Good morning All. Coffees on.

[KymmieL]

Sad to hear about your experiences at the VA. Mine has been nothing but positive. Everyone is accepting besides a occasional misgendering. Everything is good.

 

I haven't brought up progesterone to my endo. We are seeing what my current Meds are going to do. then go from their.

 

 

Kymmie

[Colleen Henderson]

1 hour ago, KymmieL said:

Sad to hear about your experiences at the VA. Mine has been nothing but positive.

 

It's troubling that the inconsistencies among VA facilities across the US haven't yet been addressed and corrected.

 

I remember reading a few years ago about vets in a western state dying as a result of their inability to get appointments for treatment. At the time, by contrast, I was enjoying an excellent relationship with our local medical center. And my military service was nothing special - three years Army enlisted, no combat. 

[Ivy]

4 hours ago, Willow said:

@Marcie Jensen my experience with VA is oh, you served? But not actual combat?  You have an honorable discharge but not retired?  Sorry, but you didn’t earn medical benefits in spite of what we told you when you enlisted.  You need a combat related Purple Heart.

If your income is low enough, you can qualify.  This started about the time of the ACA.  I'm not a combat veteran either.  There are a number of tiers.  My level is free appointments, surgery - stuff like that - but still co-pays for meds and some stuff.  

[Marcie Jensen]

4 hours ago, Willow said:

@Marcie Jensen my experience with VA is oh, you served? But not actual combat?  You have an honorable discharge but not retired?  Sorry, but you didn’t earn medical benefits in spite of what we told you when you enlisted.  You need a combat related Purple Heart.

 

once again the Vietnam era vets are left behind.  We didn’t all defend our country by getting shot at. Some of us had other roles in the military.  Just as important and in some cases with a more direct role in the safety of our country even if it was behind the scenes.

 

Willow

 

 

@Willow, I'm truly sorry you've being treated this way by the VA. They're just wrong. Period.  I know what you mean when you talk about different roles. I began as a dumb grunt, and switched to MI later on. My role was clandestine case officer for most of my career. You honorably served and earned your benefits and should not be treated as a second class person because you weren't shot at. 

 

I agree with you about how Vietnam era vets are left behand. It is shameful. I missed the draft by about 14 months, but when travelling back to FT Benning after Christmas leave, I got a taste of what you went through--I was spat on in an airport while in uniform. It wasn't nearly what you and every other Vietnam era veteran went through and I don't pretend to equate that with what anyone who served during Vietnam suffered. Saying "thank you for your service" seems trite when speaking to a Vietnam era veteran, but I am grateful for you and everyone who served and sacrificed when you did. It paved the way for the rest of us, and to be treated shabbily by the VA or anyone else is a disservice to you and disrespectful to all veterans, imho.

[Marcie Jensen]

3 hours ago, Colleen Henderson said:

I remember reading a few years ago about vets in a western state dying as a result of their inability to get appointments for treatment. At the time, by contrast, I was enjoying an excellent relationship with our local medical center. And my military service was nothing special - three years Army enlisted, no combat. 

It was here in Phoenix, AZ. There was a hue and a cry raised, and it got sort of rectified. Much as it pains me to admit, I think the situation was corrected during the Trump administration. 

[Mandy Jo]

Found a clothing store that has clothes in my size also crossdresser and transgender friendly.The owner is so compassionate to people with dwarfism,I have pituritary dwarfism.I bought some tops,skirts and dresses.Wife was with me.

[Ivy]

 

That's great Mandy Jo.

[Mandy Jo]

56 minutes ago, Ivy said:

 

That's great Mandy Jo.

It is and got difficult finding clothes I also purchase online being 3' 10"

[MirandaB]

Good morning!

 

Last weekend I got my first 'here's why I messed up your pronouns' encounter, then this weekend I got the first'sorry I messed up your pronouns' discussion. Definitely prefer the second, but guess those are milestones. 

