My life

[Mac (imported)]

Hang in there girl. You have come a long way and the major turning point is near. You will make it. Also looks like the job situation is going to work out ok.

[mrt (imported)]

I just wanted to send you our best wishes and hope that everything goes perfectly. Hang in there. The life with no hormones is a rough one. I hope the Zoloft makes things better. That stuff does really help I think...

I didn't tell Mrs T about your GRS date but I'm sure she feels the same way.

[Danya (imported)]

Wow, Danya...time flies...smooches dragonfly

It seems like only yesterday that I se

nt in my first surgery deposit. I was very excited then.

Hang in there girl. You have come a long way and the major turning point is near. You will make i

t. Also looks like the job situation is going to work out ok.

Thanks, Mac, for your very supportive words. With the low estrogen/energy thing and a physical problem I could easily treat if I could still take ibuprofen, I'm havng a little bit of a tough time now.

My job situation looks very good. Many folks on my floor now know I will be out for surgery. They just don't know what the surgery is. They also know I haven't been feeling well and they have been very understanding.

I'm in good spirits, though. Today was a gorgeous day under a cloudless sky and I walked for over an hour

at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The

first daffodils are blooming and some tulips are budding. Along

one wooded path lined with paper birches, the ground is nearly covered with a variety of flowering bulbs.

Then I walked for another 45 minutes at the nearby mall.

I just wanted to send you our best wishes and hope that everything goes perfectly. Hang in there. The life with no hormones is a rou

gh one. I hope the Zoloft makes things better. That stuff does really help I think...

I didn't tell Mrs T about your GRS date but I'm sure she feels the same way.

Thanks, my friend, for your understanding, encouragement, support and good wishes.

I'm hopeful Dr. Brassard will start giving me estradiol while I am still in Montreal.

Zoloft has worke[[

[butterflyjack (imported)]

I would imagine there will be internet access in Montreal...I'd really like to stay in contact with you during your stay there...Brushing up on your French?

My few little daffys are trying to bud...The weather is warming here..I love this time of year..A new awakening...for you too...smooches dragonfly

[Caith721 (imported)]

I'm really glad to hear you're taking your SSRI again. It just didn't make sense why they asked you to stop it, until you mentioned the older tri-phasic antihistamine-based anti-depressants. I hope you have a very good, relaxing, and productive week before you travel. I was going to suggest a netbook, but it looks like you're all set!

Good luck, godspeed, heal well, and heal quickly!

[Danya (imported)]

I would imagine there will be internet access in Montreal...I'd really like to stay in contact with you during your stay there...Brushing up on your French?

Hi dragonfly,

For the first time, earlier this week I called the folks in Montreal to be certain that the convalescence residence has wireless internet connectivity. It does.

It was very cool to speak with the woman who answered the phone in French. She quickly switched to nearly flawless English after I responded in English.

I've been to Montreal twice and

both times I was surprised at how much French I was picking up by reading signs, menus and hearing people speak it. It helps that signs and menus usually use both French and English.

Although I will have internet access, I will not post here until I return home. As the home page of EA warns, if this site is not legal in your jurisdiction DO NOT ENTER. I am unfamiliar with the legal situation in Quebec and Montreal. Furthermore, I've read on the US State Deptartment site that Canadian Customs randomly check electronic devices for evidence of child pornorgraphy. Of course, what they view as child pornography is entirely up to them and their decision can result in your arrest.

Since I will be taking a new Netbook with me, there will be no telltale signs of EA on the machine when I pass through Canadian customs. I still want to be careful. Montreal police might also randomly check computers, too, if you are involved in a traffic stop, an accident and so on.

I realize that, even if I access EA in Canada, the chance of my having a problem is likely extremely low. It's still not low enough to justify the risk, even though I know how to rid my computer of most, if not all, references to web sites I have visited.

After I saw how expensive it was to call Montreal with my cell phone, I realized why the Montreal office recommended having a calling card. I will pick one up tomorrow.

I will email, and call, Erica Ann and perhaps a few other friends within a day or two of surgery. At a minimum, I will ask her to update this thread. I may write something I will ask her to post on this thread, so it will almost be like I entered it here myself.

