SRS Consultation Story:So the night before (on Monday September 25th) I showered and began braiding my hair so that I could look pretty for when I go. But my hair at the end was too long on one side so since she was facing me, I asked my mother for help and she turned around and walked away, not saying a word... so my sister offered to help and she took my comb and parted it properly.I wet my hair, rebraided it, and again it was too long on one side, so I just cut some off. Then I showed her my hair and she said it looked good. But that in the back there was some baby hair that wasn't in the hairband so I took the hairband off and weaved it through.I contacted my friend to see if we were still on for tomorrow. By this moment it was 9pm and I went to sleep early. I layered 2 pillows but couldn't fall asleep for an hour. Thankfully, about at 10pm, I removed the 2nd pillow, and I fell fast asleep.--- Sep 26, 2023 ---I woke up at 4:30am, super grateful I had an hour of buffer time. I texted one of my friends who was somehow still awake and messaged my friend who would be driving me to the train station but their back was hurting, so they would be passenger, and their mom would drive me. They were a friend that I consoled and cried with- so even though we only met once, I knew I could trust them. I paced around my room, turned the lights on, and gave myself a pep talk.I got ready by taking a shower and doing my skincare and checked the contents in my pastel pink drawstring bag. Books, a compass, an mp3 player, all sorts of little things I totally didn't use. My plush. (Pink poodle- a lot of stuff I brought was pink) A folder containing my documents and letters, and of course my diary. And water bottle. And frozen water bottle that I had put in the freezer the night before. And glasses. I was beyond ready!I decided I would put on a light amount of sky high mascara (recommended to me by my friend who also went to NYU!) and blush of course. Last night I had tried some outfits on and thought my yellow dress would be it- it was pretty and fancy so. I also put on my silver heart butterfly necklace, special promise ring, and zirconia earrings. I felt sososo excited. I ate some strawberry awake cereal and used a strawberry to help clear my nose which was a great idea :)Sooooo... at about 6:25 I walked out of the house right as my little brother was waking up. When I was down my driveway and on the road I sorta said something about "you're getting SRS this is so exciting!!" like super loud and then I realized some person was getting into their car and I was here playing Ariana Grande music... oooookayyyyyy..... awkward!!!!! But I looked at the floor because I figured that's what'd id be doing in NYC anyways. What song?? Umm I don't remember the first song I played but I changed it to No tears left to cry as the car came into view. From that moment on, I turned my phone off. I got in their car in the backseat and said hi!My friend's mom was sooooo nice she reminded me of my 13 y/o bf's mom. Very calm and fun and nice. She said I smell good which I was like thank you! I had dashed myself with Lecoste Pour Femme, my signature scent ever since my cousin gifted it to me last year. The car ride was mostly quiet but we ended talking about a nearby pond and a Zipline. Seeing how my friend and their mom interacted reminded me of my childhood a bit, when I felt comfortable enough to trust my mom. But I felt so happy, healing almost, to be riding in this car with my friend's mom. Also, it was raining some on our way there. Yes I did remember to bring an umbrella. It was white. So white bag, yellow dress, pink bag.Some 45 minutes later, we arrived at the train station. My glasses were on my forehead and I had my ticket papers out. I had no data on my phone becauseeeeeee I don't wanna spend the extra $5. Better sorry than safe! I thanked them and exited their car, and I was on my own.Oooookay. So the first thing I did was walk across the street and I asked this police officer "hey is that like the entrance, or... okay thanks!!" and I went on my way to the left. I go into the doors of the building. I saw a bunch of people sitting in chairs. I correlated the ticket number with the train line and started walking around. I first went up a flight of stairs and then I thought I was on the wrong side of the building. So I checked around, and went to the front desk lady and nervously confidently said "Hey do you know, um, this is my first time like at a train station, do you know where track 2 is? Okay thank you!" (She didn't say much) And I went back up those stairs. I walked along that path and reached a bench, the other side of which a lady was sitting so I thought okay this is probably the right place, and I sat down.Birds chirped. The wind whipped at me. The cold icy train station air made me have goosebumps. I turned on my phone to enable the train station wifi. Then