A Week Later

So, I spent time in the recovery ward. It was not the best in the world. Well, actually, that's because of the catheter, Let me TELL YOU, THOSE THINGS SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But, the nurses were awesome and they taught me how to roll as well as the fact that their mac and cheese ends up causing everyone to order out!
However, I did get to walk all over the place, including seeing the waterfall and attempting to make an escape!! (okay, not really, but we did go down by the entrance. One of the area's EMT's was complaining about taking it up the butt, as he was using the water fountain. He popped his head up and I asked him, "Did you at least get dinner? Cause if you're taking it up the butt, they should at least buy you dinner first." He started laughing at that, and I was glad to brighten his day!!
The surgeon finally came and take a look at us and we were allowed to go home. But, let me tell you, hotel with a catheter, or hospital with a catheter, they both SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!! We basicaly just stayed around the hotel, took a little bit of time to walk and relax and had breakfasts. Course, sitting was not really pleasant in the slightest.

FINALLY, it was Tuesday and I went to the surgeon's office. The girl there took the packing out and showed me how to use the dilators which are necessary to make sure that I don't end up collapsing, cause I really do have what I'm supposed to downstairs!!!!!!!! *giggle* (not that I'm excited *giggle*) The nice part was getting the catheter out. OH. MY. GODDESS, I really don't want to ever have one in my body ever again.
However, my friend that also went through the surgery, well, she didn't do too well. She stayed around waiting for the surgeon to take a look at her. We went to dinner (a really nice place called Mimi's Cafe). Beloved had beer battered fish. The beer of choice that they use for ALL their beer battered fish? Sam Adams. YUP! A Boston based micro-brew is the choice of beer in California!!!!!
We headed home after trying to get stuff at Target, but my body is still getting used to full mobility, so we popped in the taxi and headed home.
My friend at the surgeons (who we had heard the receptionist say that the surgeon was going to be there right after surgery) never got to see the surgeon cause she never showed up. They eventually came home and she was feeling better, but she had been bleeding and feeling sharp pains. Beloved actually went and took a look at her (at request of her mom), and got her feeling better. I really do pray that she is going to do fine. She's really super cool and a HUGE sweetheart. Both Beloved and I think that it is pretty suckey that the surgeon wouldn't show up and take a look at her. As well as it was a girl that was definitely not a nurse that undid the dressing/packing and showing us how to use the dilators. She was only a Medical Assistant who was working on the surgeon's patients WITHOUT the surgeon being there.
It gets pretty scary to find out that the aftercare has been pretty crappy. I mean, I'm pretty happy with the results on me, but, I really feel like after surgery, the surgeon has basically fled for the next set of girls coming in for surgery. We had originally thought that there was only one set of surgeries per month, however, Beloved found out that she averages 10 a month. As well as presentations and speeches and her kid who started high school.
But, like I said, Beloved checked on her and we ended up talking for a decent time and had a really good evening. Beloved and I are relaxing on the couch and actually watching TV (which is kinda different for us). I can say that as interesting as it is, I really don't want a life where I set it up around what is on a television.
The only bad thing, though, is that I finally have a VaJay-Jay AND I'm basically getting my first period at the same time!!!! Okay, that's not completely true! *GIGGLE* I am still bleeding slightly from the surgery, so Beloved and I joke that I am getting my first period since the care for the bleeding is to wear a pad. Other than that I really can't complain (since the catheter is out!!!!! *GIGGLE*)

Reunions

So, I am about to reconnect with not one, but TWO friends!!!!! One I used to work with at CVS. She was the supervisor and we worked really well together cause we were both two "get sh*t done" kinda girls. When I moved on to not need two jobs, she ended up with her EMT certification and is currently with an ambulance service. She's a pretty cool chick and it'll be nice to do dinner with her.

The other friend is the person that brought me into the leather community. FOr a few years she was my best friend and my significant other. Things didn't work out and we drifted away and haven't really been in contact, mostly cause we both have crazy a$$ schedules. But, I didn't want to hurt her feelings and wanted to make sure that she would be okay with me going back into the leather scene, so I messaged her and made sure. She gave me her blessing and asked to get back in touch. We were really great friends and it would be nice to be back in contact with her.

