Auroras's GCS Surgery

[Aurora]

So was just noticing and remembering that before my surgery, I really did not take care of my bottom area and just really hope that it would fall off.  Pretty much why when I had testicular cancer that I really did not take care of myself down their.  But now that I have my new kitty and my mind and body actually match and I feeling better about myself and doing self love that I really have been taking care of myself down there.  I have been taking all sorts of pictures of it and have been looking at it in the mirror and studying it and when there is even something really small that I notice, I call my doctor and ask them about it.  I am really going into details about my new area.  So I guess going back that all these decades, I just did not like or feel comfortable with my part and now with how cautious I am on my current new part, I am taking care of her like crazy and I am on top of my dilation and my cleaning schedule and just know how she is feeling all together.

[Heather Shay]

@Aurora I can just imagine the joy of being the real you inside and out and that all you share in this post makes me feel so happy for you. I'm not there yet but with each step towards it I feel a euphoria unlike I've never experienced in my life.

Hugs

Heather

[Aurora]

Today July 21st marks my 3 month posy-op.  I am still so happy and excited to finally have the correct part that I am suppose to have.  

 

I took pictures and sent them to my doctor in Austin TX since I am in another state and she loved how I look and that I am all healed and cannot see my scars.  I asked her about the dilation time line as it now tells me to go from 3 times a day to 1 time a day and I am scared that it will close up them and asked her if I can actually do 2 times a day.  My doctor said go ahead.  She understands my fears and the 1 time a day is a guideline, but if I feel more comfortable doing 2 times a day now instead of 1 time a day, then go right ahead.  I also asked about the green dilator as I have went to the blue one early as the blue one was more comfortable than the purple and she said that she has no problem wtih me going to the green one early, she said that if it is too tight and painful then stop and dont do it and wait a month longer or so.  They told me to just make sure that I am comfortable and not in pain.  I told my doctor about me falling asleep with the blue dilator inside of me and she said that if I am doing that, it does mean I am comfortable with that one and try not to always fall asleep with it inside of me

[Ivy]

Sounds like you are doing really well.  I'm glad for you.

[Aurora]

 

Was just looking over pictures that my photojournalist took of myself as she was following me through my transition and she got to be there during my big unveiling from my surgery.  This is tasteful and does not show anything, but it shows what happens for the big unveiling 

[Jackie C.]

2 hours ago, Aurora said:

This is tasteful and does not show anything, but it shows what happens for the big unveiling 

 

Also WAY less gore than I'm remembering. Then again, I could just be a bleeder.

 

Hugs!

[Kylie]

Awe! I remember this moment for myself as well. Love Teresa too! 
 

hope you’re well. 

[SheenaT]

On 9/5/2021 at 10:03 AM, Aurora said:

 

Was just looking over pictures that my photojournalist took of myself as she was following me through my transition and she got to be there during my big unveiling from my surgery.  This is tasteful and does not show anything, but it shows what happens for the big unveiling 

Must be so exciting to see what always should have been there. ? Happy tears for you hun.

[Aurora]

Today marks my 6 month post-op.  Took pictures and sent them over to my doctor.  The swelling has gone down alot.  my scars are not even visible.  When I pee, it is no longer like someone has there thumb over the end of the hose.  it is getting to be more of a stream.  I have heeled up nicely and have so much feeling down there and have even experimented down there on what turns me on and what feels so good to me.

[VickySGV]

A validating and wonderful day in our lives.  It happened and is happening for you.

[Ivy]

That sounds wonderful

[Aurora]

I have a question about bottom surgery.  Why is everyone talking about how painful it is and how much pain they were in and that their pain was off the chart?

 

When I had my bottom surgery, I was not in pain or discomfort.  My doctors and nurses got me up and walking the day after surgery.  By day 3 when I left the hospital to go back to where I was staying, I was able to walk pretty good.  But I was never in pain or discomfort.

 

When I had the bolster and packing removed on day 6, I was able to walk better, I was dilating, but I was still not in pain or discomfort.  By week 3, I was walking like myself again and walking stairs.  No pain or discomfort.

 

Am I just the 1 off weird person?  Now when I had my cancer surgery and they opened my abdominal area up, now that was painful back in 2009

[Jackie C.]

1 hour ago, Aurora said:

Why is everyone talking about how painful it is and how much pain they were in and that their pain was off the chart?

 

No idea. I mean it hurt in the beginning, but it never went over, say a 3 on the pain scale. The train ride home was uncomfortable. Pro Tip: Do NOT make 20 hours on a train part of your plan to get home. The worst part of the actual recovery though was that my digestive tract simply does not function at the angles they had me confined to.

