If It's Not Progress ...

[Guest SusanKG]

It will do until the next bout of progress comes along! Knowing this whole process takes so very long, and is draw out by the "professionals," and ourselves often, I have been dragging my feet (deliberately?) in my plodding way to accomplish something, anything, in getting there. I knew I would need a therapist to do that, but had found none specifically offering TG services and had never let my fingers do the walking, so I figured that finding some one in the TG community might get me useful recomendations.

In November, I finally found out about a transgendered support group in town, and went to a meeting, my first, anytime. In December, I happened to pick up the first issue I had ever seen of a GLBT publication covering this area. There was word of a new transgendered support group forming. I went to the first meeting of that group, found it MUCH more helpful. It was formed by a therapist, with an office and meeting place for the group in a 10-12 minute walk from my home! In January, I started sessions with the therapist, 3 so far, he has no apparent concerns about my sanity (I'm not sure I can say as much) but seems confident enough that as we sat in his office Friday, he called the endo doc he prefers and got me an appointment! I'VE GOT AN APPOINTMENT! I"M ON MY WAY! MY CAP BUTTON IS STUCK!

All right, I'm back down, a little, but I'm sooo not down too much! I know that even that first major step is not an easy thing, that my high blood pressure, my diabetes, my age (63) all are challenges. The two lousy months before the appointment being another challenge. All right, now I'm working on going too far down; just a moment ........ OK, I'm back up. Just no one tell me the double-Ds don't get delivered with the first perscription.

There are ups, and there are downs, particularly with GD. I know that, but I am so up at the moment!

SusanKG

[Carolyn Marie]

Wow, Susan, that's great, honey! Congrats!!

OK, now, don't forget to breath, dear. Just inhale, and let it out slooowwwwly. There.

You've made a lot of progress in a very short time. Your luck has changed and you're in the express line now.

You'll likely have a few bumps in the road still, but we'll be here to smooth them out.

We "cough" mature ladies need to stick together in this, hon. I'm right here, all the way.

BIG HUG

Carolyn Marie

[Guest BeckyTG]

Sweet, Excitable Susan,

Congratulations, Girlfriend!!!!!! I can really identify with *cough* putting this off until *cough* later in life. There's something about *cough* maturity that really seems to give us *cough*, I mean you, a sense of wonder about it all. Excuse me, I seem to have something caught in my throat....

Well, it's about time! That's what I've been thinking this whole time. Good Heavens. Well, good for you. Good for you.

My Endo is also a Gyno and her office is in the "Women and Children's Health Bldg". Think that doesn't make me melt just thinking about it? Now, a quick word of advice and that is, mine wouldn't give me a full dose of E until I'd had my heart checked out by a General Practitioner, so I had to wait for THAT appt. Best to call or stop in and find out how this works now, in case that happens to you. The only thing worse than waiting is to wait twice.

The DDs came right away for me, but they may take up to 30 days for you......

Big Huggs for you, sweet sister,

Becky

[Guest SusanKG]

Oxygen ..... oh yeh, that stuff. I hear a shortage of it can cause unreasonable exuberance. So I got a good night's sleep, and presumeably returned breathing to normal. Woke up maintaining a case of perfectly reasonable exuberance. I'm not sure, but I think the girls stirred a bit in anticipation and the boys shrunk a bit in ... well, anticipation! Thanks ladies. Yes we "experienced" girls-in-waiting do need to stick together. And I know this road has many potholes ahead. Ones that really hurt.

Thanks Becky, on the advice about the pre-exam, if you will, test information (heart) etc. from my regular doctor. I just had a follow-up exam 10 days ago, where I also told him after 25 years that he had two paitents in one, so he now knows. We visited briefly about this particular endo doc; he said he is good, and that he could refer me to him about my diabetes as an insurance cover, and I need to follow up with him about that. I'll find out if his referral is needed or if my therapist's is all that is needed. I'll find out if the endo wants any special tests outside my regular checkups. My to-do list grows daily, but the pain hurts so good.

Thank you girls. We all need encouragement; you have helped mine greatly!

Love!

Susan

[Guest Donna Jean]

Susan.

There's plenty of us more "experienced" girls here...(I'm 60)

So, you are definitely NOT alone!

