Hello everyone. Just a quick introduction. Came here at the recommendation of a friend. Am a trans woman living in Southern California. The past few months have been a whirlwind of activity in the direction my life is going. Been "dealing with" trans related things since 8, but looking back I can see that was actually being affected at earlier age. After a hard youth and adolescence, I finally started on to the road of acceptance and began transition in '96-97, but stopped to raise two daughters as a single parent. Timing was just not right at that point and had someone I respect greatly bring me down from the disappointment of that period.
It seems that the need to change always residing in a conscious level was hard enough, but at times it would become almost unbearable. A few months ago I started working with a therapist and she has been great! Her first observation, I am as ready as ever to transition now. All of the reflection required to make the decision was done and she recognized that things are already in motion.
One thing she did ask that brought me up short is "What is different this time where you feel compelled to act"? We delved in to that and some major changes in family health seem to have brought me to this point.
Know the ins and outs and am ready to work to bring myself out in to the open. She green lighted hormones, though that was just a formality. My physician of 15 years already started me down that path regardless. Through natural methods, I have been able to alter my hormonal balance...thought I was just imagining it until my doctor showed me the results of blood testing. He told me I am well underway into HRT even if not participating yet. He approved the referral for in network endo care and I start that on the 20th.
This has always seemed a bit of a dream really...always feeling out of reach before. Even in 1996 while on HRT, it was not like it is now. Call it maturity or experience, I am determined to make it and instead of a "damn the consequences" attitude. I am making inroads into the community at large and building a support structure to keep me on the best path possible.
So here I am. Katherine has always been me and now she is openly appearing for all to see,