The next step, surgery.

[Guest]

On 4/20/2017 at 0:32 PM, Jani423 said:

Kathryn Julia, thank you for your wonderful post.  I was speaking with my therapist about the upcoming event and mentioned that I was mostly anxious about the actual surgery.  I've had major surgery before where I was under anesthesia for several hours.  I find this to be difficult to think about.  The end result not so much as I've been waiting so long for it.  I wasn't sure how much more I was going to write as it was hard to gauge interest in it.  I'll try to do my best. 

Jani

Just FYI, I certainly want to hear your process.  

Plucking my eyebrows is much easier for me than threading. But haven't tried was. However, I can remember my wife coming home with burns from the wax.

Yesterday, I was trying to imagine electrolysis on my eye brows  And the southern area for possible future SRS   LOL

[Jani]

I met with a counselor two weeks ago for my second letter recommending me for surgery.  I received a copy in the mail today as the original was faxed to the doctor.  I recommend starting this discussion as soon as you decide this is a procedure you wish to pursue.  Things came together for me quickly and I didn't have them when I met the doctor.   I've heard some doctors won't schedule an appointment without them in hand.  

I am inside five weeks now and it's becoming real that soon I'll be "on the other side".  Pollen season here is in full swing and I need to be careful as it does negatively affect me.  I'm afraid of getting congestion and a runny nose as I'm sure that would be an issue that might hold things up.  I really want to get out and do a lot of walking to build up my lungs after a long winter but as I'm in the middle of a heavily wooded area there is no escape from the "yellow dust".  We have an old treadmill that I will try again.  I never enjoyed it but as a last resort...

Once I'm inside four weeks I'll have the last blood and urine labs done.  Payment to the doctor will be due then as well.  

Thanks for your support.

Jani 

 

[Guest]

4 minutes ago, Jani423 said:

I met with a counselor two weeks ago for my second letter recommending me for surgery.  I received a copy in the mail today as the original was faxed to the doctor.  I recommend starting this discussion as soon as you decide this is a procedure you wish to pursue.  Things came together for me quickly and I didn't have them when I met the doctor.   I've heard some doctors won't schedule an appointment without them in hand.  

I am inside five weeks now and it's becoming real that soon I'll be "on the other side".  Pollen season here is in full swing and I need to be careful as it does negatively affect me.  I'm afraid of getting congestion and a runny nose as I'm sure that would be an issue that might hold things up.  I really want to get out and do a lot of walking to build up my lungs after a long winter but as I'm in the middle of a heavily wooded area there is no escape from the "yellow dust".  We have an old treadmill that I will try again.  I never enjoyed it but as a last resort...

Once I'm inside four weeks I'll have the last blood and urine labs done.  Payment to the doctor will be due then as well.  

Thanks for your support.

Jani 

 

It's something that is really weighing me down, thinking about SRS vs.........

I know what I want, but I also have to think of my wife, so we're working through..........

[DenimAndLace]

I got a nasty head cold 10 days before my septo/rhinoplasty and my surgeons response was, "we'll reduce the swelling with antihistamine once we get in there".  Uggg!  That was fine for him but it made my recovery awful!  If a cold wont stop nose surgery, I'd be surprised if seasonal congestion or allergies would stop your surgery - at least I hope not for your sake.  Your date with destiny is set.  Let's hope that all goes as planned.  I wish you peace and calm in the coming weeks. 

[Jani]

2 hours ago, DenimAndLace said:

If a cold wont stop nose surgery, I'd be surprised if seasonal congestion or allergies would stop your surgery - at least I hope not for your sake.  Your date with destiny is set.  Let's hope that all goes as planned. 

I surely hope so.  I don't even want to think about the possibility.

5 hours ago, Fiona said:

I know what I want, but I also have to think of my wife, so we're working through.........

This is so true if you are committed to each other.  

Jani

[Guest]

31 minutes ago, Jani423 said:

This is so true if you are committed to each other.  

Jani

Indeed. I once thought the biggest/hardest decision was where to go from me epiphany. Until this. Indeed....

[MarcieMarie12]

Well, I've talked with my significant other and they don't really care what's down there. Of course I had this conversation with my girlfriend (also MTF), very early in the relationship. Just so she knows where I am headed. She is going to help me recover after the surgery.

[Guest]

That's so wonderful, Marcie. It warms my heart.......  

[Jani]

I'm going to get my lab work done tomorrow.  I've stalled on it a bit.

Also on Monday I received a call to say I'm being moved out one day to the 15th.  Something about the hospital overbooking operating rooms.  I didn't ask more.  In the big scheme of things, not a big deal.  I was talking with a friend yesterday and said before E this would have driven me crazy.   What a change in life perspective...

I send my check to the Anesthesia doctor next week.  Getting closer.

