Informaton evening

It's been quite around here, and there is a good reason for it. I'm still getting over the stress caused by the new machines in the office and when I get in I just don't have the will power or energy to write a post.

And so this may be a little short :)

It's annoying me because as well as this blog I also have my photo blog which has not been updated in far too long, my Scrum blog (oh dear, one post... I have another 4 or 5 in my head, but haven't got around to finishing them) and I really want to make a small library MVC application using Visual Studio 2013 (because I want and need to catch up with the latest technology!)

And they have not been done.

The only thing that I have done is kept my running routine going, even in the lousy weather that we have had this week in Holland I have done another 21.75km - and at an better pace than I have managed before. Sunday was a little stupid though. The wind was that bad that branches a few meters long and the size of my wrist were being thrown off of trees. Not only did I have to hurdle them when they were lying on the pavement (and with my accident history...), I was also quite worried about how much it would hurt (or seriously injure me) should one fly off of a tree and hit me.

On the bright side, when the wind was behind me I was running quicker than I ever have, and not using much energy.  In fact I was using more to stop myself from running than making myself run :)

So...  The information evening. It was at the hospital and aimed at those on the waiting list for surgery. It was difficult to get there  in time, the start time was very early due to the need to be finished in time for the last trains and busses) and I had to eat in the way there (quite nice chicken and mushroom hot pot and chips) and meet Mrs Stace at the door.

We took our seats at the end of a row and waited for it to start.

And it was very, very good. The introduction to how the Gender Team at the VU works and some of the things that you have to do (and not do) to get surgery.  Don't smoke (they will do a test on the day, and if you have smoked they will send you home) and do keep fit (BMI 19-30 is OK, 30 to 35 is after a consult and 35+ is immediately turned down).

Then we had information over the operation itself.  What they will do, what they will not do, and the different operations depending on your condition.

And what can go wrong, and what they will do if that happens (if you come in with stitches that have come undone this includes saying: "Oh great, it's an easy fix" as this is the most common and easiest to fix).

Then we had a physiotherapist with information about the pelvic floor, and what you can do to help yourself before and after the operation by exercising it and learning how to relax it. I'm going to ask for some physio sessions from the gender team.

After a break, where I got chatting to another couple of people who were there (all three of us were checking Facebook and I commented how that was a sign of the times!), we had a talk about sexuality after the operation (what to expect and what not to expect - and how to keep your expectations real).  I don't think it really connected to the evening, but the speaker was very good and it was very interesting.

And finally a bit about hygiene and sexual health.

With some Very. Scary. Pictures.

I must admit that it was not what I was hoping for, I was looking more for how to look after yourself whilst recovering from the operation and learning to dilate, but again interesting and well given.

And was as applicable for anyone, not just transsexuals!

As I said it was a very good evening, and did contain some of the information that I thought I had been missing until now. A night well spent.

Yesterday I was back in the hospital again. In a couple of months I go back or my hormone check-up, which will be 6 months after having my androcur halved.  And I am not happy. I fell less in balance, but it's the physical side effects that are bothering me most.  From body hair growing quicker again to others that I won't go into. They have taken a lot of blood for tests and I have a phone consult in a couple of weeks.

I am hoping that the tests show the simplest problem of too much testosterone, which is easily treated. If the blood levels come back normal then I don't know what else there is for them to do...

Fingers crossed!