My Timeline (w/photos)

[EllieM]

I am truly overwhelmed, Sarah... what an inspirational saga, thank you so much for sharing your journey. The drug store incident had me in tears, honestly, it made my day. You look so pretty, Sarah, and the positive vibes emanating from this whole thread are so uplifting. Wow.
<3

[Sarah Anne]

@EllieM - Thanks Ellie! The drug store story was indeed one of those moments I'll never forget. Thank you for reading!

@Jenny07 - How are YOU doing hon?! You've been by my side through the whole thing and your comments about going it alone often make me reflect on what an awesome wife I really do have. I honestly can't imagine going it alone. Even if you do or do not have an SO, I hope you at least have family or close friends that you can share your joys and sorrows with. At least there are places like Susan's! I really do hope you are doing well!!

And Shannon...if I don't post for awhile, you always invoke me back to updates again! Thank you! As for advice...if it feels right, do it! lol! This is such an individualized thing...we all feel that broad spectrum of emotion that drives these types of transition. What is important to one may not have any influence on another. So of course my plan of attack may not be appropriate or even plausible for others. I got lucky...I really did. Far more will not have things go their way. Before I started, I would be very envious by some stories and wish that it could only go half as good for me. My therapist was vital in helping me cope with the emotions and giving me nudges when I didn't have the courage to try something. Getting a good therapist is yet another bit of advice I can't stress enough.

[spx_1112]

Sarah Anne. I can't speak for everyone but you are very motivating and inspirational.  What a beautiful butterfly.  How does it feel to be treated like a woman and ma'am all the time now?  How does it feel to be Sarah Anne 100% with all your various doctors and therapist?  How does it feel to get manis and pedis?  How does it feel to be rid of boxers/briefs in favor of panties?  To see everyone accepting you is wonderful.  Do you miss not being able to menstruate ovulate and become pregnant?  What about breastfeeding?  Thanks so much for your posts.  Hugs

[Sarah Anne]

Hi Shannon,
To answer your questions as best I can....

"How does it feel to be treated like a woman and ma'am all the time now?" - I've been treated like a woman for quite some time now. Though at times, it catches me off guard. But it was my objective and it feels right so I am pretty darn happy about it!
"How does it feel to be Sarah Anne 100% with all your various doctors and therapist?" - I've been Sarah to my therapist since my 2nd session. But the doctors wont do it until you're legal so I am quite happy to have that finally in place as well.
"How does it feel to get manis and pedis?" - I have never had either one of those. I take great care of my own nails and I've never had the urge to let someone else do. I don't see it happening.
"How does it feel to be rid of boxers/briefs in favor of panties?" - A little restricting sometimes...but that's the way it is now!
"Do you miss not being able to menstruate ovulate and become pregnant?  What about breastfeeding?" - ummm...Honestly I can't miss what I never had. And I have absolutely no need to experience those things. I know there are some people that would love to have "the entire experience", but I'm not one of them. My wife says its not fair that I don't have endure a period and thereby I get the best of both worlds. To a degree, she is right.

[mm]

Yes, whole menstruation process that cis women go through is only useful if they want to get pregnant otherwise who wants to deal with bleeding 4-7 days every month.  They have to deal with the mess, pain, and emotional problems each month.  I am looking forward to getting on t and ending mine.

[llerret]

No HRT? OMG

[Sarah Anne]

Hi llerret,
No, I am 17 months HRT 

[spx_1112]

Sarah Anne. My breasts are tingly and tender.  I think they are growing more.  I struggle with my gender dysphoria.  I think I am becoming bi curious. What about you? 

[Sarah Anne]

I am pretty set in my ways. However, I do notice that I view men differently now...I might give a personal rating score to a guy in my head and I've NEVER done that before.   But I have not found a growing attraction or interest in being with a man. I really have absolutely no drive or desire and I like it that way. My wife is my world and I don't ever want that to change.

Where in the rest of the animal kingdom, the male is typically far more beautiful...in the human world, we don't even come close! LOL!

[930310]

Where in the rest of the animal kingdom, the male is typically far more beautiful...in the human world, we don't even come close! LOL!

Sorry if I'm being stupid here and marking a word. But when you write "we" I get the impression that you are refering to yourself as a "male". I know that you are a woman, and a pretty one at that, so I personally believe that using "they" would be better.
But then again it's just me and I believe that you are refering to the whole human world when you write "we".

[Sarah Anne]

You are exactly right! "We" was meant as a collective to the human race. I have not considered myself male for almost a year. Well not that I ever did, but you know what I mean.  "They" would have also worked...

And thank you very much by the way for your comments!!

[spx_1112]

Hi Sarah Anne it's Shannon

How about Q&A with Sarah A?

You have been transitioning and on hormones for nearly two years.
What's been the best and worst part?
Are you taking pills or shots?
Are your breasts still growing?
Any new physical or emotional changes?
How often do you see your therapist and doctors?
What are your favorite items of clothing?  Jewelry? Heels?
Sandals?  Wedges?  Perfumes?  Makeup?
Do you consider yourself bisexual?
How is your job?
How is your marriage?
Are you more emotional?
What are your favorite tv shows and movies?
How do you pamper yourself?
Any summer trips planned?

I have so many more questions.  More later...

Hugs

[Sarah Anne]

Hi Shannon, wow...that's a LOT of questions! I'll take a stab at them...