I turned it off, and took the moment in. I had about 30 minutes in the freezing cold before the train would arrive. This guy sat next to me, and it was that moment when I felt the feeling of being alone. But it wasn't scary. It was like every classroom I'd ever been in. He said morning and I eased my slight tension over time. People began gathering, mostly adults in black suits and the like. And here I was, braids and a pink bag, bright yellow dress...Boarding, Train to New York City on Track 2. Boarding? There's no train here! Well it wasn't the time yet, so it's probably saying that in advance. Boarding again! Hmmm??? Where's the train?... some woman said that she was on the wrong side of the station and that she needed to go to the other end because this was the special VIP section so I followed her with a group of other people. A whooooole lot of people were waiting as I walked by. Where'd they come from??? When we arrived at the end, it said "Last call for Track 2." I was suddenly afraid I had missed my train. So I asked someone "hi is this the right train?" And she said yes it was and we were both like phew! She explained last call just meant the train was going to arrive and depart quickly so we needed to be on the platform to board.Okay so the train arrived and I got in the quiet car. Super duper comfy sorta dark gray colour scheme. I went past the isles looking for two empty seats but didn't find any and I saw this friendly looking woman so I was like hey do you mind if I sit next to you? Okay thank you! Annnnnd I sat down and started reading a book.. it's not summer without you- a romance book. Oh, and a guy scanned my train ticket paper QR code thingy.The train ride was to be 2 hours. It was only half an hour in when my erm... (I hate tucking pain...) let's just say, I was on this train for that very reason. Stick through the pain. She got off at the next stop and I scooched over to the window seat. This super attractive guy sat down across the isle. I was kind of giving him glances. God whenever he went to put his bag up top I just couldn't help but notice how tall he was! Anyways I wrote in my diary what had happened thus far, and I also listened to one song on my mp3 player. (pastel pink earbuds)I read upto half way through that romance book before I put it away to look at the scenery. I was mostly just enjoying the ride, gathering myself :)There weren't too many stops. Another woman joined in the seat next to me, and I didn't know this, but NYC at Penn station was the last stop. They made a big deal of it! Before going into NYC, it was pitch black all around us. A dark tunnel. I made sure my glasses were on and my compass was out. I clutched my bag and kept adjusting the strings which made the tiniest amount of noise (I was embarrassed about that...) Then I saw what felt like a graveyard of an underground station. Really freaky! And before I knew it...Bam. I was in New York. The city, New York City. On a rainy Tuesday. It was 10am. I grabbed my bag, compass in the other hand, and began moving. Up some flight of stairs, I found the station. It was so pretty! It was like, dressed in gold and white, and tall arched ceilings! It felt regal. I began walking in stride toward what my compass was saying was north east. To be honest, I felt crazy to be using a physical compass ball, but a good kind of crazy! I had already practiced multiple times with Google street view- I knew where to go. Bakery's and such were around me. I knew the building was meant to be a "Welcome to New York!" but the second I stepped outside... rain.Soo I opened my umbrella. Now it was just me, and a city. And the rain. I couldn't locate the Madison Square Garden, so I actually had no clue where I was as I walked around the building. I figured just to make time and go north east, which was up- until I found 40th street. So I did that, and found that crossing the road wasn't so bad- the lights were very short. Sometimes I had to speed up if I wanted to cross over but I took it pretty relaxed. But I accidentally went too far north, since I was checking for the e-smoke and the starbucks that I saw on google. I saw a sign that said 41st Street and I was like hmmm, I don't wanna look silly, so I'll just keep going to 42nd and go around the other side of Bryant Park. So that's what I did! It was a lot of walking but there were stretches where barely any people were behind me.Also the anxiety was very little because there were so many people- so we all just wanted to get where we were going. Bryant park, for being a rainy gloomy day, was kind of pretty. I saw a section of it was an outdoor grassy gafe and a woman had sat down to text someone on one of the chairs. But there was no one else there. I kept walking, had to jump across a few puddles, walk across a few grates. And at least I had brought white tennis shoes instead of my fancy platform ones (which I