Note that I will not log in at all here while I am in Canada, although I will be very tempted to do so. This also

means I will not reply to PMs while I am in Montreal.

My few little daffys are trying to bud...The weather is warming here..I love this time of year..

A new awakening...for you too...smooches dragonfly

I love Spring, too. At the Chicago Botanic Garden there are many more flowers blooming now. The extensive series of fountains and flowing pools of water that are almost always within hearing range are all back on.

Unfortunately, temperatures are st

ill trending to mid to late March levels. I hope temperatures are near average by the time I return home.

I do view this period as a transition to a new time in my life.

I'm really glad t

o hear you're taking your SSRI again. It just didn't make sense why they asked you to stop it, until you mentioned the older tri-phasic antihistamine-based anti-depressants.

Hi Caith721,

I am sticking with generic Zoloft (an SSRI). This is definitely the safest thing for me now. After I have been back on estrogen for awhile, I may try to gradually stop taking Zoloft. Of course, I will disucss this with my psychiatrist first. A few months ago, he suggested I might no longer

need an antidepressant after surgery

and when my life is more settled. Both of these things are about to happen.

Although I have felt sedated from the prescription muscle relaxant I continue to take for back pain, I'm not at all sure I have been depressed. Even during the several week period after I stopped the MAOI antidepressant I'd been taking and before I started Zoloft. I continued to do things I enjoy then and continue to now. When I awake

in the morning, I am already 'hearing' music and feel happy. Zoloft can itself cause drowsiness, too, especially in the first few weeks.

My back has improved a lot and I am gradually cutting back on

the dose of muscle relaxant.

I hope you have a very good, relaxing, and productive week before you travel. I was going to suggest a netbook, but it looks like you're all set!

Good luck, godspeed, hea

l well, and

heal quickly!

The week has gone very wel

l. Thanks,

as always, for your very thoughtful words.

[qu
ed)" time=1297249920]
[quote="Da
[/quote

[qu

ote="Danya (imported)" time=1299752700]
]
nya (import

ed)" time=1296559920]
[quote="

Danya (import

ed)" time=1296468180]
[quote="Da
[/quote

[qu

ote="Danya (imported)" time=1299611940]
]
nya (import

ed)" time=1296300060]
[quote="Da
[/quote[quote=
[/quo
[/qu

ote]
te]
"Danya (imported)" time=1299567660]
]
nya (import

ed)" [quote="Danya (imported)" time=1299

49

3

440]
time=1295855880]
[quote="
[/quote]
[quote
[/quot

e]
="Danya (imported)" time=1299308160]
Danya (import

ed)" time=1295698860]
[quote="Da
[/quote
[

/quote]
[qu

ote="Danya (imported)" tim

e=1299226380]
]
nya (impor[quote="Danya (imported)" time=13

01635680]
ted)" [

quote="Danya (im
[/quote]
ported)" t
[/quote]
ime=1299046

860]
time=1295602740]
[quo

te="

[/quote]


Danya (impor[quote=
[/quote]
"D[quote="Danya (imported)

" time=1299493440]
anya (imported)" time=1298965860]

ted)" tim
[/quote]
e=1295517480]
[quote="
[/quote]
[quote
[/quot[quote="Danya (i

mported)" time=1299308160]
[quote="Danya (imported)"

time=1300861500]
e]
="Danya (imported)" time=1298730540]
Danya (impor
[/quote]
t
[/quote]
ed)" time=1295182380]
[quote="Da
[/quo[q
[/quote]
uot[quote="Danya (i

mported)" time=1299226380]
[quote="Danya (imported)"

time=1299752700]
e="Danya (imported)" time=129862230
[/quote]
0]
te]
[/quote]

nya (imported)" time=12946490

40]
[quote="

[quote
[/quo[quote="Danya (imported)" t

ime=1299665340]
te]
="Dan

ya (imported)" tim
[/quote]
e=1298542860]
[/quote]

