| Linda and Annie (An excellent cook) |
| Michelle, Britney, Linda |
| Lydia |
It takes a series of flights to arrive home. The DC-9 from Montreal to Chicago. Another flight
from Chicago to Denver and finally the last leg to Salt Lake City. Jeri meets me at the Salt
Lake City airport. To say we are happy to see one another is an understatement. Jeri has a
splendid surprise for me. A luxury hotel suite in downtown Salt Lake City with an over sized
hot tub right in the bed room. Jeri has all types of delicacies on hand for this relaxing coming
home celebration.
from Chicago to Denver and finally the last leg to Salt Lake City. Jeri meets me at the Salt
Lake City airport. To say we are happy to see one another is an understatement. Jeri has a
splendid surprise for me. A luxury hotel suite in downtown Salt Lake City with an over sized
hot tub right in the bed room. Jeri has all types of delicacies on hand for this relaxing coming
home celebration.
| Gina |
| Linda and one of the many housekeepers |
It's great to finally be back home with Jeri and the kids. I feel so at peace. Throughout my
transition to SRS and beyond my support group has been my spouse and children who never
wavered in their support, encouragement and love. In them I find unconditional love and the
beauty of the acceptance in all forms.
transition to SRS and beyond my support group has been my spouse and children who never
wavered in their support, encouragement and love. In them I find unconditional love and the
beauty of the acceptance in all forms.
| Jessica, Jeri, Allison, and Alexander |
I continued to have problems dilating and had to get the assistance of a local OB/GYN, Dr.
Fagnant. He was a little surprised as he had been involved in the delivery of some of our
children and was now doing post-op vaginal exams on the same children's father. Dr. Fagnant,
though inexperienced with transsexual surgery and issues, called Dr. Menard for information on
my GRS and engaged independent study. Dr. Fagnant was able to help me through my dilating
problems and any other concerns while monitoring my healing process.
My dilating problems, it seems, were caused by entering at the wrong angle which was causing
the tissues to become irritated and inflamed. The situation was compounded and made worse
by each successive dilation. After I began entering at the correct angle, the problems and pain
subsided. Dr. Fagnant endeavored to continue study of transsexual medical issues to take
care of my post-op needs.
Dilations became easy and reduced in frequency over time. I was very satisfied as everything
worked as it should.
In the two years following my GRS I have been pleased with the results and have had no
complications. I have excellent depth and no problems with urinary tract functions and
direction. My one complaint is the labia are not as well defined as I would like but not lacking
so much that I would consider a subsequent labiaplasty. Examinations by three physicians
have informed me the surgical result is very good and looks like any woman my age who has
had a hysterectomy.
Though my GRS is something only seen by my spouse and myself, it was a necessity for me. I
find it helped me feel "whole" and "complete" and I no longer felt as if I had a defect. As a
result, I gained greater confidence in myself and feel more at ease in all situations. With that,
my level of happiness has increased and I find I live a more productive life in so very many
ways. No longer do I bear the burden of a closeted secret, or live a life I was not meant to live,
or play out a role that is so foreign to my inner soul.
My family and I are learning the splendor of being an alternative family and are finding beauty
in the differences among people. With a new outlook on life and vision from a perspective seen
by few, our explorations go far beyond just the limits of gender. All things are fresh and new
and hold new promise in our lives.
While GRS was an important event in my life I felt two others were even more monumental
during my gender journey. The first being when I started hormones and the second when I
began living full time. GRS was simply the icing on the cake.
Fagnant. He was a little surprised as he had been involved in the delivery of some of our
children and was now doing post-op vaginal exams on the same children's father. Dr. Fagnant,
though inexperienced with transsexual surgery and issues, called Dr. Menard for information on
my GRS and engaged independent study. Dr. Fagnant was able to help me through my dilating
problems and any other concerns while monitoring my healing process.
My dilating problems, it seems, were caused by entering at the wrong angle which was causing
the tissues to become irritated and inflamed. The situation was compounded and made worse
by each successive dilation. After I began entering at the correct angle, the problems and pain
subsided. Dr. Fagnant endeavored to continue study of transsexual medical issues to take
care of my post-op needs.
Dilations became easy and reduced in frequency over time. I was very satisfied as everything
worked as it should.
In the two years following my GRS I have been pleased with the results and have had no
complications. I have excellent depth and no problems with urinary tract functions and
direction. My one complaint is the labia are not as well defined as I would like but not lacking
so much that I would consider a subsequent labiaplasty. Examinations by three physicians
have informed me the surgical result is very good and looks like any woman my age who has
had a hysterectomy.
Though my GRS is something only seen by my spouse and myself, it was a necessity for me. I
find it helped me feel "whole" and "complete" and I no longer felt as if I had a defect. As a
result, I gained greater confidence in myself and feel more at ease in all situations. With that,
my level of happiness has increased and I find I live a more productive life in so very many
ways. No longer do I bear the burden of a closeted secret, or live a life I was not meant to live,
or play out a role that is so foreign to my inner soul.
My family and I are learning the splendor of being an alternative family and are finding beauty
in the differences among people. With a new outlook on life and vision from a perspective seen
by few, our explorations go far beyond just the limits of gender. All things are fresh and new
and hold new promise in our lives.
While GRS was an important event in my life I felt two others were even more monumental
during my gender journey. The first being when I started hormones and the second when I
began living full time. GRS was simply the icing on the cake.
| Linda and Rimma. Our good friend Rimma watched our kids while Jeri picked me up in Salt Lake City |
| Jeri, Linda, Alexander, and Allison |
Staying at the residence is a real treat. I dilate, get up and go to the bathroom to clean
the dilators, and return to find my room neat and clean. Bed made-up with clean linens;
everything picked up. Ah, the life of luxury. Time to go down to the kitchen and see what
delicacy awaits for the next meal.
As time nears to return home there is lots of hugging and saying good by to the staff and
girls at the residence. It's a bitter-sweet experience of leaving new friends but I also
anticipate the reunion with my family again. This is the longest I've ever been separated
from them and I miss them dearly.
Robert Clark, the limousine driver, arrives to take me to the airport. Robert is his usual
friendly but proper and polite self. I have a lot of luggage and am not quite up to par.
Robert sees that everything is checked through for me. I am grateful for his help and he
wishes me luck.
the dilators, and return to find my room neat and clean. Bed made-up with clean linens;
everything picked up. Ah, the life of luxury. Time to go down to the kitchen and see what
delicacy awaits for the next meal.
As time nears to return home there is lots of hugging and saying good by to the staff and
girls at the residence. It's a bitter-sweet experience of leaving new friends but I also
anticipate the reunion with my family again. This is the longest I've ever been separated
from them and I miss them dearly.
Robert Clark, the limousine driver, arrives to take me to the airport. Robert is his usual
friendly but proper and polite self. I have a lot of luggage and am not quite up to par.
Robert sees that everything is checked through for me. I am grateful for his help and he
wishes me luck.
| Thursday January 23, 1997 |
| Friday January 24, 1997 |
| Beyond Post-op |
| LINDA'S EXPERIENCE IN MONTREAL: page 4 |
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