The Long Countdown to GRS almost over

[Heather Shay]

AI want to wish @Susan R our biggest hugs and warmest smiles as she finally will reach her goal soon. And I could not be happier for her.

God speed Susan R.

[Jani]

Yes!  This is a big step yet also just another piece of the puzzle we put together to be ourselves.  All my love to you @Susan R!  I know you will do well especially as your loving spouse will be with you.

 

Hugs, Jani

[Susan R]

Thank you both. You have been so kind to me. I don’t leave for 5 days yet but as of last night, I’m already packed. How’s that for being efficient? That’s got to be a first for me. I’m usually the “scrambling last minute” type getting ready for a trip.

 

Mentally and emotionally I’m sort of prepared but I’ve been in a deeply reflective and contemplative mood for two days. Maybe some of you posties have experienced something similar to this before your surgeries. I watched a two of my favorite youtube timeline videos last night that I had watched back in 2017 after making my decision that something had to be done. It brought back so many emotions for me. Then I watched someone’s video called the Pain of Gender Confirmation Surgery. Bad Idea before having the surgery. Crazy thing. The woman featured in the video was also flying from Seattle to have GCS with my same surgeon I am using and it sort of scared me a little about what soon to happen. It was a little eye opening.

 

Thanks @Shay and @Jani

Susan R?

[Jackie C.]

It's honestly not as painful as you'd think. Right now my back hurts worse than my GCS did.

 

Best of luck sweetie. May your procedure be flawless and you never need revision. Just do what the doctor says. You'll be fine.

 

Hugs!

[Jani]

Try not to think too much about the process.  I'm not one that tolerates blood and wound sites well so wasn't interested in the nuts and bolts, in fact I had a hard time looking at the site until it was fairly well healed.  Prior to the date I completely immersed myself in having a good time with my sisters who had come to greater Philadelphia with me.  We went shopping for an upcoming wedding for two days and had a grand time.  The impact of the surgery didn't hit me until afterwards.  I was too focused on healing!  

 

I too made a list and checked it twice!  I didn't want to forget anything I might need.  I know you will be fine.

[Susan R]

1 hour ago, Jackie C. said:

It's honestly not as painful as you'd think. Right now my back hurts worse than my GCS did.

Oh Jackie, I had a small back injury in 1999 and could not run or do any extreme exercise for a year until I took a cortisone shot into my lower spine. My life changed after that shot (lol, about two hours later to be exact) But after that year, I developed a new understanding of back pain. I have much empathy for you. I remember it being the one pain that even the prescribed pain meds had no effect and did little to improve my quality of life during that time. I feel for you hon.

 

1 hour ago, Jani said:

I too made a list and checked it twice!  I didn't want to forget anything I might need.  I know you will be fine.

Thanks for the vote of confidence Jani. You’re a sweetie. I knew it was mistake to watch the video although it didn’t show any blood and guts. It was focused more on her before and after period. It showed her in some of her worst pain sessions due to what she felt was the catheter caused from the angle at which she was sitting. Unfortunately, it took her awhile to figure that out and she was in tears. I realize her situation will not be the same as mine although it is a same surgery with the same doctor so I got caught up emotionally...just a little.

 

 

[Jani]

I had more pain after prostate surgery TBH.  My GRS doctor wanted bed rest so no getting up for a couple days and my back was sore which is something I have dealt with for years.  I need to keep moving.  I think afterwards you'll go "oh, that's it?" as you go back to life as usual.  You will be smug in knowing you are complete!   

[KathyLauren]

@Susan R, I wish you all the best for your surgery and hope all goes well for you.  Enjoy the experience.

[Astrid]

@Susan R, I've been keeping you in my prayers.  Offering virtual "squeezing of the hands" in support!  

Soon enough, we'll be offering you virtual hugs, as well, as you recover and begin to celebrate this important milestone.