[Ivy]

I'm trying to decide whether to give the clerk of court my birth certificate or not.  I had been erroneously told that I could use a notarized copy for my name change.  But apparently not.  It has to be certified, meaning sent from my birth state (NY).  I put in for one, but it will not be here till February.  Unfortunately, my background checks etc. will expire before that.

 

I could use the original which is in my possession, but it won't be returned (per the clerk's office) and I am loath to part with it.  It is true that I would have a certified copy from NY by February which I can use like the original, but…

 

Anyhow, I'm not sure what to do.  If I wait, I'll need to start the whole process over again.  I would like to get the name change done.  Is there a reason to hang on to the original - other than I want it?  I don't really know what to do.

[Ivy]

35 minutes ago, Hannah Renee said:

I will say again, tho, that the court relieving you of your birth certificate is difficult to understand.

Yeah.  Seems like if they copied it themselves, that would suffice.  Perhaps I should re-enquirer.

[Ivy]

Oh, yeah - Here you need an official background check from both the FBI and SBI.  

[Betty_B]

afternoon all

 

so excited and wanted  my family her to know first ,,,  i am starting on my hrt this week , as soon as i pick up the patches from the drug store ,,,, yaaa a day i truly i thought i would never see ,,,

 

gosh happy tears are flowing

   Betty b

[Mmindy]

12 minutes ago, Betty_B said:

afternoon all

 

so excited and wanted  my family her to know first ,,,  i am starting on my hrt this week , as soon as i pick up the patches from the drug store ,,,, yaaa a day i truly i thought i would never see ,,,

 

gosh happy tears are flowing

   Betty b

That's great Betty B,

 

Congratulations on reaching this very important milestone in your transition.

 

Hugs,

 

Mindy🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋

[rachel w]

1 hour ago, Betty_B said:

afternoon all

 

so excited and wanted  my family her to know first ,,,  i am starting on my hrt this week , as soon as i pick up the patches from the drug store ,,,, yaaa a day i truly i thought i would never see ,,,

 

gosh happy tears are flowing

   Betty b

awesome enjoy your journey

[CD Rachel]

@Betty_B I am so happy for you. HRT has helped me tremendously. 

[KathyLauren]

12 minutes ago, Hannah Renee said:

Now that I think of it, I wonder if "they" could find me in a background check now. You know, since I'm not "him" anymore.

Every jurisdiction does it differently.  Here, they take your fingerprints for a name change.  That way, they can find out if you have a criminal record no matter what name you use now or in the past.  Supposedly, they destroy the prints once the check is complete.

[Ivy]

37 minutes ago, KathyLauren said:

Here, they take your fingerprints for a name change.

They took my fingerprints for the background checks.   I also had to enter the name I wanted to change to.

If I give them the birth certificate I could submit the paperwork tomorrow.  

 

It's just weird.  Seems like some kind of thing where they can demand to see "your papers."  It's not like I'm trying to hide or anything.  Am I me, or some file in a drawer somewhere?  Why is this even a thing?

 

Sorry, I need to go to bed.

[Willow]

Good morning everyone 

 

Thank you to everyone with the wonderful comments and suggestions @KymmieL @Katie23. @Ivy @Marcie Jensen  @Colleen Henderson.  I suppose I should try again with the VA.

 

my AFSQC was one the no one knew unless they were also a “99???”  It was all intelligence based and in secret locations.  I was authorized certain campaign ribbons that never made my permanent record.

 

on to better things I sold my boat yesterday!  You know what they say about boat ownership the two best days for a boat owner, the day they bought it and the day the sell it.  Sad to see it go.  I put a lot of time fixing it up to never get to really sail it but thems the breaks.

 

at least no more boat related expenses.

 

enjoyed my coffee have a great day.

 

Willow

[Willow]

Oh yeah I forgot to ask a question, has anyone had experience with a home laser hair removal unit?  Did  it work?  Permanently or temporarily?  What brand?

 

thanks. Internet reviews are in some cases too terrific to be believed.  I can’t see spending the money for electrolysis.

