Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Let me share part of my mammogram procedure I had today with you. 

Lady technician: Is this your first mammogram ?

Me: yes

Lady technician: When was your last period?

Me: I have never had one. I am transgender.

Lady technician: Have you ever given birth?

Me: No I'm transgender

Lady technician: Have you had your ovaries removed or had a hysterectomy?

Me: No

Lady technician: Are your breasts implants?

Me: No I grew them. I am transgender. I am taking estrogen and a few other pills. I'm on hormone replacement therapy.

Lady technician: You know it could be the estrogen making your breasts grow.

Me: (thinking to myself) No sh*t, Ya think?

This is part of what I go through in the town I live in.

If this is in the wrong place please move it.




Love
Bobbie LeAnn

She should've gotten the idea after the first response, but would it be wrong to hope one day I'm in such a position to be asked those questions?

I'm sorry to chuckle about your experience, some people are either dense, uneducated or go by rote with everything they do.  My thought is that she was just covering her butt, and asked all the questions she always did.  I myself would think it nice to be asked all of those questions.

Unfortunately there are 3 types of Medical Professionals:

In my case (maybe it's wishful thinking) the question that always got my attention, before I started my transition, was 'Could I be pregnant?'  I often answered 'yes.'  I would get one of 3 responses:

1) It was a silly question and we would both laugh.

2) It got a second look where we discussed it being a silly question, my answer would be corrected, and we would move on.

3) I blew the person's mind and they got angry that I would give a crazy answer to a crazy question.  (It would also be the last time I would ever use their services.)

I understand in a Lab or Radiology they simply trying to complete as many diagnostic procedures as possible.  We, trans women, unfortunately, do not exactly fit their normal mode.  The good & caring people will understand and work with us.  The uncaring people will force us to live Bobby LeAnn's experience.

My suggestion is keep blowing their alleged minds!!!!

Kate




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

@Bobbie Ann
Dear Bobbie LeAnn:
Even though it is sad that you had to go through what you did in getting your mammogram.... and I am truly sorry that you experienced that....
... but the back and forth dialog that you posted could be part of a comedy routine.... sad indeed.

Again, so sorry you endured that.... but it is over now.
..... I am assuming that you tested OK ???
Hugs,
Danielle

On a totally off the wall thought....

I'm looking forward to being told I need a Mam!

I want to schedule it at the same time my wife needs her's...  Call me crazy but I see something romantic in us both enduring the procedure at the same time.....

Kate


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Quote from: Bobbie Ann on October 09, 2018, 10:38:07 PM
Hospital X Ray technicians are STUPID! Let me share part of my mammogram procedure I had today with you. 

Lady technician: Is this your first mammogram ?

Me: yes

Lady technician: When was your last period?

Me: I have never had one. I am transgender.

Lady technician: Have you ever given birth?

Me: No I'm transgender

Lady technician: Have you had your ovaries removed or had a hysterectomy?

Me: No

Lady technician: Are your breasts implants?

Me: No I grew them. I am transgender. I am taking estrogen and a few other pills. I'm on hormone replacement therapy.

Lady technician: You know it could be the estrogen making your breasts grow.

Me: (thinking to myself) No sh*t, Ya think?

This is part of what I go through in the town I live in.

If this is in the wrong place please move it.




Love
Bobbie LeAnn

Hi Bobbie Ann
I wish I could pass that well ! I envy your situation even though it sounds like a stupid scenario.
Sounds like a script from Monty Python !

By the way when should a trans woman consider a mammogram ?
Kind regards, Kirsten.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

I guess it's better than having medical providers think they know everything about us and filling in the answers themselves...

It probably would have been better to think "funny moment with an X-ray tech" than calling an entire profession stupid....but that's just my opinion.

Quote from: Kirsteneklund7 on October 10, 2018, 02:51:44 AM
Hi Bobbie Ann
I wish I could pass that well ! I envy your situation even though it sounds like a stupid scenario.
Sounds like a script from Monty Python !

By the way when should a trans woman consider a mammogram ?
Kind regards, Kirsten.

My doctor said that after five years of HRT we'd schedule a mammogram.

I've worked with many people who have done their job for so long that questions are regurgitated. They do not intend to but do it out of habit. This may have been the case.

Bobby Anne  one way to look at this is that technician is not the brightest bulb in the box and has a poor attention span...never mind...I think you handled it well. IIMHO What you are describing is not that uncommon...I got asked by a nurse could I pregnant 10 seconds after telling her I was Trans...

