Back in the USA

Just to let everyone know that I am back in Salt Lake City from my "visit" to Dr. Suporn. He is worth every penny. Pictures from my surgery show the massive difference between my cryptorchid gonad and the other. The normal one had bumps all over it, while my problematic one was creamy white and shaped like a very smooth, yet smaller egg. Behind the creamy white egg was not muscular tissue, like on the right side, but a large amount of spongy white tissue with a couple of very narrow openings. I suspect it is endometrial tissue. Anyway, it doesn't look as if the doctor removed the differing tissue, but just worked on around it. 

I asked the nurse before I left how often someone like me, with the differing tissue, is operated on by Dr. Suporn. She told me there have been a few, but it is not very frequent.

Having already done the name change last year, updating my sex with the Social Security Administration was a piece of cake. When my turn came, I simply told them I needed my gender corrected and presented the letter signed by Dr. Suporn. Tomorrow, I'm taking my lunch break to transfer my driver's license to Utah, so I will have a clean record in their database with only a single name and gender.

Birth certificate is a bit of a pain, since I was born in Maine. The directive asks for a certified copy of my SRS documentation and I only have a sort-of copy. What I have is a consulate letter that certifies Dr. Suporn attached to one of the copies of the other letter. I am trying to get in direct contact with the vital statistics office and the person who is going to handle my change, but they rarely answer the phone and I have yet to get through.

Meanwhile, I contacted the medical ombudsman that the company I work for hired to let her know I need to start the claims process and quite potentially the appeal process with my insurance company. She has responded that she will do what she can to help and get back with me by tomorrow, if not sooner.

So, that's about it. My surgery was May 11. I got back yesterday in time for the Pride Parade in downtown Salt Lake City and am working remotely from home until the 22nd, the end of the recommended 6-week recuperation time before returning to work.

Dilations are 3 times a day for the next couple of months, and then they gradually taper off until it's once every two weeks to check for depth after a year. In two more months I can start the private intense belly dance lessons I have lined up.

It's good to return home, to my friends, my work and my life in general.

Hugs and God Bless,

Sophie