Ashley's Life from Start to Present

[Ashley0616]

I figured if my electrolysis starts in March the earliest, I could have the surgery is late July or August or September which I might have to push it back further of course because Bentley would start school around that time. Unless maybe early August but I don't know might end up having to have to wait till May of next year. Well, I called Social Security yesterday because Medicare was still showing me as Scott. I got that corrected and was also told that my gender wasn't updated when I did the name change. I went to Social Security as soon as they opened. The line wasn't too long thank goodness. I was able to get in and out in 15 minutes. I wanted to get there early to beat the crowd. The only places to change still are my DD Form 214 (Military Discharge Paperwork) and birth certificate. I don't know if I want to get a passport, I don't plan on leaving the US anytime and just don't see a need for it. It would just be another thing to keep up with. I'll probably take care of birth certificate when I see my endocrinologist next month. She has to do up a letter to show that I am trans and receiving care. I'm looking forward to being done with that part. I can't wait to see how my hormone levels are. It's probably one of my favorite appointments. I did find out that my therapist will be leaving me in June so soon I will have had 17therapists in a matter of less than 10 years. I really liked this one because she advocated for me a good bit. They were able to show that I could get hair removal done through the VA. The has been there to tell me about the local LGBTQ groups. No other therapist has even done half of what they did. She did say that there are two other therapists that are LGBTQ supporters that were women which is exactly what I wanted. I didn't feel that a male could understand what and how women feel. I'm hoping one will be able to take me in. She did say she didn't know how busy their load was. I do have some good news for me. I'm starting to get a butt! I'm able to actually pinch it now. Hopefully it'll continue to grow. I still don't have hips, but I do think it's still too early. I will take what I have so far. It got a little warmer the past few days. The high has been in the 60's and 70's. This morning it got to 40 which honestly felt like 50 something. I did find out that my sister will not be able to watch the kids so I can get SRS. I only have one other person to ask and then I'll have to hire a private nanny which that won't be cheap at all! I hope I can find someone that is trustworthy and good enough. I'm only wanting to hire the nanny for like 10 days just so I can get the surgery and recover somewhat. I know I'm still going to be in pain, but I sure can't afford a nanny for the whole process. There aren't any family members who would be willing to help I already know. There are only three people in my family that support me in my journey. They all have jobs and obligations. I'm hoping to have the surgery done in Chicago because I do have one Aunt out of 8 that are up there that support me and are still friends. It would be nice if she could come visit me. Well, I guess this is it for now. 

[Ashley0616]

Well today has been rough with vertigo episodes so far. It doesn't matter how slow I get up. I still get them. The tension is back again at the back part of the head. I have tried all of the exercises to help alleviate the vertigo episodes and nothing has worked. I'm going to see the audiologist tomorrow. Hopefully I won't be there as long as I did last time I did tests. I was there for almost 2 hours doing all kinds of balancing tests. I have to drive in about 1.5 hours. I'm hoping it goes away so I can drive.

[Mmindy]

Prayers for you Ashley,

 

I hope you feel better soon, and tomorrow goes well too.

 

Mindy🌈🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋

[Ashley0616]

3 hours ago, Mmindy said:

Prayers for you Ashley,

 

I hope you feel better soon, and tomorrow goes well too.

 

Mindy🌈🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋

Thank you. The migraine is finally gone. Vertigo isn't as bad now as it was earlier. 

[Ashley0616]

Well, I almost forgot about my audiologist appointment thank goodness for reminders and alarms. I did a hearing test, pressure test, and got moved in different positions. Hearing test still showed that I can't hear high pitched sounds, but I can hear it when it got loud. I mostly guessed. She did say that it was probably related to my tinnitus. Vertigo was differently acting up. They said that the vertigo episodes, migraines and dizziness isn't related to ear problems. She looked at my balance tests back in 2017 and 2021 and both showed that it's related to my three traumatic brain injuries. I will be seen by my primary care physician to go into further investigation of the causes to have their approval about traumatic brain injuries which I already know I have just got to go through their game. 

[MaeBe]

TBIs are no joke. I would think the VA would be pretty good about them. If not, they should; I'd think they have the biggest pool of TBI sufferers in any profession per capita outside combat sports.

[Ashley0616]

Well, I did get some things in the mail. I have a Therma brush which is supposed to help grow hair. I do love my thigh high socks. I wished I would have gotten them earlier. I had my coffee and apparently my stomach wasn't agreeing with the dinner I had last night. I feel great so far, no vertigo or migraines yet! I'm thrilled about that. I unfortunately gained 6 pounds and I don't know why. I'm eating healthy and walking. I wonder if it's the hormones. Good news is that I found a surgeon who would operate on me with the weight I'm at. I'm hoping that I'll get the one in Chicago because I do have someone there that will hopefully visit me. I have been trying to get my pictures off of my old iPod and so far, haven't had any luck. I have a lot of pictures of Iraq that are precious to me. Wish me luck. I will post the pictures when I can finally get them off the iPod. 