wanted to wear so bad, but oh well!)After passing by Bryant park I strafed to the right onto 41st. It didn't feel like all that long at all by the time I had made it close. I recognized the tunnel, the chase bank, and knew I was headed in the right direction. I was smiling the whole time, just so happy to be there, and kind of proud of myself for doing it alone, even though I kinda wanted a friend with me prior to going because the idea of going to a big city alone was frightening to me. This was my moment! I felt confident and happy.So I made it to the spot! I pushed on the glass through the turn table door and saw stairs to the left. I wanted to take them buuut I decided maybe I wasn't allowed to or it wouldn't reach the right floor. So I went to the elevators and... talk about overwhelming!! There were four in a bunch saying "Floors 14-20something"... overwhelming! I found another group that had my floor on it. Floor 7. I tapped on the thing... you see, these elevators only let you choose floors OUTSIDE the elevator, and then they point you to the elevator that will stop on your floor. I got inside mine, and then made it out at floor 7. Omg it was all white -- very cleanly.I saw some restrooms nearby so I went into one. I can relax!!!! So I went to the restroom and then I just like took a moment to be like "yes this is real!" So then I checked my look in the mirror and surprisingly I was pretty. My braids had held up and didn't look frizzy. My umbrella was wet, and my poor little keychain plush lemur bubblegum was also wet. Noo!I then left the restroom after taking my time (selfies) and now I was allllll collected again :) I found the front desk and signed in on a touch pad. Then there was a section where I had to sign in by using a hand thingy? It... didn't work (it wasn't even connected) so I just typed in my name. Lol. Then it goes to payment and I ask the guy at the counter if I could do cash. That was weird anyways since I already had paid at home. Ummm he said yes, then I handed him a 50 (covering both Bluebond and Zhao) and he said he didn't have any change and it was just $25. So I was confused I was like you can just bill me at home. Ok! So now I'm signed in and 45 minutes early (the time went by so fast)I then went to the chair and sat diagonally across from these two trans women who seemed to be in a relationship with each other (they were) - one said hello so we started a friendly little chit chat. They were holding this block thingy and passing it off to each other also that was a little detail I noticed haha. Dressed in jeans and a colorful yet plain outfit.They asked me about train schedules, where I was from (they took a flight) and when I had started on my journey- they said 3 years. I said 7 years. I had trouble in childhood but only found transition was possible when I was 13. They also asked me what games do I play and I was like "Games? Uhhhhhhhhhhhhh... ummmmmmmmmmmm, my sister recently um, plays, a game called final fantasy and we sit on the couch, and we chit chat... and I also like these like romance story ones? It's been a long time since I've played any." Lol a bit of a random question for a doctor's office. We chatted a bit more and then they chatted with each other about what they were going to do after- I drank some water.The doctor called them in and I said good luck! There was a coffee machine behind them that I only noticed when they left. I took some photos of the little view in front of me just for memory's sake, signed into the wifi and posted one on my insta story since I had been posting "days until nyc" photos every day- each one equally but differently important :) ...um, is now a good time to mention I didn't take a single pic of NYC, the city? My phone was off and trapped in my bag and I was not gonna take my chances. I mean, in the days leading up to it I thought I was gonna be kidnapped by the mafia or something. So I didn't wanna do something silly.Anyyyyways I got out my diary and wrote a short entry. Then this woman came into the office and she got called in pretty quick. And then, it was just me. I thought, wow, my memory is fish brain. I should have another person with me because there's no way I will remember everything!So I got called in at about 11:35, this lady with red hair she was very nice, I got my weight taken (I wanted to take my shoes off she was like oh sure whichever works for you) I got my vitals taken. Apparently I had high blood pressure? I wasn't nervous, I think my bra was too tight. This will be important later yikes.So I left the room and she guided me towards this other room and I placed my bag in the corner chair and I sat down on the big chair. Yay! I had my folder out with notes and a pen, my letters, and my consult questions. I waited a tiny bit and then a resident/fellow/doctor IDK he was super nice came in and he said mind if we have a nurse in training come