Howdy

[ZombieDog]

I've posted a couple times but never really introduced myself.  Firstly, I'm FtM.

It's been about 4 years since I realized something wasn't right with my gender but I've only just recently gotten up the courage to do anything about it.  I just returned from seeing my therapist and he's going to write my letter this week so I can see my doctor about starting hormones.

I first discovered that I was possibly trans while playing an online video game.  I rolled a male character and after awhile started wondering why I was so much happier on him than on any other characters.  I was so happy when people thought I was a guy and I loved looking the way I did, even if it was only pixels.  I started looking into it, unaware that women could even become men.  I didn't even know that transition could be so successful and people could really pass.  My research intrigued me, even if it started only with Wikipedia.  I let fear and uncertainty prevent me from doing anything about it for a long time, though each year the feeling got stronger that I felt I should be a man rather than a woman.

Finally I had had enough.  A friend encouraged me to tell the therapist I was already seeing for anxiety about my gender issues.  After trying for several sessions to tell her, I finally did.  She wasn't as supportive as I'd have liked but she gave me the best advice I could have asked for: she told me to try and find a support group for transsexuals.  I moved and stopped seeing her but finally, after a few months I took her advice and found a local group and started going.

Things have been going better than I could have ever hoped.  I found a new therapist and came out to my parents.  They took it well and I'm going to be starting hormones soon.  I have a supportive boyfriend who attends meetings with me.

I hope to make some new friends here and maybe help some people out with what little experience I have.

[Ms. OBrien CVT]

Hi ZombieDog,

Welcome to our little family. Over 8830 strong. That would be one heck of a family reunion.

Feel free to post your successes/failures, Hopes/dreams.  Ask questions and seek answers. Give and receive advice.

But remember we are family here, your family now. And it is always nice to have another brother.

And be sure to check out these links ( MUST READS )

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Janet 

[justmeinoz]

Hello and welcome from the bottom of the world.   
It sounds like things are progressing well for you.  I can appreciate a bit of what you have been through as my son transitioned a few years before me (why have a normal family eh?  )  and is living happily as a typical country bloke in a rural city on the mainland. 
If you can bond with your father over football or whatever you will slip into guy mode easily.

Karen.

[Catherine Sarah]

Hi Zombie Dog,

Another big Aussie welcome to Susan's family. It's good of you to drop in and say "Hi". Hope you like it here, and you stay for a while.

There is a mountain of information, resources and friendship waiting for you here, you just need to jump in start talking and asking any type of question

What you've experienced to date is quite normal. Nothing to be worried about, just something you need to work through with a professional therapist, which you have already done. Irrespective of the outcome, you've made the right choice.

Looking forward to hearing more of your story in time to come, but in the meantime, be safe, well and happy.

Lotsa huggs
Catherine

[Devlyn]

Hi ZombieDog, its nice to meet you! I live near Boston. We're glad you found the site. See you around, hugs, Devlyn

[Jamie D]

Don't feel bad, ZombieDog, it took me more than a month to post my own intro.

Welcome to Susans Place.

[ZombieDog]

The ZombieDog hungers for ALL brains!

And candy.

[gennee]

Welcme to Susan's, Zombie Dog. Good luck in your transition.