Hi everyone, It's my Birthday!!!

[Rachel_Christina]

I think the physical strength thing is more of a mental thing if it appears to hit you right away, but it will deffinitly deminish, as long as you keep it up you will never be terrible, I have seen cis girls who are stronger than me. Just depends the life style.
By boobies are sore and puffy now. And ther is other small changes happening.
Hopefull start laser soon.
I hope you start seeing results from yours to Jenny, pretty insane that after 3 sessions you haven't noticed any loss of hair

[Rebecca]

Ahhh I was that quick rushing about I forgot to say I loved your friends comment. Defo sounds like a good friend to have in your life. Using phone in car park I'll check in soonish.

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[Jenny0713]

Interesting Christine.  Looks like based on your tickerfactory line, I am about a month behind you so I guess my boobies will start changing in about a month from now... 

Yes, your friend is great!  Quite the keeper there.  My friends from my previous life have been very similar.  Nice when they say there is no change in your friendship.

I am starting to think the laser just isn't for me.  I had my 4th session yesterday, and this morning the stubble is pretty much the same as always.  I probably just have too much grey in there.  Bummer.

[Rachel_Christina]

I think i start feeling alot of soreness after 5 weeks, but now they are puffy looking too lol
You know Jenny it was thanks to reading your big post about being who you are, and seeing all the positive comments that made me do it!

Maybe some darker hairs have suffered and you just haven't noticed? Its pity because lasser is supposed to be pretty fast

[Jenny0713]

Ah, that's sweet, Christine!  It has been an incredible ride.  It feels so good to be able to be myself even at work now.  Everyone is so supportive.  Of course those that might not be just pretty much keep it to themselves probably for fear of HR pounding down on them.  Not sure you have the same rules over there regarding discrimination/harassment but it is really nice to think I have HR behind me and I finally can say I don't really fear a loss of my job because of my transition.

My therapist asked me the other day if I have any regrets about beginning my transition.  I told her absolutely not!  It is wonderful finally being able to be myself!

I also sent a note out to my colleges on LinkedIn and I have been reaching out to some of my former co-workers at previous jobs.  Again, nothing but support and/or silence.  Some just have not responded.  No way of telling if that just means they never saw the invite or if they don't approve.  Hard to say.

I definitely don't want to wish my life away so to speak, but I do still wish I could just push a button and make it 6 months or a year from now to see how my transition will be going by then.  I want this so bad!  I wish it wasn't so slow!

Its hard to say on the laser results.  From what I can tell, I don't see any difference.  Mainly, the five o'clock shadow still pops its ugly head out and messes with my makeup.  Of course, that is the end objective.  To get to a point where my beard is non-existent is the end goal but I am afraid I will need electrolysis to get there.  Electrolysis is so expensive though.  Everything about this process is either slow, expensive, painful or a combination. 

[Rachel_Christina]

Its great to observe it for now Jenny :')
I actually don't know how it works here either, though I get on very good with my boss, so in general I should be ok.
Oh I think you should just sit back and relax now Jenny, you have actually delt with the hardest part really.
Me I don't spend much time looking for changes atall. The only thing I can't stop looking at is the hair growth I'm having at the corners of my head, I mean It never receded, it just has always been like that, but now it is actually starting to fill in, hair started as tiny little blondes, and now they are getting darker and longer, I find this to be absolutely amasing! :3
The best thing so far

[Jenny0713]

That is fantastic!  I am on Finasteride and using Rogain so I hope those help me at some point. Would be nice to drop the wig but for now, I have to cover up that huge bald area up there. The hair I do have is getting longer where I can comb it back and almost "cover" the bald area.


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[Rachel_Christina]

Im on Androcur and Estradot 50 at the moment, patches.
It is really working for me.
That would be really nive, I hope you get some regrowth, I'm not sure on the limitations on hair growth from HRT. Seeing regrowth in this area, that has been naked all my life makes me wonder what can happen for others

[Rebecca]

Strength loss definitely gradual so you don't really notice it until you try to do something that was easy but no longer is. In my case I encouraged strength loss by using lower weights. Could certainly train up to whatever level but before just had the strength without having to work at it.

My friend & role model in my aerobics class uses 5kg dumbells and I manage 4kg barely. For resistance bands she uses high and I use medium but with the extra distance I have to pull I think that one evens out.

Like everything you can choose your capabilities. If you want strength you can have it but it will likely be on a use it or lose it basis with maintenance being easy enough but gain will take more effort without T.

[Rebecca]

Got to say that unless they get hit my breasts don't actually hurt only a B cup though so maybe get sore if they bigger later. I have changed from my 24-7 sports bra to a plunge with underwire and a teeny bit of padding during the day (yeah I'm vain and love the tiny boost but I also rock braless on Saturdays). Night time though I'm just a nightie and knickers girl now.

Between life, work and my suddenly massive family I'm so incredibly busy it's unbelievable. Just saw my ticker 8 months cool but pretty much no time to check myself out for changes lol

Sacrificed a few inches of hair though after stylist suggested it was looking a bit mullet-ish. Say no more it's gone. Hair remains slow growing but stylist loves how thick it is and that's probably why it's slower. True and great but I want more more more.

I might just be starting to take things for granted though but probably changed more than I think. Oh although for fun I did a before and after pic side by side and wow no way in hell anyone that didn't know me prior would ever link me to him. Pity I can't run 2 FBs from my mobile. Might look into WhatsApp or something but can't think of a secure way to share it with yous. I'm not as paranoid as I was before but my face next to his that's more than I can do in public.

