Dropped Mom off at the airport today. I think she does, but I really hope she knows just how much it meant to have her there with me, for emotional support, and the physical assistance I've required, as well. And, in the end, I think one of the best things, besides catching up on how things have been in the half a crazy year since last we saw each other, how much progress we have made towards acceptance. Ultimately, that's the goal for us all. Coming from the religious upbringings that I've had, it's been difficult to see whether or not that would ever happen until very recently. I'm proud of my Mom, in that way.
In the afternoon, my Aunt, Dr. K, escorted me to the clinic for my first of a few follow up visits. Dr. Pichet gave me a "full" examination, proving how, even already I have some very notable feeling and sensation in my lady bits. Though it was a bit uncomfortable at the time, it was an enlightening experience. He told me we would hold off dilating until later, and scheduled me to return on Thursday.
At this point, I got a thorough cleanup from one of the nurses as Dr. K asked Dr. Pichet for a few more details on the procedure, as she, being an anesthesiologist and a woman, rather curious as to the finer details. Seemed like they were enjoying their little chat as colleagues, too. For now, I've retired to the hotel for the night. We'll see how the next couple days goes. My next clinic visit is on Thursday, and I may not update until then if there's nothing major going on. See you then!
10 January, 2011
09 January, 2011
Days 6-7
Hope you didn't think I forgot about you. Just wasn't as much to talk about at first. After being discharged, we decided to spend the first day back taking it easy. Walking was easier than before, but still a bit cumbersome - I was more waddling than walking. Still, for that first day, I needed the rest.
Early the next morning, my Aunt arrived at the hotel. We decided to head out for the day, since it would be the only day with all 3 of us. We headed down to the Crocodile Farm and Zoo. There was a bit of walking involved, but by that point, that wasn't so bad. The cab rides down were a bit tight, though, with that donut I was sitting on.
Fun day all around :) I'll catch ya later!
Early the next morning, my Aunt arrived at the hotel. We decided to head out for the day, since it would be the only day with all 3 of us. We headed down to the Crocodile Farm and Zoo. There was a bit of walking involved, but by that point, that wasn't so bad. The cab rides down were a bit tight, though, with that donut I was sitting on.
Fun day all around :) I'll catch ya later!
07 January, 2011
Day 5
Wow, feels like today was a long one. Best start from the top, then...
Eventually I managed to get a sleeping pill that put me out pretty good, though it was at lest 03:30 by then. I was out pretty damn good, though, as I was still groggy when they woke me up and walked me to the OR at 08:00 sharp. At that point, the anesthesiologist greeted me with a "Good Morning" and a mask, and I was back on my ass. I woke up a good 3 hours after my 30 minute touch up. My packing and catheters were finally out and my leg mobility greatly improved. There was a minor issue with my IV coming dislodged, and I noticed it very quickly when I needed another round of painkillers. They removed the first one and put a new one in the other hand. Got a lot better after that.
They showed me my after-care regimen. It seems like a lot of steps until the swelling goes down, but I want the best result, so I'll keep it up. I can walk pretty well now, no dizziness, no walker, nothing like that. Actually the only thing I have to wear is a good old fashioned sanitary napkin as the area drains. And by old fashioned I mean the kind that hook to an inner belt. I also am sitting on a hemorrhoid donut to keep pressure off.
All in all, it feels GREAT to have both the packing bulge and the "natural" bulge from before out of the picture. I go back to the clinic for a follow up visit on Monday. I have enough supplies until then. We'll see how the weekend goes :)
Eventually I managed to get a sleeping pill that put me out pretty good, though it was at lest 03:30 by then. I was out pretty damn good, though, as I was still groggy when they woke me up and walked me to the OR at 08:00 sharp. At that point, the anesthesiologist greeted me with a "Good Morning" and a mask, and I was back on my ass. I woke up a good 3 hours after my 30 minute touch up. My packing and catheters were finally out and my leg mobility greatly improved. There was a minor issue with my IV coming dislodged, and I noticed it very quickly when I needed another round of painkillers. They removed the first one and put a new one in the other hand. Got a lot better after that.
They showed me my after-care regimen. It seems like a lot of steps until the swelling goes down, but I want the best result, so I'll keep it up. I can walk pretty well now, no dizziness, no walker, nothing like that. Actually the only thing I have to wear is a good old fashioned sanitary napkin as the area drains. And by old fashioned I mean the kind that hook to an inner belt. I also am sitting on a hemorrhoid donut to keep pressure off.
All in all, it feels GREAT to have both the packing bulge and the "natural" bulge from before out of the picture. I go back to the clinic for a follow up visit on Monday. I have enough supplies until then. We'll see how the weekend goes :)
06 January, 2011
Day 4
I'm sitting here at 00:30 in the morning completely unable to sleep. Don't know why, I mean, I really shouldn't be. But I'm hyper, and there are two reasons.
