edit: scroll to the bottom for TL;DR
Feb 6, 2018 Progress Report cont.
Ok, thoughts all collected, words formed, all relaxed and sound(ish) of mind.
Expectations: Problem with insurance, self-pay estimate $250
The Trip
As I left work early full of hope and excitement looking forward to a pleasant road trip with my loving wife I came upon an accident blocking lane of traffic. True to those insidious male hormones still coursing through my system, rather than feeling empathy for those involved I felt the blood rising in my system, frustration and anger building at this
huge delay in my plans. How far is traffic backed up? How long will this take? ARRRGH?? Why don't people pay attention and drive right? (all better now, I hope those involved are OK)
I pulled up at my house, late but not too late. We still have time to load up and get to my appointment. Not ready? What do you mean not ready? Oh well, I'm not really ready either. We both dither around doing nonsensical things rather than just leaving (I mean, Lori doesn't need clothes, right? Let's just go
).
Check the computer for full directions and time estimates, 57 mins to get there. This is using a round-about route to avoid the previously mentioned accident that by now I am sure had miles of traffic backed up. 'Check the clock' as we pull out. hmm, exactly 75 mins until appointment time. We can do this.
Hit the highway, speed limit 70 .. we do 80. It's ok, people are passing us anyways. I turn off at an earlier off-ramp on purpose, any further on the highway and you hit that section famous for afternoon accidents, best to avoid it.
Travel a reasonable side road to get into town, not so bad, normal delays as expected. Back on a main road ... screeech .. full stop. GREAT stuck here in the wrong lane while someone makes a turn across traffic (no turn lane). Huge traffic holes, nope, don't take those let's just sit here longer. GET OFF THE PHONE AND PAY ATTENTION!!. OK, moving finally. Can't trust that lane, move to the other one. ARRRGGHH. We avoid this lane because everyone in it slows waaaay down to make turns. WHERE ARE THE TURN LANES?? DOT sucks.
Finally, we get back on our primary route, whew. Moving forward, all good now .... CRAP! I'm in the wrong lane. GET OUT OF THE WAY!! I'M COMING THROUGH!. Made it. Fight with the GPS some more, I didn't mention that the darn thing didn't want to start? No turn-by-turn, deal with it. Use the printed paper. Check the directions, 100 feet to your turn. No road. WHAT? I look for the road name very closely .. nothing.
We go too far, great, let's just U-turn in heavy traffic .. grrr .. I get back near our main road, again, NO NO!! The turn is behind us, AGAIN!. I pull off ready to pound on my GPS .. and .. the button shows up to start. REALLY?
NOW you show up. Fine. hit start and take me by the hand .. it leads me to a different road. NOPE, it's the right road, the printed paper has the wrong road name on it GRRRR.
TURN HERE!... what do you mean turn here, I'm past it already! Stupid GPS. Another U-turn in traffic. I hate traffic.
'You Have Arrived'
About frickin' time. Time on the road: exactly 60 mins. Blood pressure increase: extreme.
Was the drive really that bad, nope, it was just me and poor anger management. I'm OK. My wife, on the other hand, spent most of the trip studying dirt spots on her window. weird.
Planned Parenthood
We enter not knowing what to expect. hmm, looks like any other waiting room. Let's get ready to wait. SIGN-IN. No problem, scribble scribble. We'll call you. I turn to leave as a lady walks up to the paper, rips off the sticky and directs me through the door. We didn't even get to sit down. cool. OOPS, just me. Lori has to wait.
Basic entry Q/A, until I hear. Preferred name *grin* Faith Nicole, thank you. Preferred pronouns *another grin*, she/her. Thank You. Q/A all done, head back to the waiting room. It's still not appointment time.
sit to talk a few minutes, relax, nope. I hear FAITH NICOLE .. My head swivels, oo, that's me. Nope, just me, Lori has to wait some more.
More detailed Q/A. More background, How long, when, how do you feel. How long have you been presenting as a woman? Amazed look on her face during the multitude of questions. Yep, they are still learning about us. They've only been doing HRT services for 1 year and really want to get things right. No problem, ask me anything. Hand her the printed blood work results. COOL. Head for the room, no more waiting. Lori comes in.
Take vitals, BP, hmm, a little high. I sneak a peek as she heads out. 136/104 SAY WHAT? No way. Dr offices always peak me at 140/90.
Enter the Nurse Practitioner, looks at the BP. WHAT!! That can't be right, stupid machine (paraphrase). I'll do it myself. something over something, I don't remember. Well within normal range anyway, whew.
Information time, we do this, that. It'll do this, that. All things I've researched and read here from other experiences.
Labs are too old, figures, more tests. We can draw the blood and send it in, not a problem. We are only concerned about BP. Based on previous labs you should be just fine. New labs are just to be sure. We'll have the results within a week and send out the prescription that same day. You'll get a phone call to let you know. Make an appointment for 2 weeks after starting for a BP check.
I had to gloss over some of the actual visit. I was all excited and didn't retain any of it. I will say. They were
very friendly and professional at the same time. The two women that were in there talked about things relating to me. In all conversion between each other and to me, absolutely ZERO misname or incorrect pronouns used. My mood improved every time I heard it.
Time to check out. All set to do that $250 .. ick .. Ok, That'll be $70. say what? WOOO. That sounds much better. Oh sorry, I know that's high (no it's not), a normal visit is around $40. This one is high (no it's not) because it's the first visit. (I know lab work will be billed direct from Quest, it always is. No idea what that'll be until we get the bill).
We head out, spring in my step. On the drive out we are talking, (Lori and I obviously), she commented on how much my mood improved. She had noticed as things progressed inside. Yep, I confirmed that I was just shy of being giddy.
We stop and shop a bit on the way home, nothing special just the dollar store.
The drive home was much more pleasant. I was on a high all evening that persists today.
tl;dr
Planned Parenthood - good visit, very nice. I recommend it, at least at this location.
Things look good. Extra lab to be done, should have results in less than a week
Prescription will be issued once labs are reviewed (no problems expected)
By this time next week I should be starting initial low doses of HRT
WOOOOOOO
