Transitioning at work and in all of my life

[Danya (imported)]

As time goes by the "new" is often less odd. I think for people our age the possibility that someone could change from male to female (or female to male) is pretty amazing. Medical and surgical changes have made it more complete but like everything new it takes time for people to get used to the idea. I think even some TS people pinch themselves for a while until it sets in.

I am one of those TS people who still can't believe how amazing transitioning is.

I would hope that as far as transgender people go the passage of time will normalize people's views. As far as my family goes, I have major doubts that they will ever see this as normal. My main purpose in contacting them was to let them know about my change of last name. If I didn't notify them, they would have more trouble finding me should they ever want that. That could cause them unnecessary grief and I have no wish to do that.

I'm really happy for you on the name change. And I hope you don't get upset by anything your family says. Lets face it family headaches are so common in just ordinary life.

When the negatives of family relationships outweigh the positives, there are no children involved, no obligations, little support over the years and a lot of aggravation I tend to doubt the value of maintaining anything more than superficial contact. I am not at all sure that the balance is positive with anyone except my niece.

All I did by writing them is let them know a bit more about who I am. In a way, I felt they deserved to know about the change in my last name. Beyond that, I do not owe them anything.

I appreciate your hope that I not get upset by anything my family may say. If I feel my mental health is in danger by contact with them, I will end that. I do wish them well and care about them but I must look out for myself first.

I continue the process of letting go of them that I started several months ago. I have to do that for my own peace of mind.

[mrt (imported)]

Bad family relationships "can" be like High School Bullies. Once you graduate you can decide if you want to allow them to bug you or not. And "some" high school creeps do grow up (at some point) and it "may" get better.

As I told our oldest "High school is over soon. All the drama you think is so important is going to be an option now."

[Danya (imported)]

Bad family relationships "can" be like High School Bullies. Once you graduate you can decide if you want to allow them to bug you or not. And "some" high school creeps do grow up (at some point) and it "may" get better.

As I told our oldest "High school is over soon. All the drama you think is so important is going to be an option now."

Whatever happens with my family is, for the most part, irrelevant to me and my happiness. I am not anxiously checking my email to see if they have responded. As I've stated before, I really don't see how my life could get any better than it has been since I transitioned. Anything additional, including hearing something positive from the relatives, is simply icing on an already delicious cake.

I appreciate your comments, my friend. I realized last night I was expending way too much emotional energy on this. That's when I decided to post something funny in the 'Jokes....' section.

I will update this thread if I hear anything from the relatives. Otherwise, I need to move on to other things.

[Danya (imported)]

I posted this sometime before my official transition day:

I saw my doctor Tuesday because I wasn't feeling well.

The appointment was the perfect time to discuss future medical care. He already knew I am transgender but hadn't been brought up to speed on the transsexual part. As I told him the latest news, he crossed his arms and had a slight frown. I asked if he'd be comfortable continuing as my physician and he responded 'yes'.

At that point, I asked him 'then why do you have your arms crossed?' and I mirrored his behavior back to him. He immediately relaxed, a little anyway, and said he really didn't understand transsexuality at all although he has a post-op female patient. He started asking questions about transgender/transsexual life experiences and I could tell he was truly relaxing. I told him that he really didn't need to fully understand at all. He just needed to be open-minded and accepting. He agreed he can handle that.

He and I have always gotten along well. I'll see how things go, though, and may switch to a physician who regularly deals with trans folks and has a clear comfort level.

I've got to give my doctor credit for his reaction when I told him how my California brother had treated me. He was very concerned on how I was handling that and I assured him I'd discussed it with a therapist, had lots of support and was dealing with it fine.

I also told him the part about my brother wanting me to go to church with him. I had told my brother I did not want to go to a church where I am not accepted for who I really am. My doctor joked that he probably wanted to get me into ch

urch so they could perform an exorcism

It sounds as if you may have the right doctor. He's accepting, willing to learn, and has a sense of humor. You may get better treatment from him than from a doctor where you are just one of many trans

patients to be run through in assembly-line fashion.

I saw my personal physician for the first time today as my true self! Despite some of my earlier concerns that he might be uncomfortable continuing to work with me, the visit went very well.