in to watch and I was like sure! So he came in he was super nice and just watched.I got asked a few questions partaining to my history that I had already answered in the online forms, namely the ones about sexual health and I told them I hadn't had sex before. He also asked me about support at home post surgery, so I quickly looked at my notes. Then he had a diagram and he explained how the surgery worked. He went sorta in detail-ish but I forgot the specifics.They also said something about check for latex and penicillin allergy which I had recognized the name of- turns out I was allergic to both in the past, I'm not sure if I would be now. I pray not. Either way, it all seemed good to me. Then he asked me if I had any questions, and I said yes and gave him the paper and he held it and started answering all of them. I have written the answers (nearly all of which I am glad I perfectly remembered) in a note document.

Soooo, this bit was all about 25 minutes long or so and after that I had no more questions so he was like perfect, Dr. Bluebond Langner and Dr. Zhao will be with you shortly. So they left the room and then the wait began. I began drawing flowers on my little note paper. Okay so it was 12:10... I heard her talking with the other patient (presumably the women I met in the waiting room) behind me faintly- then it was 12:22, then 12:35. I began thinking to myself "I am not inpatient at all, but my train is scheduled to leave at 2 and it takes 45 minutes to get there, closer to an hour if I get lost. That means I have to leave by 1!!! So by the time they both get in this room, I'm gonna have to be like "give me the quick version of the consult" - which would've been an embarrassment. But I had also heard that it goes quick by the time she gets in the room. I also knew from reading clinical notes that doctors take 20-40 minutes sometimes before appointments to look over patient information.So I relaxed a little, and she and zhao walked into the room. (Zhao didn't say a word till they both left- likely part of the plan, I had heard he was quite quiet.) My first thought, she was short! But also, she spoke to me very kindly the whole time. She asked me why I had come alone and I said my cousin was in Germany and he was helping me throughout this whole process. She asked if I was seeing other surgeons and I said no I have no consults with anyone else.I showed her the list of questions, but she didn't hold the piece of paper so my arm kind of hurt as I was holding it out awkwardly. I realized this is smart bcs of germs. She answered the remaining 6 questions I had starred (pointed towards, rather), etc, etc.Anyways she went on her phone and did the famous scroll through results pictures. I didn't say anything I just looked at them and thought "Okay that's what I need." I saw about 7 or so results and was like yeah that's good. The whole thing lasted about 8 minutes, maybe 9 tops and it didn't feel rushed at all, despite being short. She asked if I had any more questions and I said no, and she said great, just go to the front desk and you can scan in your letters. And she and zhao both said their "nice meeting yous."I gathered my belongings and made my way to the front desk. I then asked the lady that was there to sign in my letters and oh my goodness she was multitasking a phone call. I was very impressed. She signed in my two letters and said they would be in the system. I then gathered my stuff and began heading to the elevator. I had an hour.So the elevator took about a minute and a half to arrive and I was worried- I thought it was broken so I tapped some other buttons. On the elevator I was just with one lady and the elevator stopped at 3 unrelated floors and I was like, I'm sorry, I must have pressed them by accident. So I went out at ground floor and began my walk. My compass was out, so all I'd have to do was turn left and start walking. It was still raining, so umbrella out! I kept my stride up, but to be honest, I was worried I wouldn't make it. I ran a little faster. Sometimes it was very noticable that I was in a hurry. Sometimes my umbrella brushed others umbrellas so I did my very best to raise mine and avoid collision, and say sorry if I did accidentally brush one too hard.I decided to go to the other side of Bryant park since it was quicker. Bryant park seemed a little bit less gray-cloudy, despite it still raining. Last time the issue was, I couldn't find the e-smoke and Starbucks, nor the large unmistakable building i saw on google maps. They must have renovated it! So I honestly didn't know where to turn. I kept walking and paid some attention to the street signs. It wasn't so bad. One part of the road was closed but there was a little gated section to walk through. I just kept my pace. Um. I turned at a random building because I thought I had made it close enough, and maybe even on the right street??? I had no