Susan's Place Transgender Resources

I've decided I wanted to blog some of this journey, so here we go.

My "egg broke" on 12/12/2023. I started using herbal supplements on that date and noticed some positive physical changes, along with a real sense of emotional uplift. That progress continued for about 17 months before slowing down and then leveling off for roughly 6 months.

After a yearly physical with my primary care provider, I realized I was ready for a more direct approach and wanted to see further change. I live in an informed consent state, so I decided to move forward through that route. About a week after the meeting with my primary care provider, I had my first telehealth appointment with an LGBTQIA+ clinician and began HRT on 11/12/2025—about 23 months after starting herbs (the dates lining up felt like a funny bit of timing).

I've already had some initial changes in breast development from herbals, and I'm starting to see renewed growth again from HRT. The herbal route didn't provide any meaningful testosterone suppression in any case.

I recently completed my first round of bloodwork and have a follow-up scheduled with my clinician to adjust my regimen so I can reach therapeutic levels.

I've also linked my introduction post here: https://www.susans.org/index.php?topic=252411.msg2317828#msg2317828

I've mentioned this before, but I've kept my medical care separate, as it's currently covered through my military benefits. I do have some concerns about the current political climate and how things may evolve, and I hope some of the more harmful aspects improve in the coming years.

I tend to be a bit more on the quiet side compared to some, but I'm looking forward to being here and getting to know everyone over time.

I'm genuinely grateful this community exists, and I'm happy to be part of it. 💚

Hi Rochelle,
Lovely to read a bit about your journey so far and glad its going well to date. I hope eventually all the political stuff calms down and everyone gets the care they need continued.

I see you around liking my posts, so really happy to see your own blog. Look forward to more sometime.

Charlotte X

@Rochelle
Dear Rochelle
I am so very happy to see that you have started your very own member BLOG here on Susan's Place Forum. 
This can be your HOME where members and your readers and followers can easily find you and share their comments and thoughts.  As you respond, your Blog Thread will help to provide continuity of discussions.

When you post your good news and successes all of your followers will give you our congratulations. . . and when you share not-so-good news we will gather around you and give you our ears to listen and our shoulders for you to lean on.

Now, please continue sharing your story with us.
HUGS, Danielle [Northern Star Girl] ❣️

Thank you for sharing. I'm hoping to get on HRT before the end of the year. I will be following your updates.

Hi Rochelle, thank you for sharing your journey. I shall be dropping by for updates when you post them.

You have some exciting times ahead of you on the HRT path. Don't expect the hormones to produce miracles straight away but over time they can do wonders for you.

It's a first giant step on the road to feminimity.

Sarah xx

Welcome to the Member Blogs, Rochelle!

This is a great way to track and share your journey - for future reference and new members to the site.

Looking forward to future updates.

Thanks for sharing!

I've always been the kind of person who stays on the sidelines and lets things pass without getting too affected. Lately, though, I've noticed a shift. I feel more emotionally involved and invested in what's going on around me. When I read about other people's experiences, I actually feel their pain more and sometimes even tear up.

I'd say I'm somewhere in the middle but leaning introverted—I can engage socially when I want to, but I usually prefer to sit back and observe. The difference now is that I'm not just observing anymore; I'm more mentally and emotionally drawn in. This started a little a few years ago, but it's become much more noticeable in the past few months.

Quote from: Rochelle on April 22, 2026, 06:06:30 AMI've always been the kind of person who stays on the sidelines and lets things pass without getting too affected. Lately, though, I've noticed a shift. I feel more emotionally involved and invested in what's going on around me. When I read about other people's experiences, I actually feel their pain more and sometimes even tear up.

I'd say I'm somewhere in the middle but leaning introverted—I can engage socially when I want to, but I usually prefer to sit back and observe. The difference now is that I'm not just observing anymore; I'm more mentally and emotionally drawn in. This started a little a few years ago, but it's become much more noticeable in the past few months.

HRT will make you more in tune with your emotions and this is probably why you are feeling more invested and occasionally tearful. The awakening of emotions was, for me, one of the best things about HRT, even if I can be an emotional wreck sometimes. I realised that my previous life was quite sterile in comparison. Wait till you get the unstoppable crying episodes when watching movies ha ha! That took a while to get used to!

Embrace it Rochelle, it's a beautiful thing!

Past 10 days or so I caught something and it's been hanging out in my chest, probably from work.  It's slowly going away.

It so nice out, I swapped the snow blower to the rear of the garage and brought the motorcycle to the front.  Of course the battery is drained of power and liquid.  Will get a replacement tomorrow and start to ride it again. 💚

I had to call and reschedule a windshield replacement appointment, she kept referring to me as ma'am. She looked up my info, realized my name, apologized, but kept saying ma'am. I didn't realize I sounded any different, or it may have been her, but it was nice. 💚

Walked into a restaurant and ordered sandwiches. The food prepper handed them to the next person and said these are for her, pointing at me.  I'm wearing jeans and a workplace t-shirt. I am showing some, so happy to keep getting positive confirmation. 💚

Six months today since I started HRT💞

I have a telehealth meeting with my clinician later this morning to go over numbers 💚

I hope your getting good results.  I hope to start before to long

Met with clinician. She is upping two of my meds to get me more in range. 😄 💜

Sounds like progress!

Happy six-month anniversary.

Happy six months anniversary, Rochelle.

Quote from: Alana Ashleigh on May 12, 2026, 06:52:25 PMHappy six months anniversary, Rochelle.

