Jump to content
  • Welcome to the TransPulse Forums!

    We offer a safe, inclusive community for transgender and gender non-conforming folks, as well as their loved ones, to find support and information.  Join today!

Good morning All. Coffees on.


KymmieL

Recommended Posts

11 hours ago, Bri2020 said:

Well after a horrible night last night I got up and even though I was still crying a little a pulled my -crap- together and made it to the Lesbian Meetup kayak trip.  I was really in my head the whole drive there and worried I would just break down again but it turned out I really needed this distraction. The 8 or so ladies all were really welcoming. I ended up in a double kayak because someone forgot to reserve theirs and the only thing left was a double so I volunteered to rent the double if someone wanted to share so that the single would be available for another person.  I ended up with a lovely kayak mate and we had a great time.  This was first foray out with a lesbian group and I really felt like I found a whole new set of friends today.  We even saw a bald eagle!  

dyke marsh eagle.jpeg

Dyke marsh group selfie.jpeg

Thanks for sharing this Bri.

 

Nice catch with eagle!

Link to comment
  • Replies 23.4k
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • Willow

    2049

  • KymmieL

    1657

  • Mmindy

    1387

  • Ivy

    1191

Top Posters In This Topic

Posted Images

  • Forum Moderator
12 hours ago, KymmieL said:

Gosh, I haven't been on a trip like that since I was 7 or 8. Sounds like you had lots of fun.You said It was a Lesbian meetup group. I need to find one of those. It looks like they are totally accepting of you. That is fantastic

 

Kymmie

 

I know, right? That sounds like GREAT fun.

 

Hugs!

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

@Bri2020 sorry about your tears but love your smile in the photo and the eagle. You are incredably strong and you know it.

Link to comment
21 hours ago, Bri2020 said:

I was really in my head the whole drive there and worried I would just break down again but it turned out I really needed this distraction. The 8 or so ladies all were really welcoming. I ended up in a double kayak because someone forgot to reserve theirs and the only thing left was a double so I volunteered to rent the double if someone wanted to share so that the single would be available for another person.  I ended up with a lovely kayak mate and we had a great time.  This was first foray out with a lesbian group and I really felt like I found a whole new set of friends today.  We even saw a bald eagle!

Glad you're doing better. Looks like fun.

Link to comment

It's become abundantly clear over the last 2 months that I really need more frequent and quality therapy sessions.  The challenge is my therapist with Kaiser you basically had to book 2-3 months in advance so trying to add more times has been impossible.  I finally broke down and signed up for "Betterhelp" and online subscription based system where you pay $300/mo and get "matched" with a therapist you can meet virtually every week. They are real counselors/LCSW/LPC etc with at least 3 years experience.  I didn't have much in the way of expectations but I really need something so what the hell. It's easy to cancel and they have a 2 week trial.

Well, the 'matched" therapists have mostly been people who specialize in things like addiction, PTSD and other things that don't apply to me so I had to request to change twice. Finally, one came up that hit the mark and I scheduled an appointment with her for tomorrow.  You have to send a note about what's bringing you to the session.  an hour after it was confirm she cancelled the appointment and basically rejected my saying she doesn't specialize in "LGBT" issues and told me to find a different therapist. I messaged back that my "issues" didn't related to my trans status but more about grief, relationship changes, depression etc.  Crickets.......   The next person had nothing in common with the issues I was experiencing so asked them to rematch me.  Nothing......

So I cancelled my membership.

2 hours later I get a message from my Kaiser therapist saying he's leaving Sept 1st!  Luckily I have an appointment 2 days before that so he's going to write all my surgical letters but now I've been transfered to literally THE LAST Gender therapist with Kaiser in the mid Atlantic region. I'm never going to be able to get reasonable appointment times with this guy if he's doing the work of 3-4 therapists.  

A friend of mine is a psychologist and she is appalled at what's happening in her field. Everyone is quitting the insurance plans and going full on cash private practices.  It's creating a huge inequality issue for people needing mental health. Got lots of money- no problem, need to use insurance, good luck.  