This also reminded me, however, how lonely I feel at work. It's been rough since my deskmate, Mary, was moved to another office.

I want the world to be more understanding of the trans community and those transitioning, as well as other groups within the alternative lifestyles (aka the leather community, drag community, etc). WHat I am trying to do is live a normal HAPPY life involving the leather community and probably some of the drag community and be able to show "regular" people that we're not really that different. We all want to be loved and cared about and things like that. Being trans, or gay, or submissive, or whatever is no different than anything else when you look at a persons' basic needs.

In other news, I got a really really really really really really awesome confirmation from a friend of mine in California. She promised to visit me in the hospital after my surgery EVEN IF SHE HAS TO MISS THE INTERNATIONAL DEAF LEATHER COMPETITION!!!!!! She is FREAKING AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!! the funny part is that I was threatening her about getting herself too sick or burnt out to come see me compete at ABW. But we sorted it out so that she knew that I didn't doubt her being there after surgery. I think that will be the warmest thing in the world is getting a hug after surgery from my Beloved AND my sister in leather!!!

Work mates

So I have to give a BIT GIGANTIC SHOUT OUT!!!! to my two best friends at work. They are really supportive in all the stuff that has been going on with me. They are also smart enough to tell me when I'm doing something stupid as well. Z and A, you're the BEST!!!!

New Roller Derby League

So, there is a new derby league. Many of you might be wondering the story behind it. I will be honest, and polite (I know this sounds like new thing for me, but I'm going to give it a try). There were many mis-communications on the Albany All Stars league and there were thoughts and talks about splitting the league. One of the girls wanted to hear what some of the skaters thought and started a group to get their input. Word got back to particular members and an unplanned discussion began which led to several people (four, if my memory serves me correctly) being thrown out of the Albany League. Everyone was forced to make a decision which of the two leagues to join, because it was stated by the Albany League that you could not be member of two leagues. Several of the people who were thrown out were the ones that had kept me in derby at that point. It was their kind words and encouragements that made me want to still do derby. I was actually debating whether to join a different league or leave derby at this point. So, I explained to the head referee of Albany that I was leaving but that I was more than willing to help out at bouts, and I walked out in support of my friends.
We ended up having an informal meeting that night so that we could support each other with what we had just experienced and it was a nice time spent with my friends. The good part with this group is that I feel a much stronger tie to the group. I am much more involved with the group and have shifted my priorities in life in order to help get the new league off the ground.
In truth, I was looking for a new league to join. I had heard of Pittsfield starting up, and had thought about driving all the way to CT once a week to join Pioneer Valley. However, the Hellions of Troy have welcomed me and I am officially (I think) a Hellion and am willing to help them out as best as I can.

Derby Fun at Troy Night Out

Well, I just returned from having a blast with the Hellions of Troy. They are the roller derby league that I am affiliated with. We attended an event called the Troy Night Out which helps with the art community of Troy. We were supposed to skate out at Monument Park, but the rain did not let us. We also "fliered" the area. This is when you hand out fliers to people that are watching what you are doing, or that you think would be interested in derby. We stopped in a couple of the art studios and a few coffee shops. It was nice because I saw one of my friends from college and got to talk to her about transitioning and stuff, as well as trying to get her to start with derby (or at least come to watch it).
The most fun parts of the night were when we came up with a new derby strategy, and when we handed fliers to the cops. We decided the new strategy will be called Shock and Porn. It's named after two of our skaters, but we are hoping that it will help the team. I would reveal more, but I am afraid of giving tactics away. The other exceptionally fun part was when two of the girls (I beleive it was Ida and Chesty, but I could be wrong), fliered the Troy Police. The cops told the girls that they were the Off Brothers, Jerk and Jack. We also mentioned that we were looking for a space to skate and they said they would try to help us. We were really excited with the cops having a whole conversation with us and I already sent in the photos that I have of the girls "soliciting" the cops.