[MaeBe]

4 minutes ago, Ashley0616 said:

I feel great so far, no vertigo or migraines yet!

Yay! Small victories!

 

5 minutes ago, Ashley0616 said:

I will post the pictures when I can finally get them off the iPod.

Can't wait!

 

💜Mae

[Ashley0616]

Thank you @Mmindy

 

and @MaeBe

 

and @awkward-yet-sweet

 

For following my journey!

[Ashley0616]

I think I found out the culprit on how I get episodes and vertigo. I was simply cleaning the hose from the dryer and when I bent over it hit me hard. I felt so much pressure in my head. I don't ever get when I'm doing things with the kids. 

[Ashley0616]

Today is so far so good. I don't feel vertigo, dizziness, no pressure in the head and migraines. I'm afraid to bend down in fear that I might get it all again. I think if it happens again, I'm going to the ER at the VA and see if they can find out what is going on. Gender dysphoria has been really difficult all I want to do is rip/cut it off. It's so annoying that I can't wear some of my dresses because there is a bulge down there. My hair I don't think could grow any slower. I have done everything I can. I take prenatal, two different hair vitamin supplements, I also use special shampoo and conditioner and I even have spray that contains amino acids for the hair to grow too. I also have ordered a serum, another vitamin that I add powder to a drink. I guess I can say I'm a little impatient about it. I have also considered rosemary oil also for hair strength. I'm so looking forward to when my hair is long enough for me to not wear a wig. Which unfortunately the hair is curly and is too short to use a straightener and not mention my split ends. My CPAP really makes my hair a mess. Hopefully after I lose weight, I'm no longer need the machine. I'm sorry if this seems to be a complaint session but just need to get things off my mind. This has pretty much become my journal. I have a full keyboard unlike my phone, and I do love the comments and suggestions. I'm so looking forward to the next board meeting. I was told that maybe next month that they would review my application and was told it would likely get approved. I was told that I had to be a member of another committee and I'm going to choose the outreach program. It will hopefully get me out of my comfort zone and meet new people and explain transgender to the local community. It will bring another purpose and something to look forward to every month. Well, I guess this is it for now. Take care and appreciate anyone who reads these.

[Mmindy]

5 hours ago, Ashley0616 said:

. My CPAP really makes my hair a mess. Hopefully after I lose weight, I'm no longer need the machine.

Good afternoon Ashley, 

 

Have you tried a satin sleep bonnet for curly hair? I use one when I know I have an early appointment so I don’t have to detangle my hair. If I don’t use the bonnet, I put my hair up into a bun. Both of these hair tips keep me from getting tangled up in my CPAP when I use it. The other benefits of wearing a sleep bonnet is the retention of moisture and product retention in your hair. 
 

Hugs,

 

Mindy🌈🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋

[Ashley0616]

4 minutes ago, Mmindy said:

Good afternoon Ashley, 

 

Have you tried a satin sleep bonnet for curly hair? I use one when I know I have an early appointment so I don’t have to detangle my hair. If I don’t use the bonnet, I put my hair up into a bun. Both of these hair tips keep me from getting tangled up in my CPAP when I use it. The other benefits of wearing a sleep bonnet is the retention of moisture and product retention in your hair. 
 

Hugs,

 

Mindy🌈🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋

I never heard of a sleep bonnet? Sounds like something I'm going to get next pay check. LOL

[Ashley0616]

My Baby M249 machine gun. I don't have pictures of my 50 cal and my M240. 

[Ashley0616]

Abraham's house and I'm talking about from the Bible with what remains of it. 

[Ashley0616]

Ah Nasariah this is how close we were to the local terrorist group. 

[Ashley0616]

This is when Army was doing their end of tour. Over 40 M1 Abraham tanks.

[Ashley0616]

This is how serious things were over there. There were also plenty of Humvees that were shot up and blown up too. 

[Ashley0616]

Me in London in front of the Buckingham Palace

[Ashley0616]

Building 1 was claimed to be a school by the Jash Almighty terrorist group which was heavily guarded. It is unknown what was actually in there. They flooded the bottom 3 floors with oil and water mix.

[Ashley0616]

This is were an air to ground bomb went through Building 1.

[Ashley0616]

This is where the bomb landed inside Building 1

[Ashley0616]

This is one of the pictures to show that the bottom three floors were flooded inside of Building 1

[Ashley0616]

This is another picture to show that it was flooded. This building had 2-foot-thick armor doors. 

[Ashley0616]

Art work that was in support of Sadam Hussien.