So for any that don't know I had surgery with Dr. Brassard here in Montreal on last Tuesday.  The surgery went well, but i was nowhere near prepared for the amount of pain and discomfort involved.  Chalk that one up to me never having had any surgery before.  Considering you sit on it, pee out it, poop out it and have sex there, your crotch area in general that is, its very difficult.  Im pleased thus far with the results, but even more impressed with the staffing here.

I can't really judge the hospital staff too much as I was out of it and hospitals all suck in general, but the healing house is completely amazing.  At first I was uncomfortable as I was in completely new surroundiings and nervous as hell for the upcoming surgery.  On my return once i settled in I realized how amazingly supportive and caring the staff are. 

Its really a miracle and I couldn't be more amazed at how well the nurses care for us.  They are great people and are so supportive and caring.  You can really tell that they love what they do and they are good at it.  Practically all of them sing while working and are always in great spirits.  They have helped heal my physical wounds and emotional ones as well.   Its hard to be away from home and to go through this alone and they understand it completely.  I feel so well taken care of here and now I don't want to go home.   They really have made a huge impact on my outlook on life and I will always carry that good feeling with me. 

To any of you seeking surgery I would recommend this place hands down without a doubt.  The healing house is such a fantastic place and its truly beautiful.   

first of all congratulations on your surgery Audrey! It's nice to learn you are so well treated there. Please keep us updated. I wish you a speedy recovery and all the best in your new post-op life!

Wow it sucks that you have to be there alone but it sounds like you are doing well and I'm really glad. I was there visiting a friend when she had her srs a couple months ago and I was certainly impressed by the staff too. Congradulations on your surgery hun amd get well soon.

Wendy

thank you all.  I really can't say enough good things about them all.  Its just so incredibly wonderful how well they treat us makes this place a little slice of heaven.  for that reason alone it was worth it coming here.  Also the surgery results look very good despite the swelling and bruising, although I realize that it takes a long time to truly judge the results, thus far everything seems good.  God I can't explain how amazing this place is.  It would be nice to have a travel companion, but if someone was here with me i might not have had a chance to get to know the staff and other patients as well as i have.

Audrey, nice to see that your in better spirits and healing nicely.

Enjoy the rest of your stay in Montreal.

Mich'

ugh or pooping regularly im afraid im goint to pop a stitch.  thank goodness the stent comes out tomorrow morning.  I'm really getting apprehensive about the plane flight back though.  It took two days just to get here.  I was stuck in denver airport cause I missed my flight cause the one from home left late.  Then I had to wait for 7 hours, in the meanwhile trying to catch a flight to chicago.  I ended up waiting in line for 2 hours just to talk to a customer service rep to get on another plane.  FINALLY I got on a plane to chicago, but then it had mechanical difficulties and we had to unboard and get new passes and wait in line again forever. 

Finally I got to chicago at midnite and I left billings mt (home) at 11 am.  I had to sleep on a bench in the cold chicago airport alone and had no luggage and it was freezing.  the next flight to montreal didn't leave until 6 am.  It was so frustrating and Im realllllyyy scared that something like that will happen again.   problem is if it does, Im screwed cause Ill have to dilate and who knows if ill have the strength to run around in denver airport like last time trying to catch a flight.   Do the airports have wheelchair assistance or anything.  Im really scared and its really worrying me.

Travel advice...

1. Have the airlines 800# on you, call that to make changes to flights if needed.

2. When what your describing begins to happen... goto the nearest open gate that is serviced by the airline your flying, to make in person changes.

3. If a non weather related event and after waiting longer than 2-3 hours try to pull "rule 2-20" on them. Thats the one where the carrier puts you on the next flight to your dest. regardless of carrier. note thats a pre-dereg rule that most airlines tend to still honor. though not always.

the above learned by way of flying USeless Air.

The customer service counter had two or three people to service like fifty or sixy plus people thats part of what took so long.  Im lucky in that the flight to denver is nonstop from montreal.  Then from there its only and hour and half.  I email denvers disability coordinator to arrainge for some assistance.  i hope that they send me an actual person who knows there way around. 

The stent came out this morning and i did my first dilation. woohoo.  anyway need to rest before lunch

QuoteThe stent came out this morning and i did my first dilation. woohoo.

And thus it begins for the rest of your life.

Gods, I wish I was there.

Janet

soon enough i hope for you janet, right now i wish i was just home.  Im really irritable right now and wish i could get some alone time.  I enjoy my peace and quiet especially after all ive been through.  my roomies watching cartoons and talking really loud on the phone, and I really want peace and quite.  she leaves tomorrow so I wont have to deal with it much longer.

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Post Merge: June 16, 2009, 10:11:40 AM

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the cath and some stitches came out this morning.  Pulling out the cath felt like a hot poker but now I feel so much relief.  Its amazing how irritating and painful those few little stitches and cath were.  Now I can taper of the pain meds as that was the bulk of my problem.  Some members of the house left today, and despite knowing them for only a week I couldn't help but cry.  Going through this has formed a bond between us all and I am always going to remeber their support and encouragement that helped me through the tough times.

Awesome, I'm glad that you're enjoying your stay and recovering well.

I wonder if Allan still works there. He's funny! I used to hang with him all of the time when I was there. He used to tuck in my stuffed doll when he changed my bed, too. A lot of the other staff were pretty cool, too.

yeah hes a riot. too bad i cant speak french.  i just got home and i miss the place already    Home feels so bland and boring without the whole crew.  Todays a really hard day as I flew home which took 7 hours of pure stress and hell its no wonder im freaking out again.  I feel like everylittle thing is major and panicking even though the nurses said everthing is good.  Im sure its just the stress of the day catching up with me.  My sister is here and shes pretty much a doctor {nurse practitioner} and she talked me down a bit as well as running some errends.  Im so completely wiped out and exhausted i really just need to go to sleep otherwise im going to stress out ttoo much.

But you are home, now.  And that counts for something.  Rest up, Girl.  The rest of your life will wait, now that you are complete.

Janet

Sorry I missed this.

If you have to go someplace to have GRS, this is the place to go. We were there twice and there were a few girls who were solo but the was they have the recovery house and daily schedule set up, you're rarely alone. It did seem a lot of girls preferred to be in their rooms, maybe resting. I was out a lot because I hated being in my room alone.

I hope all is well Audrey, and that the dilations aren't bogging you down too much. I'm down to one a day but they still interfere with the things I want to do.

How are things now?

Julie

Things are pretty good julie thanks.  still 3x day =P but im sticking with it and persevering.  I didnt go through this to lose it, you know what I mean.  When school starts Ill be down to twice a day so that will help a little.   No orgasm yet but i think i wont have a problem when im healed up.  Im glad to have it over with as the plane flights both directions almost killed me.