The Stephanie Chronicles

[Kendra]

> The 18 month therapy requirement is imposed by the insurance company (Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida), and Dr. Gallagher's office will not even allow a consultation to schedule surgery until that requirement is met.

> My only course of action is to see if the insurance company will change its mind.

> The best I could get was the suggestion to have my doctor write a letter explaining why it was necessary to ask for a waiver on the time requirements, and send it to their grievance and appeals board.

I see three variables here, and I'd be looking into alternatives for two of the three.  Switching insurance companies probably isn't a reasonable option. 

Based on earlier issues I would have already switched primary therapists even if that involves more travel.  Based on principle I'd refuse to suppose a business with that attitude and we aren't just talking about a business - this is your health and well being.  By refusing to let you see referral letters describing your condition your therapist might as well say "I don't trust you."  Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but I am not aware of any professional requirement to withhold this information from you.  Doesn't US law require doctors provide patient records to the patient if the patient asks? 

And I'd look into additional GCS surgeons.  The surgeon you selected has a good reputation but there are several other excellent options in the US.  I'm surprised this surgeon requires all your insurance and therapist requirements have been completed before they will perform an initial consultation.  Is this requirement designed to ensure the best care for you?  Or is it to help the surgeon reduce people visiting multiple surgeons to make a decision - to save the surgeon's time. 

To avoid risk you might want to verify with your insurance company it's ok to obtain a different therapist without restarting the insurance company's 18-month therapy requirement.  I can't imagine that would be a problem (what if your therapist retired?) but worth checking to be certain. 

You could look into these alternatives without actually changing anything.  Find out more, and then decide what is best for you. 

[mm]

Stephanie, I think you got your point across with neighbor D, just have to stand up for yourself and then she understood you meant it.

Dealing with insurance and drs is a challenge these days for all of us. There are reasons for what they do but not the extent of the problems they cause.

[steph2.0]

Today is my rebirthday.

One year ago I took my first HRT dose.



I wasn't yet registered on Susan's.

Full-time was a distant dream.

I wasn't out to anyone but my therapist and my wife and those I ran into at T support get-togethers.

I was sneaking out of and back into the neighborhood if I was dressed, or I would get dressed in the car on the way to a support meeting.

My look was mostly androgynous, and I didn't own any makeup.

I didn't even know my name.

Life was topsy-turvy, but I was exuberant.

Here I am after one short year. I'm full-time, my name change is complete, I'm out to the world, I'm seeing magical changes in my body, I've made all kinds of wonderful new friends, I've traveled all over the country as my true self, I'm going for a consultation for hair grafts and FFS tomorrow, and I'm working slowly toward GCS.

The exuberance is mostly gone, replaced with a more quiet contentment. There are still frustrations and occasional depressive times, but life is finally the way it always should have been.


June 24th, 2017



June 15th, 2018



June 19th, 2018


Stephanie Rhapsody Bensinger

[Northern Star Girl]

Dear Stephanie Rhapsody Bensinger:
Wishing you my heartfelt Congratulations on your One Year HRT Anniversary. 
The pictures that you posted showing your HRT journey are amazing. 
I, along with all of your followers and readers are very happy for you.
Keep us all up to date with your life goings-on....  we need to know!!!

Hugs and well wishes,
Danielle

[KathyLauren]

Wow, Stephanie, you have had quite the year!  It is hard to believe that so much has happened for you in such a short time.  Way to go, and good luck as your journey continues!

[Laurie]

Hi ((((St)(e)ph)an)ie)

  Congrats on a whole year being on magic meds.(they grow boobs) Not only those magical changes in your body, but more importantly those changes is your mind and attitude. The journey is not over, it has only gotten to the slow more aggravating time. Now is when those changes in attitude and acceptance are developed and honed. Your progress has been amazing. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Hugs,
  Laurie

[Cindy]

I have found it interesting and a challenge to deal with the references to the past person. I think it is a topic worth discussion in a separate thread but it can obviously be very traumatic time. I did have a few people who also maliciously set up innocent bystanders in similar ways to what you experienced. Initially I did have problems and the tear ducts where brimming and I didn't know what to do.

