Well I'm out of the hospital and at Dr. Bowers recovery house known as "The Morning After." We are in the private apartment portion which consists of a bedroom, living room, kitchen, dining room and a bathroom.

It's so nice to be out of the hospital and away from my hyperactive room mate. Marci even refereed to her as a "Drama Queen" when she stopped to see me late this afternoon.

It was a rough day from a pain standpoint today. It felt like someone had shoved a hot poker up my butt and left it there, but once we arrived at the house my spouse applied some triple anti-biotic cream to my stitches which helped a great deal. I also received my dilators today. Marci will instruct me on how to use them when I meet with her on Thursday.

Other than that, everything seems to be going well.

I had my first good night's sleep since last Thursday night. I'm feeling pretty good this morning after several cups of coffee.

I had to apply an anti-biotic cream to my incision last night and got my first really good look at my new vagina. OMG, IT LOOKS GREAT! IT LOOKS LIKE THE REAL THING. LIKE I WAS BORN WITH IT! I couldn't believe it. It's still swollen and a little bit brushed, but it looks wonderful!

My life's dream come true.

I'm waiting for the weather to warm up a bit outside so I can go for a walk around the neighborhood. After that it's time for a shower and a little relaxation and recoup time.

Hooray!!! --FLO--

Great to here that you are in a home like environment now. You can have the privacy to explore your new self. Have some great quality time with your partner. Have time to just kick back and plan the rest of you life. You are so lucky to have completed your life long dream.

Wish you the very best.

EricaAnn (imported) wrote: Thu Sep 25, 2008 5:47 am I had my first good night's sleep since last Thursday night. I'm feeling pretty good this morning after several cups of coffee.

I had to apply an anti-biotic cream to my incision last night and got my first really good look at my new vagina. OMG, IT LOOKS GREAT! IT LOOKS LIKE THE REAL THING. LIKE I WAS BORN WITH IT! I couldn't believe it.

It's

good to hear you are improving today. I think it is so cool that you can now talk about 'my new vagina'. Good for you!

Hugs,

Danya

Good Morning, I think?

Did not sleep at all last night. Being strictly a "side sleeper" I could not find a comfortable position last night. In order to sleep on my back, which I need to do because of the catheter, I need a sleeping aid which I did not have.

I have my appointment with Marci this morning at 11 AM at which time she is going to remove the rest of the packing in my vagina, disconnect my catheter and last but not least, she will guide me through my first dilation. I'll have to dilate two more times today on my own. Each dilation session is for 15 minutes.

I'm also going to make certain to get some sleeping pills from her for tonight and Friday night.

It's going to be wonderful to finally get this catheter out of me. It's kind of like having developed a third leg. What the heck do you do with it?

EricaAnn (imported) wrote: Fri Sep 26, 2008 3:29 am Good Morning, I think?

Did not sleep at all last night. Being strictly a "side sleeper" I could not find a comfortable position last night. In order to sleep on my back, which I need to do because of the catheter, I need a sleeping aid which I did not have.

I have my appointment with Marci this morning at 11 AM at which time she is going to remove the rest of the packing in my vagina, disconnect my catheter and last but not least, she will guide me through my first dilation. I'll have to dilate two more times today on my own. Each dilation session is for 15 minutes.

I'm also going to make certain to get some sleeping pills from her for tonight and Friday night.

It's going to be wonderful to finally get this catheter out of me. It's kind of like having developed a third leg. What the heck do you do with it?

I definitely sympathize with the garden hose dilemma. I always had to remember to close the plug on the damned thing after cleaning - especially the ankle bag.... eeek

Sounds like there is rapid and magnificent progress. Keep up the walking and activity - it helps heal faster. And Ambien works wonders for a good nights skeep.

Keep going, gurhhl!

I'm so happy for you. What a huge week this has been! Hopefully you will soon be pain free and able to sleep through the night. Melatonin and dhea work for me in a pinch but Ambian is probably more surefire.

Ask Dr Bowers about Maderma for rubbing into the surgical scars. My GP suggested it for my Orchiectomy scars and it worked pretty nicely...

Stay warm!

Hi Everyone,

Well, despite being extremely sleep deprived all day today, it was a really good day.

I had my appointment with Marci and her assistant Phyllis this morning. First thing on the agenda was to disconnect my "third leg" a.k.a. my Foley bag and tube. The remaining portion was securely clamped off. The next thing was to remove the remaining packing from my vagina.

Phyllis then showed me the preparation and proper procedure for the dilation process. She inserted the smallest dilator first and got about 5" of depth, which according to her, was very good and about 1/2" above normal. She then removed it and I had to duplicate the procedure while she watched.

Dilation is a very weird sensation, especially watching the dilator disappear into you. I have dilated twice so far today. My schedule will be 3 times a day for 15 minutes per session, so I have one more to get in before bedtime.

The removal of the packing has finally allowed for my first bowel movement since the surgery. I can't even begin to tell you how good that felt. OMG! What pleasure that basic body function can be!

I was also able to urinate on my own several time since the removal of the catheter, which is absolutely wonderful considering how grim that whole situation looked 6 days ago.

Dr. Bower also gave me a prescription for some 10 Mg Ambien today that we had filled on the way back to the Recovery House. This should insure a good night's sleep tonight and hopefully an even better day tomorrow.

It is good to read that body functions are returning to normal. I am so happy for you and glad all is going well. Thank you for keeping us updated on your progress.