This time next Thursday, 31-Oct, I will be in the hospital. I am scheduled then for that gender affirming surgery I have been blabbering on about. I’m surprisingly calm about the whole event now.
For you new followers who are not up to date, I have been actively working on this since 7-Aug. It has been a long time coming. In truth, I’ve wanted this for many years. It just wasn’t possible before now. I spent many years with sub-par, and occasionally no, insurance coverage. That’s hardly the only reason it hadn’t happened before. It is a major one though.
I have multiple chronic health conditions as a spoonie. I honestly never expected to be healthy enough. I never dared to hope that I could contemplate such a surgery. But I have support now from loving friends. I know that whatever comes, I will be capable of handling it.
I won’t update here immediately after the surgery. I just won’t have the spoons to write a blog post. I will likely post a quick “I’m alive” message to my Mastodon account. I suggest you plan to check there that evening for a status update. You don’t have to join Mastodon just to read.
Of course, as a proponent of the Fediverse, I encourage folks to join there instead of X (formerly Twitter). I left that site in November 2022. It had become clear that it was unsafe for people like me. By then, Elon had begun welcoming literal Nazis and anti-trans bullies.
I’ll update here as soon after surgery as I feel I have the spoons to do so. The journey continues.
An Aging Trans Woman 
I’m astonished you have insurance that’s paying for it. Wow. That’s great. As long as there aren’t any ghouls and goblins in the operating room, you’ll be fine. Be the best patient you can be to hasten your recovery and enjoy being truly whole. 🤗💜
LikeLiked by 4 people
I’m on Medicare, and Medicare (for now) treats gender affirming surgery as medically necessary. As do all major medical associations, including the AMA. I’m sure I’ll have a copay, but it should be in the low hundreds. It was $225 for the surgery to implant my loop recorder. Admittedly, this is a bigger surgery. Whatever that copay ends up being, with this hospital system, I’ll have the option of a payment plan, if necessary.
LikeLiked by 4 people
And thank you for the well wishes. 🫂 💜
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hi Janet. I am so excited for you to be so close to reaching one of your dream goals. I look forward to hearing the joy you have after the surgery. Best wishes and warm hugs.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you Scottie! 🫂 💜
LikeLiked by 3 people
I am so very excited for you my friend! I know that it has been a very long time and have known about some of your challenges with insurance, so to know that it is finally happening brings me just joy for you. Be well, I’m sending so much love and light for recovery. Blessed be! 💜
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thank you Heather! You’re a dear friend. 💜
LikeLiked by 4 people
I’m also very excited for you, and while it was on my list to check on you today, I saw you’d posted. So, now, it’s almost 10 PM, and I saw you’d posted around 11 AM. Anyway, it’s not about me, it’s about you, and it’s almost time!
Also, I’m sending you an email. Take good care!
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thank you Ali. I didn’t get around to checking comments this morning until just now. Saw the email though, and replied. 💜
LikeLiked by 2 people
🌞 No worries! I read your response in email, but not until 11, it’s 1 now, and I haven’t answered yet, but your response is what I’d hoped for-the best way to do things. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 2 people