Thank you Alana💜

Quote from: Rochelle on May 07, 2026, 11:03:48 AMWalked into a restaurant and ordered sandwiches. The food prepper handed them to the next person and said these are for her, pointing at me.  I'm wearing jeans and a workplace t-shirt. I am showing some, so happy to keep getting positive confirmation. 💚

Sounds good!

Chrissy

Quote from: Rochelle on May 12, 2026, 10:33:36 AMMet with clinician. She is upping two of my meds to get me more in range. 😄 💜

Nice to hear!


Six months will turn into a year, then they will add up.  Enjoy your journey.  Do keep all your medicines managed by your physicians all the time.


Chrissy

So I'm moving bankers boxes around at work and I noticed that my arms are bouncing off & getting in the way more on my chest while lifting and moving my arms around. It's happened before but today was quite obvious. This is nice. 💚

Quote from: Rochelle on May 19, 2026, 03:53:23 PMSo I'm moving bankers boxes around at work and I noticed that my arms are bouncing off & getting in the way more on my chest while lifting and moving my arms around. It's happened before but today was quite obvious. This is nice. 💚

Yes, the boobs can get in the way at times.  I do not mind though.  They are wonderful.


Chrissy

I forgot to post on Monday, but I have some exciting personal news: after 8 years, I made my last alimony payment.

Getting that $1,200 back into my monthly budget is great, but the biggest change has been the feeling of relief that comes with closing a long chapter of my life.

A huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders, and the past few days have felt noticeably lighter mentally. The future feels a little brighter, and I'm excited about what comes next. 💚

Quote from: Rochelle on June 03, 2026, 09:38:26 AMA huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders, and the past few days have felt noticeably lighter mentally. The future feels a little brighter, and I'm excited about what comes next. 💚

That's wonderful!!! 💕🤗💕

Onward Brave Sister!

Ashley 💕

Congratulations that must feel great! X

It does! It was always there hanging over me and now that it's over is a relief. 💚

Congrats!

You should celebrate. Take yourself to a nice dinner or something.

I am celebrating. More on this next week. 😊

Congratulations Rochelle that's got to be a huge boost to your earnings! What you gonna spend it all on?🤣🤣

I'm not sure Alimony is a thing in the UK. I think it's normally just a clean break, split everything between the two parties and go your separate ways. Child support is a thing though.

Pay down some bills and looking at some changes I want to start.

Quote from: Rochelle on June 03, 2026, 11:08:05 AMPay down some bills and looking at some changes I want to start.

pish! Blow it all on shoes Rochelle! ha ha ha!

Congratulations, Rochelle!

Quote from: Lori Dee on June 03, 2026, 10:24:25 AMCongrats!

You should celebrate. Take yourself to a nice dinner or something.

So I did celebrate and added a family member today. Planned around the alimony ending. She is very precious. 8 weeks and a day old.

(https://i.ibb.co/DyvKMgK/WIN-20260609-15-45-25-Pro.jpg)

Quote from: Rochelle on June 09, 2026, 02:57:15 PMSo I did celebrate and added a family member today. Planned around the alimony ending. She is very precious.

(https://i.ibb.co/DyvKMgK/WIN-20260609-15-45-25-Pro.jpg)

Such a cutie!

    @Rochelle
Dear Rochelle:
A wonderful way to celebrate !!!

Not many pets are cuter or more precious than Puppies and Kittens.   
        Thank you for sharing with us.

HUGS, Danielle [Northern Star Girl]

AW, I'm not a dog fan but I have to admit she is a little cutie Rochelle!

Does she have a name yet?

No fair, too cute! :)

Quote from: Stottie Girl on June 09, 2026, 03:10:12 PMAW, I'm not a dog fan but I have to admit she is a little cutie Rochelle!

Does she have a name yet?

Her name is Ember and she is a Mini Dachshund. The other two girls are also the same breed and size but a few years older.

Awwww just soooo cute and precious!

Took the puppy in for intake at the Vet and the technician said, "Awe, are you chewing on your momma's hair" 😄 💚

Thats just toooo cute!

Quote from: Rochelle on June 09, 2026, 02:57:15 PMSo I did celebrate and added a family member today. Planned around the alimony ending. She is very precious. 8 weeks and a day old.

(https://i.ibb.co/DyvKMgK/WIN-20260609-15-45-25-Pro.jpg)

Very cute doggo.

My son uses that same word when taking about them. 😅 💚

I went to a Pride parade and event today. My girlfriend walked in the parade with her church group which does support Pride along with several other churches from the area. There were many other organizations beside churches walking as well. I caught up after the parade passed me pulling her little wagon cart she brought.

Everywhere there were smiles and acceptance. I didn't see anyone expressing any negative emotions or feelings, well..maybe some signage or hats expressing what the current administration could do to itself.

The parade ended at a large field where food vendors and local businesses had stalls and were set up to sell items/food or to educate about what they were doing or services they could provide. I saw several furries there as well. I received several compliments on the shirt I was wearing.

This was the first Pride event I have gone to and I thoroughly enjoyed the day. I almost went last year but had another commitment. I see the news where these keep getting shut down around the country and I'm happy that didn't happen here and I didn't see or hear any negative comments either from people or from any news sources online.


(https://i.ibb.co/DgK8Zm2d/WIN-20260620-17-23-48-Pro.jpg)

Hey Rochelle, congrats on the family addition and for having a happy pride day.

BTW, I like what you are wearing in the puppy photo, nice accessories as well