You have been transitioning and on hormones for nearly two years.
What's been the best and worst part? - Well, the absolute best part is watching yourself change before your very eyes! I still take each dose with the same excitement as my first. Yet I am certain that will diminish over time. The worst part is all the negative health issues that can arise from long term high dosages. So far, my body has handled it well, but I worry at every blood test that something will go wrong.

Are you taking pills or shots? - I am taking oral. My endo prefers this method if the body has no issues.

Are your breasts still growing? - yes they are! I still haven't graduated to a B cup, but I think it's getting close to the time.

Any new physical or emotional changes? - yes, getting a lot more fat storage in the thighs. It's finally starting to give me better shape in pants or tighter skirts. Emotionally, I have remained pretty even through the whole thing. I don't believe that HRT has affected my emotions as some report. I was expecting it, but it didn't happen.

How often do you see your therapist and doctors? - I see my endo every 4 months. I stopped seeing my therapist after my name change was complete. He and I discussed that my goals had been met and we were done. However, I have an open invitation to return at any time for any reason that may arise.

What are your favorite items of clothing?  Jewelry? Heels?
Sandals?  Wedges?  Perfumes?  Makeup? - You can look over all my photos and see my choice of clothing style. I usually dress very conservatively and office casual is my favorite. I still don't miss an opportunity to relax in comfy jeans and sneakers. I don't like heels because they make a tall me even taller. Though I do wear them from time to time based on my outfit. I love my flats and keds. I use several lines of makeup from Revlon and L'Oreal (and even a few Mary Kay items).

Do you consider yourself bisexual? - Nope, I am still not attracted to men. I do look at them differently now, but I've never had the urge to flirt.

How is your job? - My job is awesome! Being in a high school setting made me worry about the kids (flashbacks to my OWN high school days)! I know many of the kids know I transitioned last summer but I am convinced that 3/4 of them have no idea! Maybe I am wrong, but I haven't heard any negative comments yet. And I only worked with the staff for 6 months last year before I transitioned at work. Today, sometimes they still say HE or HIM and that really bothers me. I understand when I hear it from my family as they have known me forever. But the people that have only known me 6 months prior should have the pronouns fixed. When I hear he or him, I get self conscious that I am not presenting well. But I have never been misgendered in public or by new people that have only met Sarah. And I know the day is coming, but I have yet to hear one negative comment about my transition since I publically announced it! Sure my in-laws had trouble wrapping their heads around it, but today it's business as usual with them.

How is your marriage? - I love my wife with every fiber of my being. We just went to a little bed and breakfast to celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary. We smiled at each other to learn we weren't the only lesbian couple staying there In my town, we are still a VERY rare thing to see!!

Are you more emotional? - No, I still cry at the same things that made me cry before and I still laugh at the dumb things that made me laugh before. I do smile a lot more and I still stop any time I pass a mirror to say "OMG, that's ME!!"

What are your favorite tv shows and movies? - Favorite movie is The Lion King. I am VERY Disney oriented and planned on having a career with them. However, life didn't head in that direction. I like TV shows like The BlackList and Nashville. But anything Disney is a sure fire bet as I own stock in the company too. Yes, Frozen was awesome

How do you pamper yourself? I don't. Pampering myself would be a handful of chocolate at the end of a workday if I had to pick something. I can't afford to pamper myself...this whole thing has cost me a freakin' fortune!!

Any summer trips planned? Nope, I'll work all summer like I did last year.


Finally, here's a recent pic just to keep everyone updated. I am up about 15 lbs from my pre-winter weight and I don't like it. But I'm still 25 lbs down from where I started this whole process. This is the first I wore polka dots and I gotta admit, I kinda liked it!




Thanx for asking...hope you and everyone else at Susan's is doing well!! ^_^

Sarah

[EllieM]

oooh! Sarah! Très cute, la robe à pois!

[spx_1112]

?s

Do you plan getting an orchi?  What about SRS?  Where do you shop for your bras?  Have you been fitted or does you wife help with everything? 

[Emily1996]

Sarah is my sister's name but she's Sara without the h, you look wonderful!

[spx_1112]

Happy summer everyone.  Sarah what's the latest with you?  Hugs Shannon

[Sarah Anne]

Hi Shannon and Happy Summer to everyone else too!
As far as what's up in my world, just had my 2nd mammogram and everything seems fine. Since I am approaching 42, my endo wants one done annually because of the high doses of E. The spotting from my breasts has started to subside and I rarely see any markings inside my bra when I take it off. It used to be a daily thing but now it's maybe just a little dot or two once a week.

My weight is still up and I really had plans to work it off this summer but with my work schedule, it just isn't happening. Though my doc did say if I wanted more hips and larger breasts, putting on weight was one thing I could do. Even though he did not actually condone that I do it, he said it was worth a shot. So the photo below was a week or two ago at the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. My dad, almost looking proud to be standing with his 2nd daughter As you can see, I'm finally starting to get some shape...it's been a slow process, but clothes are beginning to fit MUCH better than they ever have before!! ^_^

[Shantel]

You're so pretty Sarah Anne, nice shape really, and what a neat guy your dad is huh?

[Sarah Anne]

Thanx Shantel! And out of everything I was faced with during my transition, my dad was the one I was worried about the most! He was perhaps the most surprising thing to come out of the whole process!!