My life

[graylayer02]

Wow, I step away from my computer and this happens. Congratulations Danya! Let us know how the recovery goes.

[Danya]

Thanks to everyone for your good wishes. I will write more in a day or two. I'm exhausted after a day traveling and 'under the influence' of oxycodone, the painkiller.

It was great to see Erica Ann when I arrived at O'Hare. I am very glad to be home.

I am very pleased with my surgery results. Once swelling subsides in a few weeks, I'll have a better idea of what the final result will look like.

The pain, swelling and a few other things are all normal.

Too tired to write more tonight. Besides, I need to do a dilation.

[fhunter]

Congratulations!
And I wish you fast recovery.

[butterflyjack]

Welcome home, sweety! Now get dilating!..hehehe smooches dragonfly

[Caith721]

Fantastic to hear you're back home, Danya. While the worst of the swelling will resolve in the next few days and weeks, you can expect more improvement over the next several months, as well. Rest well, and please try to ease off those painkillers as soon as you possibly can. While they're a godsend for the initial pain, they cause so many other problems over the long run.

[JessicaH]

I'm very happy to hear that you are safely back at home and that everything went as planned. Hopefully you will heal quickly and without any incidents. Please take care of yourself and let us know how you are doing!

Hugs, Stacy

[Danya]

I was so out of it, from the painkiller, when I last posted that I'm surprised I made any sense at all.

Just a reminder, tomorrow, 19 April, is surgery date for our Danya. Be with her! AND BEST WISHES FROM ALL OF US!

Hey Kristoff,

You are so thoughtful and generous, I am blown away. Thanks for posting this alert and the good wishes. I know I owe you a phone call. I'm still feelng weak, but I will try to call Sunday.

Good luck Danya. Hopefully when read this you will finally be a complete woman in body and mind. You will be in my thoughts and prayers!!!!

Jennifer Lynn

Hi Jennifer Lynn,

I appreciate the thoughts and prayers. Thanks for the good wishes.

My first night in the hospital after surgery, from about 3:30 AM until 5 AM I had a very warm conversation with the 23 year old woman who had surgery the same day as me. We talked at length about our growing up years, how our journeys had been difficult at times and how glad we were to now feel
complete.

Good luck and best wishes, Danya.


Gareth

Hi Gareth,

As always, you are kind and thoughtful. Thanks for the good wishes.

Danya, I hope you had a good flight, and rested well upon arrival. Today is the day all your dreams come true. It's not Disneyworld, it's better. Heal well and quickly!

Hi Caith,

I had a great flight to Montreal back on April 17. I struck up a conversation with a handsome French Canadian man seated next to me. We spoke for at least 1/3 of the trip.

Although most of the weather during my time in Montreal was cloudy and rainy, the morning of my surgery was different. As I was wheeled into the operating room, I was greeted by a clear blue sky I saw through a skylight.

Just before surgery, I felt that everything in my life was coming together.

The entire staff within Dr. Brassard's organization was helpful, unfailingly courteous and compassionate.

I don't know when Danya's surgery is scheduled, but she should be out of surgery shortly....I'm wishing her well...At the moment, I'm in Myrtle Beach with my family, visiting...Grandkids screaming and running about...Yikes...
Best wishes to her, and moocho smoochos dragonfly

Hi dragonfly,

Thanks for positive thoughts. Hope you survived the grandkids!

Just got an email from Danya. Things went quite well. She is in the recovery residence now. The unveiling will be tomorrow. Let's hope it makes her quite happy!

I was very pleased with the results, and also relieved to have a lot of uncomfortable packing removed.

Of course she had a biased opinion, but the nurse commented on how great everything looked and that a gynecologist would not know all of these new 'parts' were surgically created.

Thanks Kristoff...I await word from the lovely Danya with bated breath.
dragonfly

The 'lovely Danya?' You are very sweet. Makeup helps a lot!

Hi Everyone,

I have spoken to Dayna both yesterday and today at the recovery center in Montreal. She asked me to post to her thread and to let everyone know that she is doing well and recovering nicely. Her surgery went as planned this past Tuesday and she is currently in some pain, but that's to be expected and not unusual. She experienced some dizziness and faintness when they got her up for the first time, which required her to remain in the hospital for an extra day and 2 units of blood to clear this problem up.

She mentioned that she is swollen and bruised a bit. She got her first look at herself yesterday and is quite pleased with the results. Her packing was removed yesterday, her vaginal stint will be removed tomorrow and the catheter will come out on Tuesday. She will then begin her regular dilation routine on Tuesday.

If everything continues to go well she will be released from the recovery center this coming Wednesday and be on a plane coming home. I'm going to pick her up at the airport late on Wednesday afternoon and take care of her luggage for her as well as to give her a ride home.

I cannot thank Erica Ann enough for her help, support and informatoin during this time.