 

Procedures can vary from surgeon to surgeon as can pain tolerance. I was sore, but I could walk by Friday. My time in the hotel was relatively comfortable. The catheter and I are never going to be friends, but things were relatively pleasant and I got back into the swing of things in the expected time frame. Sitting on the surgical site was hard, but that and protracted walks were the only times I was in discomfort.

 

The revision was even easier. The worst part of that was bleeding through my skirt during dinner. The pain was basically non-existant.

 

Hugs!

[Kylie]

I was walking about 3 hours after surgery and went to the hotel the same day. I did not stay in the hospital. I think the main reasons why I had pain after surgery, was I did not take Tylenol/pain medications until the pain was close to a 10. I perhaps took pain medication once to twice a day. At the 3 week mark I suffered a pretty significant complication and was placed on bed rest; I became depressed and that of course exacerbated the discomfort of being stuck in bed. 
 

You have to remember the pain tolerance is different for everyone. While my pain tolerance was low the initial surgery, my second surgery I had no pain whatsoever. As a nurse, I can have multiple patients that have the exact same procedure; each one will respond different to the procedure. One may only need Tylenol while another may need frequent narcotics to manage pain. It all comes down to the brain and how it perceives the trauma. I just remember to always be cognizant we all aren’t made the same. ?

 

Kylie

[Jackie C.]

That's about the same speech about pain I got from the anesthesiologist. He was all, "How bad is your pain?" and I'm like, "What pain?" I've still got Oxy from my first procedure. Couldn't even tell you why my sister-in-law filled my 'scrip after the second one. But yeah, there could be nerve shenanigans, your own personal reaction to pain, etc...

 

My top ten pains include being stepped on by a horse. GCS didn't even make the list.

 

Hugs!

[Kylie]

Right! I spill that same speech every time people question the process of pain. Especially people that are narcotic naive versus those who frequent narcotics. Takes a LOT more narcotics to knock down the one who abuses them than the latter. But no judgment. 

[Guest]

Aurora,

Congratulations on the recovery. I have read a number of posts on here as I am just starting out on this journey. That is terrific that you are healing so well. I concur with what Kylie has said, everybody is just a bit different with pain response. I hope I am as lucky when my turn comes. I saw them comments about night shift. If I am ever elected President, I am banning night shift. Everybody should get to sleep! Somebody who loves night will probably shoot me though. Oh well...

Sincerely

Katie

[Kylie]

I’ve been on nights for 13 years now! As I finish up my Doctoral Studies in the near future I will switch to the bright side! (I am low key excited)

[Guest]

Kylie,

That is great. I take it you are going for your DNP? That is great. I finished mine a couple of years ago. I hope it goes well for you.

Sincerely

Katie

[Kylie]

Yes, doing my DNP as an Acute Care NP/FNP dual certified provider. I plan to work as an ICU Provider in the ICU I’ve worked in for the last decade. On the side I plan to do Endocrinology as an out patient FNP. 

[Guest]

That is great. You will find that the dual certification really helps and gives you maximum flexibility. Have you already started practicing as an NP?

Sincerely

Katie

[Kylie]

I have not. I still have some clinical hours to do and wrap up my DNP project before graduation then I’ll sit for the boards for my ACNP first then my FNP at a later time once I’m settled in the ACNP role. 

[Confused1]

On 11/10/2021 at 6:24 AM, Aurora said:

I have a question about bottom surgery.  Why is everyone talking about how painful it is and how much pain they were in and that their pain was off the chart?

 

I had Zero Depth. Left the hospital the next day. My pain was probably about 15 on the last two days before they removed the catheter and I ate oxycodone like candy. They said it was likely due to previous radiation for cancer that messed up my urethra. Before and after those two days, I don't think I got over a 4 or 5 pain level and I just used Tylenol.

 

Hugs,

Mike

[KathyLauren]

On 11/10/2021 at 8:24 AM, Aurora said:

I have a question about bottom surgery.  Why is everyone talking about how painful it is and how much pain they were in and that their pain was off the chart?

 

Most people I know had their pain well-managed.  Mine was never more than about a 2 or 3 on the 1-10 scale.  I was up and walking a lap or two around the ward the next day.  The day after that, I walked over to the recover centre.  I was pretty comfortable there. 

 

I just used Tylenol for the most part.  One day, after I was home, I was pretty ouchy and took one dose of Tramadol, which the hospital had supplied for that purpose.  It turned out to be too much, and I didn't take any more.

 

I have ongoing pain issues that are not related to the medical recovery, and are not typical.  Most people should not expect them.