My Appointment with Dr. Richard Curtis

[Guest ZacharyBaker]

Hi all,

So here's an update on the GIC visit. I woke up this morning at 3:30am t get my 5:20am coach to London. I did get lost, but found the clinic before my appointment, thankfully. Transhealth is a discreet clinic; it looks just like a big townhouse. I went up to the third floor to the man who manages the money and appointments (also called Richard, just to be confusing). He gave me a form which needed GP information, address etc. to fill out before I went in. It's quite a small waiting room so you don't feel intimated, and it's got trans magazines which I didn't even know existed. Then I saw Dr. Curtis for about an hour and we went through my family history, gender history and medical history. He gave me some information on testosterone to read. Honestly, he is so nice it felt like speaking to a relative. He is attentive and makes a load of notes so he clearly listens to what you say. He's writing a letter which he'll send to me so I can ask my uni GP for blood tests, and I can use local counsellor who specializes in GD, saving me another trip to London. I got back late, the soles of my shoes are split, and my feet are in a bit of pain, but it's worth it.

Like many of you who replied that I shouldn't wait for when my parents think I should transition (3 years away), he said that it's up to me and that they can't stop me if I really want to do it. I'll see the counsellor first and get my blood tests, and decide if next appointment, in about three months, I want to ask to start testosterone. I doubt I'll get a prescription then, but I will probably get one the third appointment. I'm trying to be considerate of my parents, but at the end of the day it is up to me. I can at least come out to the people here if not my whole family, and look how I want. I'm not an overly manly guy anyway, so I quite like looking more the masculine side of androgynous for now. I'm referred to as my student number in the system rather than my name so I can cope with that. I do worry that I'll change my mend on my name choice even though I've already prepared a Deed Poll :/ I may have a quick word with my lecturers at some point, but it's something I've never done and don't know how to. Feel free to suggest a way...

If anyone has a question about Dr. Curtis or the clinic, either ask below or you can message me

Zac