Thank you for posting the update, Erica. Hopefully she has a speedy recovery and is able to resume normal activities very soon.

Danya, I am very happy for you and I know it has been a long journey to this point. I hope you are able to avoid any "post op blues" but if you do, make sure your friends know and don't hesitate to reach out to them. You can call me anytime, dear.

Love, Stacy

Hi Stacy,

My main post surgery problem is boredom. I'm just not used to all of this uneventful rest. It's likely to be at least three more weeks before I return to the office. Erica Ann had told me how much this surgery takes out of you, but I did not totally comprehend this until experiencing it myself.

So far, I do not think I have any post op blues. If they occur, I will reach out to friends includng you.

To get out and be among people, earlier today I drove the 1 1/2 miles to the nearby mall and walked for 30 minutes. It was good to be out and about.

Thank you Erica. It's really good to hear Danya is recovering and will be home soon. I wish her continued good progress and a healthy recovery. Tuesday should be a very significant day, and it all makes me very, very happy for her.

Hi Caith,

Remember, this 'angel' is the wanna be slut! Not really, although I need to contemplate how to integrate everything in my life post surgery.

I will always consider April 19 another birthday.

Beautiful, and thanks Erica. Smooches to you and Danya dragonfly

You certainly like to smooch, dragonfly.

Good luck danya

Thanks very much, Randy

Wow, I step away from my computer and this happens. Congratulations Danya! Let us know how the recovery goes.

Hi graylayer,

Thanks for the congrats! I will post periodic updates on my recovery.

Congratulations!
And I wish you fast recovery.

Hi fhunter,

Thank you very much for the congratulations and good wishes for a fast recovery.

Welcome home, sweety! Now get dilating!..hehehe smooches dragonfly

Ah, dilations. These can remain quite uncomfortalble and even a little painful for a few weeks. That's exactly what I'm experiencing now. It's all worth it, though.

Fantastic to hear you're back home, Danya. While the worst of the swelling will resolve in the next few days and weeks, you can expect more improvement over the next several months, as well. Rest well, and please try to ease off those painkillers as soon as you possibly can. While they're a godsend for the initial pain, they cause so many other problems over the long run.

Since Thursday morning, the day after my return, I have taken no painkillers. So even though dilating still feels quite uncomfortable, I need to keep in mind that it must be getting better since I can now do this without meds.

While I was still in the hospital, I developed what I now realize is labial swelling. Everyone gets this to some extent, but mine is somewhat worse. Dr. Brassard assured me even this is normal. I've been using ice to help reduce the swelling. This area continues to be a bit warm, though. I see my personal physician Monday for a post surgery checkup. He has worked with many post op patients.

I'm very happy to hear that you are safely back at home and that everything went as planned. Hopefully you will heal quickly and without any incidents. Please take care of yourself and let us know how you are doing!

Hugs, Stacy

Hi Stacy,

Although, as I noted earlier, I am bored out of my mind my spirits remains high. I need to get out a bit each day. I will post periodic updates.
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To all of you who have been so generous with you support, prayers, encouragement and so on.....many, many thanks.

Hugs,
Danya

[gareth19]

Good to hear from you Danya. Take it easy and recover completely.

[butterflyjack]

Hi sweety..There aren't enough smooches to convey my feelings/concerns.
You seem to be doing well...and if you need any help with those dilations...give me a yell...hehehe moocho smoochos dragonfly

[Caith721]

Since Thursday morning, the day after my return, I have taken no painkillers. So even though dilating still feels quite uncomfortable, I need to keep in mind that it must be getting better since I can now do this without meds.

While I was still in the hospital, I developed what I now realize is labial swelling. Everyone gets this to some extent, but mine is somewhat worse. Dr. Brassard assured me even this is normal. I've been using ice to help reduce the swelling. This area continues to be a bit warm, though. I see my personal physician Monday for a post surgery checkup. He has worked with many post op patients.

That is really, really great to hear. Getting out and walking around is probably the best thing you can do, for short periods of time. Keep the blood moving and the swelling will gradually reduce as each week and month passes. Seriously, it can take up to an entire year for everything to finally settle into a normal pattern. This is why some surgeons offer a touch-up visit afterwards, just in case something is still obviously incorrect after a year's recovery.

[John]

Hi Danya!

So you finally got your surgery! Great to hear!

Haven´t been here in a while, hope you are doing well!

Greetings

John

[Danya]

Gareth, Dragonfly and Caith,

Thanks again for your caring support.

Hi Danya!

So you finally got your surgery! Great to hear!

Haven´t been here in a while, hope you are doing well!

Greetings

John

Hi John,

I'm glad you wrote! I am doing very well, with a minor complication I'll discuss below.