[Jenny0713]

Try downloading Friendly Social.  It allows you to run multiple accounts at the same time.  Of course be careful with multiple accounts.  They locked me out of my one account.  Facebook policy says only one account per person and it has to be your real name.  Sucks...  I know.

[Rebecca]

Tempted but I best not as they'd probably nail my real account if I set up a dummy one.

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[Jenny0713]

Oh. Sorry. I got the impression you already had 2 FB accounts.


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[Rebecca]

Nope just the 1 but was thinking about doing another to keep in touch with y'all.

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[Jenny0713]

Yes.  Definitely be careful.  Would hate for FB to lock you out of the wrong one.

[Rachel_Christina]

Yea you see ther is girls that are stronger than us, even before hormones, it will take more effort to keep strong though. Managing to get to a B cup in 8 months is pretty good Jerrica, I honestly am aiming for around that, I deffinitly don't want Ds D:
Its so cool you can style your hair, mines is getting quiet long, but I couldn't dare to style it.
Its great you have such thick hair, did you notice regrowth anywher?
I have thick hair too, its so great, I used to pray every night not to loose my hair, and wake up as a girl, I really believe that would one day happen :')
Its my hip to waist ratio is pretty cray too, I'm 28inches in the waist and 37 in the hips, it gives me a ratio of .756
My lower body looks great, its my strong shoulders and arms that are bothering me.

[Rebecca]

Aiming for a C cup which would probably give me what what I've got without the padding in my bra. Anything more would be too much for me I reckon. Being a giant between the push up plunge and the way my waist tapers in really does accentuate my breasts and figure nicely. Does make me focus more on my face especially with the hair cut recently as I don't have enough for a pony anymore but I'm liking having it down although a bit wild at times. So jealous of your hair length Christine it's gorgeous you're so lucky with like everything. My hair will get there eventually but probably be another year nah 6 months but I so suck at waiting.

My voice is variable. It's kinda funny but I've noticed I talk differently depending on who I'm talking to. I don't really do a voice as such but I think as the speech therapy opens up new vocal ranges my brain just seems to drift towards that area. Best news I feel she gave me early on was to be careful not to go too high lol. With my original voice it was that low it was like people had to bend down to hear it so I was delighted that my voice box seemed to have such a wide range of sound available. Still get the occasional Sir on the phone which really annoys me tbh. That said it's the only place and that's probably because they have Mr on computers but Grrrrrrr.

Still I have to say I just go about my life and everything is well normal.

Great news yesterday from hospital they where checking my availability and said I'll be getting my trach "soon". From her tone I'm thinking early October at the latest which is awesome. Can't wait to get that that pineapple sliced and diced as to me it seems enormous. Figure it should heal fast enough for Halloween but either way it's getting done soon so yay.

If they ever make an Olympic even for Wall of Text I think I'll be nailing the gold.

I'll try do some measurements later but worry I might have turned into a chunky monkey since I started eating normal food and drinking wine in plentiful quantities

[Rebecca]

Oh regrowth I don't know tbh but I do remember a hairdresser a long time ago saying I had a lovely hair and a hairline girls would kill for which totally made my year back then ♡

I've got no idea what to look for as I don't remember losing any but my hairline looks the same as my daughters. Slight vamp hairline is best I can describe it.

If I find a safe way to do pics maybe you can tell me.

[Rebecca]

From the praying side I totally did that and I too did pray furiously but eventually the prayer of serenity got me to give in. Y'know the "Give me the strength to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.". After that my I prayed for strength but guess I should have prayed for wisdom instead.

Fortunately my "thing" in Jan'15 brought everything into focus with my usual lament of wishing I found a genie or something to make me a woman then I got a bonus question "If I would accept such a miracle at the hands of magic would I accept it by the hands of man?". That moment changed the world and the rest as they say is history.

Religeon can always be a touchy topic. I identify as Catholic but I kinda reframe a few things. First and foremost the concept of sinning was too complicated so I changed it "A sin is something that hurts someone that doesn't deserve it" I think most rational people would agree with that. As for praying that's cool for a chat but need to remember "There may be pixies there may be elves but God helps those that help themselves." I'll do stuff myself but if any gods want to lend a hand they are welcome to do so if not they should just leave me to it. As for the existence of Gods I say "Gods exist for those that believe in them". Religious wars I find tragic yet hysterical with people killing each other over who has the best imaginary friend. Thinking of it that way really puts things in perspective. In the end people choose their actions and should be held accountable for them by their fellow man if possible but if they sneak by them the idea of some kind of punishment might make people feel better.

Wow I just did the religeon thing hope I didn't break the world or something but figured best to throw my mess out here seeing as we were talking about praying. I'm cool with anyone believing whatever they want or not so long as they at least try not to hurt people. They don't have to be good neutral will do.

I still love the Game of Thrones thing "What do we say to the God of Death?" "Not today!".

[Rachel_Christina]

Thats good Jerrica, the voice being "variable" mines is terrible. Haha.
Yep I am so lucky for my hair, but I kinda wish i didn't notice it, I can't stop checking it now haha,
You are advancing so fast its crazy, trach getting done so soon, lucky you.
I duno what to do about mine, its not too noticeable and its an op that freaks me oyt :S