My latest lab work shows that my testosterone (both free and total) is now below the detection limit.
Estradiol (estrogen) is now 250. My former male self would had been certain to include the units. Now, while I would normally do that, I don't have the time to look it up and I am not bothered by leaving out the units.
I am happy with the estrogen results. My HRT doctor said these results fluctuate, anyway. I'll see her again in three months.
I am making a lot of new friends and I find this easy. Forming friendships was never easy for the male person I used to be.
Not only do I form friendships easily, I find I easily care about what is happening in friends lives. Before transitioning, I thought I cared. A lot of that was caring based on thinking 'it is right to care.' Now, my caring is a deep emotional response to people.
As a friend pointed out, my brain continues to be rewired by estrogen. There are even more types of movies I enjoy now than even a few months ago. The other night, I watched "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" and thought the talking animals (and this is not an animation) were adorable.
I had a strong dislike for 'talking animals' before transitioning, although if they were cartoons I could handle it.Then the two Chihuahuas finished the movie in love. I was sobbing at that point. It wasn't because I thought "Isn't that wonderful, two dogs love each other".
It was the idea of the importance of love that made me cry.The temperatures were pleasant yesterday. When I left the office, I decided to walk outside to get to the parking ramp. As I walked next to my office building, three young men made comments about how attractive I was. I was well dressed and my off-black nylons and black 4" inch heels may have contributed to their reaction.
One of the young men wanted me to turn around for them so they could see me better. I gave a polite 'no' as I smiled. Another of the trio then warned his pals that they needed to be careful or else 'her husband might come after us.'
From their tone and demeanor, I am positive they did not pick up that I am transsexual. I enjoyed their attentions.
I am spending most of my free time:
1. Deciding the best course of action to bring in more money.
Two Archive friends who have seen my photos have strongly urged me to consider selling some as greeting cards. I will meet with a marketing consultant to get his take on this and what I would need to do to get this, and other parts of a photography side business, to work. Based on how that discussion goes, I will decide whether to proceed or abandon this idea. If I give it up, I will continue pursuing photography as a hobby but sell much of my equipment. I do not want to have problems with the IRS over business versus personal expenses.
If I give up the idea of making money with my photography skills, I will do something else. I am actively investigating several other possibilities.
2. Practicing the piano and pipe organ. I am narrowing my music selection for a possible piano recital. I practice the piano every day now, without fail. I think my playing has never been as good as it is now. This is related to
Last Sunday, I played the pipe organ for two church services and had a blast.
Last Tuesday, I went to my internist to get my back pain checked out. He ordered an X-ray because of my elevated risk for compression fractures, a result of osteoporsis. My osteoporosis is improving with treatment but the goal of that is to reduce fracture risk. Tests show this is happening, but I will never have 'normal' bones again in the hip, spine, wrist and similar areas.
The X-ray showed no compression fractures. I saw a phsyical therapist today. He was quite handsome and I joked with him about his diagnosis of "bone sprain" and was dying to ask if he made house calls!
I have exercises to do to reduce the pain and I will see him twice next week.I was given two free tickets to a performance of the male vocal ensemble Chanticleer. They are a very polished group and sing all types of music. They have many albums, too, some of which I have. I've never heard them live. I invited one of my new friends along and she accepted. I can't wait. The concert is tomorrow night. I will wear one of my 'little black dresses' to the beautiful concert hall.
), I may be able to take the day off to prepare. If not, keeping it simple will still make this easy on me.
on the phone. Morse code is optional...