Hugs,
Danya
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I saw my doctor this afternoon at his downtown office. As usual, I was excited to be downtown. I got a glimpse of flowering tulips and other spring blossoms in the large Millennium Park gardens, across the street from his office. Being there brought back fond memories of the many free concerts I attended at the park last summer.

The doctor examined Dr. Brassard's work. Everything so far is fine with one minor exception. One inch-long section of the surgical incision had pulled apart and was bleeding quite a bit. The stiches are long gone.

Why did this happen? Part of the reason is that I was probably over doing things. That's all I'll say about it. I must point out, though, this is a known minor complication; I am NOT the first to deal with this.

The doctor used a standard treatment of silver nitrate to chemically cauterize the bleeding area. This did not survive the 26-mile drive home and a stop at Target. At the store, I used the women's room. When I stood up, I saw the water was filled with blood.

While I looked, my sanitary pad fell out of my panties. Not wanting to put more stress on the incision by picking up the pad from the floor, I used another approach. It's possible several women in the restroom noticed what was going on under the stall door. After several attempts, I was able to use one shoe to flip the pad onto the other foot. I then lifted my leg to reach the pad. I was very pleased when I perfected this technique in Montreal. Seems it takes regular practice, though, to maintain top form.

I was able to stop the bleeding. I then called my doctor. He said he couldn't tell what the problem was without seeing me or without my looking, which he wanted me to do immediately. I refused, not thinking this would be a good thing in the middle of the kitchen aisle. [I was there for a good reason, on the doctor's recommendation that I use thinner towels between ice and my body.]

So I drove right home and saw that, yes, it was the incision that was bleeding. I called my doctor to let him know. For the next two days or so I was given instructions to skip twice daily douching and just as frequent sitz baths. I did not mind hearing this! No reprieve from dilations was given, of course.

Tonight, I'm applying lots of ice. I'd already been doing this but too little cold was getting through. Of course, I don't want too much cold on this delicate area, either.

As of this moment, the bleeding has stopped. I'm to call my doctor tomorrow to let him know how things are going. He definitely wants to see me next Monday at the latest to check things out.
________________________________________________

Back track to the flight home Wednesday.

I was very glad I had taken oxycodone right before the flight. Even with the powerful painkiller, I found it difficult to endure the trip.

At last, someone kept announcing that Chicago was drawing near and we would be landing soon. I think this must have been announced 10 times because I started to lose patience. I was very uncomfortable even sitting on my rubber 'doughnut.' I was nearly ready to pound on the cockpit door and demand that the pilot land immediately.
__________________________________________________

After Erica and I had dinner, I asked her if she'd stop at a store. There were a few items I needed following surgery that had not been noted in the Montreal info package.

I was still feeling a bit loopy from the oxycodone. As we entered the store a woman was approaching. I said "Erica, I have a vagina just like that woman." This is not something I would typically say. Erica responded "Yes, dear, so do I." I don't think the woman overheard our exchange.

[Caith721]

I was still feeling a bit loopy from the oxycodone. As we entered the store a woman was approaching. I said "Erica, I have a vagina just like that woman." This is not something I would typically say. Erica responded "Yes, dear, so do I." I don't think the woman overheard our exchange.

Just like her, and Erica, and all the other women out there. In other words, "you're normal, dear."

[mrt]

Don't try to tough out pain. Its one thing I've learned from surgery. oxycodone or whatever they give you can be a real life saver. If it makes you feel a little loopy? Who cares. Hang in there on the boredom stuff. I totally am getting that. Day time TV is just about the worst...

[Danya]

Don't try to tough out pain. Its one thing I've learned from surgery. oxycodone or whatever they give you can be a real life saver. If it makes you feel a little loopy? Who cares. Hang in there on the boredom stuff. I totally am getting that. Day time TV is just about the worst...

Hi MrT,

I have very little pain now, so I'm fine without the prescription painkiller. I'm allowed to take ibuprofen again. That helps reduce swelling.

I am dealing with boredom in part by listening to new music on YouTube. I haven't turned on a TV in about 18 months. My roommate put one in my bedroom, but I have no desire to use it. I might feel differently if we had channels like History, Discovery and HBO. Anyway, with all the post surgery and complication maintenance, I sometimes feel rushed for time.

Much of the day I spend reading all kinds of things on the web.

I hope that when I next see my doctor Monday, I'll get his OK to increase my activity level a bit.

Hugs,
Danya
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When I saw my doctor two days ago, I reminded him that I needed to resume taking estrogen, the 'elixir of the gods.' He corrected me by calling it the 'elixir of the goddesses.'

In the time since I halted estrogen in preparation for surgery, I lost a significant amount of breast tissue. I'm glad to be back on injectable estradiol at half the dose I used pre-surgery.

The areas of bleeding in sections of my incisions seem to be healing.

Dilations, while still not fun, are becoming more tolerable. The normal bleeding that accompanies this is subsiding right on schedule.

Time for a nap!