Danya (imported)" time=12

94472940]
[quote="Da
[/quote[q

[quote="Danya (imported)" t

ime=1299611940]
uote="Dan

ya (imported)" tim
[/quote]
e=1298531760]
]
nya (i
[/quote]
mport

ed)" time=1294139640]
[quote="

[/quote]

[qu
[quote="Danya (imported)"

time=1299567660]

ote="Danya (imported)" tim
[/quote]
e=1298456160]
[/quote]

Danya (impor

ted)" time=1292968

260]
__________
[/quote

]
___________
e="Danya (imported)"

time=1297843140]
__

I did hav

rted)" time=1297249920]
taking Thursd
ittle

[qu

ote="Danya (imported)" time=1296559920]
slow at work [

quote="Danya (imported)"

time=1297946640]
and my tak

ing this time ou

t was fine wi[quote=
[/quot

e]
"Danya (imported)" time=1296468180]
th

the people [quote="Danya (imported)"

time=1297843140]

I work w

ith. Doing this helped me more e[quote
[/quote]
="Dan
[/quote]
ya (imported)" time=1296300060]
a

sil

y complet[quote="Danya (imported)" time=129

7249920]
e all of

my pre-trip tasks.

Late Wednes
[/quote]
[qu
[/quote]
ote="Danya (imported)" time=1295855880]
da

60]
y, my boss [quote="Danya (imported)" time=129

6559920]
[/quote]

assured me that I will have a job when I [quot
[/quote]
e="Da
[/quote]
nya (imported)" time=1295698860]
h[quote="Danya (imported)" t

ime=1298531760]
ave recove[quote="Danya (imported)" t

ime=1296468180]
[/quote]

red. He reiterated the title of my new ro
[/quote]

le[quote="Danya (imported)"

time=1298456160]
, too. I wa[quote="Danya (imported)" time=129

6300060]

s a little surprised that he mentioned t
[/quote]
[qu
[/quote]
ote="Danya (imported)" time=1295517480]
hi[quote="Danya (imported)" t

ime=1297946640]
s in front [quote="Danya (imported)" ti

me=1295855880]
[/quote]

of several other people.

As I was about [quot
[/quote]
e="Da
[/quote]
nya (imported)" time=1295182380]
[quote="Danya (imported)" ti

me=1297843140]
to leave, he [quote="Danya (imported)"

time=1295698860]
and I we
[/quote]
re talking near another contra[
[/quote]
[/quote]

quote="Danya (imported)" time=1294649040]
cto[quote="Danya (imported)" t

ime=1297249920]
r. My boss [quote="Danya (imported)"

time=1295602740]
[/quote]

asked if I would mind if he hugged me. [quote=
[/quot
[/quote]
e]
"Danya (imported)" time=1294472940]
I [quote="Danya (imported)" ti

me=1296559920]
was totally [quote="Danya (imported)"

time=1295517480]
fine with
[/quote]
this, particularly since he as
[/quote]

k[quote="Danya (imported)" t

ime=1296468180]
ed in front [quote="Danya (imported)" time=129

5182380]
of anoth

er person. He's a terrific boss.

[quo
[/quot
[/quote]
e]
te="Danya (imported)" time=1292968260]
[quote="Danya (imported)" t

ime=1296300060]
__________[quote="Danya (imported)" t

ime=1294649040]
[/quote]

________________________________________
[/quote]
______
[/quote]


These last few days before surgery ar[quote="Danya (imported)"

time=1295855880]
e a strang[quote="Danya (imported)" time=1294

472940]
e blend of
[/quote]
now knowing that this is about to happen wh
[/quote]
ile still feeling some disbelieve that I h[quote="Danya (imported)"

time=1295698860]
ave reached [quote="Danya (imported)" time=129

4139640
[/quote]
]
this point. While I had some normal anxiety about surgery ov
[/quote]
er the last month or two, I am now [quote="Danya (imported)"

time=1295602740]
very calm.

[quote="Danya (imported)

" time=129296826
[/quote]
0]
__________________________________________________
[/quote]
________

My flight leaves O'Hare late Sun[quote="Danya (imported)" t

ime=1295517480]
day morning. Erica Ann will pick me up. We'll

have breakfast and the
[/quote]
n she will take me to the airport.

