Done and done

This morning started bright and early at 5am. We entrusted our rented GPS to get us to the surgery center. And even though it sure made me nervous, taking me down residential side streets, it did manage to do its job. My uncle had given me a map prior with his suggested route and this GPS seemed to not even be close. Nor was it close to the map and directions given to me by the surgery center. But none the less, we made it and made it on time. Registration was complete weeks ago, so just the financial matter then off we went to the pre op area. Max was given a gown, a heated gown. Hooked up to this fancy machine that kept it heated. This being great for us arizonians who just came from highs of 110 to a cool 60. Ok, it actually was 52 this morning. IV started without issue, except not sure why they chose to give him a shot of lidocaine first? Seems silly to poke twice?! Dr. Brownstein came to talk to us and make his marks this morning. Anesthesia doc came to ease Max's mind that he will indeed be asleep, very asleep during the surgery and will not be one of those patients that wakes up in the middle. Surgery time, 2hrs, 20 minutes. They had me wait until he woke up a bit before coming in, about another 10 minutes. After getting some pain meds and about 30 minutes they transferred us to a private room. He napped, he ate, and peed (those of us that have had surgery or are nurses know this is important info). We have updated many by txt, or email. Facebook status has been updated, and currently my son is resting. He has a binder that he has to wear for five days before we can see the actual results. So this is what is going to take forever! Update then ......

San Francisco or bust

I got a call from us airways last night to inform me that our flight would be delayed by a half hour. Not convenient but still gives us plenty of time to get to our scheduled, 2pm pre op appointment. That was before call number two, to say it was delayed another hour. The airport was a different story with it being yet another half hour. So we were late. Dr. Brownstein was very gracious to wait for us.
Oh and don't get me started on the rental car nightmare. Rented a car from a company I've never used before. Fox, but pretty cheap and right there in line with all the big boys at the airport. They also had the longest line. Oh no, as if we weren't aleardy running late. I lasted about 10 minutes after watching at least three other frustrated people leave and get cars elsewhere. So I too just went someplace else. After completing my transaction with the new place. I looked over and they were still helping the same two people from when I started standing in their line. At the time, I didn't even care if I paid three times as much. So note to self and all, stay away from fox rental car (and fox news.....should have known lol)

Dr. Brownsteins office

TSA was uneventful, no scanner or pat downs, just the regular old metal detector. Except the guy said, "hey dude". When telling him he forgot to empty his pockets and take off his belt. It's always great to get called dude.
Appointment went well, we are well informed and ready to do this.
We arrived at our hosts house, my aunt and uncle who have graciously opened their home to us for our stay. And pleasantly, we were greeted with an amazing meal.
I will have to add photos as I can later, since I'm doing all this updating from my Ipad and I'm not quite used to it.
Off to bed early to be at the hospital at 5:30.

Love our support team :)

All the buzz & schools out

Schools out, Max has finished 10th grade.  Now we can put all our focus into surgery only 5 days away, I don't think we in this household have let a day go by without talking about it.  It's all happy talk!  Very excited to get this part past us and it be yet another distant memory.  I'm so happy that there is a support meeting today and that many of those we haven't seen in months will be there!  Just in time, will be like a mini send off.  We are so lucky to have all these supporters in our life.  Let the negative idiots be warned my son WILL live among you. 
ABC is coming to film in San Fran.  Sorry folks won't be any surgery day or revealing day photos.  I KNOW the story is fine without it.  I think they will wrap up filming with doing something at Max's school when it is in session again in the fall, and then who knows IF and when it will show for real.  Not holding my breath or making announcements this time! 
Thanks to one of his friends for posting pictures of them at school.  See the smiles coming from my boy!  I LOVE IT :)

Sooo close to Ellen but yet so far

As I was following the comments (since removed by the newspaper) and tweets, I noticed a tweet that said Max was going to be on EVB Live (a local news program).  Luckily, I got this in time to record.  The best part was that the ad for this segment was shown during Ellen, while she was interviewing Johnny Depp.  A handsome man that both Max and I find attractive LOL 

AZ Republic Article

Becoming Max, a really great article about Max and his life

http://www.azcentral.com/news/azliving/articles/2012/05/05/20120505gender-identity-disorder-max.html

Video and photos that go with the article

http://www.azcentral.com/video/1604136031001

Photo that was on the first page of the AZ Living section of the Sunday paper