Reason #1, and it comes with a question. Is it wrong to have your own band's songs stuck in your head so bad you have to listen to an entire unreleased album of it? That's not too narcissistic, is it? I hope not. But really, I love my band. If you don't know who I'm talking about, I guess I need to start talking about God's Weapon a bit more. Later, when I get back home.
Reason #2 comes from probably I shouldn't have had that diet pepsi a couple hours ago. I haven't had much in the way of caffeine since I left, so I think it hit me a little harder than normal.
So, as for today's events. For the most part same as yesterday, though I did more walking around. It was a lot easier. I also got my hair washed. That was very MUCH needed. I hate having dirty, greasy hair, and one of the nurses was kind enough to take care of me as I leaned into a shower over my walker. I'm pathetic, I suppose, but I really wouldn't need the walker if I didn't have so much packing shoved up my...yeah, you get the idea.
Anyways, later on Dr. Pichet came in to tell me what was next. Friday is going to be a big day, it seems. I start by getting knocked out for a quick labia touch up. He prefers waiting a couple days for this so as to get a more accurate visage after the swelling goes down. I can't complain, y'know. As long as it looks decent and feels good. And quite frankly, having my testes out of my already feels a helluva lot better.
This is apparently an outpatient procedure normally, since by the end of it all my packing and catheter will be out for good and I'll be discharged to the hospital by evening. I'll be back a few times for follow up checks as things heal, and that's when I'll start dialating. All I need after that will be my documents certifying all of this and the doctor's note for when I can return to work. Glad I have a job where I don't have much heavy lifting. Well, not counting the band - bass cabs are fuckin' HUGE!
The only final thing I can say about how I feel so far is that I'm not sore anymore, just tired of the cumbersome nature of the packing. I will say, without specificity, that I can tell I have "good sensation" so far based on what I can feel so far. I'll leave the gory details out of it.
Until next time, everybody!
Reason #1, and it comes with a question. Is it wrong to have your own band's songs stuck in your head so bad you have to listen to an entire unreleased album of it? That's not too narcissistic, is it? I hope not. But really, I love my band. If you don't know who I'm talking about, I guess I need to start talking about God's Weapon a bit more. Later, when I get back home.
Reason #2 comes from probably I shouldn't have had that diet pepsi a couple hours ago. I haven't had much in the way of caffeine since I left, so I think it hit me a little harder than normal.
So, as for today's events. For the most part same as yesterday, though I did more walking around. It was a lot easier. I also got my hair washed. That was very MUCH needed. I hate having dirty, greasy hair, and one of the nurses was kind enough to take care of me as I leaned into a shower over my walker. I'm pathetic, I suppose, but I really wouldn't need the walker if I didn't have so much packing shoved up my...yeah, you get the idea.
Anyways, later on Dr. Pichet came in to tell me what was next. Friday is going to be a big day, it seems. I start by getting knocked out for a quick labia touch up. He prefers waiting a couple days for this so as to get a more accurate visage after the swelling goes down. I can't complain, y'know. As long as it looks decent and feels good. And quite frankly, having my testes out of my already feels a helluva lot better.
This is apparently an outpatient procedure normally, since by the end of it all my packing and catheter will be out for good and I'll be discharged to the hospital by evening. I'll be back a few times for follow up checks as things heal, and that's when I'll start dialating. All I need after that will be my documents certifying all of this and the doctor's note for when I can return to work. Glad I have a job where I don't have much heavy lifting. Well, not counting the band - bass cabs are fuckin' HUGE!
The only final thing I can say about how I feel so far is that I'm not sore anymore, just tired of the cumbersome nature of the packing. I will say, without specificity, that I can tell I have "good sensation" so far based on what I can feel so far. I'll leave the gory details out of it.
Until next time, everybody!
05 January, 2011
Day 3
Not quite as much excitement today. Sleep was pretty hellish as painkillers came and went throughout the night. Got kinda nauseous around mealtime a couple times today. They hit me with some kind of injection and made it easier to eat. The anti-biotics and anti swelling medicines are working fine, as most of the soreness dissipated throughout the day. All in all, much better, though I stayed in bed almost the whole time, of course.
I got to talk to my baby a couple of times. I love talking to her. She makes my world in every way. As much as I love my Mom physically being here and supporting me, helping me with little things, I know she is here in spirit, and the soreness just goes away. I love you, baby :)
In the evening, they brought a walker for me. I got a chance to walk around the hospital floor, and got a quick washdown while I was up. Felt a lot better, though such a small walk was surprisingly exhausting. I got kinda dizzy and very hot. After a rest, though, I managed to do fine. My legs are very restless anyways, so I needed it.