And let me tell you that once you get on HRT, the "jumping through the hoops" slows down quite a bit and you can just settle in to life....

And, don't get your HRT where I got mine...Dang stuff is weak...

I've been on that junk for 12 months and I'm STILL an "A" cup!

Musta been a bad batch!

Good luck, Baby!

HUGGS!

Donna Jean

[Paula ult]

Congrats Susan,

Breath in..... breath out.... breath in .....breath out ..slowly.

I am another one of the older woman here, i am 57 and diabetic, i also had a heart attack and a stroke 9 years ago, so i would not worry too much, if i can transition you should be able too, spiro was originally developed as a heart med so it should help with that high blood pressure, one of the side effects is it's anti androgen properties.

Paula

[Guest angie]

And, don't get your HRT where I got mine...Dang stuff is weak...

I've been on that junk for 12 months and I'm STILL an "A" cup!

Musta been a bad batch!

Donna Jean

Dang Dee Jay,

You didn't order the C cup batch? Oh,wait a minute,I didn't either...Griiiin

Huuuugggsss,

Angie

[Guest sarah f]

I am happy for you Susan to finally get that appointment that you wanted for so long. I see the double D's already. You look great.

Let us know how the visit went.

Love,

Sarah F

[Guest SusanKG]

Well, it's been five days since we made the appointment. I have managed to take a few breaths, even returned from the ceiling, but it's like a major weight has been removed from my shoulders. I'm still at times almost giddy. I lay in bed last night feeling so happy, and when I awoke, my jaw hurt from apparently spending the whole night grinning like some a teenage girl who'd finally discovered the major physical changes she'd been waiting on so long.

SusanKG

[Guest Anna_Banana]

I saw the topic title and was under the impression that we were playing word association. So I thought to myself "Hmm... If it's not progress, then it's Congress." But apparently, we aren't playing word association after all.

How many points would it have been worth if we were?

.Anna

[Guest Joanna Phipps]

I saw the topic title and was under the impression that we were playing word association. So I thought to myself "Hmm... If it's not progress, then it's Congress." But apparently, we aren't playing word association after all.

How many points would it have been worth if we were?

.Anna

but then you digress

[Guest BeckyTG]

Well, it's been five days since we made the appointment. I have managed to take a few breaths, even returned from the ceiling, but it's like a major weight has been removed from my shoulders. I'm still at times almost giddy. I lay in bed last night feeling so happy, and when I awoke, my jaw hurt from apparently spending the whole night grinning like some a teenage girl who'd finally discovered the major physical changes she'd been waiting on so long.

SusanKG

Dearest Susan,

Well, a major weight HAS been lifted off you--the major weight of your transness, that you've kept stuffed in a bottle and hidden away.

Congratulations, girlfriend, congratulations. You're finally going to get some mental peace and you won't believe just how good you can feel every single day for the rest of your life.

Let me know how it goes, but you can come climb trees with me anytime you want, OK?

Hugs,

Becky

[Sally]

Well I think that it would have to be considered not only progress but really good progress.

I am so happy for you, just keep going, one step at a time - no matter how small they still take you where you are going.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest SusanKG]

Thanks girls! I appreciate the encouragement.

Anna_Banana Posted Today, 01:07 AM

I saw the topic title and was under the impression that we were playing word association. So I thought to myself "Hmm... If it's not progress, then it's Congress." But apparently, we aren't playing word association after all.

How many points would it have been worth if we were?

Hmmm .... Congress - progress - points? No, that doesn't compute, I fillibuster any points.

BeckyTG Posted Today, 04:18 AM

Let me know how it goes, but you can come climb trees with me anytime you want, OK?

Interesting. I haven't thought of it for years, but I used to climb trees a lot. You could say I was being a boy and I guess I would have agreed with you then. Now I know I was a tomboy in training. Oh, that took so long for me to realize. We really should get two chances at our real lives. I hope I would still climb the trees, but be more little lady-like going about it.