Jani

[Jani]

My journey to the other side is almost complete.  All my pre-surgery requirements are met.  I'm preparing for the flight on Tuesday to Philadelphia.  We'll be there a day early since we didn't change flights due to expense.  Time is speeding up as I expected as I add to my list of things to pack and what I'll need in the recovery facility.  I'm going grocery shopping again on Sunday to stock up on dry goods.  I have a list of perishables I need for when I return home.  

I planted a couple flats of Marigolds along my front walkway today.  It's brightens up the walk and will cheer me up upon arriving home!  I need to go visit my son to drop off my granddaughter's birthday gift since I'll be away on the day.  I even have a small consolation present for her sister, so everyone wins!  I have a few other personal loose ends too.  My mother called today to see how I was and if I was nervous.  When asked if she's sad about my change she told me she's happy that I'm happy.  I also received a nice email from an aunt wishing me her best and that she'll be thinking of me.  

When I stopped my estrogen I expected a reaction.  I was fine for four days when it hit hard.  I couldn't sleep and felt a mild nausea for a day.  I was encouraged that it seemed to go away after 24 hours or so.  I'm not focusing on it though as I look at it as temporary and the patches will be back on soon enough.  I can stay on Spiro until the day before surgery which is helping. 

Today I had my last electrolysis appointment for a while.  I am having chin work so I know it will be off limits for some time.  I'm not happy as I'm making great progress but it's a moment in the continuum.    

I may not have much more to write until I am in recovery so this may be it for a while.  Thank you all who have offered kind words of support.  It means so much to me.  Laura's is an enjoyable place because of you.  I will certainly log back in when I'm able to let you know how I faired.  Keep me in your thoughts.  

Jani 

[Rachael]

Wishing you a speedy recovery

[SugarMagnolia]

I'm so happy for you Jani! I'm still a few years away from the milestone that you're about to experience, but it warms my heart to see anyone living their dream.

Best of luck!
 

[Charlize]

You are in my neighborhood by now.  Best of luck with the surgery.  if there is anything i can do please PM me and i'll do my best to help out. 

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[Jani]

I don't know how far you are from Bala Cynwyd but if you have some free time I'll be without any company throughout the week.  I'd love the time to chat.

Jani

[Briana]

Hi Jani, best of luck.  You're gonna do great.  Just don't stay in bed.  "Bed rest" is not your friend.  As soon as you can get up and move about, do it.  :-)

[Clara84]

Good luck Jani. I wish you a lot of success

[Jani]

Yesterday I flew into Philadelphia and got an Uber car for the ride to Dr. Leis's office for my first post-op check up.  Everything looks good and sensation is fine.  I received instructions for further care.  Unfortunately the plane rides to and from were terrible due to long delays, once we were on the plane.  Argh.  Overall I am a happy girl!

Jani

[Briana]

Awesome!  And yes, plane delays can be the worst, especially if you're already seated on the plan.  I have little patience for that and it drives me crazy.

[Charlize]

Unfortunately our transportation system on the east coast is falling apart.  The roads aren't good and rails have been ignored by the government for years.  I was amazed at the quality of the roads in much of the country and they had no tolls!  I doubt that privatizing the air comptrollers is going to help that form of transportation either.  At least the rich in this area have their helicopters to commute with.  I can't complain i just work the farm but seeing the outside does make a girl get up on her high horse sometimes.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[Cyndee]

Glad to hear your recovery is doing well Jani, keep it up, it just keeps getting better 

Hugs

Cynthia -

[Jani]

Thank you all for your support in getting me through this very personal milestone.  

Jani

[Jani]

I flew to Philadelphia again this morning for my second post-op check up with Dr. Leis.  It's been 16 weeks since my surgery.  All is well and function is good.  Any issues I had resolved themselves with no sign of distress as the doctor noted the area looked natural, which is what I wanted to hear since that is how it looks to me.  I will go back one more time next May or June for a one year check up.  I'll most likely travel with my wife and we'll stay a few days to visit the area since she has never been to see the historic sites in Philadelphia.

 

I want to say that my experience with Dr. Leis has been exceptional.  I keep hearing and reading that there are only a handful of good doctors that do this surgery and that wait times are long.  That is incorrect.  I know Dr. Leis has trained many other doctors, including some of the most popular ones.  There are many good surgeons in this country, with reasonable schedules and costs.  They don't all aggressively "advertise" their services but if you talk to them and/or their patients you may find a good fit for you.  

 

Jani  

[Charlize]

When you came back down come visit our area where Washington crossed the Delaware just a bit not of Philly.

Glad things are going well for you.  I like Dr. Leis and considered surgery with him.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[Jani]

I was at an appointment with my Endocrinologist yesterday when I realized it was 5 months to the day since my surgery date.  My life has become normal and I'm happy about that!  

 

Jani