Coping with Recovery Challenges After Surgery

If you have been following along, you know that my surgery was an unmitigated success. I cannot say the same about the recovery. Multiple post surgical complications, one of which was an antibiotic allergy.

Over the past weekend, I was prescribed steroids, both oral and topical, for that allergic reaction. The oral steroid is high dose prednisone. And it’s been helping a good bit. I’m considerably less uncomfortable, and the rash is (very slowly) fading. Sounds great, right?

However, prednisone has its own possible side effects. It seems that, as of this morning, I am experiencing one of those side effects. No, not the mood issues. I knew about, and anticipated, those. Warned those around me that I would likely become a raging bitch. I did.

No, in this case, I am referring to vision problems. I didn’t know about that one. My eyes refuse to focus, and of course, my brand new eyeglasses don’t help. If anything, they are worse.

I have already reached out to the dermatologist who prescribed it. I don’t know them well and have limited trust in them. For that reason, I also sent a message to my primary care doctor. It’s early. I probably won’t hear from either until later today, if that soon.

In the interim, I will continue taking my prescribed medications for the various chronic conditions. I will also take the new medications for the various post-op complications. I will be a good, compliant, patient for now.

I’m a little scared. I’m not going to lie about that. I already had a period in my life when I lost my vision for a fortnight. That was caused by an auto accident, when I ended up with glass shards in my eyes. It was a long time ago. I will never forget what it was like to be blind, even if only for a short time.

The journey continues. But I really am so tired of this. The saying goes that “The Goddess will never give you more than you can handle.” She must really think I am a bad-ass. How did She get that impression? How do I convince Her otherwise?

Tags: Gender Affirming Surgery, Health, medical tmi, Post Op Complications, spoonie