Things I’ve Forgotten to Remember (or Mention)

First Meal: I remember lying pretty flat on my back and Michele feeding me chicken noodle soup. I was so flat I remember it being very hard to chew and swallow without choking. The soup was pretty good; I had it frequently while I was there. However, avoid the lunch chicken sandwich; it’s pasty dry.

First Night: I remember breathing so shallow that the oxygen monitor kept sounding. I’d take a few deeper breaths and it would go quiet. I remember waking up frequently with a terribly dry mouth and throat and it being very hard to drink and swallow without choking. I can’t remember if I needed Michele’s assistance each time.

Third Day: Looking forward to getting out of bed. After two straight days in bed my butt was really sore; I couldn’t wait to get up and get the pressure off of it. It remained red and sore for many days and I couldn’t help but rub it whenever I was up and walking about. I must have been quite a sight.

First week: My blood pressure being below 100. I’m sure it was like 85 over 50 or lower; cracking 100 became a big event. By the time I was discharged it was back up to around 125 over 75.

First Pee: It was beginner’s luck; I haven’t had such a nice stream since. Now, whenever I pee much of it tends to run down off my thighs and buttocks. Curious thing: I can’t feel myself peeing at all. Without looking I only know I’m peeing by the sound and the easing bladder pressure. I guess most of the sensation before was in the penis. I wonder if there will be a change in this as the swelling decreases?

Freedom from Tucking: I had been planning to post something like “Vaginoplasty, $17900; Incidentals, (untallied); Never having to tuck, Priceless!” It’s actually true, but at the moment the pressure at the front of my groin feels almost identical to what it felt like to tuck. I can only assume this will lessen as the swelling goes away.