The other way it could be taken of course..... it could easily be seen as an affirmation of how great you look...Maybe its just that they see a Woman in front of them and can't equate you with anything but female.  :)

Take care
Liz

Your tech may have been dense, but not all of them are like that. My first mammogram was actually quite affirming. When she asked when my last one had been, and I told her never - and why - she was a bit stunned. She didn't know anything about it, and was eager to learn. It was a teaching moment and she was smart enough to understand how to fill out the rest of the form. She made me promise to go back and see her for my next one in a year.

My family doc had me get one as soon as I came out to him, roughly 6 months after starting HRT under the guidance of an endocrinologist.

Stephanie

Seems like questions that they need to ask every woman before they start. My guess is she didn't know how to react after your first answer. She still had to fill in the form and can't do it herself so just kept going as usual. 

Would have been better if had she said something about probably knowing the answer to the next ones but still has to ask them.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

Bobbie, I am sorry you got a dense technician.  But you've got to admit that last line is so dense it's funny!

I am kind of hoping I get something similar when it comes time for my first mammogram.  I'd have fun with it and use it as a teaching moment.

I think the answer is somewhere in  all the good explanations given above.  Just be glad you pass so well to get asked all the normal questions. 

I have removed some threads and some have been edited.

I shall remind everyone of TOS 5 in particular the highlighted portion.

5. The posting of messages on the chat or forums which are of a threatening tone; intended solely to communicate sarcasm, contempt, or derision; are intended to belittle or ridicule a person or group; to disgust the viewer; contain obscene or pornographic materials; which are intended to titillate; or which depicts/promotes illegal acts; will not be permitted.

I also remind people that if they are offended by comments or a post to report it to the moderators and not to post retaliatory messages.

@Bobbie Ann
Dear Bobbie LeAnne:
I took a moment to re-read your original post here on your thread...  I can certainly say that you experienced a strange set of circumstances....  but some of those strange and continuing questions that you were asked could be considered quite affirming to you as you presented yourself as a female getting a classic "female" oriented medical exam. ....  and I did not miss the levity in the dialog exchange... I loved that.

Obviously the medical technician was just going down a list of "must ask" questions but it seems that she could have approached you a little less formally and kindly with her questioning especially after you made several announcements to her that you are transgender.

Certainly for a trans-worman getting their first mammogram can be a frightening and fearful endeavor... but you passed the gauntlet nicely and hopefully your test results did not indicate any problems.

I have had 2 mammograms since I started my transition journey... the mammograms that I had did not involve verbal questioning but rather a written questionnaire with yes/no check boxes.   I guess that none of the boxes that I check raised any red flags and there was no further questioning.....   

....and the very last mammogram that I had, the 2 technicians in the room as I was taking my top off getting ready to step toward the "titty squishier" mammogram machine were speechless when I told them that I am a trans-woman.  They first asked if I was kidding with them and then they admitted that they would have never known that I was not born a woman....   very affirming indeed.

Again, Bobbi LeAnne, thank you for your posting your thread... very affirming and I needed a good dose of levity when I first read your recollection of the dialog with the technician there.

I will be looking forward to more of your postings as you feel so led to share them with us. 
Hugs, and more hugs,
Danielle

They just have standard questions to ask everyone. Sorta like when you order "black coffee" and the barissta responds with "Room for cream?"

I answer those questions with "Not yet"

I think I'll just use this page to post what's new in my life.

I'll name this post "Strange how things change"

Back on October 3rd my son totaled his truck after overdosing on his depression medication. After the wreck he had a concussion and and was lost in the woods for two days before being found. He was admitted to the hospital on the 5th and was in the hospital for a week.

Just a couple of days after he got out I got sick and was admitted to the hospital on the 15th. I felt like I was drowning and couldn't catch my breath and it was hard to breath and I had a temp of 104.9.
I was diagnosed with  having a very bad case of pneumonia.

Now keep in mind I have never been in the hospital for being sick. The doctors were real worried about me and everyone kept a close eye on me for a few days.
I also was worried I might not make it. Here I am in the hospital with all kinds of tubes hooked to me and having to breath oxygen and can't breath without it. I had finally found the real "ME" and am happier than I have ever been in my life. I had fought tooth and nail to transition and fought the court system to get my name and gender changed while living in a town where I am the only trans person.

