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Karen Payne's Blog

Monthly Archives: January 2015

Important need to know

31 Saturday Jan 2015

Posted by karenpayneoregon in My journey, preparation, Thoughts

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One of my procedures is to keep my privates clean at this point via wipes then antibiotic ointment when new pad. Before I mentioned that those who saw my vagina before me (females seeing it) said it was well constructed and after seeing pictures agree. Today if one gazes between my legs (and this is normal) it is ugly, black and blue but in the center very lovely. Okay, back on track, I need to use a hand mirror to put on the antibiotic ointment which was not easy in this condition and could see how others might have issues doing these things.

Just remember, surgery is not the end, it  is part of a continued journey that never ends. I can count a handful of people who are currently considering GRS but don’t realize the full scope and commitment needed. So this goes back to “why” I do these blog postings, not for me but for those who are contemplating GRS. As always I am fully committed and happy in my new skin 🙂

Bad morning (Thursday)

31 Saturday Jan 2015

Posted by karenpayneoregon in My journey, Post surgery, Thoughts

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Third day after surgery (I actually messed up, this is the third day in the hospital but second of three days for recovering).

Roughly at around 3 AM gas built up inside of me and was at first releasing then from roughly 4 AM until 10 AM nothing but extreme pain.

Important to understand before moving on. As per the paragraph above my pain level using 0-10 as a scale was at 7 were for the average person my 7 would be someone else’s over the top of say 14 to 15.

With this going on I was not getting any assistance from the nurses and once I got them did not hold back on how I felt, in essence more likely than not put the fear of God into them and from that point on never saw neither of them again 🙂

I was given meds (I was too out of it to know what I was given) and would be another two hours until I felt half way decent but at no time did I eat solid foods until about 8 PM which was because all food smelled gross to me.

I am going to stop here with a word of advice, when the nurses ignore you and you realize they are wrong, do not simply taking it, you need to be assertive!

Day two after surgery

31 Saturday Jan 2015

Posted by karenpayneoregon in My journey

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Wednesday was fairly uneventful other than the fact the average person going through the same transition as me will elect to have two perkasets every four hours while day one and two I elected to take one then moved to two pills on Thursday (not a good morning).

Being an analyst I tend to use it, no different than day 1, 2 or 3 in that I did not jump up and down after my surgery was completed but instead took it in stride, thought about it and the best way to explain this is my mind and body were prepared well in advance. I would love to know how others react to right before and right after surgery, my bet is they are a tad nervous beforehand and ready to celebrate big time after surgery yet I simply took it all in stride~

Tuesday at the hospital

31 Saturday Jan 2015

Posted by karenpayneoregon in My journey

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Got to the hospital right on time at 6 AM, signed in then was taken to a room for the stuff one would expect for any operation, formalities.

Marci came in at 7:45, did some outlining for my trachea shave. Soon after (leaving out some small things) that I was wheeled into the OR and next thing I know I am laying there after the operation. Let’s say the two operations were about six hours total.

After about 30 minutes I was taken up to my private room. For the next hour or so I was being taken care of by the nurses. At this point and all the time post surgery I feel really good considering what I just went through.

I did not see my new vagina until my best friend showed me by taking a picture. I was told and/or my new vagina was good. What I remember is inn short, there is no penis but a vagina which should had been there all along. No matter I have not treated this day as a completely new event but no different then going to the store for groceries but at the same time a pinnacle event. Smiles~

Three hours post operation

30 Friday Jan 2015

Posted by karenpayneoregon in My journey, Post surgery

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Hospital1

Three hours

27 Tuesday Jan 2015

Posted by karenpayneoregon in My journey

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Never considered I would be counting down the hours prior to surgery. Went to bed early at 7 PM and up at 2 AM so I got a decent amount of sleep, used the bathroom, tried to go back to bed but considered I was not tired enough or perhaps I am just amped for getting to the hospital, hard to tell because I can’t drink coffee so my senses are a tad dull. Think I will watch some television and wait it out.

Ten hours

27 Tuesday Jan 2015

Posted by karenpayneoregon in My journey, preparation

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I am done with my bowel expulsion, lasted about one hour or so and happy it is over with. It started with absolutely no warning, yes a little brown on the underwear but it washed out fine not that I am worried too much as they will only be needed until 6 AM tomorrow morning since after they remove the packing in six days I have new underwear.

Thinking about clothing, since the hotel offers free laundry service I only brought three top, two bras, one pair of loosely fitting leggings, one normal pair of leggings, PJ’s, pair of warm socks and lastly a dress that is suitable for being very comfortable in so that I can go from loose legging to dress and stay comfortable.

Right now the tough thing is, last time I ate was ten hours ago and starting to really feel hungry now as I am living on coffee and ginger ale. Can’t wait to be able to eat again after surgery.

Sixteen hours

26 Monday Jan 2015

Posted by karenpayneoregon in My journey, preparation

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Met with my surgeon Marci Bower this morning. Asked me a lot of questions then we discussed the surgery, what to expect results wise along with recovery. Then there was a short physical were I was told there was plenty of length for depth for my vagina. Next she examined my throat for the trach shave. She indicated how she was going to do the process. When all done she said that my Adam’s apple was the only non female aspect of my face and that I had good facial and bone structure for a female which made me happy. I did tell her “I see myself everyday and that I am a harsh critic and reply on the honesty of others”.