I can't afford to see someone weekly for the $160/hr rate that they are charging around here yet I can't get care through my healthcare provider because no one wants to work for them anymore when they can make so much more and see fewer patients in their own private practice. They don't even need to advertise our "build" their practices. The demand is so high they just need to list themselves on google and their practice is full in a few weeks.

 

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

Holey crap, @Bri2020 talk about a bunch of BS you are having to go through. Wow. I would hook you up with my family therapist she only charges $100 per session and is LGBT friendly. Maybe you could see her as a out of network provider.  With so few providers you should be able to do out of network to see a provider.

 

I got my mammogram results from the VA today. Basically telling me what I already knew. Everything was fine. What got me was on the top of the letter where it had my full actual name and address Etc. Some one whited out my name and hand wrote. "Kymmie" over it. I love my GYN and her staff.

 

Kymmie

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

Evening report

 

Hi, We are in Portland.  You have to get tickets in advance to go to Multnoma Falls and DONT follow the directions.  Directions said to get off at this exit and take old Rt 30  Yeah, don't do that.  No parking.  If you stay on I84 is where you will find the larger parking lot.

 

Been a bit of a trying day.  I ran out of my antidepressant and couldn't get any until today in Portland  so that's the better part of a week eating away at me.  Today got the best of me.

 

Finding good therapists is difficult at best and worse when you have one you can see because they are over booked.  If you are willing to pay, try looking at psychology today website.  The website is free to use and could point you to someone you like.

 

Willow

 

Link to comment

@Bri2020This is making me nervous. I have an intake meeting with gender pathways with Kaiser in a week. So far everyone has been responsive to my messages. However this is “keep Portland weird” territory, so my mileage may vary. Kaiser has a 5-star rating in this area which allowed me to switch to them mid-cycle. Are there any other insurance plans in your state you could switch to before the end of the cycle that might serve you better?  
 

what with the delta variant and reimposed indoor masking mandates and elective surgery postponements and medical staff jumping ship it feels nerve wracking to say the least.

 

I guess just keep pushing buttons and ringing doorbells and maybe something will turn up?

Link to comment
4 hours ago, AgnesBardsie said:

@Bri2020This is making me nervous. I have an intake meeting with gender pathways with Kaiser in a week. So far everyone has been responsive to my messages. However this is “keep Portland weird” territory, so my mileage may vary. Kaiser has a 5-star rating in this area which allowed me to switch to them mid-cycle. Are there any other insurance plans in your state you could switch to before the end of the cycle that might serve you better?  
 

what with the delta variant and reimposed indoor masking mandates and elective surgery postponements and medical staff jumping ship it feels nerve wracking to say the least.

 

I guess just keep pushing buttons and ringing doorbells and maybe something will turn up?

No way I'm jumping ship now. I have all my approvals for surgeries and consults are set up.  For as challenging as the mental health aspect is, they are still the best Trans-care insurance/health plan.  Their transcare setup is so much farther along where you are then here.  The midAtlantic region is just getting their systems in place.  Basically they are trying to get a full team inhouse but right now most of the care besides mental health is contracted outside. A lot of what I'm asking from them or pushing them to do is groundbreaking over here. For instance, me and another person are the first ones they started covering electrolysis for but they didn't have systems and providers in place for the approval and care.  It took some work but now I get my approvals through in a day or two and reimbursed within 2 weeks.  They approved my large volume clearing for genital electrolysis (I have to travel to do it but....). After complaining, they did approve bottom surgery consult at the same time as FFS now. I expect the next person won't have to deal with that. (We'll see since I know a person who's about a year behind me).  The mental health thing is a problem everywhere, not just a Kaiser issue.  I may file a grievance and see if they will approve an out of network provider (assuming I can find one).

My emotional therapy support is probably going to have to be out of pocket at least short term.  I may slow down my electrolysis to help cover it. I pay $30 copays for each electrolysis so if I go every other week instead of 1-2 times a week I can use that $60-$90 to help cover a therapy session.  