Today, he was clearly comfortable with me. He even told me I looked great and added that I looked better than I had before I transitioned. He referred to me as a woman several times and asked how things were going. He called me by my new name. I teased him about some things, just as I always used to do. It was good to see the easy relationship we had once enjoyed has survived my transition.

As Jesus suggested, my doctor is teachable after all! I am glad the visit went well. This doctor is a fine physician and I would hate to have to go to someone else.

[Danya (imported)]

I heard from the county today. The date of the court hearing for my legal name change is over three weeks away. It is set for Monday, September 22 at 9 AM. This will mark exactly 18 weeks

since I transitioned at work.

I will need to take two witnesses to confirm that I a

m sane and not hiding out from the

law. They need to have known me for at least a year. Fortunately, I have many volunteers willing to do this.

[mrt (imported)]

I really adore my doctor because she has been willing to listen. I know that sounds simple but the previous ones? Sheesh... And she encourages me to learn and ask those questions. For some people the best doctor might be a guy that just tells them what to do. For me I have to be a "part" of the process so that I have a clue what I'm doing and why. I've also learned that doctors don't always know everything and some of the good ones are willing to admit this and even listen to dumb patients who bring in books or medical papers and ask "Why can't we try / do this?"

And most important I think for you in your position its going to make the world a better place now that one more doctor is NOT freaked out about patients with GID issues. Think how much nicer it is going to be for the next scared person who talks to him and when he says "Oh, don't worry about this I've got other patients with the same problems lets figure this out and get you taken care of."

And for my own issues with Orchialgia (and Orchiectomy as a solution) I think I've tried to help make it easier for the next guy that needs this kind of extreme solution.

Anyway a long way of saying GOOD ON YOU! (Ala my Australian friends)

- T

[mrt (imported)]

I heard from the county today. The date of the court hearing for my legal name change is over three weeks away. It is set for Monday, September 22 at 9 AM. This will mark exactly 18 weeks

[quote="Danya (imported)" tim

e=1213060140]
since I transitioned at work.

[/quote]

I will need to take two witnesses

to confirm that I a

m sane and not hiding out from the

law. They need to have known me for at least a year. Fortunately, I have many volunteers willing to do this.

Me Me!!! Pick me!

[Danya (imported)]

I really adore my doctor because she has been willing to listen. I know that sounds simple but the previous ones? Sheesh...

Charles, as I think of my doctor and even occasionally call him, is a superb listener. He has no problem admitting he doesn't know something about a medical problem. He is a very good internist in that he likes to track down the answers. The only occassional friction between us, and this has been slight and short-lived, has been when I have read so much on a medical concern that when I discussed it he felt I was questioning his judgement. I always explain that I trust his judgement but I need to feel comfortable about treatment options.

And most important I think for you in your position its going to make the world a better place now that one more doctor is NOT freaked out about patients with GID issues. Think how much nicer it is going to be for the next scared person who talks to him and when he says "Oh, don't worry about this I've got other patients with the same problems lets figure this out and get you taken care of."

MrT, my friend, if by 'the next scared person' you are implying I was nervous when I first spoke with my doctor that is not the case at all. I have almost always felt comfortable saying all kinds of things to physicians. It is true that I sometimes find the anticipation of doing or saying something scary, but once I am in action everything goes very well. He forwarded his notes on my first disclosure visit to my HRT doctor. She showed me what he had written. That was basically how confident and happy I was to be transitioning. If his increased comfort level with me helps a future TS patient (scared or not), as you suggest, that will be a good thing.

I went to a woman for a makeover Wednesday night. She has fully transitioned from male to female, including GRS. I mentioned that I had turned in my name change application at court the Friday before. She was surprised I was able to go by myself to do this. She had insisted a friend accompany her because she was too nervous to go by herself. I wasn't at all nervous.

My therapist ('Sally' - name changed) had recommended her. Seems like she went to the same therapist. She asked how things were going in group therapy. When I told her Sally had realized I didn't need group therapy or support, she was very surprised.

At any rate, I mention these things just to let you know how very well things continue to go for me. I am so fortunate. If I ever decide, though, that something like group therapy would be useful I won't hesitate to go. Sally agrees with me that there is no point in this now.

