Here I am... 8 days post op now! I have to admit that I haven't been on Susans all that much; I've been spending lots of time chatting with the international cast here at the hotel. I've also been corresponding with family and friends... spending LOTS of time on facebook.
As I sit here writing I am in zero pain :-) One of the most remarkable things that occurred to me a few days ago is that, considering what was just done to my body, I feel pretty damn good. I left the hospital on Tuesday afternoon; I made the mistake of over-doing things when I got back to the hotel. I paid for it that night with fatigue... this operation really does take alot out of you. The only issue has been my urinary catheter. During surgery, Dr Suporn had trouble getting the bleeding around my new opening to stop and that bleeding continued, on and off, for a few days after. The catheter is usually taken out at the same time as the packing but he felt better about leaving the cath in until Friday.. It would have been rather inconvenient if I got all the way back to the hotel to find I couldn't pee on my own. As a result, I've acquired a new pale yellow clutch purse that I have to carry everywhere. I've been concealing the urine bag in a pocketbook but you can still see the tube going from the purse up under my skirt. Truth be told I'm not spending much time in public so it's not really embarassing.. just a pain in the ass to carry around.
Other than that, I feel pretty good... I'm taking things slowly and trying to drink lots of water. There is one major side effect of SRS, however, called, "I can't stop looking at myself in the mirror naked" syndrome. I don't have words to describe the feeling.... I simply look "right." I've been told that there's less swelling than usual... but even with the swelling I am EXTREMELY pleased with the cosmetic result. I just can't believe it... After 40 years, I finally have the right parts.
I've also made fast friends with someone I met here, just before my surgery; hers was scheduled the day after mine. I know it's an odd time and place but I find myself thinking about her constantly... I haven't felt that way about someone for a long time and it feels really nice :-) I've been wondering if she feels the same way. I know we're only here through the month's end but being close to her would really be special. Funny how people connect...