Link to comment

I was able to meet up with a new friend yesterday. We met a couple months ago in a facebook, trans group and were supposed to meet up for lunch last Sunday but things  happened. I was and wasn't upset the original plans fell trough since she lives 50 miles away in the city. As it turned out she had been spending a few days at her brother's house which is 20 minute from me and I pass twice a day going to and from work. Anyways, I stopped by on my way home and we chatted for few minutes. If I just met her on the street I would have assumed she was cis, It over-loaded my little brain a bit. Our first meeting was too short since I had to get home but I hope we'll be able to hang out again soon. I was really nice to, for once in my life, meet someone I actually have something in common with. It was brief first meeting but I'm hoping we'll do it again in the near future. Maybe sit and have that lunch next time.

Link to comment
1 hour ago, Elizabeth Star said:

I was really nice to, for once in my life, meet someone I actually have something in common with. It was brief first meeting but I'm hoping we'll do it again in the near future. Maybe sit and have that lunch next time.

Awesome!

Link to comment
2 hours ago, Bri2020 said:

No way I'm jumping ship now. I have all my approvals for surgeries and consults are set up.  For as challenging as the mental health aspect is, they are still the best Trans-care insurance/health plan.  Their transcare setup is so much farther along where you are then here.  The midAtlantic region is just getting their systems in place.  Basically they are trying to get a full team inhouse but right now most of the care besides mental health is contracted outside. A lot of what I'm asking from them or pushing them to do is groundbreaking over here. For instance, me and another person are the first ones they started covering electrolysis for but they didn't have systems and providers in place for the approval and care.  It took some work but now I get my approvals through in a day or two and reimbursed within 2 weeks.  They approved my large volume clearing for genital electrolysis (I have to travel to do it but....). After complaining, they did approve bottom surgery consult at the same time as FFS now. I expect the next person won't have to deal with that. (We'll see since I know a person who's about a year behind me).  The mental health thing is a problem everywhere, not just a Kaiser issue.  I may file a grievance and see if they will approve an out of network provider (assuming I can find one).

My emotional therapy support is probably going to have to be out of pocket at least short term.  I may slow down my electrolysis to help cover it. I pay $30 copays for each electrolysis so if I go every other week instead of 1-2 times a week I can use that $60-$90 to help cover a therapy session.  

How well do they cover bottom surgery? Humana choice covers 50%. Good thing I have a maximum out of pocket of $5,500.00

Link to comment
1 hour ago, Elizabeth Star said:

I was able to meet up with a new friend yesterday. We met a couple months ago in a facebook, trans group and were supposed to meet up for lunch last Sunday but things  happened. I was and wasn't upset the original plans fell trough since she lives 50 miles away in the city. As it turned out she had been spending a few days at her brother's house which is 20 minute from me and I pass twice a day going to and from work. Anyways, I stopped by on my way home and we chatted for few minutes. If I just met her on the street I would have assumed she was cis, It over-loaded my little brain a bit. Our first meeting was too short since I had to get home but I hope we'll be able to hang out again soon. I was really nice to, for once in my life, meet someone I actually have something in common with. It was brief first meeting but I'm hoping we'll do it again in the near future. Maybe sit and have that lunch next time.

That's awesome. I think at this point, my wife would have a royal breakdown. Someday I hope I can actually meet someone and chat.

Link to comment

@Elizabeth Star
 Wondering what nearly overloaded your mind.  That she passed well as cis?

Meeting new people sounds cool. Almost enough to get me back to FB.  it's been 7 years.  Gonna wait until after my surgeries I think.  It's hard for me to connect with anyone.

 

Today I'm off...have bottom hair clearing appt later.  Thinking towards clearing entire body...

Peace

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator
3 hours ago, Elizabeth Star said:

I was able to meet up with a new friend yesterday.

 

That DOES sound nice. I need to spend more time chatting with friends.

 

I wish I could help @Bri2020. I reached out to my therapist (she does telehealth), but she's only licensed in Michigan. Apparently out-of-state is more paperwork. Her referral rate was only $60 a session though. I wish I could be there for you to lean on. ?

 

Hugs!

