Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I have been reading the forum for some years now, and finally thought it was about time I created an account :)

I am 37 years old and have two lovely kids aged 3 and 7. Unfortunately we do not live together anymore. When I came out as the woman I am two years ago, the mother of my children could not accept me, so we split up. Today she has become more accepting, and we cooperate well with the kids. I get to see them as often as I can.

The last two years has been though for me as I struggled getting proper help here in Norway. The public healthcare system is basically treating transgender people like mentally ill, and tries to come up with any reason for not giving the correct diagnosis and prescribing hormones. I also felt that my friends and family was just blaming me for being selfish and not taking responsibility for my kids. The truth is that I had nothing more to give to my kids when I was forced to live as a man. I was just immensely depressed and only survived on auto-pilot, working all the time so I didn't have time to think. In November 2014 I couldn't handle it any more, and got a sick leave from my own company. In Norway, we get 100% sick pay for one year, after that it is reduced quite a lot. I haven't been able to go back to work since, and of course, my company is almost bankrupt now.

After I came out in February 2015, I started living full time immediately. In the beginning things where ok, but after a while I felt frustrated because I did not get the help I was hoping for. So I started using drugs. A lot of drugs. Until finally, last year, I found a doctor that was willing to help me and I got the prescriptions I needed. I have not been using any drugs since last summer.

January 10th 2017 I was born again when I had my SRS done by Dr. Chettawut. This has really changed my life completely. I needed this so much! Now, I am ready to go back to work. I actually sent the first job application 16 hours post op. I had a job interview on Skype the second week post op. Things will work out now, I am motivated and happy. And I am ready to take care of my kids again. Hoping for shared custody eventually.

I am now 6 weeks post-op, and it is healing well. Still a lot of swelling, but dilation is going good, no pain at all. Really looking forward to the summer now :)

Hi Mia  :icon_wave:

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

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Hugs

V M

Hi Mia. Welcome to the club and congratulations on your surgery. I hope to get mine before year's end.

Welcome Norway!

You progressed so fast since coming out, thats awesome. I too feel like I'm just butting heads with the gender clinic in Oslo and kind of have to force every issue to go anywhere.. I came out in 2009 and had my first appointment there the same year, but only got to start HRT in 2016 -7 years later! Was so utterly rejected when I came there the first time in '09, my 45 minute appointment lasted 5 minutes of the two ladies just looking at me and declaring 'your not ready'. No advice on what to do next, no referrals to therapists with trans experience or even a support group, absolutely nothing! How is a scared and confused 18-year-old supposed to deal with such harsh rejection.. I retreated into my 'shell' for several years before starting to live full time in 2015 same as you. I feel like the care here has improved a lot in the last year or so, but prior to that it has been absolutely disgraceful..

I have not been able to schedule any SRS but I would love to hear how you dealt with doing your transition in Norway if you don't mind sharing. Feel free to PM me or anything. So sorry to hear about your struggles with drug use, must have been such an awful situation you were in.. But glad you are doing better and did the things you needed to do for yourself, congratulations with the surgery! Very jealous :D

Bergen, btw :)

Hi Mia! I'm Audrey! I'm 21 and just starting my transition (mentally).

It looks like you've been through a lot. I just couldn't help feeling happy for you reading that--you've been so strong to come out where you are after what you've been through! I admire that. I hope everything turns out well for you and your kids!  :)

Hi Mia,

  I'm Jeanette, a recent starter. Your progress is awesome. I hope your healing is quick so you can get back into the swing of things.

  Hugs,
    Jeanette