My life can start now

[Simon]

Hi everyone, I'm Simon a 31 year old transguy who lives in the Southern United States. I've been living full time since I was 17 but due to first having economic difficulties and then being diagnosed with a rare cancer causing illness put a huge kink in my transition.

It was kinda like a double edged sword because the illness I have gave me a benign androgen producing tumor which allowed me to live without synthetic hormone injections. However, the same disease has also put a halt on my transition for a long time (I've had multiple surgeries related to it) and made me feel like an outcast in the Transgender community.

That being said I am getting a complete hysto next month and starting T injections. I'm also in the process of saving for top surgery with Dr. G in Florida but that will be a year or two in the future. The only thing missing from my life is talking to those who understand what this journey of self discovery entails.

That's why I am here and I hope to talk with many of you soon.

[Ms. OBrien CVT]

Hi Simon,

Welcome to our little family. Over 9036 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 

[Kupcake]

Hi Simon.

It's a pleasure to meet you.  I'm just a new arrival here, myself, but I thought I would extend a hand in greeting.

I'm sorry to hear about your illness and things being put on hold.  I've never had a major illness, so I don't know if I can fully understand the difficulty you've gone through these last few years.  But I think a lot of us can sympathize with the general feeling that circumstances beyond our control have at times halted our progress toward realizing the identity we wish to pursue.

I hope that things are now on the right track for you, that you can move forward toward your goals.  We're certainly willing to help talk you through it here.

- Kupcake

[Simon]

Thank you both for the warm welcome.

Kupcake, welcome to you as well and I wish you the best on your journey.

I'm sure many people due to money and/or family issues have had to pause their transitions. My illness, which I'm strangely afraid to spell out here because I associate with a lot of people online who have it and some funky google search might bring this forum up if I type it here (paranoid much...I know).

I've tried in the past going to meetings and making trans friends to no avail. I really don't talk about transgender issues much. It's almost as if talking about it means I spend more time thinking about it. That just brings up old issues and fears. It's something I'm working through.

[Kupcake]

I'm not an expert on being transgender, but I've dealt with fear quite a bit.

I wasted a few years letting myself be broken by my past and the things still happening to me.  I learned a few things about life at least, though.  There's always both good and bad in it.  It's ok to be afraid.  Sometimes it's even ok to act on your fear.  Not every moment is made for confronting what's coming at us.  Sometimes we should play it safe.

The only thing which you should never let fear do is paralyze you.

I don't want to sound presumptuous.  I have no idea what things you need or want to talk about, and given my very limited perspective, I have no way to understand how difficult your individual issues are for you.  But don't be afraid to give it a shot and talk it out a little, even if it's in the vaguest of terms.  You can start here, and if you feel comfortable, maybe you can talk to people in the real world about it.  At the very least, we'll listen, for whatever that's worth.

[Holly P]

Warm welcome and Hugs Simon!  And I am soooo sorry to hear of your illness.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.  Hoping you find what you need here - and you are NEVER an oucast!  (I would have rather spent my Thanksgiving with THIS Family, thank you very much!)  I don't have the experience you might be looking for, but am always here to listen. I am looking forward to hearing from you on your journey.  Welcome!
Peace, Holly

[Catherine Sarah]

Hi Simon ,

A 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 ask any question you like. You're quite safe here and we are very accepting.

Glad you found us, because there are plenty here just like you, and are wanting to make friends. I love your guinea pig. They are the cutest pet anyone can have. (Apart from Ms.OBriens hampsters of course)

Hope all your other medical issues are behind you and you can move forward in total confidence.

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

Lotsa huggs
Catherine

[gennee]

Hello Simon and welcome.

[Devlyn]

Hi Simon, it's nice to meet you! Northeast US here, Boston. See you around the site, hugs, Devlyn

[beabela]

Hello Simon,

I'm also a new arrival here, and in fact in transgenderland, as I just recently went full-time. I value connecting my past to my present. Like you, an illness delayed my transition greatly. Now that I've gone full-time, my life has not started, or restarted with transition, but rather my life continued with my same friends, and same work, except it's now more colorful, more integrated, and less hollow. Hugs, Beatrice