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

I did not find a therapist who accepts Medicare but found an amazing therapist near me so I space my sessions and cut corners elsewhere to cover cost and found old comic books and albums to sell and the money from eBay pays for therapy and electrolysis. It's worth it to have therapist. For me it's the most important so hopefully you can find someone. I'm glad Kaiser is covering all that stuff for you. I found surgeon who takes Medicare because I could never sell enough comics or albums to cover that.

Hugs

Heather

Link to comment
3 hours ago, Elizabeth Star said:

I was really nice to, for once in my life, meet someone I actually have something in common with.

I have only been able to to this once, but it was awesome.

Link to comment
5 hours ago, Bri2020 said:

Their transcare setup is so much farther along where you are then here.

Cool! I’m relieved to hear that. I’m paying $100 per week out of pocket for electrolysis so looking forward to my visit with the gender pathways folks in a week to maybe get some relief for that. I don’t know what the therapist situation is out here but if they have any slack I wonder if they could accommodate out of state patients over zoom? 

Link to comment
5 hours ago, Elizabeth Star said:

I was really nice to, for once in my life, meet someone I actually have something in common with.

? 

Link to comment
2 hours ago, AgnesBardsie said:

Cool! I’m relieved to hear that. I’m paying $100 per week out of pocket for electrolysis so looking forward to my visit with the gender pathways folks in a week to maybe get some relief for that. I don’t know what the therapist situation is out here but if they have any slack I wonder if they could accommodate out of state patients over zoom? 

Even with virtual care, the provider must be licensed in the state that you are calling in from so this limits people to a fairly small window geographically. 

Electrolysis may or may not be covered for you, it depends on the plan by Kaiser that you have. If it's corporate sponsored it depends on whether your employer has "full coverage" or not. Same with FFS.  If it's a plan gotten through the AMA /obama care then it probably doesn't cover electro. Same with medicare/medicaid plans. Basically if a government is subsidizing it, don't plan on getting it. If you pay for your plan yourself then it's definitely covered. We're self employed so we pay through the nose but at least we get everything.

Link to comment
1 hour ago, Bri2020 said:

Even with virtual care, the provider must be licensed in the state that you are calling in from so this limits people to a fairly small window geographically. 

Electrolysis may or may not be covered for you, it depends on the plan by Kaiser that you have. If it's corporate sponsored it depends on whether your employer has "full coverage" or not. Same with FFS.  If it's a plan gotten through the AMA /obama care then it probably doesn't cover electro. Same with medicare/medicaid plans. Basically if a government is subsidizing it, don't plan on getting it. If you pay for your plan yourself then it's definitely covered. We're self employed so we pay through the nose but at least we get everything.

It’s Medicare so SOL right?! 

Link to comment

Good to hear everyone's experience with therapy, good and bad. I have to feel grateful for mine, I'd say. Though I'm not sure how it helps exactly with gender issues. I had my second episode with a gender therapist but it didn't seem very special that way—and it was not my old therapist who I said goodbye to last week. She was super, but not "trained" in gender issues. At least mine is covered by my insurance. I have Commonwealth Care Associates (CCA) which is fully accepted by Fenway Health. It's covered for twelve sessions, each week or twice a month and flexible. I heard she works through an agency of some kind and then through Fenway. She's young and enthusiastic so that's good. I have spent two weeks now just filling her in on my life and past and trying to get help with all my personal changes. My head spins, but hers doesn't seem to so far. This country needs a whole new healthcare system: single payer, everyone covered. Move the insurance companies to Antarctica, please. Anyway. So far, so good. One Day at a Time.

Wish you all the peace and freedom you deserve.

Hugs,

Davie 

 

Link to comment
5 hours ago, Maddee said:

 

@Elizabeth Star
 Wondering what nearly overloaded your mind.  That she passed well as cis?

 


From the moment she said hi I couldn't believe I was speaking to another trans woman.  It also didn’t help that she's in her late 20s and has a daughter. When I was at that age I was stil living on the streets and couldn't even think about my future let alone having a family or starting transition. Regardless I had a good time and look forward to seeing her again.

 

It's also not helping the whole situation that this is the week I feel overly-emotional about everything. 