BTW, the woman who did my makeover did a fabulous job. She used to be a makeup artist in theater and clearly knows what she is doing. I picked up some excellent tips on how to better apply makeup.

Anyway a long way of saying GOOD ON YOU! (Ala my Australian friends)

- T

As always, my friend, i

t is good to hear from you and

I really appreciate your input.

Hugs,

Danya

[Danya (imported)]

Me Me!!! Pick me!

You are so funny, which I alway appreciate. If you fulfilled the minimum one-year requirement for knowing me, I would gladly pick you.

[Danya (imported)]

Tomorrow I will serve

as substitute organist at my home congregation

for the second time this month. I need to practice on the pipe organ later today but I need to get out and have some fun, too. I know it probably doesn't sound like much fun to many of you, but I will go to 'The Mall' (some of you know which one I mean ) first. A good long walk inside will do me good and the shops will give me a chance to further exercise my rapidly developing social skills.

It is beautiful today but I must limit my walking to inside. My asthma is really acting up again and I may have some bronchitis. Walking indoors minimizes my exposure to mold, to which I am extremely allergic. It is often the cause of an asthma attack and certainly doesn't help things in the midst of one.

When I saw my doctor earlier in the week, I mentioned how much I miss rollerblading. Last summer I was skating up to 25 miles. Since I was diagnosed with osteoporosis in December, with my risk of bone fractures listed as 'extreme', I haven't skated. I asked if he thought it might be reasonable for me to skate a bit, once my asthma improves. He doesn't think it's a bad idea at all. Weight-bearing exercise is good for osteoporosis. Falling, OTOH, isn't! I have been on the meds to help my bones recover for eight months. If I use a little caution and keep alert for other skaters who may be about to bump into me, I should be fine. I typically don't fall when I skate unless someone runs into me. So I am hopeful the asthma will leave me for the year before the weather turns too cool for skating.

I have been feeling very sexual lately, at least considering the fact that estrogen may nearly eliminate a trans woman's libido. I have channeled my sexual feelings into fantasies. Those are nice enough but it would always be good to have someone to share them with, in an intimate physical way, of course! This is something I will discuss the next time I see my gender therapist.

I still spend way too much time researching TG-related topics on the web. This morning, I ran across an L. A. Times article from November 19, 2000 on one of my heroines, Lynn Conway transsexual wonder woman! Lynn views herself very much as a woman but is now an activist for TG and TS people everywhere. The story was sensitively written by Michael A. Hiltznik and is entitled 'Through the Gender Labyrinth' (

http://ai.eecs.umich.edu/people/conway/

Media/Through%20the%20Gender%20Labyrinth.pdf). Lynn's site has been a going concern for many years so I expect the link will remain active for some time to come. Anyway, you have the date and newspaper reference above.

I am including just part of the piece here. In her younger years, Lynn had been in several promising relationships that fell apart because the men involved could not handle her history. I think many men and women mellow some as they age and perhaps gain some wisdom.

Lynn at last finds a good man to spend her life with. This excerpt from the article describes her discussion with her boyfriend, and future husband, about her past.

"I think there's something you need to

know about me," she said.

"She began filling me in on things I'd

never begun to suspect," Charlie recalls. "I've

got to say it was a little bit stunning. I was in

a fog for a while, absorbing it. But I knew it

was probably as hard for her to get into as it

was for me to hear it."

He was a single man, never married,

distant from his family. Like her, a soul

looking for companionship and more.

Despite his confusion, he offered

reassurance. "On the Huron when we met,"

he said later, "we were both at a point in our

lives where we needed someone like the

person we saw the other to be."

I always say I am never too old for good things to happen. My happiness does not require that I be in loving relationship. With the right man (someone who can accept and love me for who I am), a relationship would be more icing on the cake.

[mrt (imported)]

This is my Amateur two cents worth. With male balance you have gobs of Testosterone and a small amount of Estrogen. If you remove the Estrogen in a male you have ALL desire and no ability to orgasm. At least from the second hand reports of some guys who thought the goal was near zero Estrogen and over did things with Arimidex.

