Hi I’m Nicole

[Nicole70]

Hi, I have been reading posts on Susan's for some time, I now think it's time to introduce myself and join in because I'm feeling more confident in myself lately.

I am 47 years old living in Adelaide, Aus. I felt like a girl from around 5 years old, I cross-dressed in secret from an early age and hid my feeling from everyone until around a year ago at which point, after many therapy sessions for depression and deep unhappiness in myself I found the courage to reveal my true feelings.

I am married to a wonderfully supportive wife, and have three children, I have come out to my family and friends and don't mind anyone else knowing, on the whole, apart from surprise, all have been kind and accepting. My wife and I love each other and I'm so thankful she wants us to stay together.

I live as my female self full time at home and with friends, I go out dressed as a woman when I feel confident enough, which isn't very often, I'm hoping HRT will help with that. I am so much happier being myself and wish I had transitioned many years ago. I started HRT about 3 months ago and after some tweeks to my dosage I'm feeling really good, I'm starting to see some changes, softer skin, breast development, and feeling emotional changes [emoji4]

I'm sure I'm going to have many questions for the forum, and have found comfort reading other ladies' stories, it has helped me through some very difficult times.

Nicole x



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[Northern Star Girl]

Hello Nicole,  and WELCOME to Susan's Place.  .
You will find this a safe and friendly place to share with others about your transition and to read about others transition and their trials, tribulations, and successes in their transition journey. 
It is nice that you have progressed from just reading posts but now you can share with others and involve yourself with some give and take with other members.
When frustrated or if you have a successful moment in your journey you can share it here if you wish and receive support from others and offer support to others. You might even find that you will make some new friends here.  Please come in and get involved at your own pace.
Again, Welcome.
Aspiringperson

[V M]

Hi Nicole 

Welcome to Susan's Place    Glad to have you here, join on in the fun

Here are some links to the site rules and stuff that we offer to all new members to help them along

Things that you should read

Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By	Standard Terms & Definitions	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)	Cautionary Note
Reputation rules	News posting & quoting guidelines	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy	Membership Agreement

Hugs

V M

[Jessica]

Welcome to Susan's Place, Nicole!  It's wonderful that you have the support of your wife.
The three month mark is when I really started to notice the changes!
Have fun!

Smiles, Jessica

[Nicole70]

Hi everyone, thanks for your kind words and support


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[Sonja]

Hi Nicole, and Welcome! Glad you've joined us here at Susan's, what a fantastic supportive family you have.

Sonja

[Nicole70]

Hi Sonja,

I feel very lucky, but I'm not going to lie when I first came out to my wife it was a massive blow to her, and something she did not see coming. Initially she really wasn't sure if she could live with another woman, we had a rough few months, but things have worked out. I don't want to speak for her but I think/hope she now recognises that I'm now a much happier person and better for it, she no longer has to put up with a depressed husband, she now has a happy wife. She accepted my gender identity straight away, understood, and has been my rock throughout.

I know many who transition are not so lucky, having read there stories I feel for them, I would have totally understood if she could not have stayed with me, she married a man and didn't sign up for this, losing her would have been devastating, and for that I feel very lucky.

Nicole

[Chelsea]

Hi Sonja,

I feel very lucky, but I'm not going to lie when I first came out to my wife it was a massive blow to her, and something she did not see coming. Initially she really wasn't sure if she could live with another woman, we had a rough few months, but things have worked out. I don't want to speak for her but I think/hope she now recognises that I'm now a much happier person and better for it, she no longer has to put up with a depressed husband, she now has a happy wife. She accepted my gender identity straight away, understood, and has been my rock throughout.

I know many who transition are not so lucky, having read there stories I feel for them, I would have totally understood if she could not have stayed with me, she married a man and didn't sign up for this, losing her would have been devastating, and for that I feel very lucky.

Nicole

Hi Nicole!

You are very lucky to have support from your wife. I have the full support of my girlfriend of 10 years
and that is the main reason I decided to transition.  I'm glad you joined us and
am looking forward to seeing your post.

Hugs,
      Chelsea

[PollyQMcLovely]

Welcome. I love when we hear from people outside the states. How difficult or easy is it to start HRT in Australia? I often read about Australia not being terribly receptive to the trans community.