Sunday and Monday I will stay at the convalescence resi[quote="Danya (imported)" t

ime=1295182380]
dence near the hospital. This is part

of the service
[/quote]
so I will not need to pay for a hotel.

I meet with the handsome Dr. Brassard on Monday for a consultatio[quote="Danya (imported)" ti

me=1294649040]
n. I heard his voice on a YouTube vide

o and it is, well....quite
[/quote]
pleasant.

Surgery will be Tuesday morning.

When I return late in the afternoon on Wednesd[quote="Danya (imported)" ti

me=1294472940]
ay April 27, Erica Ann will be waiting at the

airport.
[/quote]
This is important, because I will need to avoid lifting heavy things like my suitcase. I am thankful to h[quote="Danya (imported)" t

ime=1294139640]
ave a great friend like Erica Ann to

help with things like this.
[/quote]
She has been very helpful, and fun to be with, since the first time we met over two years ago.

[quote="Danya (imported

)" time=1292968260]
___________________________________________

_______
[/quote]
__________

The hospital has a driver who will pick me up at the Montreal airport. With the first deposit I sent last year, I includ

ed the photo they required. I was blonde then. I am no

longer. To make it easier for the driver to recognize me, I will wear the dress I wore for the picture. It's one of my favorites.

This afternoon, I exchan

ged some US dollars for Canadian dollars. I want to be able t

o tip the driver. The Montreal office also said to bring money for restaurants and shopping. My intent is to spend as little of this money as possible.

__________________________________________________

________

Wednesday evening, I had my first ever appointment as Danya with a hair stylist. I have always used a wig but would rather go with my own hair. Wearing a wig rarely is a bother. When it is hot and humid, though, it can get uncomfortable. So for the last 6 months or more I have been letting my hair grow. It still has a way to go. I am not bald but the hair on my forehead has receded quite a bit further than I'd prefer.

The stylist dyed my hair and then proceeded to perform an apparent miracle. My colored and styled hair looked very feminine. For the first time, I had proof that down the road I can stop using a wig.

[Mac (imported)]

Hi dragonfly,

.........................

Danya (imported)" time=1298542860

]
[quote="Danya (i

mported)" time=1298531760[quote

="Danya (imported)" time=1302078060]
]
[quote="Da

nya (imported)" time=1298456160
[/quote]

]
[quote="

Danya (imported)" time=1297946640
[/quote]

]
[quote="

Danya (imported)" time=1297843140
[/quote]

]
[quote="

Danya (imported)" time=1297249920
[/quote]

]
[quote="Danya (i

mported)" time=1296559920
[/quote]

]
[quote="

Danya (imported)" time=1296468180
[/quote]

]
[quote="Danya (i

mported)" time=1296300060
[/quote]

]
[quote="Danya (im

ported)" time=1295855880[quote
[/quote]
="Danya (imported)" time=1299567660]
]
[quote="
[/quote]
Danya (imported)" time=1295698860
[/quote]
]
[quote="Danya (i

mported)" time=1295602740

]
[quote="

Danya (imported)" time=1295517480
[/quote]

]

[quote="Danya (i

mported)" time=1294649040]
[quote="

[

/quote]
Danya (imported)" time=1294472940

]
[quote="Danya (i

mported)" time=129413964[

quote="Danya (imported)" time=1298622300]
0]
[quote="

Danya (imported)" time=1292968260

]
________________

_________________________[q
[/quote]
uote="Danya (imported)" time=1298531760]
_________
[/quote]
________

My flight leaves O'Hare
[/quote]

late Sunday morning. Erica Ann will pick me up. We'l

l have breakfast and then she will take me to the air

port.

I meet with the handsome Dr. Brassard on Monda

y for a consultation. I heard his voice on a YouTube

video and it is, well....quite.

Surgery will be

Tuesday morning.

When I return late in the afternoon

[kristoff]

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

[jamesmc (imported)]

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

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

[gareth19 (imported)]

Good luck and best wishes, Danya.

Gareth