Now here I am in the hospital close to dying. It was almost to much for me and I broke down crying. One of the nurses came in and she sat on the side of my bed and held me while I cried because I didn't want to die. I have never been so sick and so weak in my life. All of the nurses were so nice to me and I had made a point of letting them know I was trans because I didn't want any accidental surprises. Day by day I got better and was released to go home on the 25th.

It has taken me up to today to finally get my strength back and feel good. Here is why I call this post "Strange how things change". My old self was always suicidal and wanted to die and in a way he got his wish because he no longer exists. I no longer see him in the mirror and even old friends that I have met that haven't seen me in years can't believe who I am.

That was him. Me I want to live. I don't want to die. I have way too much to live for now. Life is great when you finally find who you are and be the person you were always meant to be.

Thanks for listening.



Love
Bobbie LeAnn

Quote from: Bobbie Ann on November 08, 2018, 05:02:37 AMMe I want to live. I don't want to die. I have way too much to live for now. Life is great when you finally find who you are and be the person you were always meant to be.

I am sorry you got so sick.  But how wonderful that it illustrated for you just how much you have to live for when you are your true self.

I am also saddened to hear of your son's accident and your illness.  Breathing issues are terrible.  I'm glad you've gotten better.  I'm happy you've had an epiphany and are feeling good about yourself.  I agree there is so much to live for!
Judi

I went clothes shopping this afternoon and bought the prettiest dress, a pair of shorts and a beautiful boho top. I was dressed real nice in a red flowery dress and High heels.
I saw these two ladies who work there so I went over to ask them if the shorts and blouse would look good together. They said yes and they kept complimenting me on how nice I looked and kept bragging on my legs. They said I had the best looking legs they had seen in a long time. Needless to say I was blushing bright red.



Love
Bobbie LeAnn

@Bobbie LeAnn
I was so very happy to read your good report today regarding your clothes shopping fun and the great compliments that you received from the female store clerks.  Even though you didn't post your picture, I can just about see your smile on your posting and on my computer monitor. :) :) :)
As our "old" selves, clothes shopping and trying on outfits was a chore, now it is a fun and pleasant experience... and if you go shopping with some of your gal-friends it can be most joyous.

It was good for me to read that you have recovered from your health scare of pneumonia last November...  thankfully you were treated and healed up...  and that you are feeling good about your life ahead.

Again, thank you for sharing your good news and happy posting.
HUGS,
Danielle

Quote from: Alaskan Danielle on March 07, 2019, 12:46:13 PM
@Bobbie LeAnn
I was so very happy to read your good report today regarding your clothes shopping fun and the great compliments that you received from the female store clerks.  Even though you didn't post your picture, I can just about see your smile on your posting and on my computer monitor. :) :) :)
As our "old" selves, clothes shopping and trying on outfits was a chore, now it is a fun and pleasant experience... and if you go shopping with some of your gal-friends it can be most joyous.

It was good for me to read that you have recovered from your health scare of pneumonia last November...  thankfully you were treated and healed up...  and that you are feeling good about your life ahead.

Again, thank you for sharing your good news and happy posting.
HUGS,
Danielle

Thank you Danielle.

You are so right about shopping before. I hated it. Now I love shopping. I'm telling you me transitioning was the best thing to ever happen to me. I am so happy I can't explain it.
I have people who don't know my story ask why I'm always so bubbly and happy. I just smile and say it's because it's a wonderful time to be alive.  I'm always grinning like the cat who ate the canary lol.


Love
Bobbie LeAnn

I made this just for fun. I hope no one takes offense

(https://i.imgur.com/O3BP4sr.jpg)







Love
Bobbie LeAnn

Quote from: Bobbie LeAnn on November 08, 2018, 05:02:37 AM
I think I'll just use this page to post what's new in my life.

I'll name this post "Strange how things change"

Back on October 3rd my son totaled his truck after overdosing on his depression medication. After the wreck he had a concussion and and was lost in the woods for two days before being found. He was admitted to the hospital on the 5th and was in the hospital for a week.

Just a couple of days after he got out I got sick and was admitted to the hospital on the 15th. I felt like I was drowning and couldn't catch my breath and it was hard to breath and I had a temp of 104.9.
I was diagnosed with  having a very bad case of pneumonia.

Now keep in mind I have never been in the hospital for being sick. The doctors were real worried about me and everyone kept a close eye on me for a few days.
I also was worried I might not make it. Here I am in the hospital with all kinds of tubes hooked to me and having to breath oxygen and can't breath without it. I had finally found the real "ME" and am happier than I have ever been in my life. I had fought tooth and nail to transition and fought the court system to get my name and gender changed while living in a town where I am the only trans person.

