My Timeline (w/photos)

[NotThereYet]

No suits and ties in the NW, which does not make it necessarily easier, I mean what's" casual", what's" business casual"?

Anyway, I am not sure we are actually "high-jacking" the thread because "making a comfortable living" is 90% of everybody's life, unless, of course, one is independently wealthy. One of my biggest doubts/fears about this journey I am currently on is not whether I am really tag or not, rather how I am going to stay financially secure. I know people who came out way too early and/or did not really fully transition,  I.e. they don't pass very well and now lead a lonely, indigent life, mostly on the Internet. Of course my heart goes out to all of those people, but I do not want to end up being one of them. Thank Gosh my voice must be berry female at this point, at least.

Love,
Andrea

[NotThereYet]

Typo: "tag" above should really be "TG". Sorry about that.

[soulfairer]

No suits and ties in the NW, which does not make it necessarily easier, I mean what's" casual", what's" business casual"?

Anyway, I am not sure we are actually "high-jacking" the thread because "making a comfortable living" is 90% of everybody's life, unless, of course, one is independently wealthy. One of my biggest doubts/fears about this journey I am currently on is not whether I am really tag or not, rather how I am going to stay financially secure. I know people who came out way too early and/or did not really fully transition,  I.e. they don't pass very well and now lead a lonely, indigent life, mostly on the Internet. Of course my heart goes out to all of those people, but I do not want to end up being one of them. Thank Gosh my voice must be berry female at this point, at least.

Love,
Andrea

For many of us the concern gravitates towards financial security, I think that is quite a common denominator for us who transition late. One of the steps we will take as an "enterprise" is to shield me from customers at least up to the point that I am secure, out and unquestionably "safe" about passing. In some cases it is very important or it can hurt business badly, unfortunately. I can see many customers raising eyebrows because of that, just because transgendered people are still stigmatized in my country.

I am working on it hope everything goes all right! And pardon if I made any mistakes here, typing on a cellphone...

[Sarah Anne]

Hi everyone!

I thought I would check back in with my month 3 update. Month 2 was pretty uneventful...but a good bit has happened since then, so here's my report.

I hit 3 months HRT on Feb 5, 2013. As I mentioned last time, my boobs are still pretty sore. Some days it is tolerable while others hurt just thinking about them! My endo added spiro to the mix last month because he felt it was time. So far, my body has accepted the medication without any major drawbacks. I'm still tired and have found that my appetite seems out of control some days. The biggest change I've noticed in the past month has been psychological. I declared to my therapist that I am happier than I have EVER been in my life. He said it is most likely not from direct effects of HRT, but rather an internal happiness that is coming from seeing the changes that HRT is making. I updated my profile photo which is how I looked last week. Below is my 3 month comparison of facial changes from long before I started this quest, to Feb 5th.



As far as my measurements go, my weight has pretty much remained constant. My neck size is down 1.5" from where I started, no real changes in chest measurements and maybe a 1/2" more in the butt area. The biggest surprise was that my height dropped 1/4"! Feet, wrists, calves and all those other parts have remained the same. I didn't notice it myself, but 2 people have told me I've gotten more chatty and descriptive when talking.

Guy mode is gone...and that's still causing issues as I haven't told work or family yet. When I go out in public with someone who doesn't know I'm doing this, it gets awkward when I get ma'amed. Inside, I'm loving the heck out of it while outside I have to explain how that happens a lot because of my hair. My dad told me last week that he doesn't want to be seen with me if I wear it down. He said it took long enough to accept the ponytail, but wearing it down is expecting too much. Needless to say, this is why it's taking so long to come out to family. I asked what he didn't like about it and he said "you look like a girl!" and I said "SO?" and he said "You know I'm set in my ways and if you want to look like that when you're out with your wife, I don't care. But when you're around me, I don't want to see it!" So I am wondering if he is suspecting that I am doing this or if he simply thinks guys look like girls if they have long hair. Surely if I am being perceived as female by the public, he has to see it too. I believe he is simply hoping that he doesn't hear what I'm about to reveal. It can't go unspoken much longer.

