Here We Go...

[Breanne_O]

In 20 minutes, I leave home for my first appointment with a doctor to discuss my transition.  I have no doubt that today will be the most important of my life.

 

I'm feeling very emotional right now, and I know there'll be tears, but they will be the right sort.  It's taken me 68 years to get here and I owe it to the person I was to become the person I should always have been.

 

Thanks for reading.

[Breanne_O]

…and because of the wonderful British NHS, my assigned doctor had not a clue how to respond.  “Transwhat?” is not what I needed to hear in this conversation.

 

I now have to wait for her to find someone with competency to conduct the consultation sometime in the next two weeks.

 

 The tales of poor souls waiting years for a diagnosis seem very real right now…

[Heather Shay]

The most important thing is YOU know who you are and you for moving forward. Patience is important (something I have too little of) but don't give up. I didn't and if I can make it through the medical system you can and the patience will pay off big time. Hang in there.

[Heather Shay]

YOU will MAKE it.

[Breanne_O]

Thanks @Heather Shay, it rocked me back for a moment, but we have a plan B involving a private trans healthcare provider.  If we can get them both involved, and working together, that would be great.

[Karen Carey]

Hi Breanne,

 

Don't be discouraged;  not all GPs are up to speed with trans issues, even if we think that they ought to be. Having made the decision I understand that you are impatient but you have waited years, a couple more weeks is not a lot. As Heather says, hang in there.  

 

Have you seen a therapist?  If not, do try to find one that specialises in gender variance.  You mention private care.  I use, and recommend, GenderCare.  Have a look at the website.  If you want to know any more you are welcome to pm me.

 

Karen

[Ashley0616]

Hi Breanne,

 

As the old saying goes "Rome wasn't built in a day." Things take time and it'll be well worth it. There are plenty of things to do that can help you feel more feminine if you want. You could wear undergarments and you would be the only one to know. You could get Olay Regenerist for your face. It feels really nice btw. It's a little pricey but hardly any feminine products are cheap. It does last a long time. One of the biggest tips I can give you is a little goes a long way! Transgender has been around for a long time and a lot is still being learned to this day. It's pretty sad she doesn't know anything about this. It's constantly on the news about laws that are being made to restrict our rights or the constant magnification of every little thing that goes on. For instance in the US there was an active shooter that was trans and the news magnified way more than a cisgender active shooter.

[Breanne_O]

Thank you, @Karen Carey for the advice.  I guess I’d over-prepared only to find I was the SME in the room.  Poor woman.

 

I’ve looked at GenderGP for private services, and will look at Gender Care and any others I find during my waiting 🙂

[Breanne_O]

40 minutes ago, Ashley0616 said:

Hi Breanne,

 

As the old saying goes "Rome wasn't built in a day." Things take time and it'll be well worth it. There are plenty of things to do that can help you feel more feminine if you want. You could wear undergarments and you would be the only one to know. You could get Olay Regenerist for your face. It feels really nice btw. It's a little pricey but hardly any feminine products are cheap. It does last a long time. One of the biggest tips I can give you is a little goes a long way! Transgender has been around for a long time and a lot is still being learned to this day. It's pretty sad she doesn't know anything about this. It's constantly on the news about laws that are being made to restrict our rights or the constant magnification of every little thing that goes on. For instance in the US there was an active shooter that was trans and the news magnified way more than a cisgender active shooter.

I do feel that I’ve been overly critical here; the way my local practice operates does not permit patients to indicate the nature of the problem before the appointment.  It just seems wasteful to have a fruitless appointment like mine taking a a slot from someone else.

 

Calm has returned and I promise to manage my expectations more closely in future.

 

Thank you, @Ashley0616

 

[Ashley0616]

3 hours ago, Breanne_O said:

I do feel that I’ve been overly critical here; the way my local practice operates does not permit patients to indicate the nature of the problem before the appointment.  It just seems wasteful to have a fruitless appointment like mine taking a a slot from someone else.

 

Calm has returned and I promise to manage my expectations more closely in future.

 

Thank you, @Ashley0616

 

You're welcome!

[Breanne_O]

Things are calmer now; the GP has let me know I’ve been referred to specialist in the next week or two.

 

Thank you for your support and keeping me grounded at this crazy time.  x

[Ashley0616]

9 hours ago, Breanne_O said:

Things are calmer now; the GP has let me know I’ve been referred to specialist in the next week or two.

 

Thank you for your support and keeping me grounded at this crazy time.  x

Thank you for the update!

[Breanne_O]

I've taken the plunge and have an initial appointment with GenderCare next month to discuss a GD diagnosis which is critical in getting my (UK) GP onboard a shared care arrangement.  This is necessary for obtaining prescriptions and monitoring under local NHS supervision.

 

In the meantime, voice training is keeping me busy.

 

Things are much calmer now. 🙂

[LucyF]

I went with Gendercare and had an initial consultation with Dr Dundas, who was wonderful! I have my Endo appointment 25th April, so I getting there. Honestly, the hardest part of all this has been getting a GP who is on board and open to shared care. But Gendercare are UK based Drs, so they give you your best chance of getting shared care.

 

I need to start voice training myself - can I ask who you use for voice training?

[Breanne_O]

Hi, @LucyF,

 

I'm using Christella Antoni's VoiceUp app at the moment.

 

https://www.christellaantoni.co.uk/voice-feminisation/

 

As she's listed on the GenderCare site, I'm happy to use the app and lessons as a basis for my voice training.

 

[Breanne_O]

I picked a cancellation spot with Dr Lorimer yesterday and had my consultation a month early.  I had been worried about how it would go, but the process of exchanging information was nothing to worry about and I felt quite at ease throughout.  That’s not to say some parts weren’t challenging to articulate clearly, but Dr Lorimer’s manner helped enormously.

 

The GI/GD diagnosis was such a welcome conclusion to it all, and such an important milestone in my journey.

 

Now for the Endo consult waiting…

[VickySGV]

@Breanne_O You seem to be on your way there girl-- full speed ahead it was a real adventure for me 11 years ago.

 

[Breanne_O]

4 months doesn’t seem such a long time now compared to the times I was previously looking at! 🙂

 

Many thanks to @Karen Careyfor pointing me towards GenderCare, they have been nothing but helpful and professional, and I wouldn’t be where I am now without them.

 

[MaeBe]

2 hours ago, Breanne_O said:

4 months doesn’t seem such a long time now compared to the times I was previously looking at!

I'm glad you've found an avenue of care and that is less glacial than the NHS! Let the countdown begin!

[Ashley0616]

4 hours ago, Breanne_O said:

4 months doesn’t seem such a long time now compared to the times I was previously looking at! 🙂

 

Congratulations on being able to pick up a cancellation! I hope to hear more updates about your transition. 

[Breanne_O]

A bit late in updating, but I've had the draft of the official diagnosis and have (as yet unconfirmed) an endo consultation next month.

 

Next to arrive will be the supporting documentation for my new passport application for my correct gender.  This will then be my official ID for all the other updates - bank, tax, payroll etc.

 

It just feels good to to be proactive again rather than waiting for other people to move at a leisurely pace.

 

[Mmindy]

2 minutes ago, Breanne_O said:

It just feels good to to be proactive again rather than waiting for other people to move at a leisurely pace.

Congratulations, and best wishes as you move forward.

 

Mindy🌈🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋

[Breanne_O]

2 hours ago, Mmindy said:

Congratulations, and best wishes as you move forward.

 

Mindy🌈🐛🏳️‍⚧️🦋

 

Thanks, Mindy.