clue truthfully, and the worry was starting to show on my face. I felt like a baby lost in a big town all alone.A guy passed me and said nice dress. That was my only catcall, and it made me a little nervous and walked faster.I kept walking, and tried to again look out for the circular Madison Square Garden building. It was nowhere in sight. I then found a familiar gated looking area and I went by it. I tried looking for the name of the train station company. I found a map and it said "you are here" and that I had walked past it. I knew my train was leaving soon. I tried looking for the opening but it seemed as if it was under renovation. I went back that way and then I began to panic. Then I went back the other direction and asked a random person, they said they didn't speak English. My heart was going to fall.Nearly in tears I asked a police officer where the train station was and he pointed in front of me and gave me instructions but to be honest I was totally directionless. I didn't know what he was saying. I walked in that general direction and saw a guy and his wife and I asked hi im sorry do you where the the train station is? (I was fighting back tears, I was so scared I was gonna be stranded) and he said, um yes it's through that way, and... I don't know if he wanted to impress his wife but he said "okay, I'll lead you to it" and his wife was like what? And I said thank you so much, and he crossed a street and area he wasn't allowed to bless his heart. And he showed me the entrance and said normally people aren't allowed in this way. And I went across and said thank you so much again.I walked inside and I was met with a bunch of people sitting in chairs for a different transit. I was like uh oh that's not where I'm going. (I was confused.) So I asked a lady- two ladies actually if I was in the right place and they said Yes, sit down. So I sat down and began to cry a little bit for the first time this trip. Also this whole time I forgot to mention this but my stomach was hurting for two reasons. First I was super hungry, and secondly my tuck hurt so bad, and so did my bra. I was beginning to feel extreme pain. My ticket paper was wet and torn.I ate my two fiber bars that I had in my pocket and then I cried. It was so overwhelming being alone. I felt like "who let me in this city all alone?" I poked out my poodle from the bag and just caressed it for a bit to feel better. I whispered to myself baby it's gonna be okay. I was actually 20 minutes early. Phew... But I didn't know what track the train was gonna come in so that would have to wait. I then signed into the wifi and a visit summary appeared so I opened it but decided I would have to save it for the train. I read a little bit of it and was happy at what I saw. Then I realized, I had no clue what was gonna happen after the consult, or when my date would be. Or any info on when I would get a date. I wondered if it was even considered a full consultation? But I was like trust everything will be okay.Then I got up and stood at the monitors as my train got closer. Then the moment it showed track 14, I headed towards the train. I rode one of the many escalators down to the platform and many people were already boarding. I found the cafe car quickly (I had secretly planned I wanted food inside the cafe car... I had checked the menu beforehand and they were serving... Mac and cheese! I am a Mac and cheese connoisseur so I HAD to try train brand) I asked if I could sit down across from this... let's say, attractive business guy and I knew he was gonna be quiet the whole ride but I was like hm if he wants to chat yk. But then I was like don't flatter yourself you're not that pretty plus he's busy. Soooo and he probably has a gf. Maybe even a wife too.The train started but the cafe itself was closed. Two people were already standing in the cafe car despite it being closed so I just waited where I was. I took out my folder from my bag and found the backup copy of my ticket and pulled it out to at least be presentable. My ticket was scanned and the guy put a little sticker above the area to signal it had been scanned. At the next stop, some new guy got on and he sat next to me, and he had a picture of Goku on his phone and he was on the phone for what felt like a long time... the cafe car was open. My stomach was hungry, and it also hurt for other reasons so I kept lightly tugging at my bra. It was agony.I asked the guy if I could get some food and he said sure. I left my bag in the seat precisely because I trusted him. It was a long line so I had to head to the back. The woman in front of me kept looking back, like I kinda got a weird vibe from her but I just was trying to keep my balance on the train.It was my turn and I asked for the $7.50 white cheddar Mac and cheese- a lunch special. "Is that it?" Yes. I don't want a drink I have water (which was still cold!) I could have had stromboli