Hoping tomorrow I should be able to get the packing out and cleaned up, and if so, a shower and a shave! Afterwards I'll probably be starting my dialating regimen. As always, I'll keep you posted.
Love you all, and thank you for the support!
I got to talk to my baby a couple of times. I love talking to her. She makes my world in every way. As much as I love my Mom physically being here and supporting me, helping me with little things, I know she is here in spirit, and the soreness just goes away. I love you, baby :)
In the evening, they brought a walker for me. I got a chance to walk around the hospital floor, and got a quick washdown while I was up. Felt a lot better, though such a small walk was surprisingly exhausting. I got kinda dizzy and very hot. After a rest, though, I managed to do fine. My legs are very restless anyways, so I needed it.
Hoping tomorrow I should be able to get the packing out and cleaned up, and if so, a shower and a shave! Afterwards I'll probably be starting my dialating regimen. As always, I'll keep you posted.
Love you all, and thank you for the support!
04 January, 2011
Day 2
Don't suppose anyone got the license plate number on that truck, eh? No? Oh well. At least that's how I feel right about now, along with wondering why I was chosen to test drive the world's largest tampon.
The day of the big surgery. I woke up and took a shower, then chatted a bit with my mom while she ate breakfast at the hotel. The plan was to check out of the hotel and stay at the clinic for up to 4 days until I could stand on my own, then back to the hotel. We got picked up at 8am sharp.
Shortly after arriving, I had to take care of the fun stuff, like blood work, urine sample, and a colon wash. That was fun. I'm not gonna lie, I like anal sex, so I'm no stranger to things being back there, but that was still a weird feeling. We then moved out things into the room we'll be staying for a couple days, my Mom and I. I got her set up on the wi-fi before they came in and told me it was time.
I met the anesthesiologist, who told me what he'd be hitting me with as he laid me down on the table. They put on the heart monitors, the blood pressure cuff, and the IV. They set my legs up on the other end. I had a good size team of nurses running around. I got numbed from the middle of my back on down, and then they partially knocked me out. Partially, apparently, though they put the blanket propped up in front of my face. I felt like I was in there for about 45 minutes, though I was in a bit of a haze most of that time. Turns out it was really 3 hours. All I heard was commands in Thai, so it was hard to focus on what was being said around me, as I don't speak any Thai.
When I ended up back in my room, they got me some more morphine. I felt at peace, though I wouldn't feel my legs for a couple more hours. Once I was cleared to lay up, I tried video chatting with Elizabeth - that failed miserably, as I was too doped up, and a sudden drop in blood pressure made me nearly faint. I had to let her go quickly, but I asked Mom to e-mail her later with what happened. I didn't want my baby to worry.
I had my dinner of roast duck and rice. Best hospital food EVER. As the night wore on, I ended up fighting with the painkillers and the catheter bag. Neither one lasted very long, but I kinda pieced together a night's sleep. I'm still propped up with "packing" right now, which feels like a lot of cloth stuffed in there to clean it up and hold it in place. Which is why I made the crack about the large tampon earlier. I think it's appropriate.
More info as it happens. Love you all!
The day of the big surgery. I woke up and took a shower, then chatted a bit with my mom while she ate breakfast at the hotel. The plan was to check out of the hotel and stay at the clinic for up to 4 days until I could stand on my own, then back to the hotel. We got picked up at 8am sharp.
Shortly after arriving, I had to take care of the fun stuff, like blood work, urine sample, and a colon wash. That was fun. I'm not gonna lie, I like anal sex, so I'm no stranger to things being back there, but that was still a weird feeling. We then moved out things into the room we'll be staying for a couple days, my Mom and I. I got her set up on the wi-fi before they came in and told me it was time.
I met the anesthesiologist, who told me what he'd be hitting me with as he laid me down on the table. They put on the heart monitors, the blood pressure cuff, and the IV. They set my legs up on the other end. I had a good size team of nurses running around. I got numbed from the middle of my back on down, and then they partially knocked me out. Partially, apparently, though they put the blanket propped up in front of my face. I felt like I was in there for about 45 minutes, though I was in a bit of a haze most of that time. Turns out it was really 3 hours. All I heard was commands in Thai, so it was hard to focus on what was being said around me, as I don't speak any Thai.
When I ended up back in my room, they got me some more morphine. I felt at peace, though I wouldn't feel my legs for a couple more hours. Once I was cleared to lay up, I tried video chatting with Elizabeth - that failed miserably, as I was too doped up, and a sudden drop in blood pressure made me nearly faint. I had to let her go quickly, but I asked Mom to e-mail her later with what happened. I didn't want my baby to worry.