With women you have gobs of Estrogen and a small amount of Testosterone. Transwomen who associate "testosterone" with all they wanted to have removed and dial it down to zero lose their sex drive and don't "bother" with sex or orgasm.

Testosterone in the right amount is important for both. Its not "evil" or all wrong as some Transexual people would think. Its more complicated... The goal (I would think) is the reach that female balance. That being lots of Estrogen but proper female levels of Testosterone to insure you have the interest, energy etc. It sounds to me like you have that!

As to relationships I think its complicated about how and when to tell someone your history. It would be bad (I think) for it to be kept a secret too long. And on the other hand it might be just as bad to start off with "I'm different"

What I think will happen is that men will see you as a woman first. When the history comes out there will probably be a short "What the hell?" moment or two for them to process things. Then it will come back to them saying "well this person is a woman. The fact that she had to deal with some medical issues to get to where she is, is not that much different from women doing cosmetic surgery. And the hormones biz is probably what more natal women ought to consider anyway!

[Danya (imported)]

This is my Amateur two cents worth. With male balance you have gobs of Testosterone and a small amount of Estrogen. If you remove the Estrogen in a male you have ALL desire and no ability to orgasm. At least from the second hand reports of some guys who thought the goal was near zero Estrogen and over did things with Arimidex.

With women you have gobs of Estrogen and a small amount of Estrogen. Transwomen who associate "testosterone" with all they wanted to have removed and dial it down to zero lose their sex drive and don't "bother" with sex or orgasm.

The goal (I would think) is the reach that female balance. That being lots of Estrogen but proper female levels of Testosterone to insure you have the interest. It sounds to me like you have that!

MrT, I think your 'amatuer two cents worth' is worth a whole lot more. I agree with your conclusions.

As to relationships I think its complicated about how and when to tell someone your history. It would be bad (I think) for it to be kept a secret too long. And on the other hand it might be just as bad to start off with "I'm different"

Assuming I have GRS and find a man who believes me to be a natal female and is interested, I do not see a reason to divulge anything on the first date. If things develop so that a serious relationship seems possible, I would certainly tell someone about my history.

What I think will happen is that men will see you as a woman first. When the history comes out there will probably be a short "What the hell?" moment or two for them to process things. Then it will come back to them saying "well this person is a woman. The fact that she had to deal with some medical issues to get to where she is, is not that much different from women doing cosmetic surgery. And the hormones biz is probably what more natal women ought to consider anyway!

I am sure there are some men my age out there who would react as you say. I tend to doubt, though, that most would. Some experience may change my feelings on that.

[Danya (imported)]

This morning, I was substitute organist at my church for the second time this month. It was the first time my new last name, although not yet legal, was printed for people to see. That was very nice. I was surprised that people, even some who have already commented on it, continue to mention how clearly happy I am. One woman today also noted that I am much more relaxed and that she could hear this in the way I played the organ, too. I guess being my real self can do that.

Late last week at work, someone in human resources sent me an email saying how she continues to notice how happy I am whenever she sees me. She helped out a lot during the weeks leading up to my transition at work over three months ago.

I am still amazed by all this. The fact that not only do I continue to feel happy and energized but that this is also continues to be noticed, and talked about, by others blows me away.

Of course, I still have to deal with daily living and that can include stress at work and in other areas of my life. I get worn out sometimes and just want to rest. My work schedule now won't allow for a break. We are deep into implementing major new software systems that I have a major role in so I need to be at the office every day.

My application to be on the Diversity Council at work was accepted. Participating on this committee will likely increase my stress level because it will require time away from my work on projects with set in concrete 'go live' dates. Nonetheless, I feel the work of this committee is very important. As I stated earlier, the description of this committee, its mandate and how it will interact with employees and upper management lead me to think it has a chance of actually accomplishing something useful and beneficial. Sticking to a regular exercise routine will help keep the stress manageable.

[mrt (imported)]

MrT, I think your 'amatuer two cents worth' is worth a whole lot more. I agree with your conclusions.

Assuming I have GRS and find a man who believes me to be a natal female and is interested, I do not see a reason to divulge anything on the first date. If things develop so that a serious relationship seems possible, I would certainly tell someone about my history.

