I've just taken another step, only a million more to go

[Jayne]

Step 1 was telling my family & friends, it wasn't easy but I managed it & was fortunate that it went better than I expected, well, with my friends anyway.

Step 2 was telling my doctor that I wanted to go through the change & compared to step one I found it a doddle, I guess I was lucky to have such a symathetic doctor.

Today I took step 3 & had my psych evaluation, I was a bag of nerves when I went in because I had no idea what I would be asked or what was expected of me but it turned out that it wasn't anything to be afraid of, the man asked me quite a few personal questions which I answered as honestly as possible & at the end of the meeting he said that I was obviously not nuts (well, no more than anyone else in this crazy world) & he had no hesitation telling my doctor that I was sane & mentaly fit for this procedure.

So where does this leave me? I guess i've got another agonising wait for an appointment from the specialist in London, by the time this is all over i'll have to buy a new hinge for my letterbox door because i'm going to wear it out with all the checking i'm doing 

Whilst this waiting is driving me up the wall & back to smoking after quiting for 2 yrs at least every day that passes brings me a day closer to the time when I can look at myself in the mirror & not hate the body & face that is so harshly reflected back at me

[Janet_Girl]

One step at a time.  The longest journey begins with the first step.

[gennee]

Congratulations, Jane. The first is the most difficult but you did it. Like Janet said, one step at a time.

Gennee

[Hrobinson]

Congrats too, One day at a time is all i can suggest :-)

[Jayne]

I've just taken another step along the path & it's one that I was dreading, I told my employer & my fellow workmates why i've recently had time off for medical appointments.

My employer has said that they will support me with this (huge sigh of relief!), I was asked if i'll be coming to work dressed as a woman so I put their minds at ease by explaining that i'll be doing it in small steps such as having my ears pierced next week, occasional nail varnish & at some point in the future female tops but due to the physical work i'll still wear jeans, this seemed to put the managers mind at ease, I also explained that i'll be lucky to have heard from the specialist in under a month & was telling everyone now so they would have time to come to terms with this before any drastic changes occur.

My fellow workmates have been great (so far) the general response was that I should do whatever it takes to be happy in my life & that I must be very brave to have taken this step.

I hope eveyone else who is going through this gets the same kind of support as i've had from the people around me & I wish you all the best

[Stephe]

You will find, the things that we are most afraid of, usually turn out to be nothing. But then things we never even consider can end up being a problem