I got Top Surgery on 2 Oct 2019... I got the bolsters off my nipples on 8 Oct 2019, I'll get the stitches out of the nipple grafts on 15 Oct 2019, I'll finally be allowed to lift my arms above my head on 23 Oct.
I'm tired, I think I'll take a nap.
I'm going grocery shopping tomorrow, I should start a list.
~Drew
I had top surgery yesterday. It was basically a day surgery, checked in at 7 am and was finished by noon
Pain level was/is mild, I could control it with acetaminophen. I'll be getting the bandaging removed on 8 October at 9:30 am.
I just got the call to tell me I was approved for surgery. I'm so over the moon excited that I can barely contain myself.
Pre-op is 19 September 2019 at 9:40 am. Surgery is scheduled for 2 October, but no check-in time yet, hopefully given at pre-op.
~Drew
Tonight it was 72 degrees Fahrenheit at 12:39 am, but it felt like 77. Too warm for me. I'm off to bed now.
~Drew
I'm getting closer to top surgery. I'll be getting this infusion, then the next one in 2 weeks. After infusion #2, I have to wait 4 weeks before I have surgery to minimize the risk of post surgical infection. Infusion #2 is scheduled for 11 July, so beginning of August is the approximate time frame for my top surgery. So a little more than 6 weeks from now
I'm about as giddy as a kid during the holidays. Complete with an ear to ear grin every time I think about it.
~ Drew
I saw Dr Fine, the Neuro-Psychiatrist Dr Repovic referred me to so I could see a specialist who could answer the questions my insurance wanted answered before they would approve my top surgery on 6 June 2019. Now it comes down to when I get my Rituxin Infusions which are scheduled for June 27 and July 11. As per what Dr Repovic commented about my MS medications and surgery, waiting 4 weeks after my infusion would reduce the risk of post surgical infection. This sounds like I will be cleared for surgery in August. Specifics not currently determined yet. I'm as giddy as a schoolgirl.
Dr Repovic referred me to a neuro-psychiatrist,that appointment is on June 6... When will I get surgery???
More hurry up and wait. *le sigh*
I do have an appointment with someone to manage my HRT (Testosterone)
Ok, it's Dr T at Planned Parenthood in Bellingham. He used to handle my Truvada rx when Tom was still alive.
24 May 2019-
Edited to add that I can have surgery 4 weeks after my June Rituxin infusion. I'm waiting to hear back from the Infusion Center for my appointment date.
Update #2... 24 June 2019
I have 2 infusions scheduled, the first one on 27 June 2019 and the second one on 11 July 2019. My surgery can happen 4 weeks after the second one, as per the surgeon's schedule.
Update #3 15 August 2019
I recently got another letter from my insurance... They have questions for John Swain, my counsellor. These answers must be submitted by 5 Sept 2019. Luckily I have an appointment with him on 22 Aug 2019 at 2pm, hopefully he'll be able to fax that info to Rebecca at Dr Chang's office.
I really need to get some sleep now, it's after midnight.
Until later...
~Drew
The last letter I was told that my insurance required is due on 16 February 2019. Now more hurry up and wait until I learn when my surgery date be scheduled for. I had a follow-up appt with Dr Repovic on Valentine's Day, and I talked to him about the letter I needed for surgery. I also gave him the phone number for the insurance coordinator at the surgeon's office. So she can answer any of his questions about what and why this is is needed.
Probably just before, or after my 50th birthday.
~Drew
It's 9:21 am and no CAT so far today.
@9:40- I called ResCare because she still isn't here.
9:45- I got a call back from ResCare and it seems CAT forgot she was supposed to work for me today.
She finally arrived for her 3hr shift @10:30.
At least I'll finally get clean sheets, after sleeping on the current set for 3 weeks thanks to bad weather conditions and other complications.
Starting tomorrow, 15 February 2019, CAT will start being my caregiver on MW and F. This is 9 weeks after Kayla's last day.
ResCare really ticks me off with this kind of behaviour on their part.
I've been on HRT in the form of 25mg of Androgel applied daily. I have noticed some changes like deeper voice, some facial and body hair, and genital growth. Hopefully I'll finally be getting top surgery before summertime.
Today I talked to Dr Repovic about the letter my insurance wants for my gender confirmation surgery. Hopefully it won't be too long before I get a scheduled surgery date...w/in 6 weeks I hope.
That would be near my birthday. If it works out that way, gender confirmation surgery for my 50th b-day.
Wendrew, aka Drew.
I've been dealing with these pains in my back and left hip that makes walking VERY difficult.
My left knee would just give out when muscle spasms kick me hard in that area. The first night (Wednesday, February 6, 2019) was awful, I had a very hard time finding a comfortable way to sleep.
Bending over to clean up Karma's soiled pads is very hard lately.
I want this pain to go away!!!
I need to fax over the letter from my insurance to Dr Repovic, so he can answer their questions and fax that to the surgeon's office.
So many hoops to jump through...
I'm so ready for a surgery date to put into my calendar. I've only wanted to take this step for about 45 years.
My grandma's sister, Anna, passed away today. I don't have her birthday written down at the moment, but I do know she was born after my grandma, who was born in 1927.
R.I.P Great-Aunt Anna, you will be missed. Thanks for teaching me that a bowl of cereal with milk can be eaten as an afterschool snack.
5 Jan 2019
Top surgery is inching forward, as if it is at full stop.
I was supposed to get my paperwork in by 28 Dec 2018, which I did, but I still got a denial letter in the mail on 31 Dec2018 that was dated 28 Dec 2018.
The surgeon's office didn't get the same denial letter, so I'm in a hurry up and wait pattern at the moment. I hope they got that letter and are now trying to work on getting approval for it because they were the ones who faxed my letters in on 28 Dec 2018.
I was wrong about how long it will take to get top surgery. I don't have a surgery date yet, but now I know what hoops need to be jumped through.
I need letters from my counselor and endocrinologist to be sent to WA HCA, then they will try to decide if they will authorize the surgery.
I'm tired of wearing binders.
3 Oct 2019
EDITED TO ADD: I had to wait nearly 10 months.
~ Drew
I saw this movie on the first Friday it was out. I loved it, I'm sad that Tom wasn't physically sitting next to me, though he was on my mind while I was in the movie theater.
