Finally out of the lurker closet!

[Kate.claire]

Hi all,
Just wanted to run a quick intro,  with the hopes of beginning to be more than a passive participant in the community.


Currently 43,  this was the year that I've finally decided to do something about not fulfilling my wishes.  I've had issues of being transsomething since early childhood,  but have successfully conformed for most of my life up to this point.  Married now since 2002,  out to my wife since 3 months into dating in 1998,  so at least I've been free to express myself at home over the years.  Two kids who were raised knowing and are as well adjusted as teens can be.

Over the years, I've tried to put things off,  but the noise just got louder and louder until it was pretty disabling.  After attending the Esprit Conference last April/May and finally seeing a therapist since last February,  I've decided to pursue some level of transition,  as doing nothing was just not cutting it and I'm not getting any younger.  Started E only injections about 4 months back and things are coming along well,  at the very least the dysphoria has calmed down greatly and allowed me to function again.   Happy to report very female levels of hormones on just initial E doses,  so we'll see where this ends up.  Looking forward to being a bit more active here.  A bit more is pretty non-communal since I had zero posts before. 

-Kate Carter

[Jessica]

Hi Kate 🙋‍♀️ Welcome to Susan's Place!  I'm Jessica.
Putting off or not doing something about that noise that gets louder and louder is something many here can understand.  I'm glad you are on a path that helps turn down the volume.

I see you're new here, so I'll post some links that may help you get better acquainted with the site. Pay attention to the site rules they can be of great help and don't forget the link highlighted red.  It has answers to questions that are commonly asked.  Then join in on a topic you find interesting and learn and share.

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

[Kate.claire]

Thanks for the welcome Jessica!   I may be new to posting, but definitely been around off and on over the many years, always silently.  Susan's has been an invaluable source of information for me over the years,  and I expect it to continue to be as I move forward on my own path.

-Kate

[ChrissyRyan]

Kate,


Welcome!   

Chrissy

[Northern Star Girl]

@Kate.claire   
Dear Kate:
     I think you will now like that you are no longer in the "Lurker Closet" as you can now share your thoughts with others here on the forums.
     I am happy to see that you signed up as a member of Susan's Place and that you have now posted in the Forums.

    As you continue to post here you will be able to exchange thoughts and comments with others that are experiencing many of the same things that you mentioned in your Introduction.

    This is the right place for you to be to find out what others may have to say that may have been in your circumstances and with your questions and concerns.

    I see that our lovely member and California Girl @Jessica  has already Officially Welcomed you,
but please allow me to also warmly WELCOME you to Susan's Place. 
You will find this a safe and friendly place to share with others and to read about others similar trials, tribulations, and successes.

    As you should be aware you can share with others and involve yourself with some give and take with other like-minded members.  When frustrated or if you have successes you can share it here if you wish and receive support from others and offer support to others. ....
     ***There is a very good chance that you might find that you will make some new like-minded friends here. 

    Please come in and continue to be involved at your own pace.
   
    There is information and important LINKS that  Jessica  included below her Welcome Message to you.   You will find information about the site that will help you navigate around and best utilize the features here.   
Please look closely at the LINKS in RED, answers are there to many questions that new members ask.

Again, Welcome to Susan's Place.
Danielle

[V M]

Hi Kate 

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

Hugs

V M

[Anjanette Miranda]

Hi Kate glad you're here .

AJ

[Stevi]

Kate,

Good to see you now that you have stepped out of the shadows.

Stevi

[Susan R]

Hi Kate,  glad to read about your successes with your wife, children, and HRT.  I'm at the same point in my transition..4 months in.  It's been a wonderful change in my life.  My wife and a few other know but I haven't come out yet to the world. Are you full time or planning to in the near future?  Best of luck to you on your journey.

Susan R🌷

[Zoey421]

Welcome, Kate. You were brave and courageous to come out to your wife so early in your relationship and that you, she, and your children have grown together knowing you were transgendered. Sounds like you have a great family. Good luck with the transition. Keep us updated!!

Hugs Zoey xoxoxo

[Jaime320]

Hey Kate,

Welcome to the light. It get's lonely on the other side, and those voices will drive you nuts.

[Kate.claire]

Thanks for the warm welcomes all! 

Susan,  no definitive plans on full transition timeline just yet,  sort of a wait and see how my body responds approach and when it's time, it's time.  I'm hyper self critical in all aspects,  so overcoming my own self criticism will be the biggest obstacle.  Still, wherever I do end up, I'm firmly convince it's better than where I had ended up before HRT.  Truly happy with the changes I've seen so far,  as few as there have been at 4 months.   Just finished my second to last laser session, stomach and armpits.  My legs and face had been done for a while.  I've just been slowly making steady progress towards an eventual transition.  At least one positive change today,  we were laying in the sandat La Jolla Shores beach taking advantage of the 77F day here, and my wife commented on how much of a better pillow my rear is now!  So, I got that going for me at least. 😜