[Sonja]

Hi Sonja,

I feel very lucky, but I'm not going to lie when I first came out to my wife it was a massive blow to her, and something she did not see coming. Initially she really wasn't sure if she could live with another woman, we had a rough few months, but things have worked out. I don't want to speak for her but I think/hope she now recognises that I'm now a much happier person and better for it, she no longer has to put up with a depressed husband, she now has a happy wife. She accepted my gender identity straight away, understood, and has been my rock throughout.

I know many who transition are not so lucky, having read there stories I feel for them, I would have totally understood if she could not have stayed with me, she married a man and didn't sign up for this, losing her would have been devastating, and for that I feel very lucky.

Nicole

Well I'm glad that it is working for you, even at the moment I know it must be a huge relief for you not to be rejected by a person who's probably the closest to you. I am also married (14 years) and have been with my wife for 19 years. I have not had the official talk with her, more a long, slow steady transition of obvious traits and signs that she can see and that we sometimes do talk about.  Right now we're in a really good space.

Sonja.

[Nicole70]

Welcome. I love when we hear from people outside the states. How difficult or easy is it to start HRT in Australia? I often read about Australia not being terribly receptive to the trans community.

I can only speak for my own experience, and I'm pretty sure it differs depending on your region. From what I have found medical professionals adhere to WPATH iss 7 for the treatment of transgender individuals, what that means is in order to access HRT you have to have a report from a psychiatrist with experience in treating transgender individuals, and a referral from your GP in order to obtain an appointment.

When I tried to book an appointment I could only find one psychiatrist in Adelaide who only worked 2 days per week, so the waiting list was 9 months ( I believe that may now have changed and more professionals are available). I could not bare that wait so I went to Melbourne to see a psychiatrist who was lovely and had a much shorter waiting period. After several sessions I obtained a report detailing that I was suitable for HRT. Once I had the green light it has been fairly straightforward to  gain access to an endocrinologist In Adelaide, and they have been very nice.

I think the attitude towards transgender ladies varies according to where you live, Australia has changed a lot over recent years and has become more tolerant, Australians on the whole are fairly laidback and tolerant, we like to think everyone  can have a fair go at how they go about there life, however there is, as everywhere I think, a minority of individuals who are stuck in the dark ages, or who because of religious beliefs refuse to accept us, and unfortunately they spoil things for us all. I have found Adelaide to be fairly accepting on the whole, sure I get some looks, but they remain polite, however there are areas and places I would not go for fear of my own safety, but again I don't think that is much different to most other liberal countries.

Nicole

[Nicole70]

Well I'm glad that it is working for you, even at the moment I know it must be a huge relief for you not to be rejected by a person who's probably the closest to you. I am also married (14 years) and have been with my wife for 19 years. I have not had the official talk with her, more a long, slow steady transition of obvious traits and signs that she can see and that we sometimes do talk about.  Right now we're in a really good space.

Sonja.

I'm glad you are in a good space Sonja, I hope things do work out for you, it's feels awful to upset the one you love the most, it will be our twentieth anniversary this year, when you have loved someone for so long it's hard.

Hugs
Nicole

[Jayne01]

Hi Nicole, I'm Jayne from Sydney. Sorry I am late to welcome you. I just came across this thread. I'm glad you have found a su table therapist (even if you had to travel to Melbourne for it).

Welcome to Susan's.

Jayne

[Nicole70]

Hi Jayne,

Thanks for the welcome.

Nicole

[Dena]

When I tried to book an appointment I could only find one psychiatrist in Adelaide who only worked 2 days per week, so the waiting list was 9 months ( I believe that may now have changed and more professionals are available). I could not bare that wait so I went to Melbourne to see a psychiatrist who was lovely and had a much shorter waiting period. After several sessions I obtained a report detailing that I was suitable for HRT. Once I had the green light it has been fairly straightforward to  gain access to an endocrinologist In Adelaide, and they have been very nice.

Welcome to Susan's Place. If you receive treatment in Adelaide it better be top notched because my boss on the site Cindy is based there. She uses the local services and is active in the local community so if anything is wrong there, she is very likely to get it fixed. Cindy has a medical background and has the personality that no problem is unsolvable. Now your active here and are aware of her, your likely to bump into her face to face. I am sure you will enjoy meeting her.