Good morning All. Coffees on.

[Aggie1]

1 hour ago, Jackie C. said:

Bring me Jeff Bezos' left testicle by the end of the week? Done.

Once you see it you can’t unsee it!! LOL

[Sol]

Went to my first therapy session!

Got lost and couldn't find the building for at least ten minutes, but I found it eventually. So far, she's really great and upfront, which is definitely how you make me like you!

Had a wonderful talk with my mom after, too. We both aired out some of our dirty laundry and I think we both have a better understanding of what to expect from each other.

[Willow]

In theory there are specific things you must meet.  Gender dysphoria Diagnosis, one year of HRT, real life experience.  But that doesn’t guarantee coverage if they find an exception or if your insurance excludes coverage.  As I read mine, I am covered for lots of things, including Srs  or gcs, breast implants or reduction even other cosmetic things like electrolysis hair treatments tracial shave, face feminization.  I believe this is because I’m on a Medicare based plan and Medicare covers transgender medical care.  I still haven’t heard if they approved my surgery or are pushing back.

[Elizabeth Star]

3 hours ago, AgnesBardsie said:

I walked into a gender clinic in Portland OR end of March this year, talked to a pcp for 30 minutes and he said “when do you want to start?” No therapy, no questions asked. I said “deep breath. I’ve waited for this moment for 60 years. Ok, how about today!?” Since then the diagnosis has transferred over to Kaiser and every encounter I’ve had has confirmed the diagnosis. This part of the country is very progressive on this issue. I can’t imagine the frustration of talking to a therapist for TWO YEARS and them not getting it. It sounds like malpractice!!!

I kind of want think he had his own agenda. He diagnosed me with dysthymia right away. Hmmm? Me depressed? Really? Forty five years in the wrong body might do that to a person.

I think at one point he tried to hint at schizophrenia. We’ll, my body and soul didn’t line up so……

 

Near the end he suggested I had body dysmorphia. I could almost get behind that since I have boy bits that shouldn’t be there but no. 
 

It was like he was willing to give me any diagnosis except the one that would save me. So glad I switched therapists. 

[Elizabeth Star]

1 hour ago, Sol said:

Went to my first therapy session!

Got lost and couldn't find the building for at least ten minutes, but I found it eventually. So far, she's really great and upfront, which is definitely how you make me like you!

Had a wonderful talk with my mom after, too. We both aired out some of our dirty laundry and I think we both have a better understanding of what to expect from each other.

Congratulations. 

[Aggie1]

1 hour ago, Elizabeth Star said:

 

It was like he was willing to give me any diagnosis except the one that would save me. So glad I switched therapists. 

Maybe he has an undiagnosed condition, transphobia!

[Aggie1]

2 hours ago, Sol said:

I think we both have a better understanding of what to expect from each other.

Best kind of therapy!

[Ivy]

1 hour ago, AgnesBardsie said:

Maybe he has an undiagnosed condition, transphobia!

This. 

[Vidanjali]

@Sol congratulations on your therapy session & emotional breakthrough with your mother. Sounds life changing - a huge relief. 

 

@Elizabeth Star goodness sake - congratulations on FINALLY getting that validation from a therapist. The former one sounds like he has more than a few issues, himself. 

 

Much love to all. I've been having a rough time last couple weeks. I have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (a genetic connective tissue disorder which affects the whole body), and I've been working with a physical therapist. We're still in trial and error mode. There is a humongous learning curve. Last couple of weeks, I've been so exhausted and in a great deal of pain constantly. Consequently, I've been feeling increasingly depressed and cranky. I had a brief exchange with my husband today. I thanked him for loving me even though I was cranky. When I feel this way, I feel like I'm not lovable. He affirmed that he is always here for me, loves me no matter what, and will do whatever he can to help me. That was nice. Lately, he has also been more mindful about not using female gendered language with me. That is also nice. I will continue to endeavor to learn what I can from physical therapy and keep in mind that there will be ups and downs. Looking forward to more relatively level ground. 

[Davie]

3 hours ago, Vidanjali said:

I've been having a rough time last couple weeks. I have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (a genetic connective tissue disorder which affects the whole body), and I've been working with a physical therapist. We're still in trial and error mode.

So sorry to hear this and best of luck with the new therapy. It gives me strength to deal with my own exhaustion and depression. I'm going to try acupuncture and Chinese medicine because I have a large variety of causes and symptoms. Holistic approach, I guess. 

yours,

Davie

[KymmieL]

It wasn't the state that kept me from getting HRT, but it was the government  the VA. Didn't want to give them to me with my  history of blood clots.  But I  wound up seeing a VA endocrinologist out of the VA. Then a hematologist.  They both got with my GYN. So, working with her and the anti coagulation team. I was able to start HRT. 