In retrospect it is quite easy. I'm not in stealth. I'm happy. I'm me.
I explain;  'Oh your referral was from someone who is tying to be malicious. I'm Cindy and I'm a TG woman who use to go by the name of Peter. Joe Bloggs is trying to embarrass you and insult me. Please don't be embarrassed by him. He isn't worth it. How can I help you, and please call me Cindy.'

I win.
Joe Bloggs loses a client and his attempt to embarrass someone is spread around the client's friends and colleagues.
I win again.

Oh and congratulations Hon on the anniversary!!!   

[Jayne01]

Happy birthday Stephanie!!!! Wow! One year already and so much has been achieved. Congratulations girl! [emoji322][emoji322][emoji322][emoji322][emoji324][emoji324][emoji324][emoji324]

(((((Great big birthday hugs)))))

Jayne

[Megan.]

Yays! Happy Onethaversary [emoji16]. X

Sent from my MI 5s using Tapatalk

[steph2.0]

I received this email from my Mom yesterday:

I just received a long e-mail from my friend... She wrote:

Wow, What a GREAT family picture.  Too Bad that your Son Steve wasn't there to join in... [My Sister] and your niece Stephanie sure look alike . . . thanks for sharing the pictures.

Referring to this picture:



Squeeee!

Stephanie

[steph2.0]

We did it.

Cassie and I finally gathered our courage and decided to display our fabulousness on the beach.

OMG, we actually did it. And it was awesome!







Another milestone for both of us.

Squeee!

Stephanie

[Laurie]

Double SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEs After all I'm squeeing for the two of you.

[Faith]

We did it.

Cassie and I finally gathered our courage and decided to display our fabulousness on the beach.

OMG, we actually did it. And it was awesome!

...

Another milestone for both of us.

Squeee!

Stephanie

Very awesome milestone!! Good for both of you.

I had step of my own, albeit a small one. Lori and I went out to dinner tonight, I wore my long dress. 1st time in public.

[steph2.0]

Very awesome milestone!! Good for both of you.

I had step of my own, albeit a small one. Lori and I went out to dinner tonight, I wore my long dress. 1st time in public.

Fantastic! Way to go, Faith!

So...

Pics or it didn't happen. [emoji16]

[Faith]

Fantastic! Way to go, Faith!

So...

Pics or it didn't happen. [emoji16]

no pics.

We were seated with a 'follow me ladies' and 'this way ladies'
the waitress was always 'how are we doing ladies' etc etc
we were going to ask her to snap a picture but, while she was a very attentive waitress, she took waaaaay too long picking up the check. We were both just ready to go at that point.

[KathyLauren]

We did it.

Cassie and I finally gathered our courage and decided to display our fabulousness on the beach.

OMG, we actually did it. And it was awesome!







Another milestone for both of us.

Squeee!

Stephanie

Woo-hoo!  Looking good, both of you! 

[Jayne01]

Awesome email from your Mum. And way to go rocking those swimsuits with Cassie st the beach. I feel light headed from all the sqeeeeeeeee's.

[Anne Blake]

Stephanie, congratulations to the two of you on your beach breakthrough! And happy first year anniversary, today is my second year anniversary, well done little sister.

Tia Anne

[Laurie]

Stephanie, congratulations to the two of you on your beach breakthrough! And happy first year anniversary, today is my second year anniversary, well done little sister.

Tia Anne

  Congrats to Stephanie and Cassandra.

And another congratulations to you Tia.

Hugs to you all,
  Laurie

[steph2.0]

Stephanie, congratulations to the two of you on your beach breakthrough! And happy first year anniversary, today is my second year anniversary, well done little sister.

Tia Anne

Two years! Congratulations, Tia!

Gosh, I wonder what I'll be doing - and what I'll have done - on my second rebirthday?

Stephanie