologist can do a simple orchiectomy but a GCS/SRS experienced surgeon might be preferred if one considers more surgery later.

I have a vivid fear of running out of my "man away" drug, spiro, and the return of T would be a nightmare to me.  The advantages of not needing the blockers forever and having those boys gone is enough for me.  Plus GCS/SRS can still be entertained down the line if needed.

Quote from: Beth Andrea on December 29, 2015, 09:52:39 AM
I felt very bad about canceling (I now say "postponed", because I did reschedule it) and I wanted to share with others that it's not the end the world...one just has to think about why we felt the need to cx (in my case, fear of surgery anesthesia not working--which was based on a childhood event) as well as post-op pain and complications.

Ok, I gave in to my fears. Oh well!  I'm still me, still a woman, and still want SRS. I feel much better about anesthesia now that I've experienced the best that 2015 technology can give (as opposed to 1969), and with "the boys" gone, the rest is going to be easier to accept.

Chin up! Stiff upper lip, and all that! Now if ya'all will excuse me, I have to change my dressing.

*hugs*

In my opinion 1969 wasn't bad compared to the 1950's. They put me under with ether and you haven't lived until you wake up sick from ether twice. By about the mid 1960's when I had my third surgery, injectable drugs were available and it was so different waking up from surgery and not puking my insides out for 3 or 4 hours.

Vomiting is all well and good, pain during surgery is not: I was conscious but immobile due to anesthesia being ineffective on me during my tongue-clipping. Put fear in me about surgery for 45 years.


Fwiw, I did vomit after my orchi...after I was discharged and heading home, I devoured half a bag of "goldfish" crackers...salt + cheese = WIN...but stomach was like, "BARF!" After that, I was ok, and proceeded to eat what seemed like half a 7-11.

An observation one day post-op:

For all the worry I had about "OMG...the 'boys' will be gone soon! Do I *really* want this...?" leading up to the surgery, now that they're gone, I am so glad! Just a dull ache down there, in fact I'm going to go to work tomorrow (I have a split shift, so I can call out if needed).

Sure, they're gone...but now that they are, I know I want my "male tether" to be gone also.

Quote from: Beth Andrea on December 29, 2015, 09:49:33 PM
Vomiting is all well and good, pain during surgery is not: I was conscious but immobile due to anesthesia being ineffective on me during my tongue-clipping. Put fear in me about surgery for 45 years.


Fwiw, I did vomit after my orchi...after I was discharged and heading home, I devoured half a bag of "goldfish" crackers...salt + cheese = WIN...but stomach was like, "BARF!" After that, I was ok, and proceeded to eat what seemed like half a 7-11.

It must be many years since I ate anything out of a 7-11. About the only thing I use them for is buying lottery tickets.

Quote from: Beth Andrea on December 29, 2015, 09:49:33 PM
Vomiting is all well and good, pain during surgery is not: I was conscious but immobile due to anesthesia being ineffective on me during my tongue-clipping. Put fear in me about surgery for 45 years.

Wow, I had to get my tounge strip-thing cut when I was a kid too!

I've never met anyone that's had to have that... but I guess it's never come up.

Second day post-op, and I did a full days work (driving a bus). Took two aleve in the morning, and no problems...still a tiny bit sore down there, but wow a quick recovery I do believe!

Great to hear from you Beth and see you're healing well. It's always special to see your posts. You were an inspiration to me early on. I am so glad you still post.

Hugs and good wishes for the best recovery ever.