SusanKG

[Guest SusanKG]

Nobody said the road to progress has no potholes. So the Endocrinologist I was scheduled with on April 22 is leaving town, and his office called my therapist to cancel that appointment a few minutes before my session last Friday. RATS - RATS - RATS! Ok, I'm over that; sorry. He will check back with the clinic later to see if they have come up with a backup plan to cover his practice or if they're just walking away from it. He's also checking with another endo doc in town who is extremely busy and hard to get in to, to see if I can get slipped in. Stupid highway department - not fixing those dumb ole' potholes! But, I am still higher then I have ever been (Can't you tell?) I will win out!

SusanKG

[Guest Maelee]

That really stinks Susan, I hope you can find an alternative doc.

Have your therapist or yourself try looking into a non-endo doctor to see for your HRT. I can almost guarantee that an endo will not be covered by insurance and they are really expensive. I was seeing an endocrinologist in Dallas but had to stop after my 2nd appointment since insurance was like no way when they saw "transsexual" on the medical report. It took till after my 2nd appointment to get the bill from the 1st and it floored me since it was over $300.

The doctor I see now is a general practioner but he has almost 20 years of experience treating transsexuals with HRT. My insurance gets billed for just an office visit and all I pay is my copay. It has helped me so much financially.

Best of luck to you.

Love and *hugs*

Mae

[Guest SusanKG]

Thank you Mae. Actually, since I have high B.P. and Diabetes, my regular doctor was going to write a referral to the Endo Doc concerning those. The theory being that we can get insurance to cover it; no mention of the TG referral needed. That's the theory anyway. Hopefully, we can transfer care and monitoring of my HRT after it's up and flowing.

SusanKG

[Guest NatalieRene]

That really stinks Susan, I hope you can find an alternative doc.

Have your therapist or yourself try looking into a non-endo doctor to see for your HRT. I can almost guarantee that an endo will not be covered by insurance and they are really expensive. I was seeing an endocrinologist in Dallas but had to stop after my 2nd appointment since insurance was like no way when they saw "transsexual" on the medical report. It took till after my 2nd appointment to get the bill from the 1st and it floored me since it was over $300.

The doctor I see now is a general practioner but he has almost 20 years of experience treating transsexuals with HRT. My insurance gets billed for just an office visit and all I pay is my copay. It has helped me so much financially.

Best of luck to you.

Love and *hugs*

Mae

Thats only the first session. The first session is longer and requires more tests and a consultation. My first appointment was $680. My follow up appointment last month was $180 and so will this one. But I have a PPO, after $750 out of pocket my health insurance covers 75% of the bill for out of network medical expenses for the rest of the year including therapy. My total out of pocket cost for two months of hrt has been $215 for the doctors appointments and $16 for the estrogen. For the District of Colombia that is cheap. My next appointment on the 22nd of March after I am reimbursed will cost e a grand total of $45 to see a endocrinologist.

[Guest Elizabeth K]

I don't know how I missed posting here.

you wrote: All right, I'm back down, a little, but I'm sooo not down too much! I know that even that first major step is not an easy thing, that my high blood pressure, my diabetes, my age (63) all are challenges.

I HAD high blood pressure (was on meds for it) I have diabetes II (on insulin shots) but I am MUCH YOUNGER (age 62).

If your doctor knows about the high blood pressure see if he prescribes Fenisteride as one of yout T-blockers. It lowered my blood pressure to the point I got off my other stuff (I consistntly test 120 or 122 over 70 now - a wonder!)

The diabetes - if under control - only raises eyebrows with the HRT prescribing physician, who will blood test you for a while to make sure you have good liver function.

Age 63 - honey - you are on your own with that one! GRIN. [seriously - no prob! ]

Sorry on hearing about start delays! Talk to Sally about all that! I waited 5 weeks for my first visit for HRT after I had my approval from my therapist - thought I would DIE! Thwen I found out that was quick!

Anyway - ON YOU WAY! Yeaaaaaaaaaaa

I hit 15 months in two days! But I have some terrible news for you! The double D's??? HA! But I did get a full B cup in less tha a year. Breasts are two good reasons to go on HRT. That happens fairly quickly, but of course YMMV.

GRIN

Live it - love it!

Lizzy

[Guest Donna Jean]

Susan, Honey.....

It slipped out of gear and then right back into gear...

You're still on track, Hon....Keep your fingers, arms and eyes crossed....

You're gonna make it!

We all know that!

LOVE & HUGGS!

