Newbe here Hello Ladies.

[bethany]

Oh my, where do I begin.

I guess the beginning is the best place.
My name is Bethany.

I have known about this side of me since I was about the age of five. I would go "play" in my mother's ceder closet. As I grew older the need to dress increased but it was never a sexual thing it just felt right.

My life is a bit different than most as I am starting this journey a bit older than I wish, but then again better late than never. The reason I am starting later is because of other health issues and some of the side effects scared me, and they still do. But I need to be happy in life first and that is one thing I wasn't.

I have a form of Muscular Dystrophy and so I am confined to a wheelchair.
So I am susceptible to blood clots. I also live in a nursing home where I get the care and help I need, so i know that I will be closely monitored.

I have been seeing a therapist since I been here, (just under 2 years) Though he is not a specialist in Transgender is was very helpfull in helping me and we learnt a lot together.

Back in November I made an appointment with a local LGBT clinic.
Had all my blood work done where I live.

Anyway Yesterday  I had my first appointment with a Doctor at the clinic. It was the best appointment I ever had. My doctor was incredible. We talked about her concerns with me. ( Blood clots, among others )
She has started me on an Antiandrogen along with a very low dose estrogen.
I am still waiting for the pharmacy to deliver the medications to the home.
So my first dosage should happen sometime between tomorrow and Tuesday.
I cant wait.

Hugs
Bethany

[Ms. OBrien CVT]

Hi Bethany,

Welcome to our little family. Over 9789 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 sister.

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

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Janet 

[Catherine Sarah]

Hi Bethany,

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.

Good to see you are not alone here. There are a few members of our family in a similar situation as yourself. I hope they make contact with you soon. Congratulations on making the biggest decision in your life. The freedom and liberation gained from accepting yourself is truly magic.

If blood clotting is a problem, one of our family, Jenny posted an interesting link regarding HRT implants. As soon as I find it, I'll post it here for you. It deals with some advantages and disadvantages of same.

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

Lotsa huggs
Catherine

P.S. Found it

http://www.collegepharmacy.com/images/download/BHRTPelletFAQ.pdf

[Cindy]

Hi Bethany,

Great to hear from you and I'm so glad you are getting support in the nursing home. That is great!!!

My wife lives in a nursing home because she need continual treatment so I have an inkling of what it is like.

I'm in a rather hot South Australia.

Cindy

[Jamie D]

Very pleased to meet you, Bethany!  And a sunny welcome from southern California.

[bethany]

Thank you all for the warm welcome. I wish I had found this site sooner.
Last night my hormones arrived from the pharmacy. So today I will take my first dosage. I'm so excited.

Also I should tell you the the support I have frome the workers here is unbelievable. I honestly think that some of the aids are more excited than I am. LOL
And my family and friends are behind me except for one who drags religion into it. but I still love her as we both been there for each other for a very long time, well before I told any one about me being TG.

Wow I can be long winded at times

Hugs
Bethany

[Cindy]

Thank you all for the warm welcome. I wish I had found this site sooner.
Last night my hormones arrived from the pharmacy. So today I will take my first dosage. I'm so excited.

Also I should tell you the the support I have frome the workers here is unbelievable. I honestly think that some of the aids are more excited than I am. LOL
And my family and friends are behind me except for one who drags religion into it. but I still love her as we both been there for each other for a very long time, well before I told any one about me being TG.

Wow I can be long winded at times

Hugs
Bethany

You certainly haven't read my posts then

Hugs and:



Happy New Birthday

[Catherine Sarah]

Wow I can be long winded at times

WOW, Bethany,

You think that's long winded. Just wait till you get a bit of Oestrogen in you. You'll be writing pages, just to answer "Yes"   

And if you don't believe me, just read some of my Sister's, above mentioned posts. When she first came here, you'd be guaranteed one word answers to complex questions. Now you get a thesis on what should I wear.  

Huggs
Catherine

[bethany]

Well my last post was done on my ps3 while I was still in bed and typing it out on the controller took longer than typing it out on the keyboard so it seemed much longer than it actually was.

Anyway I just took my first dosage and I'm floating on a cloud. I can't belive I finally made it to this point. Someone pinch me please.

[Cindy]

  see Catherine I can have a short post

Hugs Bethaney

[Catherine Sarah]

Anyway I just took my first dosage and I'm floating on a cloud. I can't belive I finally made it to this point. Someone pinch me please.

Congratulations and welcome to the Sisterhood, girl.

No pinching allowed, it IS real!!   And the fun has only just, begun.

Huggs
Catherine

P.S. Call by later and pick up your prize for that epic effort on your PS3.  I wouldn't even considered the thought.

