| Linda was truly appreciative of all the kind things I had to say about the wonderful care she, and all of the others, had provided during my short stay. We were hugging heartily when Kate happened by, to join in on the warm embrace. It was such a bittersweet moment---feeling all of the kindness and love, and knowing that it would be the last time. I simply hated the thought of having to leave all of these wonderful people that I had grown fond of behind, even though we promised to stay in touch. I asked Linda to stop up to my room one last time before she left. I�ll never forget looking into her tear filled eyes as she told me she couldn�t go through the emotional drama once more. I hugged her one last time and headed back to my room, hoping that our paths would cross somewhere down the road. Homeward Bound I settled into my room that night for the last time. The past two weeks had vanished seemingly in a hearbeat. So many wonderful things had transpired while I was there. I thought about the fabulous moments I had spent with Randy, and how much his kindness had permeated my spirit. Janet, Kate, and the other patients there had crept into my heart as well. The staff, especially Linda and Lise, would afford me sweet memories for the rest of my life. I owed a debt of gratitude to Dr. M�nard for making the experience of SRS a wonderful one, and mostly for giving me something that had long been locked away in my dreams and aspirations. My sisters rose to the occasion by being at my side during the most exciting time of my life. I knew I could never repay them for all of the love and support they had given me throughout this miraculous time. I longed to see them once again, this time as their full fledged sister. The next day I would be leaving the residence to rendezvous with two of my sisters at US/Canadian border. I fell asleep that night feeling gratitude for all that had happened, and with a sense of intrigue for my life as a newly post operative transsexual woman. I liked that feeling of finally having made it to the other side, although I was clueless as to how that new life would evolve. I started the next morning with the same ritual I would follow for the next month, dilation was the first order of business. I had breakfast with the crew one last time, and then headed upstairs for the first of my twice daily baths. Dr. M�nard was adamant that the bathing was essential to the healing process. He was not going to get an argument from me, I loved the feeling of soaking in a hot bath. The next task was to get everything packed and stowed in my car. It was a melancholy exercise gathering all of my belongings from the drawers and closets. Once I had everything packed I started transporting the bags and suitcases to my car. I wasn�t doing all that well being on my feet for an extended period of time, the pressure in my groin was intense. I wondered how uncomfortable the two hour trip to the border was going to be driving on my own. <<BACK<< >>NEXT>> |