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Good morning All. Coffees on.


KymmieL

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3 hours ago, Bri2020 said:

I'm finally feeling almost normal!!!! ...

get out of the shower to a mildly steamed up mirror feeling so much better and when I looked at myself in the mirror I  cried! My neo-V is almost normal from an external swelling standpoint and the bruising is just mild and I can actually get my legs together now. The image of my now complete female body overwhelmed me.  I was like " oh my goddess, I am beautiful!"  It's the first time in my life I truly felt it and expressed it.

I'm so happy for you, Bri! I confess that I dream/daydream about one day being able to do just that. Whether I will or not, difficult to say. I cry thinking about it, and wonder why I can't stop torturing myself worrying if I ever will - what it would be like. Gotta learn to focus on what I can do, here and now, on this amazing journey.

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4 minutes ago, Hannah Renee said:

Gotta learn to focus on what I can do, here and now, on this amazing journey.

One foot in front of the other love. That will get you there.

 

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Good afternoon everyone,

 

@Bri2020your advice on keeping the spouse/partner involved was spot on. Congratulations on reaching your very privet mile-marker in the mirror this morning.

 

@Willow your points were equally spot on, and like you. I never know where I stand with my wife, it's a pendulum that swings back and forth in slow motion, and no ability to predict when it will revers directions.

 

@KymmieL keep moving forward, understand that if you're sick, and unable to work. There are two calls you need to make. One to your employer. The second is to your financial and household partner, your wife. They both deserve to know how you are feeling, and how to cover for your absence at work, as well as your lost wages.  

 

@Betty_B & @RhondaS I'm so happy for you two and the support you are feeling from your partners.

 

Hugs for everyone,

 

Mindy🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋 

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19 hours ago, Bri2020 said:

 

#goals right?  Keep a journal of how you are feeling and the experiences you are going through because it will become routine and much will be forgotten in the fog of time.

 

I'm so happy for both of you!

 

 

I have been keeping a version of a journal by posting here and elsewhere and then every once in a while collecting the appropriate content from the latest batch of posts and compiling them in a (long and always growing) document. 

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2 hours ago, RhondaS said:

 

I have been keeping a version of a journal by posting here and elsewhere and then every once in a while collecting the appropriate content from the latest batch of posts and compiling them in a (long and always growing) document. 

I thought about doing the same.  I started a blog here but just never kept up with it. I really was only inspired to write when I was in crisis mostly. lol

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Good morning everyone, I hope you have a wonderful day and overcome all that you face today. I dreamt about coffee last night, and this morning I’m following my dreams. 
 

Hugs,

 

Mindy🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋

E5B89820-86A4-4A24-9D63-F116D10E155E.jpeg

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Good morning 

 

I drank Pluff Mud last night, not even a full glass and boy do I have a headache this morning.  Oh Pluff Mud is a local dark beer, not brewed from the mud at the bottom of the swamp although I’m questioning that choice.

 

Got back on injections for estradiol.  Stronger dosage.  Also got different syringes and needles. I like these better.  I had a blood draw Wednesday that came up draw twice.  Back yesterday the stick wasn’t dry but it didn’t yield much.  And that was after drinking 60 oz of water.

 

Today I am going to see my original therapist.  First time in a few years.  Got some catching up to do.  Speaking of which, I need to get going on my make up.

 

Willow

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How did I find such wonderful and thoughtful friends that I have never met face to face?

 

My Saturday, feeling better. Actually was able to sleep straight through the night. Not sure if my wife and youngest are going to Lincoln this weekend or not. Guess I will find out shortly.

 

Have a little of the white stuff on the lawn. Season forecast is for us to get hammered but heard that before and never panned out. Time will tell.

 

Hugs all.

 

Kymmie

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1 hour ago, KymmieL said:

Have a little of the white stuff on the lawn. Season forecast is for us to get hammered but heard that before and never panned out. Time will tell.

 

Yeah, we're getting towards white stuff time of year again. *shudder*. Also, *shiver*.

 

I've been getting really frustrated with my insurance. Normally they're pretty good, but ever since the doc upped my E to a couple of patches, we've been facing nothing but trouble from the bean counter bunch. They don't seem to like the doctor's decision on my dosage, so every time I need a refill they give nothing but pushback and flaming hoops to jump through. I think I might end up having to pay out of pocket this time. I hope that doesn't come to be a regular expense. ☹️

 

On a nicer note, I made a batch of curry last night and it turned out fantastic. Mostly veggies, but a little bit of chicken, too. Convenient sauce from a jar. Some rice on the side. Really looking forward to the leftovers later today. 😋

 

 

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4 hours ago, Heather Nicole said:

so every time I need a refill they give nothing but pushback and flaming hoops to jump through. I think I might end up having to pay out of pocket this time.

 

Hopefully, you are (or can request) several months per refill, rather than just one month.  For me, it turned out three months of patches per refill cost the same ($50) as I was paying previously for each month's refill!  Not insignificant.

 

Best wishes,

 

Astrid

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Just now, Katie23 said:

Your insurer needs to be reported. They do not get to adjust the dosages. That is dependent on the provide and not an insurance clerk. I would file a complaint. Also, talk to the pharmacy. They may have some suggestions on how to deal with this situation.

 

Sincerely
Katie

 

They're playing paperwork games.

 

Last time I tried to get a refill, they complained they needed a prior authorization first. Then when they got the prior authorization, they complained they needed another document from the doctor explaining why I needed a dosage higher than...whatever their threshold amount was (it wasn't particularly high as far as transwomen go). By the time they got that too, and the pharmacy had it ready to hand to me I was already about 2 days past due.

