I have been reading the forum for some years now, and finally thought it was about time I created an account
I am 37 years old and have two lovely kids aged 3 and 7. Unfortunately we do not live together anymore. When I came out as the woman I am two years ago, the mother of my children could not accept me, so we split up. Today she has become more accepting, and we cooperate well with the kids. I get to see them as often as I can.
The last two years has been though for me as I struggled getting proper help here in Norway. The public healthcare system is basically treating transgender people like mentally ill, and tries to come up with any reason for not giving the correct diagnosis and prescribing hormones. I also felt that my friends and family was just blaming me for being selfish and not taking responsibility for my kids. The truth is that I had nothing more to give to my kids when I was forced to live as a man. I was just immensely depressed and only survived on auto-pilot, working all the time so I didn't have time to think. In November 2014 I couldn't handle it any more, and got a sick leave from my own company. In Norway, we get 100% sick pay for one year, after that it is reduced quite a lot. I haven't been able to go back to work since, and of course, my company is almost bankrupt now.
After I came out in February 2015, I started living full time immediately. In the beginning things where ok, but after a while I felt frustrated because I did not get the help I was hoping for. So I started using drugs. A lot of drugs. Until finally, last year, I found a doctor that was willing to help me and I got the prescriptions I needed. I have not been using any drugs since last summer.
January 10th 2017 I was born again when I had my SRS done by Dr. Chettawut. This has really changed my life completely. I needed this so much! Now, I am ready to go back to work. I actually sent the first job application 16 hours post op. I had a job interview on Skype the second week post op. Things will work out now, I am motivated and happy. And I am ready to take care of my kids again. Hoping for shared custody eventually.
I am now 6 weeks post-op, and it is healing well. Still a lot of swelling, but dilation is going good, no pain at all. Really looking forward to the summer now
