Realistically I think it depends to an extent where you are in the world. Some countries (for example the UK) have come a long way in more recent times, others have a way to go, hence I suspect Natasha's story. Her halting english leads me to suspect she is from a country which is less understanding.
That said in 1965 I began my rather slow childhood transition. Yes it did happen back then, but it was more haphazard than these days because basically what happened was that I was given the freedom to explore gender expression, but without the availability of puberty blockers I think they relied on the fact that at 16 or 17 biology would eventually force me back into line. It happened to some extent, but I promptly set about escaping again, retransitioned and had GRS in my mid 20's in the mid 1980's.
Well I can honestly say that I never looked back. Thats not to say it was easy, but for me it has been worth it.
Then again I probably had less to lose than you, so its an unanswerable question really. Bottom line is none of us knows what lies down the road not taken, so you have to MAKE the road you do take into the right one.
I've had an interesting life, I've had a highly successful career, a long and beautiful relationship which only ended when I was widowed, and now in my twilight years I'm studying medicine, so despite what I said earlier i'm actually going to find out about the road not taken because I'll get to be a doctor, which is what I would have done if I hadnt been trans...
seems like fate gave me back those years after all.
I've lived a very happy life. Not a single atom of what Natasha describes resonates with me, but then life comes with no guarrantees, so if you are asking is Happiness possible I would say yes without hesitation, but if you are asking will YOU be happy, then I cannot answer because so much of it will depend of you, your attitudes, your expectations, and a bit of luck.