 

thanks

[Davie]

Fired another physical therapist  just now. They sent one from before who gave me the creeps the way I was touched. Confusing to be sure, but my feelings are valid now. Comfort is a requirement I must have with therapy. I'm feeling better today, sleep better, after 4 weeks of bed rest. Progress not perfection.

— Davie

[Marcie Jensen]

8 minutes ago, Willow said:

Good morning everyone 

 

Thank you to everyone with the wonderful comments and suggestions @KymmieL @Katie23. @Ivy @Marcie Jensen  @Colleen Henderson.  I suppose I should try again with the VA.

 

my AFSQC was one the no one knew unless they were also a “99???”  It was all intelligence based and in secret locations.  I was authorized certain campaign ribbons that never made my permanent record.

 

on to better things I sold my boat yesterday!  You know what they say about boat ownership the two best days for a boat owner, the day they bought it and the day the sell it.  Sad to see it go.  I put a lot of time fixing it up to never get to really sail it but thems the breaks.

 

at least no more boat related expenses.

 

enjoyed my coffee have a great day.

 

Willow

Hi Willow. Congrats on selling your boat!  I understand the sadness and can surely empathize. Restoration of a boat, car, house or similar is a labor of love. Letting it goes is often like losing a part of yourself. For me it was restoring and building furniture, but I get where you're coming from--the accomplishment of building something beautiful with your own hands, and sail boats are surely beautiful.

I also understand about the campaign ribbons that never made it to your permanent records. Me, too. To this day I still tell folks "I was never there and I have pictures to prove it." Thanks again for your service.

[Bri2020]

19 hours ago, Betty_B said:

afternoon all

 

so excited and wanted  my family her to know first ,,,  i am starting on my hrt this week , as soon as i pick up the patches from the drug store ,,,, yaaa a day i truly i thought i would never see ,,,

 

gosh happy tears are flowing

   Betty b

I'm very happy for you! Congrats

12 minutes ago, Willow said:

Oh yeah I forgot to ask a question, has anyone had experience with a home laser hair removal unit?  Did  it work?  Permanently or temporarily?  What brand?

 

thanks. Internet reviews are in some cases too terrific to be believed.  I can’t see spending the money for electrolysis.

 

thanks

I haven't heard anything good about them. I don't have first hand knowledge.  They will absolutely not work on lighter or grey hair.

21 hours ago, Ivy said:

Yeah.  Seems like if they copied it themselves, that would suffice.  Perhaps I should re-enquirer.

I would absolutely inquire again. Often courts return any original documents, it just may take some time. They should also be able to make a notarized certified copy on site.

[Betty_B]

2 hours ago, Willow said:

Oh yeah I forgot to ask a question, has anyone had experience with a home laser hair removal unit?  Did  it work?  Permanently or temporarily?  What brand?

 

thanks. Internet reviews are in some cases too terrific to be believed.  I can’t see spending the money for electrolysis.

 

thanks

i have one  its ok  but , a very slow timely process ,, and no they don't work on gray hair,, laser at a dermatology place is the route i have gone , no it wont work on gray hair either but works well on dark hair , and the only real Permanent removal of hair i think is electrolysis,, i went with a package at our dermatology , treatments every 6 weeks  till the dark hair is gone, face is done now  and started on the lower back yesterday ,, for arms and legs i use an epi (power tweezers ) and after some use not much grows and seems finer ,, probably tmi, but that's my method of battle for hair ,,,

 

 Peace N Hugs

   Betty b

[KymmieL]

 

 

Well feeling pretty good today. Slept in a little, got a nice shower. Finally got my cup o joe. world is right today, well maybe not today. just right now.

 

Congrats on selling your boat, @Willow Now you need to final another hobby, to sink money into.

 

Had my manicure on Friday. Went with a Ruby red, it is called Mrs. Claus. Wife hasn't said anything about it. I am not hiding it. She actually held my hand on Friday when we walked into the restaurant. 

Speaking of the wife. Tomorrow we have been married for 37 yrs. at times it seems like just yesterday other times it seems like a lifetime.

 

Hugs,

 

Kymmie