 

Kymmie

[JustineM]

Well it’s been an eventful weekend for me. Got some news at work Friday that sent me into a bad depression, still ticked off about it but I have kicked that issue up to corporate HR so we will see we’re that goes. Yesterday had to see an oral surgeon to get a couple teeth removed. Got home took some of the pain meds they gave me and then… decided to paint my nails.  Not my best idea lol. Covered half the tip of one of my pinkies. Pain from the procedure kept me awake last night despite the meds so had to call in due to being awake nearly 30 hrs. Hopefully I can sleep tonight so I can go to work tomorrow. 

[Heather Nicole]

12 hours ago, Jackie C. said:

 

Probably unlocks some surgical options too. At least with WPATH doctors. Illinois is an informed consent state though, so you can still get HRT without the diagnosis.

 

Hugs!

 

I don't even know what my state (Ohio) is. I do understand "informed consent" and "gatekeeper model", but I'm not real clear on the nuances on what it means for a state to be one or the other. I do know that Cleveland Clinic's LGBT Health Center here uses informed consent for HRT, which is nice, but I'm unclear how that relates to the state.

[Jamie68]

On 11/16/2021 at 4:15 AM, Maddee said:

Long time pet passed while I was gone,  and he is sentimentally worth private cremation for a future ash scattering ceremony.

My parents are not well, my mom especially bad surprisingly

So sorry to hear about your family, cat is included. Hope they get better. 

Our pets are in a special league of their own. I have to believe that they will be waiting for us when we pass on.

[Jamie68]

17 hours ago, AgnesBardsie said:

I would ask to talk to the hospital administrator. If it’s a misapplication of policy they can fix it.  Family comes first. If that doesn’t work, news at 5 is another way to fix stupid.

I agree. This is insane. They would have to call police on me.

[Jamie68]

16 hours ago, Elizabeth Star said:

I can finally do a happy dance. My new therapist gave me an official gender dysphoria diagnosis. I’m a little miffed that I spent 2 years with that other therapist and didn’t really get anywhere. Regardless, I can finally star moving forward. 

It's about time. Better late than never. Congrats!

[Jamie68]

16 hours ago, Jackie C. said:

 

Probably unlocks some surgical options too. At least with WPATH doctors. Illinois is an informed consent state though, so you can still get HRT without the diagnosis.

 

Hugs!

I have Humana insurance. They go by WPATH standards, as well as all GCS surgeons in the Chicagoland area I think.

[Elizabeth Star]

10 hours ago, KymmieL said:

It wasn't the state that kept me from getting HRT, but it was the government  the VA. Didn't want to give them to me with my  history of blood clots.  But I  wound up seeing a VA endocrinologist out of the VA. Then a hematologist.  They both got with my GYN. So, working with her and the anti coagulation team. I was able to start HRT. 

 

Kymmie

I didn't realize you had to jump through so many hoops but I'm happy that your doctors worked together and got it figured out.

[Jamie68]

I have a question for you ladies who have had bottom surgery. Do you find it easier to keep your knees together without the extra junk in the way? I'm trying to get into the habit of keeping them together. It seems difficult for me. 

[Elizabeth Star]

1 hour ago, Jamie68 said:

I have a question for you ladies who have had bottom surgery. Do you find it easier to keep your knees together without the extra junk in the way? I'm trying to get into the habit of keeping them together. It seems difficult for me. 

I've been wondering about that too.

[Jackie C.]

2 hours ago, Jamie68 said:

I have a question for you ladies who have had bottom surgery. Do you find it easier to keep your knees together without the extra junk in the way? I'm trying to get into the habit of keeping them together. It seems difficult for me. 

 

Actually yes. It makes it easier to cross your legs like a proper lady too.

 

Hugs!

[Vidanjali]

12 hours ago, Davie said:

So sorry to hear this and best of luck with the new therapy. It gives me strength to deal with my own exhaustion and depression. I'm going to try acupuncture and Chinese medicine because I have a large variety of causes and symptoms. Holistic approach, I guess. 

yours,

Davie

 

Thanks @Davie . I've incorporated Chinese medicine from time to time with some success. I hope it helps you. 

[Jamie68]

2 hours ago, Jackie C. said:

 

Actually yes. It makes it easier to cross your legs like a proper lady too.

 

Hugs!

Awesome! Thanks for your response. 

[KymmieL]

3 hours ago, Jackie C. said:

 

Actually yes. It makes it easier to cross your legs like a proper lady too.

 

Hugs!

I wondered why I have had trouble. Something always getting in the way. LOL

 

Kymmie

[Billie75B]

Good morning
The coffee is strong and black and I am really enjoying it this morning since I couldn't have any yesterday as I had to go in for a colonoscopy yesterday afternoon. What made it nice is the entire staff at the endoscopy center were so nice to me even gendering me correctly all afternoon. For me that is the first time and I know on all my paperwork it showed my pronouns as she/her but I really expected to be gendered as he/him as I feel I don't come close to passing, but they all were always nice and yes mam no mam and they were all so sweet that when I left I was on cloud 9. Also they used a different anesthesia that didn't have fentanyl in it so when I woke up I felt as if I had just taken a really good nap and didn't have that heavy drug hangover. All in al considering it was a good day.