 

Link to comment
  • Forum Moderator

From what I have read that most of the famous Trans actors and models came out as trans after they were discovered and made it big.

 

Kymmie

Link to comment

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Who's Online   8 Members, 0 Anonymous, 338 Guests (See full list)

    • Astrid
    • Lydia_R
    • April Marie
    • Ashley0616
    • SamC
    • MaybeRob
    • Betty K
    • Pip
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      80.8k
    • Total Posts
      770k
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      12,091
    • Most Online
      8,356

    Layla Marie hay
    Newest Member
    Layla Marie hay
    Joined
  • Today's Birthdays

    1. Britton
      Britton
      (53 years old)
    2. chipped_teeth
      chipped_teeth
    3. james-m
      james-m
    4. jenny75
      jenny75
      (34 years old)
    5. KASS13
      KASS13
  • Posts

    • Betty K
      I think that’s an important point. In my case, I’ve found transitioning to be such a relief and a joy that I have no difficulty focussing on the positives. Maybe in your case you could make a practice of noting when you are gendered correctly? Do you keep a journal? I find doing so is major help.   After saying I rarely get misgendered, it actually happened to me yesterday in a local store. After recovering from my shock (the salesman called me “brother”, which to me is about as bad as it gets) I wrote my first complaint letter to a business w/r/t misgendering. That felt good. I also reflected that, to a degree, for those of us who don’t pass, I think gendering is correctly can take a conscious effort. Some Folks seem to automatically see me as feminine, others have to work at it. So if you’re often surrounded by people who have no desire to work at it, that may exacerbate your problem.      
    • Betty K
      I don’t know why anyone would go to the effort of advocating for trans folks only to charge people to read their articles. It seems so counterproductive, and I seriously doubt they’re making more than pocket money out of it. 
    • KathyLauren
      Oh, how I wish we were over-reacting!  But I don't think we are.  The danger is under-reacting. 
    • Ivy
      I understand your feelings. I have the same fears.  NC has made a swing to the right as well, and I'm not optimistic.  I want to tell myself I'm over reacting.  But seeing what these people are  saying, and doing when they do get into power can't be dismissed.  It's proof of what they will do if they take over the federal government. I'm getting kinda old now anyway.  It took me over 60 years to get here, and I'm not going back.  I suppose they can revert my gender markers, but I will still be legally Ivy.  And I have every intention of dying as Ivy Anna.  If I can't find my hormones somehow, I'll do without.  The physical changes I do have are permanent.   Trans people have always existed.
    • Willow
      @KymmieL I think we all have had to deal with a person who would not apologize when they were wrong no matter what.  In my case it was my MIL. Actually called me a lier I front of my wife.  Even when she realized she was wrong she wouldn’t admit it to my wife, nor would she apologize to my wife for any of the things she later admitted she had done that affected my wife.  I had a boss that accused me of saying things I did not say in a manner I did not use.  Even another employee told him that I had not said the things nor used the words but he still refused to back down.     Unfortunately, all too many people in this world believe they are always right no matter what.  Some are very famous.  lol   Willow    
    • KatieSC
      I wish I could cope as well as others. I feel very defeated in that all of the consideration, and then treatment to transition, could all be wiped out by this time next year with the united effort by the R party to eradicate all that is transgender. I fear that the national election could turn out to our detriment, and we will face a national push to eradicate us. Tracking us down will not be that hard to do. Once they know who we are, forcing the legislation to reverse our name changes, gender marker changes, and other records, will not be that hard. We saw an example when the AG in Texas was data mining the driver licenses for those who had gender marker changes. Who will we appeal to? The Supreme R Court? We would have an easier time trying to convince a Russian court.    We need to get out and vote in November. There is not enough Ben & Jerry's to improve my outlook on all of this. In some ways it is a cruel thing in a way. In the early 1930s, Germany was working hard to hunt down the LGBTQ population and eradicate it. Now Germany has better protections there than we have in many of our own states. About 90 years ago, Germany was seeing the rise of their very own dictator...Now the US is on the verge...Oh never mind. What a difference 90 years makes...    History may repeat itself, but sometimes it shifts the focus a little...
