It's been a VERY long week. A lot of pain. not enough sleep...

A week ago today (Tuesday as I write this), I came out of nine (9) hours of surgery performed by Dr. Jeffrey Speigel. It was a LONGER day, though I was out for most of it.

The day started by getting to the ambulatory care center at Boston Medical Center/Boston University Medical Center (BMC)... This was a change from original plans as I'd originally been scheduled for an OR in another building. But, that's another story. Apparently the hospital DOES this to the Dr. on a semi-regular basis.

In any event, my wife and I arrived a little before our required 6am time. The commute across boston on Mass Ave (from Cambridge where we had been staying) was a breeze. NO WAY NYC roads would be that empty at 5:45am! :-) Made it easy finding our way. We arrived on time, and waited... and Waited... Finally, I went up to check on what order folks were being called... Good thing. Someone else's papers were in my binder... (Wouldn't they have been surprised! No, enough checks in the system to keep that from happening despite stories we may write otherwise. LOL) But from then, things went fairly quickly. I changed into the lovely gown they provided (ewww...) they put in an IV (they wouldn't use my port, as it was to close to the work area. *sighs* So much easier to work with otherwise). A parade of thousands (okay not quite that many Dr. S, two fellows, two residents, two staff doctors, the anesthesiologist and his nurse, and several nurses... Apparently all of them were to be in the OR either observing or assisting...

They all asked (many of the same) questions, too... They were a little surprised my wife had the same last name. (Go figure...)

They started my drop, and the next I knew I was in a recovery room with these bandages around my face. My wife took a photo and showed me, but hasn't shared it yet. It was one of those thick blue bandages you may have seen in others Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS) galleries. I was VERY loggy. It was hard coming out of general anesthesia. I had little muscle control.

Eventually, they called an ambulance (this is normal) to move me from the recovery room to the room I'd be overnighting in. I'm convinced they aimed for every tiny little (and some big ones) bump they could find... And they spun me around willy-nilly.

The next morning, the docs (several - not all of them) showed up to review my status. The heavy duty blue bandage went away, and it was replaced by semi standard "ace" bandages. I was still very loggy... Couldn't eat anything or drink much. Straws (despite what they said) were useless (and still mostly are). About 8pm my wife decided I needed to spend an extra night in the hospital (I couldn't even walk out of the room yet. Oy.) She went back to the hotel. They'd already managed to extend the stay a night. The two daughters took the train to NJ Wed. afternoon with the older one returning to boston that evening).

Thursday morning I was doing MUCH better - I'd managed to do laps of the nursing station a few times in the wee morning hours. And, when the docs did rounds and checked on me they were again very pleased. (I guess I should be then too.) I was on IV pain meds as well as oral. To make a long story short... They finally got around to processing the paper so I could get out about 1:00PM on Thursday, where upon my wife, elder daughter and I headed back to home. We got here. Oy. The car found EVERY BUMP in the road!

Friday happened, they tell me it did, but it was mostly a blur for me. The pain was worse (thank you Percocet). The swelling was worse and the bruising was much worse. I probably looked my worst Friday night into Saturday. Sunday night, I actually breathed through my nose for the first time since the previous Tuesday morning. I have very little voice (they say it'll return to normal - a side effect of nine (9) hours on the breathing tube). Right now, my left cheek's a tad more swollen than normal (the first few days, it was the right - it was tough opening the right eye).

Sunday night, I actually got a decent night sleep - That nose working I mentioned earlier! So yesterday I felt pretty good. Last night... Not so good - sucky weather contributing to sinuses clogging back up. LOL

But, things still seem to be going well. Hopefully, I get rid of my stitches and such late tomorrow. A good shower would be a nice thing... This hair - stiff from vaseline - is NOT fun. (Vain am I?)

In any event by next Tuesday, most bruises are supposed to be gone and the worst of the swelling as well.

This "vacation" hasn't been all that relaxing... And, I'm leaving out the "drama" leading up to my surgery... As it all worked itself out (in the nick of time).

Have there been times where I questioned my sanity by putting myself through this? To be honest, yes. But, I concluded it really was something I needed (before the fact I was REALLY looking forward to things, I mean REALLY! Where will things end up? At this point, I don't really know. I know I'll be recognizable at least to most folks - as I was recognized by many today. Others, maybe not so. A nice silver lining has been the weight loss! While I've consumed jello and the occasional scrambled egg, as well as drunk a LOT of ginger ale, I've managed to take off another dozen pounds! And, I'm going to work at keeping it off as I recover and my appetite returns. (Hey, I kept half of the weight loss due to chemo, so I have a chance, right?)

It's been "real" (but not real fun).

Annette