 

This time, again, it's just another refill, and they're back to complaining again that they need another prior authorization.

 

Loopholes via red tape. 🙄

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Hi,

 

Saw my original therapist today.  We picked up like old friends.  I gave him a recap of everything that has gone on since then.  He asked questions for clarification.  We agreed to meet again in 6 weeks.  
 

willow

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Speaking of insurance, my wife's pension plan is switching health insurance providers next year.  (We have public health insurance in Canada, so the plan covers additional stuff that is outside of normal health care system, like prescriptions, physiotherapy, etc.) 

 

There were some interesting new items in the package that could affect trans people positively, such as "gender affirmation" (no specifics available) covered for $75,000 per lifetime.  Doctor's letters are no longer required for psychologists, physiotherapists, and electrologists (if undergoing gender affirmation).

 

There are numerous other changes, too, some positive and some negative.  Many of the changes are too late to help me much.  But that $75,000 will come in handy if someone wants a BA, for example, which is not covered by public health care.

 

It is nice to know that they support trans people.

 

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1 hour ago, Heather Nicole said:

 

 

This time, again, it's just another refill, and they're back to complaining again that they need another prior authorization.

 

Loopholes via red tape. 🙄

This is why I love Kaiser Permanente. Everything is under one roof. I see my doc, they write a script and it's ready downstairs at the pharmacy on my way out the door. Refills mailed to my house in 2 days if I do a refill request online.  

Speaking of KP: I'm not happy with the very visible forehead scar from ffs after 10 months so I emailed my case manager asking if they would cover a revision. The surgeon has been non committal on it needing to be done (he doesn't want to admit it isn't a good result) and KP over here in the mid atlantic contracts out for transgender related surgeries so it is the one thing I do have to get authorizations. Anyways, I emailed her a current pic and by the end of the day she got back to me saying they actually hired an in house plastics person who specialises in FFS and scar revisions and they set me up with an appointment for the end of the year for a consult! I haven't been too happy with the surgeon they contracted with so far.  During the FFS he forgot to do my lip lift and tried to deflect saying it hadn't been authorized even though the day of the surgery we went over what was being done and I signed off on it. I'm not convince he made any effort to reduce my receding hairline issue much nor an actual brow lift. I looked at my before photos the other day and I can't tell any difference. He did lower the hairline in general but the incision was in front of the hairline vs within it. Hence the very visible scar which is also because the incision sutures didn't hold well.  Now with my vaginoplasty, while it's only been a month but I don't think the outcome is going to be great. I can see some strictures and scaring deformity already. I have my follow up tomorrow and will bring it up and I am 100% positive he will say, "let's give it a year and see where things are." which has been his go to line with my FFS.  Kaiser is trying to create their own full service Transgender care team. I'm hoping they get a bottom surgeon at some point if not for me then for those coming behind me. Here's a pic from my recent hospital stay and you can really see how low and visible the scar is on my forehead. you can't ell about the temple area because I let my longer hair fall over it.

556E83AD-2DC0-4C7C-850C-D83B35707BC3_1_201_a.thumb.jpeg.90915db17f64ea1c37b154712d44efeb.jpeg

 

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Good morning everyone, I hope you have a wonderful day and overcome all that you face today. I dreamt about coffee last night, and this morning I’m following my dreams. 
 

Hugs,

 

Mindy🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋

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Ever had a morning that your coffee, although made the same way you always make it, make your feel like it's the first time you ever tasted coffee? So delicious, I feel like I can take on anything the world throws at me today! Wishing you all the best for today.

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3 minutes ago, KnowMe said:

Ever had a morning that your coffee, although made the same way you always make it, make your feel like it's the first time you ever tasted coffee? So delicious, I feel like I can take on anything the world throws at me today! Wishing you all the best for today.

Your outlook is delicious!

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5 hours ago, Katie23 said:

Somebody really is playing games. I have never had one word about dosing of any medication that I have prescribed.

 

It's a first for me, too.

 

6 hours ago, Katie23 said:

You must be dealing with one of those prescription service companies that claim they want to save you money. I would complain to your state insurance commissioner, as well as contact Health and Human Services. They are blocking necessary services as determined by your provider.

 

That stuff if all new territory for me, but...I may do that.

 

The pharmacist did mention one other thing. Apparently my insurance company recently changed their prescription provider. It's possible that some (though clearly not all) of the problems may be hiccups related to that, like maybe my doctor was talking to the old prescription provider instead of the new one.

 

In any case, the pharmacist was luckily able to get a half-refill through the system and accepted, so I at least have one  fresh new box of patches and a couple more weeks to get things worked out, and I didn't even have to go out-of-pocket like I was about to. Score one for the pharmacist!

 

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I was taking the recycling out to the dumpster behind the apartment building, walking through a small parking area. A young girl, maybe three, was going after a ball her dad had rolled. Right after she passed by me chasing the ball, she told her dad,"You almost hit the lady!"

 

Does that count as passing?

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happy belated morning all. 

 

been apply for jobs and interviewing. phone interviews are good, but in person i can tell by the way people look at me they are not impressed. the right thing will come along, and people's looks and judgement seem to bother me so much less now that i have accepted myself, actually. 

 

ive been going to new places, meeting new people, coming out to people, and it feels good. im excited and happy for the future. 

 

i have an appointment to talk to someone about starting HRT mid December. i so wish it were sooner, but the appointment is set, so i have that to look forward to. 

 

i hope everyone is doing well and taking care. kind thoughts 

Sage

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