An angel has started my new journey

Yesterday was a day just like any other day... or so I thought. Little did I know that it would mark the beginning of my next journey. I started the morning with carrying out my usual routines, after which I took off for a few hours of work before finally getting to do my workout. After arriving home, the usual stuff ended and the unbelievable stuff begun. As I opened the apartment door, I noticed that my girlfriend had prepared a warm bath with candles and music. We both slipped into the bathtub, after which she casually handed me a letter...

The incredibly thoughtful letter given to me as we slipped into the bathtub.

Not a love letter
The letter, which you only see a glimpse of, contained a lot of heart warming words as well as congratulations on the journeys I've gone through. I was surprised to read this, as these journeys have been natural parts of our lives for quite some time now. However, this was not the purpose of the letter. As I continued on reading, she explained how she felt bad about never being able to give me any expensive gifts; how the only thing she's been able to give me is her love and thoughtfulness. I smiled to myself as I simply thought this was a cute little love letter, written from the depth of her heart - but, it contained more than that. As I reached the very end of the letter, she revealed what it was really about; my second skin removal operation concerning my chest area.

"As I reached the very end of the letter, she revealed what it was really about"

I felt really happy as I read the letter, but at the same time confused, because I knew there was no way that we could afford such an operation. The only reason as to why I was able to do my previous journey, where I removed the skin around my abdominal area, was due to the county health care service granting me the operation. So, how would she (or we) be able to pay for it? Well, this is where the truly heart warming character of my girlfriend shines through. The only reason that she was able to pay for this operation was because she had received a notice from the Swedish health care insurance office. According to this notice she was eligible for money due to the pain and suffering accumulated last summer where she got a blood clot in her leg as well as her lung due to the medicine she was taking at the time. This period of hell, which took a toll on our lives, had finally granted her a bit of redemption. Without thinking twice about it, and with no selfish motives, she decided on donating that money to me and the operation that would bring me one step closer to having a normal body.

Ulrika and I holding hands at the hospital, while she was under care for the blood clot in her lung.

A way to fully appreciate all my hard work
Ever since I got the skin removal operation for my abdominal area, I've been ever so thankful. I've been able to see progress in the mirror, and I've taken pleasure in seeing the abs slowly coming to surface. However, I've felt incomplete when gazing further up on my body, seeing the skin hanging at the sides of my chest.

"My girlfriend has seen the disappointment in my eyes as I've posed in front of the mirror, never truly being able to enjoy the result of my hard work."

My girlfriend has seen the disappointment in my eyes as I've posed in front of the mirror, never truly being able to enjoy the result of my hard work. Yesterday, she found a way to change all this, and through her giving nature, she's started me on my new journey.

Giving my angel a kiss!

She's my angel
My girlfriend has always been thankful for my support in the hard times we've gone through. Due to the highly personal nature of things I cannot go into all the hardship that has meant for us. She's quite often thought to herself that she has more to gain out of our relationship than I do - she couldn't be more wrong. Her warm and giving nature, her kind heart, her appreciation and acceptance for me and who I am are the best gifts I've ever received. I love you baby, you are my angel, my "gottenos" and I am truly thankful for having you in my life.

Two important dates in my future
As of right now I have two important dates ahead of me. The first important date is March 19th. On this day I get to consult a surgeon with all the questions concerning the removal of the skin around my chest area. This is also an opportunity for me to get a full briefing about the costs that come with such a proceedure. The second important date is April 3rd. On this date I get to meet the surgeon that removed the skin around my abdominal area. At this point he'll be removing the tiny pieces of excess skin still left at the sides of body (at each end of the scar). It's time to move ahead, and I'm sure we're in for an awesome journey - me and my angel.