I had my dinner of roast duck and rice. Best hospital food EVER. As the night wore on, I ended up fighting with the painkillers and the catheter bag. Neither one lasted very long, but I kinda pieced together a night's sleep. I'm still propped up with "packing" right now, which feels like a lot of cloth stuffed in there to clean it up and hold it in place. Which is why I made the crack about the large tampon earlier. I think it's appropriate.
More info as it happens. Love you all!
03 January, 2011
On the big day
Greetings from Bangkok, Thailand! These past few days have been incredibly exciting. I'm growing rather fond of the place, even though the language eludes me.
Because of how soon I was to go in for surgery after arriving, and I had instructions to be on a liquid diet for 48 hours, I brought some Slim-Fast cans with me on the flight. Even though there was nothing against it on the TSA's website, it flagged me and I had to get a pat down. I asked for a private screen. They took forever to find a second female officer. This second one was a bit ignorant, grunt level S/O. She sauntered towards me and said, "That don't look like no female. You sure that's a female?" Granted, I had a flat sport bra on and no face makeup, so maybe that was why, but damn that seemed rude. Especially since she asked her superior in a not-so-subordinate tone - the first woman that initially told me I was flagged was a Lead Officer (L/O).
Before the second S/O arrived, I told the L/O that I was trans, and that if she examined my genitals in the new standard fashion she would find them, well, "out of the ordinary." She confirmed whether or not I wanted a male or female examiner - I told her female as that is my true comfort level. She had no issue with that. The actual pat down was not as bad as I was expecting, actually. Which was good, as I was a bit sore from hormone withdrawal by that point. Still am, actually.
Well, no more issues on that leg. Shanghai was fun -we had clear customs twice in order to transfer to another flight, even in the same terminal :P I guess that's how it goes over there. We made it to Bangkok late - 130am by local time. And, of course, the immigration window was short staffed. We cleared customs 2 hours later! But my ride was still there and waiting, which was wonderful. They took us to the hotel, and we checked in without any issues.
Today, we went to the Bangkok Plastic Surgery clinic, where we met the surgeon, Dr. Pichet Rodchareon and his staff. Wonderful people! I felt instantly comfortable inside. I signed all the papers, and the doctor explained everything, with photos, that he was going to do. I had seen all that before in my research; Mom, on the other hand, was not as thrilled about it :P But we got it all done. It's now 20:02 local time (about 05:02 Pacific US) on 3 January. In the morning, we'll be checking out of the hotel for a couple days, then getting shuttled to the clinic at 08:00. After a bit of prep, I'll be in surgery. Less than 24 hours now! Think I should say some kinda weird eulogy for "them?" :P I'll keep you guys posted with more details as they go.
Because of how soon I was to go in for surgery after arriving, and I had instructions to be on a liquid diet for 48 hours, I brought some Slim-Fast cans with me on the flight. Even though there was nothing against it on the TSA's website, it flagged me and I had to get a pat down. I asked for a private screen. They took forever to find a second female officer. This second one was a bit ignorant, grunt level S/O. She sauntered towards me and said, "That don't look like no female. You sure that's a female?" Granted, I had a flat sport bra on and no face makeup, so maybe that was why, but damn that seemed rude. Especially since she asked her superior in a not-so-subordinate tone - the first woman that initially told me I was flagged was a Lead Officer (L/O).
Before the second S/O arrived, I told the L/O that I was trans, and that if she examined my genitals in the new standard fashion she would find them, well, "out of the ordinary." She confirmed whether or not I wanted a male or female examiner - I told her female as that is my true comfort level. She had no issue with that. The actual pat down was not as bad as I was expecting, actually. Which was good, as I was a bit sore from hormone withdrawal by that point. Still am, actually.
Well, no more issues on that leg. Shanghai was fun -we had clear customs twice in order to transfer to another flight, even in the same terminal :P I guess that's how it goes over there. We made it to Bangkok late - 130am by local time. And, of course, the immigration window was short staffed. We cleared customs 2 hours later! But my ride was still there and waiting, which was wonderful. They took us to the hotel, and we checked in without any issues.
Today, we went to the Bangkok Plastic Surgery clinic, where we met the surgeon, Dr. Pichet Rodchareon and his staff. Wonderful people! I felt instantly comfortable inside. I signed all the papers, and the doctor explained everything, with photos, that he was going to do. I had seen all that before in my research; Mom, on the other hand, was not as thrilled about it :P But we got it all done. It's now 20:02 local time (about 05:02 Pacific US) on 3 January. In the morning, we'll be checking out of the hotel for a couple days, then getting shuttled to the clinic at 08:00. After a bit of prep, I'll be in surgery. Less than 24 hours now! Think I should say some kinda weird eulogy for "them?" :P I'll keep you guys posted with more details as they go.
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