I am sure there are some men my age out there who would react as you say. I tend to doubt, though, that most would. Some experience may change my feelings on that.

I have no doubt there are thick heads who could not get past the idea that your "different" from other women in what parts you were born with. I dunno... I think about this and I know I'm not alone. Its "m e d i c a l" not a kink or a fetish thing. When I heard the 700 club guy who is very right wing say pretty much the same thing "This is medical. Its not a sin. People who need SRS and hormones need not be worried God is upset about this" It makes me think this is more mainstream (At least in some unexpected circles) then you might think. I HOPE SO! I really think it would be stupid / ignorant or just evil if not so.

I dunno... At the age where reproduction is not possible with a natal woman it seems even less important to me. I mean a guy getting serious with you at child bearing age might feel "cheated" out of bio kids but now? Is it that huge? Should it be? I don't think so but maybe I'm a weirdo.

[Danya (imported)]

I dunno... At the age where reproduction is not possible with a natal woman it seems even less important to me. I mean a guy getting serious with you at child bearing age might feel "cheated" out of bio kids but now? Is it that huge? Should it be? I don't think so but maybe I'm a weirdo.

I don't think you are in any way a weirdo, MrT.

Decisions

I need to decide whether to send a letter to a few people from my college and university days to let them know about my transition. There is one advisor that I still exchange Christmas cards with. I am sure others will likely figure things out eventually since my male name on current alumni mailing lists will disappear. This new woman of whom they have no recollection will suddenly appear. I hope that will happen, anyway, when I send schools notice of my legal name change.

I have always felt at ease talking with people face-to-face about my TG status. I feel less comfortable revealing this in a note probably because I don't get any immediate feedback. If I send a note, should it be a few lines or a longer explanation of how I came to be where I am today?

What I will probably do is send a letter based on one of the many online examples examples written by other transitioning people. Some of those are very well done and I can get some good ideas there. Often these are fairly long letters so the reader gets an idea that the life change is more than just a sudden development. Some of the posted responses to these letters have been very understanding.

I just want to get this over with. My college days seem so far removed from my current life as to be nearly meaningless.

I also wonder if I need to notify my high school of my legal name change. Probably I should, to be safe. Should I ever change jobs, some applications have a space for your high school info. I don't think I need to let my grade school know.

[Danya (imported)]

Work has been really tiring me out with special projects that have to get done. When the entire corporation has been told that new systems will go online by a certain date, that date has to be met. If it isn't, and in view of the fact that these new capabilities cost far more than anything the company has ever purchased, the sh*t will hit the fan. So I have been working evenings and weekends for some time and that will continue at least until January. I am worn out! Nonetheless, I am fortunate to have a good job with a great working environment for someone, you know, like me.

Despite all the work, I have managed to post to a number of threads on the Archive, often between short breaks from remote office work. I have been able to relax, too.

The most important thing, though, is my transition continues to proceed very smoothly. I am feeling more comfortable and 'at home' in my developing female body than I would have thought possible when I transitioned on May 19 of this year, sans estrogen. Everything feels so 'right'! I am so relaxed most of the time and feeling extremely feminine. More in the next post, then I'll need to get back to work. I tend to make these things too long!

[Danya (imported)]

Aside from work continuing to follow me around all weekend, things are going well. In my last post, I spoke about how wonderfully I am doing. I was asking an Archive friend earlier in the week 'how could I have been so stupid all these years to keep burying who I am?' I don't typically go around berating myself. It's just the contrast between 'then' (male) and 'now' (female) is so huge in terms of my happiness and contentment. Just now simply feeling a part of the world and not merely an observer. Nearly all the time, I am simply glad to be where I am today and I absolutely know how lucky I am to have reached this point.

I had a strange image last week from the 'Star Wars' movies of C3P-O saying to R2-D2 "Stormtroopers, here!?": that I was the naive, unwittingly comical, sometimes annoying but still lovable C3P-O.