too that was my second choice if they were out. About that luxurious Mac and cheese. Well... more like it came in a box and she microwaved it and it was 3 days from expiration. But once I got back to my seat, the guy smiled at me, I slid in and began eating the piping hot Mac and cheese. It tasted sooo good and the cheese was very stringy.He then asked me to charge his phone. So I did. That was when I kinda noticed my situation. At my table, in front of my this guy was working on his laptop. There were 6 tables in the part of the train I was in, all squares and could fit like 4 people, but there were an average of 2, maybe 3 on occasion at each. I couldn't see the tables behind me, so I can only speak for what I could see:In front of me there was this guy and his buddy chatting about like "we cant like (guy) off the hook." And $40,000 and like broker and like... all this money talk it almost made me giggle because I was in a car with like managers of some important company or financing agency or something. Then to the table to the right of that one, there was a normal guy... then he took off his jacket and boom, police vest! Then another police officer sat across from him. I was like oooookayyyyyy. Then to the right of our table, a typical white guy in a suit, very esteemed I could tell. I was surrounded by men! In their 40s! And like... they were all like!!! Really high power and here I was in a bright yellow dress help I must've looked so out of place and silly but it was okay i felt fashionable.It took a bit to finish the Mac and cheese but it was definitely a 10. Noodle by noodle. I didn't wanna unwrap the sides because it would make too much noise so I just reached the fork underneath... and then I was done and satisfied. My stomach began to hurt bad. Not because of the Mac and cheese, but because of the pressure on my stomach. All my pain was in my lower stomach area, with some on my chest area. I didn't seem to be in pain, but I was.I actually didn't read at all on the ride home, yet it felt so quick compared to the ride there. It was like no time had passed. I looked out my window some. I realized the train had wifi so I looked at my full vaginoplasty consultation notes. I felt super amazing for having done this. I was very happy reading the notes... I'm a good candidate!!! I then texted my cousin Mark who promised me he would Uber me home at 4 that I was nearly at the station.I drank some water, then I decided to text my cousin I was already at the station (it was around 3:40 at this point) so there would be no delay. My stomach at this point was in excruciating pain and I just needed to be home.I made my way to an exit and then I got off the train and went down the stairs. I then texted my cousin I'm here.Then I texted him again a minute or two later that I needed an Uber home.I texted him again. My stomach hurt bad and I was close to an empty wall where no one was just texting him.I put my hand on my stomach, and i felt faint.I texted him some crying emojis.I then realized, I should wait until 4- when we said he would uber me home.4 came. Crying emojis.4:01 came. More crying emojis.4:02, and 4:03, and 4:04, and 4:05, and 4:06, and 4:07, and 4:08.😭😭😭😭😭...😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭I felt like I was going to die. I felt like, this was the moment when I would be kidnapped. My fears would come true. Because I would just faint.I thought about the women's restroom. I thought about how scared I was to enter public restrooms. All I needed was these tight undergarments off me.I called my cousin. No answer. I thought it would make a noise.He wasn't coming. He was sleeping, I thought.I then contacted my friend who brought me that morning. No response.I then contacted the local trans support groupchat."Train station stomach excruciating pain cousin isn't responding"The nerd of the group responded. She said ripppp.I pleaded, somebody help. I told them more info.Someone else said they weren't in the area.I then texted my sister. No response yet.I went outside. I think I felt like help was going to come, but I didn't know when or how. I just couldn't stand my stomach hurting so bad. I didn't know what to do. I walked outside the station and took a right, and was just going to walk around the building.There was a homeless lady in front of me saying that she needed money. I froze like a deer in headlights. She was telling me all the reasons she needed money. My stomach was hurting. She needed money. I was going to faint. I was lost. I was going to give her money. She kept going on and on about how her family had troubles and things.I got out my wallet and gave her the remaining change (12$) from the $20 bill i used to buy the mac and cheese. She took it kindly, then she walked past me and said "I'll pray for you" which I only surmised was hope, then I went back to sobbing that I would be lost forever.I walked