[bethany]

Congratulations and welcome to the Sisterhood, girl.

No pinching allowed, it IS real!!   And the fun has only just, begun.

Huggs
Catherine

P.S. Call by later and pick up your prize for that epic effort on your PS3.  I wouldn't even considered the thought.

Thank you  Catherine, and what do i get for a prize? lol
Hugs
Bethany

[Catherine Sarah]

Thank you  Catherine, and what do i get for a prize? lol
Hugs
Bethany

Just wait and see. I guarantee you'll love it    Tell me when it arrives.   

Huggs
Catherine.

[bethany]

Now you got me curious, Will I have to wait long? LOL

Hugs
Bethany

[Catherine Sarah]

Now you got me curious, Will I have to wait long? LOL

Hugs
Bethany

Hi Bethany,

No, you won't have to wait too long. Unfortunately I didn't have time to wrap it. But on a low dose HRT, just keep tabs on how your thinking starts to change  to a different way of life. It's then you'll see the prize arrive. Told you you'd love it. 

Huggs
Catherine

[bethany]

I've got a question. How do I ask my dad to stop calling me son? I know its weird for him and all, as he have been calling me that for almost 47 years now. And I am his only child so I really can't imagine what he thinks about me transitioning. All I know is it's got to be hard on him.

Hugs
Bethany

[Catherine Sarah]

Hi Bethany,

That has to be one of the hardest questions to ask. Typically it takes an enormous amount of grace, dignity and respect in simply asking your Father to respect your decision to do what is the best for yourself.

Don't expect he ever will. Should he though, count your blessings. Obviously the more he sees, hears and knows Bethany the better the chances.

My Mother simply refuses to acknowledge her now, daughter, regardless of what legal documents have been changed. I'm not sure how she will handle me post operatively, but that is all totally her choice and her choice alone. It's some how paradoxically strange, she has always, wanted a daughter. I've know this since my youth.

Good luck
Huggs
Catherine

[bethany]

HI Catherine,

Thank you for your reply to my question. I still get called by my birth name and for now I'm fine with that, but the other day when my dad came to visit me we were talking about what I am going through : which was really good for us I think. But at the end of the conversation he gave me a hug told me that he is behind my decision though he does not fully understand the need for me to do this. Then he said I will always be his son.  I cringed inside hearing this and then replied with "child" I didn't want to use the word daughter just yet. So that's why I  asked that question

Hugs
Bethany

[Catherine Sarah]

Hummm. Seems to be a pretty typical reaction.

After all your Fathers generation is coming from a difficult place. In his days, transitioning simply just didn't exist. Couldn't happen. That's fairytale stuff. We know better and generations on, now all understand the feasiablity of it all.

My Mother is exactluy the same. "She'll always love me a her son." Her issue, she has to work through that one herself. Until such time, I just have to bear it.

Had an interesting phone call from her the other day. Answering the phone, she said,"Is that you <wife's name>. (Me) No. it's Catherine, your daughter." And without breaking stride she said, "So that's you <my previous name>. (Me) Yes. It's Catherine"

Funny thing I realised, I come complete with her genes. Neither of us are willing to give in   Even as a child, she always said I was stubborn. I though, determined, was a more apt description. 

At least your Father has heard you out. May take time for him to process it. You have to give him credit for at least discussing the matter and not going into absolute denial.

Do you dress as Bethany in front of him?

Hope your journey continues to grow and develop with a passion.

Huggs
Catherine

[Cindy]

Hi Bethany,

There are many ways of taking this problem and of course we all find ways around it. Catherine well keep plugging away as he does and nothing will deter her. In your case your Dad may come around as he realizes that you are getting comfy being you. And of course as your carers use your correct name and title.

I have a funny situation, and I do mean funny. I have realized over the last few weeks that I just don't pass as a guy any more. People who know me no longer recognise me unless they have been introduced, they just walk past me as if I'm a stranger. I do not mean that rudely.

I picked my wife up from the nursing home on Sunday and when we were leaving a carer who knew Rebecca and not I (there are not many in that group) saw us leaving. She said Hi Rebecca is this young lady taking you out for the day? Rebecca says this is P my husband, carer says, yes I'm sure. You ladies have a nice day. And walks off.

Rebecca was a bit upset by it, I thought it was hilarious but I couldn't laugh too much in case it upset her.

There are many ways to take what we go through, if you can with a laugh and a joke all the better; personally I have cried too many F'ing tears of sorrow.  I now keep my tears for laughs and of course for the effect of E 

Hugs

Cindy