 

With positive thoughts beamed due West from here in Boston,

 

Astrid

[Audrey]

@Susan R

I'm so very excited for you as you approach your surgery. As others have said, we'll all be praying and cheering for you, all the way from NYC from me. Looking at the journey ahead from early in my transition, it feels me with hope and confidence to know that so many of you have reached this milestone and achieved your dreams. It helps me know that the same is possible for me too.

 

Love,

~Audrey.

[Susan R]

9 hours ago, Jani said:

I think afterwards you'll go "oh, that's it?" as you go back to life as usual.  You will be smug in knowing you are complete!

This would be a wonderful outcome. Knowing it’s all done will be such a relief. This first GRS surgery is equivalent to a zero depth vaginoplasty and my second surgery in June is the procedure where I get my depth and will need to dilate from then onward.

 

@KathyLauren @Astrid @Audrey

Thank you for your thoughts, good wishes and prayers. This helps me knowing you care about my well being. I don’t know what I’d do without this place and it’s support. You are all extraordinary people?.

 

Susan R?

[Elizabeth Star]

Good luck Susan, with this next "Big" step in your journey.

[Mmindy]

Best wishes @Susan R I'm keeping you in my daily prayers.

 

Hugs,

 

Mindy???

[Lexi C]

Hey SusanR@  you have always so kind to me. Congrats on reach this part of your life.

Very Proud of. Much  

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[Confused1]

Hi Susan,

 

You're almost there! My in person consult is the day before your first surgery. You already know you are in my prayers.

 

Hugs,

Mike

[Susan R]

@ElizabethStar @Mmindy @Lexi C @Confused1 @gina-nicole-t

Thank you for your kind words of support. I look forward to getting on here afterwards and giving you all a good report. It’s starting to hit me now as I’ve done everything needed and am just in ‘wait mode’ until my flight.

 

Again...Thanks gang!

Susan R?

[Kylie]

Awe so happy for you @Susan R! Stay safe. Perfect time to be in the house recovering from surgery, the world is no place to be out in now anyways.

 

all well wishes and a speedy recovery!

[Susan R]

10 hours ago, Kylie said:

Awe so happy for you @Susan R! Stay safe. Perfect time to be in the house recovering from surgery, the world is no place to be out in now anyways.

 

all well wishes and a speedy recovery!

Thank you, Kylie. I appreciate your kindness. I agree...I probably won’t be missing too much being indoors for 3-4 weeks. There not much going on in our area that I can’t do virtually.

 

I hope your GRS recovery is going well. I really enjoy your updates here. You and others that have been through this procedure have given me hope and confidence that I can do this.

 

On a completely unrelated topic...I tried to take you up on your invite to PM you a few weeks back. I sent you a long PM but it appears there are a few major bugs in our messaging system here. A much older account with your identical username inadvertently is where all your PM’s and Forum Mentions from me and many others here end up. The Admins are aware of the issue but as of this time, there is no fix and no way to private message you.

 

My Best,

Susan?

 

[Kylie]

@Susan Rdo you have Instagram? You can message me on there and we can always exchange numbers. 
 

my Instagram *****.**

 

 

 

 

Edited December 31, 2020 by Susan R
Privacy Concerns

[Susan R]

2 hours ago, Kylie said:

@Susan Rdo you have Instagram? You can message me on there and we can always exchange numbers. 

Kylie, I don’t but may create an account for this specific purpose. I’ll look into it tonight.

[Susan R]

4 hours ago, Kylie said:

do you have Instagram? You can message me on there and we can always exchange numbers.

I set up an Instagram account but there’s an issue

[Janae]

Susan, you have been there for me in the past, and wanted to wish you all the best - and thank you for all your support.  I wanted to offer up my support for you on your journey. Praying everything goes well and you have a speedy recovery.

 

Hugs

 

Janae

[Susan R]

2 hours ago, Janae said:

Praying everything goes well and you have a speedy recovery.

This means the world to me, @Janae. Thank you so much. I’m sure all will go as planned. Dr. Stiller is one of the best IMHO.

 

Warmest Regards,

Susan R?

[Kylie]

@Susan R Girl I didn’t know my account security was so tight. I adjusted it so you should now be able to message me!