where I had planned to, behind the building. Wifi worked there surprisingly. My sister was texting me but she didn't quite understand the situation. I told her not to tell my parents to get me- they would find out my situation, take me off the insurance and make it totally impossible for me to get this surgery.I sobbed. There was a police guy in his police car. I just kept crying.In the group chat, a 40 year old transwoman who had driven me home before from a get together last year, said she was on her way in 10 minutes but I would need to stay at her job for a bit. I said thank you and I waited. I saw this really cute bird on the floor and said aww!!! ...baby...! And got close to it. It was adorable.I felt hope. My sister was like totally misunderstanding the whole situation it was like she didn't care Lol. Zoey's car came into view and oh my god, her excessively forced voice was a shock to say the least. I was so grateful for her, and I thought how humbling it was to be helped and saved by the very person who I sorta looked down upon. That's what life is like! It throws you lessons like these. We are all people. But yes she is so fake haha.So we started driving and she asked me how it went but she wasn't really empathizing with my mood at all. I was sobbing saying thank you and it was scary and she was like YEAH, FOR SURE. Oh my goodness. Then she took me beyond the gate to her work which was closeby and I asked if I could stay in the car and she said yes.I drank some water, saw some cute squirrels and gave my body a breather. Thank goodness. I began to feel better over time as my blood pressure went back to normal.Then on the ride home I told her about my NYC consultation, and I also pointed out to her that she sounded/was trying to talk like our therapist... she completely mimicked certain behaviors of hers and speech styles and it's extremely noticable, and jarring, and strange. Either way I was still thankful for the ride home and had very little left in me so I just said a few words here and there. Exclaimed about a store I recognized, etc. Then I also was able to guide her home without the gps when I got close... usually I say I know the way but I get lost, but this time I said each turn right (there were about maybe 2 turns)

By the time I got to the neighborhood I got out of the car closeby and started walking towards home. I saw a welcome sign beside the mailbox and thought my sister put it out for me... I was so thankful! I knew my cousin may have seen my messages and there might be a mess of messages to read at home so I was worried about that. It was already humiliating enough that I had to message the group chat and tell them my stomach was hurting. I usually never spoke in there... but that vulnerability saved me.I threw away my water bottle that I had finished when I noticed there were cars lined up at my grandmother's part of the driveway. Oh dear. Lol. I went inside carrying the welcome sign, thinking I would put it in my room and my sister was like "why are you holding that?" (it was for the party- OOPS) I told her later the story (like a week later during what we call "tea") and she laughed.Besides that, I was very cheerful. My sister was complaining about the vibes. She didn't even seem to care I was in NYC despite having told her before hand and her knowing how big of a deal it is for me. But at the same time I know she's happy for me.So my mother didn't even bat an eye, didn't even know I was gone, I went upstairs and dropped off my bag and went back downstairs to put the sign back outside...Anyways, I took a shower, got comfy, and sure enough my cousin wanted to call. He said "I fucked up" which- I've never seen him use that word before. So he profusely apologized and we called for about 17 minutes. I reassured him that no it was okay thankfully and I told him how it went.And then I think I just relaxed for the rest of the day. It was crazy that one moment I was in NYC, and the next I'm at home!And I nearly got lost! And I did it by myself! In the rain! First time riding a train! And I navigated a city! And all these things happened!!!The next day, or was it the day after that- I got sick. With a bad, but quick sore throat (that I caught with elderberry)- and a cold that lasted a while.I got called to prep for a surgery date at the doctor's office about 2 weeks later. My next stop is electrolysis.So that's my story 😊. My first ever SRS consult story with one of the best team surgeons in the US- Dr. Bluebond-Langner (who does the exterior) and Dr. Zhao (who does the interior) and let's not forget, a robot who helps with the PPT part of the surgery.Also it's worth noting that I joined a groupchat for this particular surgery practice so I was able to read stories beforehand and ask them questions. It's a huge help :)It was such an adventure and I know there's lots more to come, especially once I get my surgery. 😄