Third GCS Anniversary For Me

[VickySGV]

Today was the third anniversary of my GCS. So many memories of what happened in those first hours after the anesthetic started wearing off hit me today. So many ups and downs as I healed. So much learning to do.

I have left a record of what happened three years ago here in this forum, and in the Transsexual main forum that I hope will give you, who are going to have surgery, an idea of what goes on in the days and months after it happens.

I had my surgery for me to make my life better for me only. I do not want any of you to think that I consider myself better than any of the rest of you. I know even more fully that you do not necessarily need what I did in order to be your True and Authentic Selves. It is true that I have been a bit luckier than some, but even there, luck is mostly a matter of hard work and being resourceful and resilient.

Few if any of my "great problems" were solved, and some new ones have come up, but I am mature enough to accept the decision I made and acted on.

[Guest]

Thanks Vicky. I'm still new on the learning curve, five months now. It seems like a lifetime ago. I feel it takes a while to make that step so that puberty, life and roles of changing into the female world are adapted first.

It's really an interesting and challenging evolution, that few people truly comprehend. Many more people are understanding, or trying to understand us. It will slowly get better for all of us. Congrats on your three years and thanks for sticking around here for us to lean on. Way, way hug. JodyAnn

[Cyndee]

Thanks for being here Vicky. Could not agree with you more "it's so personal".

Congrats on 3 years !

Cynthia -

[Charlize]

Vicky you are an inspiration in many ways. Congratulations on your anniversary and thank you for sharing your journey with us. It would be lovely if surgery or HRT for that matter could wonderfully solve all our problems. Unfortunately only we can do that with the help of others and in some cases a power greater than ourselves.

Lots of hugs,

Charlize

[Carolyn Marie]

Thanks for continuing to educate us, Vicky. It is no simple thing to accomplish, and it offers no simple cure for all that might ail us. I appreciate your clear eyed attitude about all of it.

HUGS

Carolyn Marie

[bobbisue]

Congrats Vicky on your three years having read many of your posts in the short time I have been here I have never found any indication that you felt even one bit above any one else I would say you are a shining example of where who we want to become not in the way we transition but in the class and compassion you show us all

I dont know where my journey will take me but if even a little of the wisdom compassion and humor of you and the other ladies and gents that lend us your hard won knowledge rubs off it will be a much better place

thanks to all bobbisue

[Guest Kayla Grace]

I'll echo what Charlize said. You're an inspiration and a role model. At least that's my opinion. Three years post op; how do you feel?

[StephanieVikingGirl]

Congrats Vicky,

Yep, you are an inspiration, and role model for me too.

hugs,

Stephanie

[Guest KerryUK]

Many many congratulations Vicky, I am in complete agreement with what you said. Words which many could learn from. Thanks for being here and sharing your experiences. I for one have benefited from them.

Kerry x

[Guest vtphoenix]

Hi, Vicky. I think I feel similarly in some ways. Like I feel like I didn't need to have surgery to be my true self.

I don't think I believed that prior to having surgery and maybe nobody could have made me believe it. I remember that drive to have surgery was just so strong. I felt like it was my destiny and like I just had to know what it would be like. I took a leap of faith and things ended up all right but now I do know what it is like and it doesn't feel like it's as big of a deal. My life is definitely better in some ways because I had surgery and it's worse in some ways too. Nothing's perfect I guess. Surgery didn't make my life like "OMG WOW!" but I don't regret it. I for sure wouldn't undo it but the cost was maybe more than the prize and it would be hard to go through it all again. I can't believe how strong I was. It seems like a lifetime ago (4 years post-op).

[VickySGV]

I can't believe how strong I was. It seems like a lifetime ago (4 years post-op).

For us, it has been a lifetime in a very real sense. Life did change a lot. We did go through a lot of stress, and a whole slew of emotions and actions. The fact we can never have that time again, a time that was alive for us in ways we did not realize is one issue we never discussed in therapy is part of it. The excitement and need for strength is over now in ways that a pre-op in their days before surgery is not ready to fully comprehend, and which I am glad I did not back then. It was a "high" time for us and we grieve the time and thrill mo re than a little now, but we did it. We need to learn how to live the ordinary life that replaces the extraordinary one of before..

[Guest vtphoenix]

I think you're so right. Thanks for sharing that. You've articulated something I've thought of on occasion and is rarely discussed.