So in spite of the anxiety and fear of the unknown waiting for me to tell the world, I am happy as all get out! I love the changes that have occurred so far and I eagerly anticipate those which lie ahead. Everyone says HRT isn't a "magic pill" and I'd have to agree with that statement...but it sure does go a long way in re-tuning your universe and helping your mind and body become one. ^_^

Sarah

[Ms. OBrien CVT]

Looking a your 3 month picture and your avatar, I can see why you get Ma am'ed.  I think you are over due for the great "coming out".

[spx_1112]

Sarah.  Your profile picture is incredible.  Amazing what three months will do on hormones.  Hugs Shannon

[Emily Aster]

I am so glad I didn't start hrt yet. If that happened to me after 3 months, I'd be devastated. I'm nowhere near ready for fulltime (voice) and I'd be forced to do it anyway. Amazing changes.

[Jenny07]

Sarah

Looking fantastic and thanks for the update as I was thinking of you and how things were going just recently.

Don't think boy mode will be possible for much longer based on what I see.
So glad you are happy inside as that is so important.

Good luck with the unspoken issue as full time looks like it could be very soon indeed.

Hugs
Jen

[spx_1112]

Sarah. How quickly did you have knots behind your nipples.    How soon did you have breast buds?  Are you wearing a bra?  What shade is your lipstick?

[Sarah Anne]

@ Ms. O - Thanx....and I know it's long overdue! I am also still trying to get my workplace prepped for it. I started a new position in the beginning of Jan and I've had to meet over 150 new people. Needless to say, I know I've been confusing people left and right and I know everyone is gossiping. But I want them to get to know me and realize my ethics and personality as a valuable asset. It's another reason I don't want to rush coming out there.

@ Emily - In actuality, if you check my earlier posts, I didn't change that drastically from just 3 months on HRT. I started changing my look way over a year ago. But HRT has certainly helped to accelerate the process. It was my fear too which caused me to be very hesitant in starting it but now that I have, I'm glad I did.

@ Shannon - I got knots around week 3 or week 4. Then development started in month 2. I'm getting close to an "A" cup soon, but not quite yet. I do not wear a bra unless I am going out as Sarah. But as I feared, they are starting to show through my normal shirts so I either have to get bigger shirts or start with the sports bra soon.

@Jenny - Thanx!! Yeah, boy mode has gotten pretty tough but I am far less interested in using it these days. Sadly I still have to try and pull it off for lots of reasons. The worse is yet to come I'm afraid...but being true to one's self has become the primary goal.

Sarah

[Sarah Anne]

OH! I forgot to mention this....

This morning I saw my normal family doctor for my normal 6 month checkup. They had new forms to fill out with all your personal info and contact stuff to update their records. So I sat in the waiting room completing it and when I got to the gender area, it said "__MALE    __FEMALE   __TRANSGENDER"
I have NEVER seen TG as an option on any form anywhere before!! This is indeed a sign that times...they are a changin'! LOL!
I proudly marked that box! ^_^

[Jamiep]

@Sarah,

In your avatar, you are Beautiful & your Happy look makes it appear you are going to jump out of the screen!

I have just started with a lgbt friendly GP, & like you found out I was surprised when I saw the medical application form it had a transgender box & an other box. I Happily marked the TG box.

Hugs

Jamie

[spx_1112]

How was your GP doctors appt?  Were you treated as Sarah?  How was the breast exam?

[kathy bottoms]

Sarah: You are looking really great.

This morning I saw my normal family doctor for my normal 6 month checkup. They had new forms to fill out with all your personal info and contact stuff to update their records. So I sat in the waiting room completing it and when I got to the gender area, it said "__MALE    __FEMALE   __TRANSGENDER"
I have NEVER seen TG as an option on any form anywhere before!! This is indeed a sign that times...they are a changin'! LOL!
I proudly marked that box! ^_^

Kinda nice to have some parts of the medical world recognize that we exist. 