Now here I am in the hospital close to dying. It was almost to much for me and I broke down crying. One of the nurses came in and she sat on the side of my bed and held me while I cried because I didn't want to die. I have never been so sick and so weak in my life. All of the nurses were so nice to me and I had made a point of letting them know I was trans because I didn't want any accidental surprises. Day by day I got better and was released to go home on the 25th.

It has taken me up to today to finally get my strength back and feel good. Here is why I call this post "Strange how things change". My old self was always suicidal and wanted to die and in a way he got his wish because he no longer exists. I no longer see him in the mirror and even old friends that I have met that haven't seen me in years can't believe who I am.

That was him. Me I want to live. I don't want to die. I have way too much to live for now. Life is great when you finally find who you are and be the person you were always meant to be.

Thanks for listening.



Love
Bobbie LeAnn

Wow. I had a similare experience a year ago it shook my out of my sense of depressed longing.
I was in the hospital getting treatment for my knee. My doctor saw my swllen calf.  Ran my yo the ultrsound room.

Ten minutes kate I was in a bid on a drip of anti coagulants

I had a blood clot in my leg.  I lay there shocked awake.   It would have killed me likely.

I never felt so scared or reflective. It made me face how little time we have.

I came out went healthy.mlost 30 pounds and began the exploration I am on.  Your last line resonates.  I want to live fully.

Thanks

Gina

Quote from: GinaG on March 07, 2019, 03:07:20 PM
Wow. I had a similare experience a year ago it shook my out of my sense of depressed longing.
I was in the hospital getting treatment for my knee. My doctor saw my swllen calf.  Ran my yo the ultrsound room.

Ten minutes kate I was in a bid on a drip of anti coagulants

I had a blood clot in my leg.  I lay there shocked awake.   It would have killed me likely.

I never felt so scared or reflective. It made me face how little time we have.

I came out went healthy.mlost 30 pounds and began the exploration I am on.  Your last line resonates.  I want to live fully.

Thanks

Gina

Gina I'm so glad you're ok now and glad everything turned out ok. Blood clots are deadly.


Love
Bobbie LeAnn

@Bobbie LeAnn
Dear Bobbie LeAnn:
I am so glad to see that you were able to get logged in back here on the Forum...
Since the "big reset" and crash last January 1st I have been eagerly looking for
our previous members as they are able log in again to their member accounts. 

I most certainly recall your earlier time here on the Forum...
   WELCOME BACK

You were quite fortunate that much of your posting history was recovered prior
to March of 2019.
Count yourself lucky as we have some some members that lost everything... much
data was lost including member accounts, postings, private messaging, etc.

Through what seemed to be endless work, our staff has done a great job in piecing things
together again to very quickly have a fully operational site even though much of the lost
data appears to be unrecoverable. 
 
You can consider this as a "reset" and a "do over" button so that with some subjects
you can have a fresh start.

Please find your way to the following LINKS to read what happened with with the site
crash and what positive revisions we have now made on the Forum.
Some things have changed here on the Forum since you were last here... you should
read several announcements that were posted after the crash:

                  The New Years Outage and our Lost years
              https://www.susans.org/index.php/topic,246809.0.html

                        The "NEW" updated Forum
              https://www.susans.org/index.php/topic,247170.0.html 

          Important Update: Revising Our Language Moderation Guidelines
                https://www.susans.org/index.php/topic,247169.0.html
           
              The Foul Language and Respectful Communication Policy
                https://www.susans.org/index.php/topic,247168.0.html

... and be certain to read the revised and updated Terms of Service rules for the site.
              As we embark on this new chapter, we urge all returning members to familiarize themselves
              with our updated Terms of Service (TOS), which are vital for maintaining a respectful,
              inclusive, and safe environment for everyone.
You can review the new TOS here: 
            Susan's Place: Community Guidelines and Terms of Service           
                      https://www.susans.org/index.php/topic,2.0.html

If you have any questions regarding the Forum please feel free to send a Forum private message
to me or you can Email me at alaskandanielle@yahoo.com

NOTE:  I am eagerly looking forward to reading and following your Blog thread as
you continue to share your story, thoughts and comments.

Warmest Regards, and a BIG warm WELCOME back.
Danielle [Northern Star Girl]
The Forum Administrator
                                        cc: @Lori Dee    @Sarah B