Lastly she said I will be given her personal phone number and email address and not to hesitate to call her. Also said she does this for all going through this process but only about one percent take her up on it. I will not hesitate to call or email her if I feel the needed.

I have to say that she has a very nice personality were some reviews said she was not that nice. Also she said that her check-in are short so do not expect a long check-in.

Lastly, I have all my meds for after surgery and now counting time down, tick-tock, tick-tock.

Back flips anyone

26 Monday Jan 2015

Posted by karenpayneoregon in My journey, preparation

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When I got my new driver’s license it did not register until about two or three hours after someone here said I should be doing back flips that I was now officially Karen Payne. At the Social Security office, same thing, did not hit me for hours later but did not do the preverbal back flip (like I could really do one at my age).

Yesterday I went to bed at 5:30PM and out like a light. I usually like a dog, spin around two or three time then eyes shut, not last night.

If I were excited as I should be I would have issues sleeping but nope. What I believe is that surgery is but a single aspect in the transitioning process where some may want to do back flips but really the back flips should be done on the road to transitioning like “I have been prescribed hormones”, this one is difficult to know when it happens sometimes, “you ‘feel’ female” and are accepted as female along with how you are out in public. I can not remember the last time someone thought I was male which is when I should had done a back flip but it went by unnoticed. I know that some might perhaps wonder but that is difficult to tell also as they may very well have a interest in me which (and I will take um) at this point I am not use to. When I am it will be another milestone but as I have said in ths past I am only interested in woman.

So tomorrow is the big day, I am indeed very happy but not excited as one might think. DO NOT get me wrong as I have been waiting for this for way too long and welcome surgery open armed, just not making a huge deal out of it as this is were I should had been and now will “be”.

PDX trip

25 Sunday Jan 2015

Posted by karenpayneoregon in My journey

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I decided to take a early shuttle from Salem to Portland airport as sometimes in the morning the main highway I-5 can get either hectic or down right slow down to a crawl. Now I have a three hour wait.

On a good note I have zero problems with TSA unlike a few people ahead of me who were detained and two other people who seemed to have insufficient printouts for boarding. Then there is one guy believe it or not that was bring a broom as carry-on, wonder that kind of story is behind this.

As I am sitting here have noticed there are a lot of people here early morning. Starbucks latte was 95 cents above what I would normally pay but there was a ordinary donut that was priced at $3.95, wow.

I can see that this is going to be a long wait so perhaps I will play a game then read a book on my iPad. I am taking both my laptop and iPad as both have their places.

So with time to spare I decided to walk around, get some exercise while doing so. Did not get more that 100 yards and a shocking thought went through my head “I forgot the charger for my laptop!!!!!” yeek, the battery is not going to last two weeks let along one day. So I am heading in the direction of all the stores, see one that looks promising, sales person said, how are you doing mam’m and I replied, not good, just remembered I forgot my laptop charger, he said, how much time do you have? Two hours. He directed me to another section of the airport, said that a store there may have one. It took 10 minutes, arrive and it appears that they may very well not have it. Sales lady comes out, can I help you? Told her my story, she says I believe we have one, let me check. Guess what, it’s the last one. I asked if we could test it out? Yes, booted up my laptop, waited about 30 seconds and YES it works and also has a port for working with USB types. Lastly, about half the size of my power supply I left at home. Downside, cost me $79 but the upside eliminates the frustration of no laptop for two weeks, I am a happy girl.

Arrived in California on time, limo picked me up and drove me to my hotel in style. Got to my room and it is great. Changed my clothes to get comfy then off across the street for food shopping for dinner (fish), lunch and of course plenty of coffee, sugar and creamer. They give you plenty of coffee, sugar and creamer but I have specific taste in coffee and the sugar is in packets and use to shoveling it out of a container thus this needed to happen. Wait, I am taking a break for a second cup, be right back.

So tomorrow I have my pre-surgery appointment, need to get a taxi for this. Tomorrow night get the nasty “make you poop” meds, glad I have my iPad with me to keep me company. More to follow.

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Karen

2015

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  • I like my nail polish but sex?
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  • Thoughts on passing
  • Diversity and inclusion
  • Defensive tactics

Recent Comments

Trish on I like my nail polish but…
karenpayneoregon on Diversity and inclusion
greigsheridan on Diversity and inclusion
Veronica Virga on Defensive tactics
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Categories

  • Acceptance
  • adrenaline
  • Breast augmentation
  • Dilation
  • Diversity
  • Family
  • Fun
  • GRS
  • Helping others
  • inclusion
  • Life
  • Mazda MIata
  • Music
  • My journey
  • Others view points
  • Persistence
  • Post surgery
  • preparation
  • Self Defense
  • Sex
  • Shopping
  • Socializing
  • Sports car aggressive driving
  • sports cars
  • Teaching
  • technology
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