I just happened to be in St. Paul, Minnesota for work during the Republican convention and the office I was in was right along the route taken by protesters. There were private guards posted inside the building. At times the surrounding streets were swarming with policemen. Some in riot gear, in squad cars, on bicycles, standing atop SUVs with loaded rifles and just milling about the streets. They seemed somehow oddly mixed in with assorted TV and radio crews, groups of people peacefully speaking out against homosexuality and abortion, others speakng up about world hunger.

I had occasion to walk outside among the 'stormtroopers' on several occasions. Of course, when I was out and about it was considered safe. The city still seemed like an armed camp (I am very serious when I say this and as I think about it now I find it very disturbing) but the policemen were friendly. Even the 'stormtrooper' variety. Some were taking each other's pictures. I smiled winningly at several and was greeted by warm smiles in return. This does not mean I am making any kid of judgement on what went on between the police and protesters. I may post some thoughts on that elsewhere and I know first person witnesses of the Labor Day protest and violence.

The reason I brought all this up is it was the very first time in my life that I felt at ease with a single cop, let alone phalanxes of them. I had gotten a speeding ticket when I was about 25, the only violation of my life, and I was terrified back then when the cop pulled me over. That feeling of general unease with the police had persisted, although I had done nothing to cause me to react that way.

This week, my reaction was more like 'I am a woman and these strong men are here to protect me'. Of course, there were some women police officers present, too. I know this has got to sound awfully sexist but my thoughts played right into the increasing vulnerability I have been feeling lately. I have mentioned that before and read this is typical for a MtF person on estrogen. Some of the time anyway. It does not, however, mean I am ready to quit my technology job to become a secretary. Some years ago, that kind of career move was actually recommended by professionals to transitioning women. Totally unbelievable!

I also, oddly, felt that as a woman I would in no way be considered a possible threat. That was a really silly unrealistic thought.

Yes, I have been feeling very vulnerable on a number of levels. Including my job, career path, love life (or lack of one) and generally in most other areas. Throughout my life I have tended to be emotional and now those emotions are amplified. I feel quite good about this since it hasn't been interfering with my work. In fact, and my boss will confirm this, my performance has improved since I transitioned.

My interests seem to be changing, too. It isn't that I am losing those that I have. Rather it is how I am choosing to spend my time on different things and really want to be very social

[quote="Danya (imported)" tim

e=1213332120]
for the first time in my life.
[/quote]


This post isn't nearly as short as the last, but I couldn't stop myself. That's another thing that is different. I talk a lot more. I am sure not everyone views this as a good thing, but that's OK.

I have to sign off for now and get back to work. Then I will meet my friend J, who is treating me to dinner at a Mexican restaurant. I really wanted to wear a dress but have decided that is too risky with potentially messy Mexican food.

[mrt (imported)]

Fear of cops maybe that your felt "wrong" in your then male skin. That they might smell the "wrongness" on you. Now, your using your female charms on these men and your passing their smell test and all is well with the world! Enjoy the new world. I think its great.

As to the protesters. Some at least stick in my craw. The ones throwing Urine and Poop bombs. Really despicable. The "hate" fest ones I would like to protest against no matter if its Anti Gay, Anti minorities or whatever. GET a life dudes your leader (Hitler) is long dead. I'm also not a fan of the Socialists because I equate that with all the "great" systems like the USSR, Red China, Korea and Cuba. None for me - thanks!;)

[Danya (imported)]

Fear of cops maybe that your felt "wrong" in your then male skin. That they might smell the "wrongness" on you. Now, your using your female charms on these men and your passing their smell test and all is well with the world! Enjoy the new world. I think its great.

I think you are on to something with this, mrt. That I felt "wrong" in my then male skin. Fear is an emotion that may be processed with associated odors in more primitive brain centers. There is a lot that goes on in these areas of the brain that we do not fully understand. This includes, from what I read just 5 minutes ago (how's that for thorough research!), emotions associated with odors.

In addition, I suspect I thought that I was not a real man and yet had to act like one in front of this policeman. Writing about this tonight and remembering the way I felt when I received that ticket makes me think this was another significant indicator of my transgender being.

