My apologies for the late post: I’m catching up with my notes now that I am recovering from my return to Germany! This post refers to March 29th, my last day in Chonburi and I’ve changed the date of the post to reflect that, even though it was only actually posted on 2nd April.
Today was both a sad day and a happy day. Happy since I’m returning to Europe this evening and will soon see my lovely girlfriend, sad since I’m leaving some lovely people behind in Chonburi.
This morning, I had my check-out consultation with Dr. Suporn. He did his normal examination and commented on his happiness with my recovery and then we sat down to do the photos. Dr. Suporn’s staff take a lot of photos of their patients during the operation and the recovery and on the last day, if the patient wants it, the doctor will talk them through the operation.
Interestingly, the first pictures Dr. Suporn showed me were a simulation of what would have happened were I to have the penile inversion style operation. In my case, the donor tissue I had wouldn’t have stretched as far as the vaginal opening, let alone provide any depth, so it was pretty clear that that technique wouldn’t have been a possibility for me. He then proceeded to show the operation and took me through the photos of the area for the past four weeks showing the dramatic drop in swelling.
Once we were done, I thanked him, practically with tears in my eyes. I’m so happy with how things have gone and I wish I could have shown him how truly grateful I am. As for the girls in the clinic, I did get the chance to say thank you in a simple way, buying them a Powerpuff Girls cake with ‘Thank you’ piped onto it in Thai (at least, I asked the bakers to write that, though who knows if they actually did!)
Leaving the clinic, I got some pictures of the staff who were there, though Aey wasn’t available and I’m sorry that I didn’t get the chance to say goodbye to her. It was very sad to leave these lovely women behind. They care so much for the patients in Chonburi and I felt very tearful as I walked back to the hotel knowing that I won’t see them for some time at least.
The final part of my day in Chonburi came after a last minute dilation and the final packing. I met up in the lobby with a few of the other patients I’d become particularly close with and said a tearful goodbye to them. I’ve made some lovely friends in Chonburi and will certainly remain in contact with them.
Now, it was time to leave the little, protected bubble of life in our small corner of Chonburi and head off into the real world for the journey to the airport and my trip home. That’s a subject for my next post!
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Tags: Dr. Suporn, surgery, Trans
Looking forward to your next post from Germany then Emily. It is a sad feeling having to leave people you’ve grown so close to whilst there in Chon Buri. I remember crying when sat on the plane. Time heals the pain and although you may not see them again (perhaps you will return), you will always have fond memories of those precious times to remember. Love
Shirley Anne xxx
Shirley Anne´s last blog ..Working Hard
Yes, you’re right, Shirley Anne, the memories will always be precious and quite lovely. I’ve also made some friends who will be friends for life, of that I’m sure, and they will be people I will make sure I see again. The clinic staff are a bit more difficult. Of course, they need to protect themselves a little with the amount of us going through the place, so remaining in contact with them will be tougher but I hope I manage to do so and it may well be that I’ll return for that FFS next year… We’ll see!
I’m glad to see you got home safe and sound
Thanks, Heidi!