Kathy

[Kayle Sky]

Ok, just read your entire post. So amazing and inspiring!  I can hardly wait to see how I look as I lose the weight like you did. Whatever you did was magic. Thank you for sharing your story. I hope things are going well for you still. I feellike I have been invited into something amazing by you sharing, and again you are amazing!

[Sarah Anne]

Hi again!
The 4th month checkpoint has cleared and it's been a BIG BIG one!

First off, I owe a reply to my latest comments...
@JamieP - TY so very much! I also look forward to seeing TG as an option on forms going forward!

@spx_1112 - My GP does not treat me as Sarah but then I have never requested it...nor would he
ever give me a breast exam.

@Kathy b - TY! And yes....to even see that on a form in the "neck of the woods" I live in, it's impressive

@Kayle Sky - Wow!! TY for those glowing comments! As I have mentioned before, from reading a few
other storeys from people that shared in-depth what the process was like, it gave me the courage to
go after it myself. I always thought at my age, there was no point to try because I couldn't change
anything drastically enough to make this happen. I was wrong! Go after it! See what magic you
can perform yourself! I still have a long way to go on the journey...but getting a good start
makes all the difference!

March 5 marked my "4th" month on HRT. As usual, below is a comparison photo of pre vs. now.


Changes this month have literally been through the roof. My skin has dramatically softened in the
past 30 days and my annoying acne has finally started to clear up. My breasts still hurt like hell
and I am about an A cup ...no real growth, but they are changing shape. Emotional experiences have
been the biggest change this month. I finally started to feel a bit calmer and I cry at the drop of
a hat. Everything just feels so right...it's hard to describe but I know many of you know what I'm
talking about. Body hair has started to slow down a bit...and my days between shaving have
gotten longer. 

But perhaps the BIGGEST news is that I came out to my father and sister 2 days ago. I thought
both of these would be a death sentence to our relationship and I couldn't have been more wrong!
Though neither one is overly thrilled about it, they both told me that nothing changes and that
I have their complete support. My dad said that had I told him this 20 years ago, his reaction would
have been much different. But he admitted that he has seen a lot and had a lot of enlightenment
in the past several years. He is 76. Telling my family was a HUGE step in my transition. There are
still several more to get through and I am waiting until summer to inform my employer.

So month 4 has been pretty big! I'm still happy, excited and overjoyed by this process!
Until next time...

Sarah

[Carrie Liz]

Absolutely fantastic results! Yay, hormones!

[spx_1112]

Sarah its Shannon.  Fantastic news about your family feelings and feminization.  Are your breasts still tenting or rounding?  Are they darkening?  No pain no gain.  Hugs

[Kayle Sky]

You give me hope. I so look forward to fallowing in your footsteps in transitioning. I just wish that at 31 I was blessed with your hairline. I have the M hairline right now and have to sport the wigs until I can see about meds. I can hardly wait for your next update. Night and day changes and you are astonishingly beautiful and I am jealous of your families tolerance.

[Sarah Anne]

@Liam - Thanx!! Since I planted the seed, it has been trickling down through extended family on its own.
I haven't heard from anyone else yet, but I am only concerned by those who matter most...and they are
standing beside me!

@Shannon - Yep, they hurt...but no darkening yet. Still just growing.

@Cheetaking - Yay hormones indeed!!! ^_^

@ Kayle Sky - My hairline was just starting to hit "that" stage so it's yet another reason I decided to
get started on this before I lost any more. Thanx for following my journey! I have cleared my immediate
family but I still have the in-laws to win over. I have a strong feeling that it will not go as well as I
have not known them that long. If they choose to distance themselves from me, I will get over it...
but I would feel horrible if it affects my wife's relationship with them. Your profile photo is beautiful!
I don't think you have to worry about anything going forward!