[Danya (imported)]

J and I had a very nice time at dinner. She is going to make a donation in honor of my new legal name to the GLBT advocacy group hosted within my Christian congregation. [Please note, potential flamers , this is an extremely open and affirming church that genuinely welcomes everyone from whatever background and faith, including non-Chrisitians.] I was really touched by J's desire to do this. She has very little money but she is choosing to spend some of it to support a worthy cause and in recognition of a big milestone in my new life.

As I have already stated ad nauseum , I have been doing very well as I proceed through my new life. In the last few weeks I have started to feel that I likely will want SRS. This does not mean I have changed my mind and decided it is my plumbing, after all, that determines my gender! I'd really be screwed up now if I believed that, being on estrogen with suppressed testosterone, developing breasts and heightened feminine emotions while 'stuck' with male parts. Ultimately, it is still what goes on in my thoughts and feelings that counts. This is absolutely true. Yet, I am feeling so feminine lately that I am developing more of an insistent desire to have my body match my brain in all ways. It will be part of the adventure to see how all this plays out.

[kennath7 (imported)]

Its really good that your doing so great

I wish you all the good in life ( your new life )

[dancinggizmos (imported)]

I wish you the best in your transaition process.

I hope that all works out for you, however you want to keep in mind you want to watch your health and make sure you keep your bones and joints in shape. You may want to talk with your Physician about trying to keep things up a Family Practioner should be able to adequatley help you.

Just want to wish you luck and remember to keep up and stay positive, you can sometimes run into rough roads.

[Danya (imported)]

Its really good that your doing so great

I wish you all the good in life ( your new life )

Hi kennath7,

Thanks for the good wishes.. I am gl

ad to learn you are doing well, too, in your new life.

I wish you the best in your transaition process.

I hope that all works out for you, however you want to keep in mind you want to watch your health and make sure you keep your bones and joints in shape. You may want to talk with your Physician about trying to keep things up a Family Practioner should be able to adequatley help you.

Just want to wish you luck and remember to keep up an

d stay positive, you can sometimes run into rough roads.

Hi dancinggizmos,

I appreciate the good wishes. I should get more exercise and I am gradually working back into a regular routine. Last December, I was diagnosed with osteoporosis. The prednisone I have had to take over the last 8 years, although intermittently but at high doses, is the likely cause. I am on medication to help reverse the bone loss.

My personal physician is an internist, not technically a family practitioner as you point out. He is very capable, listens to my concerns and is proactive in testing and treatment. Next week is my annual physical. Then there are my other two physicians I see several times a year. Some of my health problems require specialists.

There can, and likely will be, some rough periods ahead. So far, my positive attitude has helped me navigate a few difficult periods with relatviely little problem.

Thanks for writing!

[mrt (imported)]

I'll join the choir in singing our praises for you and your continued success. I think it all seems like the pieces are fitting so perfectly into place that its just amazing... And must be an 11 (on the 1 to 10 scale) for personal relief for you.

I think its great that your starting to think about SRS in a positive way. I agree thats not "all" there is to transition but its a nice kind of the Icing on the cake I think. The hard work for so many people is what your doing now and your doing so great. I think surgery while never "fun" will be a piece of cake for you. As to SRS in general? I think for some Transgender people its of value to help "others" get it as well. Ok, your plumbing is female so NOW we accept this is not just a stage your going through or whatever. *As dumb as that might sound. I think for potential relationships in the future being hooked up with Female Plumbing is going to make things much less drama filled! The alternative would be a tough sell.

Surgery, medical stuff have always been kind of high drama for me. I think I'm doing better. I don't dread my physical worrying about the DRE or what my doctor might suddenly discover and so on. Now, its more of a check the fluids, kick the tires and talk about what things I can do to make my health better and maybe chart out what I've done that worked and what didn't.

By all means make your good health a part of this transition. I want friends who will be around!!! and healthy ones!

[drew28 (imported)]

That sounds exciting if breast development happened to me

That first breast development, along with the pain/sensitivity is an awesome time - enjoy it as it is short lived!!!

I'm kind of between an AA and A cup, if I ever go the T-blocker route again I will go all out, B cup perhaps...

Another pleasure I hope you will enjoy is having some suckle on them.....that is a VERY pleasurable sensual feeling!!!!!

I wish you well with your brother too!