Hi my name is Rachel Kathryn, you can call me Rachel. I'm 35 years old and am tired of living the life and lie that I have. For the longest time now I've either been suppressing, repressing, or outright denying myself the ability to be myself.  . I am a bit late to the party, but I realize that I can no longer continue to keep up this façade and farce of being a man. My plan and my desire is strong. I am to transition. I have already set up an appointment with a psychiatrist who specializes in diagnosing transsexualism, next month. Am I prepared for this? Yes. I know what is in store for me.

I hope to chat and get to know some of you. I am on other sites as well other than susans. (Facebook for one). I am not so sure what I can contribute here, but I will try my best. Everyone has different issues. I have been married twice and luckily never fathered any children. I am recently divorced, but my she knows about me. She is very supportive. In fact I ring her everyday. I have only just begun my journey, and my goal is to be finished in 3-6 years.

I am going to get my face lasered, and then see what the anti-androgens and oestrogens will do for my face and figure. If I really need it, I will eventually get ffs, but only after srs. I do not plan on getting an orchidectomy before srs as I want the doctor to have as much donor material as possible to work with.

I am in for an uphill battle as I am a disabled USAF veteran receiving a pension. I am also an ex-pat living in Norway. I wonder how this is going to go down as I have no plans to travel back to the US during or after my transition. I do know that the Veterans Administration should not have a problem with this as they now treat transsexualism, except for srs/grs. Does anyone here have any experience with that?

PM me if you like! More to come later!

Hugs,
Rachel Kathryn

Welcome to Susan's, Rachel!

You're only a couple of years older than me and our stories are very similar so I can really relate. I've only started transitioning since the beginning of the year but I can tell you from experience that it's really nice to be able to be myself.

I hope you find what you're looking for.

Amy

Congratulations... and welcome to one of the friendliest, most-open sites on the net (that I have found, anyway). 

Thank you Robin and Thank you Amy!

I'm here to make friends and gather as much information as possible about what I am about to go through. My expectations aren't unrealistic as I don't expect to look like a model or anything, but I think I will be passable. I have decided for the moment to stay in boy-mode, when I go out, at least until I have a confirmed diagnosis. One of the things that concerns me a little is the whole "Living as a Woman" thing. To me that is a meaningless requirement, also that is worthy of a different thread in itself. As a side note, I'm also pretty geeky.

Rachel

Hello Rachel, Welcome to Susan's.
First off I want to thank you for your service in the Air Force.
I started my transition at the begining of this year at the age of 46; So you are not that late to the party.
I wish you well on your journey. Hold on tight and enjoy the ride of a lifetime.

Hugs,
Bethany Dawn

Hello from a  Blackpool girl

Hello, baby sister! I am 47, a retired Paramedic/firefighter and I just started HRT. It is never too late to be who you need to be. This is a great place of hope, information and family. I have never seen a more genuine group in all of my life. I think you will find this site a great experience and will use it often. BIG HUG! 

Hi Rachel, glad to have you here!   

Please be sure to review:

• Site Terms of Service and rules to live by
  
• Standard Terms and Definitions
  
• Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)
  
• Age and the Forum
  
• Reputation rules
  
• Photo, avatars, and signature images policy
  

Hi Rachel, welcome to Susan's Place! I'm just south of Boston. Also thanking you for your service. You can muster in here if you like: Roll Call! See you around the site, hugs, Devlyn

Welcome to our family Rachel. You'll met a lot of nice people here with a lot of good information. I'll agree 100% with wht my BFF Jessica has said and what my good firend Robinmack has said.  Big Hug to you!

Welcome to our family!

Thank you everyone. A little more background is actually my ex-wife is a long time member here. Beyond that I will not say much more. I have always wanted to do things that I thought I never could. This was one of them. I will read and review the rules. I don't plan or intend to be rude or vulgar or post pictures that others might find offensive. Thanks I'll save my other questions, frustrations for another time and another thread. I generally tend to write quite a bit. But I think this is the right place to start.

Rachel

Hi Rachel,

Welcome to our little family. Over 7914 members. That would be one heck of a family reunion.

Feel free to post your successes/failures, Hopes/dreams.  Ask questions and seek answers. Give and receive advice.

But remember we are family here, your family now. And it is always nice to have another sister.


Janet  )O(