Donna Jean

[Guest SusanKG]

Thanks for the encouragement Donna Jean and Lizzy, and thanks about the clue about Fenisteride Lizzy. Anything to cut down the pill count.

Back to our soap opera "As the Susie Turns":

As we last saw our troubled little girl, she was standing outside her endo doc-to-be's office, staring at the "Gone Out of Business" sign in the dusty window. Yesterday, as she turned tearfully away from the window, she noticed that the Highway Department does work on potholes sometimes. Her therapist came breathlessly running up (well, actually, called on the phone, but this is drama) with news of an appointment tomorrow (!!!) with the reportedly impossible to book an appointment with endo doc!

Tune again tomorrow, same station, whatever time she chooses, to see how Susan climbs this mountain of a challenge. Very well, her 15 minute drive across town. It's my drama, let me play it a little.

SusanKG

[Guest Donna Jean]

Susan..........

I'm on the edge of my seat!

I can't hardly wait for tomorrow's episode!

LOVE

Donna Jean

[Sally]

Well I started reading this and my heart fell - out of business - I thought this would just about finish you off, you have been so worried about this and it looked so bad but then your therapist came through for you!

Yea!

Now you get yourself to that appointment - this is a sign that everything is working out for the best!

You are going to see the doc that you wanted in the first place things are starting to go your way.

Hold onto the feeling that you had when you got that call - forget about when the other doc wasn't there and just keep moving forward - soon you will be on the womanhood express with the rest of us heading toward the lives that we have always been meant to have.

Don't keep us in suspenders - we don't want to wait one minute longer than we have to for the next installment of my favorite Soap Operas, "As The Suzie Turns"

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest SusanKG]

This is BWS, the Bad Writing Storytelling network. Time now for the latest, and probably last edition of "As the Susie Turns" (for now):

As Susan turned sadly from the closed endo doc's office, wondering what would come of her, her therapist gave her news of an almost immediate appointment with a different office. Hardly able to contain herself over the next 48 hours (hmmm, there might be a TV show there, maybe a crime docu-drama; there aren't enough of those out there) she woke early on Wednesday, showered, shaved - AHHHRRG, them properly moisterized herself, breakfasted (Susan does not allow stress to interfere with food), and drove to the clinic, and .............. they lost the appointment! They lost the appointment!

However, being professionals, they made room. After filling out many forms and history reports, Susan was escorted into an exam room, where she was joined promptly by the Nurse-Practitioner that handles GID cases for the clinic. After spending a very nice twenty-five minutes, going over Susan's history, how long this has been inside her, family situation, effects on her wife, her health issues, discussing the possible effects of hormones - good and bad, how Susan and her would proceed with treatment, and other discussion items, not rushing the discussion at all, the N.P. left the room to arrange paper work and blood tests. Within five minutes, she returned with three golden pieces of paper, a followup appointment for six weeks and took Susan down the hall to the lab, and said goodby with a handshake.

With great restraint, Susan surpressed an overwhelming urge to give her a sturdy hug, waited five minutes to donate a quart-and-a-half of blood to the lab, slowly left the clinic and took the long way around to her pharmacy. She really wanted to stop and buy frames for the golden perscriptions, but in the end she exchanged them for three little bottles of diamonds. Taking them home, Susan set them on the bathroom counter in debate for eight to ten seconds, then took the first daily dose.

And at that point, Susie has passed a midnight into a new day, one with promise, one with more and different and harder challenges, but a new day none the less. Looking out at a glorious sunrise (at 6:30 PM???) Susan said to herself, "It has been a substancially wonderous day!" Even if the DDs haven't made their appearance yet.

And you, have you had such a day? If not, get yourself one. You will not be sorry.

And so, "As the Susie Turns" quotes Lowell Thomas in saying, "So long until tomorrow!"

SusanKG

[Guest Donna Jean]

Susie!

Dang it, Girlfriend...you made me wait 'til almost the end to find out the good news!

YAY!

It's happened!

You got them!

Oh my, that's GREAT news, Honey...

Well, you're off on your journey...the bus has pulled out of the station...

You're on your way...

Congratulations, Baby.....

Welcome to the correct side!

LOL

LOVE

Donna Jean