    • Nonexistent
      I have the same problem as you, my face is the main reason why I get misgendered I'm pretty sure. I think it's mostly up to genetics how your face will look (T can help, but still genetics will determine how you end up). You can't change your facial structure really, you can get facial masculinization surgery but it's expensive so not an option for most unless you're rich lol.    Experimentally (I haven't done it but want to), you could see if any plastic surgeons around you will give you Kybella in your cheeks. It is an injection that removes fat, and is usually used underneath the chin/on the neck below the jawline, but some may use it off-label on the face. The only potential problem with this is that if your face would naturally thin out at an older age, it could thin out extra and make you look older (though I'm not certain on this). Another option is to get filler in your jaw/chin, which would make your jawline look more square and your face more masculine. I want jaw filler but I'm poor lol, it only lasts one year up to a few years depending on what kind you get, so it would have to be done every so often and can get expensive. I did get chin filler once, only 2 small vials so it didn't make that big of a difference. I would recommend going for the jaw if you can only choose 1, I wish I had done that.   Those are the only options I know of that will bring legitimate noticeable changes.
    • April Marie
      Welcome to the forums, Blake!! We are happy that you found us!!
    • Mmindy
      Good evening Blake.   Welcome to Transgender Pulse Forums.   Best wishes, stay positive and motivated.   Mindy🌈🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋
    • Nonexistent
      Thank you.    Trans men and trans women each have their own struggles for sure, but I agree, it can be a hard time to be a non-passing trans guy. There is no specific "man clothes" that only men wear. People could just think I'm butch (which sucks to think about, if people think I'm a lesbian when I'm a dude!!). I mean I would feel better if I got gendered correctly even if I don't fully pass, it would maybe raise my confidence to think maybe I do pass well lol! Instead I'm just reminded I don't.   Though I may just focus on the times I don't pass and ignore the times that I do. Because I rarely remember getting gendered correctly, but I hone in on the times that I don't. 
    • Nonexistent
      Thank you, I'm glad to be here. :)   I have been in therapy for 9 years but still can't seem to accept myself. I think it has to do with growing up trans in a world that hates us, especially in the south. I mean I was discriminated against by adults and ostracized as a kid/teen due to being trans. My family is accepting, but the rest of the world is not. I realize now a lot of people are accepting (even unexpectedly, like my partner's conservative republican Trump-loving parents lol), but it feels like my brain is still in survival mode every time I exit the door. I am a very fearful person.   My body still may change over time, but it feels like I haven't met the same 'quota' (don't know the right word) that a majority of other trans guys have on far less time on T. Most trans guys pass easily 1-3yrs on T, I'm double that and still don't pass well except my voice.
    • Nonexistent
      Thank you. I am just used to seeing trans guys who pass at like... 6 months to 1 year, at the most 3 years. And I just don't meet the mark, all the way at 6 years. It is possible with time I will masculinize more, but it's frustrating when I'm "behind" and may never catch up. It threatens my mental health mostly, possibly my physical health if I'm visibly trans (though I don't ever go out alone). 
    • Adrianna Danielle
      Boss is happy with everything with me and said I will be the only one that works on one customer's truck.This customer saw me clean a small grease spot in the inter of his Kenworh last week,on the steering wheel.A new customer too,saw me walk out with my tub o' towels wiping that grease stain off.This one,he cannot stand a grease spot in the interior.
    • Nonexistent
      Yeah, I am grieving the man I "should" have been. He will never exist, especially not in my youth. But I don't know how to healthily go about it instead of fixating on the life that could have been.
    • EasyE
  • Upcoming Events

Contact TransPulse

TransPulse can be contacted in the following ways:

Email: Click Here.

To report an error on this page.

Legal

Your use of this site is subject to the following rules and policies, whether you have read them or not.

Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
DMCA Policy
Community Rules

Hosting

Upstream hosting for TransPulse provided by QnEZ.

Sponsorship

Special consideration for TransPulse is kindly provided by The Breast Form Store.
×
×
  • Create New...