Wish me luck for my appointment at GID clinic tomorrow. Tomorrow one of two things will happen:

1. I will get the go ahead for SRS funding, so I can send that information in and set a date for Montreal soon-ish. In a month or so (unless the funding is already approved, and I can do it this week).

2. My date will be set back. I don't go again until April.

Number 1 is supposed to happen. I have my two letters for SRS, everything is in order. Paperwork and all. So, tomorrow is supposed to be a confirmation of that, and I either find out if I've been approved already or not, and then the paper work is sent off again (takes up to six weeks for it to finish). It would be awesome if the approval has already gone through, but then the doc might be holding off on that until this last check to double check that I want to do things (again) and then he'll send it off and I should get it back in Dec. I know he's done the paperwork already (cause I called the office and asked to double check if they had a copy of my second letter, etc, and they said they had it all there along with other paperwork).

I hope number two doesn't happen, and it shouldn't, but it's always possible. It's a fear of mine, but a fear won't hold me back. I'm focusing on number one happening. I like the idea of things being set, rather than up in the air.

So, anyway, I'm excited, but nervous at the same time that I might fall flat on my ass. Everything indicates that thing are a go, it's just about waiting for a approval and then booking the date. I'm hoping that the approval process has already started, but again, he might want to do another double check to be sure that this is what I want to do, that I am aware of the risks, extra costs involved, and so on. Although he went over some of that last time I was in. So, I don't know. I know the SRS letters are in, so I have the medical community approval.

Tomorrow is going to be a long drive. I'm going with my friend who is expecting the same news as me. It's a three hour drive there, and three back. We're going to do it all in one day. Kinda sucks that we won't be staying down there for a day and do shopping, but she's got things to do and I'm kinda broke anyway.


--natalie

Good Luck.


Sarah L.

oh yeah, I've had my two letters since Aug. And the did the paperwork for everything in Sept. It's just a matter of when things are sent to the province for approval (always goes through, so no worries about it). So, it depends on my doc, if he sent everything to the province already, or wants to do another check up before sending it all in or wait longer -- I don't know. I don't see why he would wait longer if I've already got my two letters.

very good luck, must be tinglingly exciting.

Best of luck, Natalie!

Not that you need it... I'm sure it's all going to go just fine You've worked so hard to get here, and crossed all your T's and dotted those I's... it'll be fine!

~Kate~

Best of luck Natalie and take care on the long drive there and back. 

buttercup 

Here's to your next step.  May it come quick and painlessly ( as opposed to long and arduous --- no pun intended ).

Daisy

Good luck be sure to let us know how it goes

I'm so happy for you, I'm filled with emotions right now, I don't know what to say. I hope I can join you soon...I'm sure everything will be fine

And no, I am not picking on you   How could I?  I love your sense of humor!

tink

thnx everyone.

And I know that Tink, I was just playing around.

Posted on: October 29, 2007, 09:30:28 PM

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Thnx everyone, I'm back from my appointment.

Anyway, he has everything done and ready, and he fully agrees that I should have SRS; however, the Alberta government won't let him put it in until Feb. 1st. He told me that he fully intended to send it in, but recently the government told him not to send in any more and to extend everyone's dates until next year. He was very apologetic, and almost cried. He felt pretty awful about things.

My friend and I talked about it (she also had an appointment, and was also supposed to have her paperwork sent of now, but is in the same boat I am). We think that something has gone wrong and there have been recent rumors about a couple of trans people (post op) ended up in the psych ward (possibly someone actually killed themselves, but we don't know for sure -- but we have a good idea about who, and we can't get a hold of this person). Anyway, appearently there was a meeting a couple weeks ago and it seems that the province slammed the book at the doctor for that one person who go through the system. So, yeah, he was basically told he has to put everyone back for the fall into next year. So, he has no control over it, but he has to play by there rules because they are the gatekeepers.

So, that's what is going on. But, Feb. 1 isn't too far away, and he said it would be pretty quick (two weeks) for me to get approval. He was going to do it January, but he's thinking if he puts Feb. it will look better on paper for the province and they will more likely allow it this time, since they denied me and my friend this time.

He seemed pretty distressed about it, and has mentioned that he hates to see good people get shuffled by the system cause someone of someone else. He said if it was up to him, he would have sent the paperwork in already. So, he's pretty confident that I'm good with SRS and etc... it's just that the province is freaking out over something (he didn't say, so we are guessing). It sucks that things have been pulled back a few months, but sometimes things happen like this. And it could have been worse -- the province could have pulled funding forever, rather than for the rest of the year. But he says it will be around next year, and right now he just has to play politics with them to make sure that the program continues to be a success, and avoid any black marks.

It's a great program, and is great for people who qualify and etc. The province covers up to 16 people per year, which is pretty good... better than nothing. It makes me sad that something bad enough happened for the province to give the GID doc that strong of a warning, and to tell him to delay paperwork until next year. I'm sad if someone hurt themselves after getting SRS. SRS is not for everyone, and sadly some people do it for the wrong reasons only to find afterwards they are only more depressed.

But, anyway, I think things will work out in the end for me.

--natalie

Posted on: October 30, 2007, 10:09:35 PM

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One good news, however, is that my GID doctor is going to make sure that I'm going to see Brassard. That's very good news to hear. He confirmed to my friend recent rumors of a SRS doctor going to set up shop in Vancouver. Apparently he's from Brazil, but is moving to Canada and apparently trying to convince the provinces to send people his way so he can get surgery practice -- wonderbar! I'm not going to some surgeon that I know nothing about!

But my doctor knows this and has told both of us we're going to Brassard, and he doesn't know if the province will start sending people to Vancouver in a year or two or not. The GID doctor doesn't seem to keen on the Vancouver doctor, and is more confident on Brassard. And it's good news to hear that he's going to make sure that my friend and I are going to Brassard.

Well, he told my friend that she could op to see the Vancouver guy instead of Brassard, but she said no way... he didn't mention the Vancouver guy to me but said I will be seeing Brassard. (I'm wondering if the province is going to have two options to choose from... well, three, Meltzer is an option as well but the province only approves it if Brassard won't take you for some reason, like if you have diabetes.) But it seems the older tgirls (like my friend) have recently have had the Vancouver doc mentioned to them, but none of the younger ones have had the Vancouver doc option presented to them. So, yeah, that scared me if the province is going to sent practice patients to some mystery doc in 2009. I know the GID doctor is trying hard to make sure the province keeps Brassard first on the list.

As for BC, it might be possible that people going through the BC GID clinic and seeking provincial funding might go to the guy in Vancouver. He's not set up yet, but the news has been getting out that he's going to set up shop in a year or so.

The other option is for me to pay for SRS in Montreal and get reimbursed through the province -- Quebec does this... you pay first, and then you get your cash back (according to what I hear from people). I think technically I can can do this now if I wanted (or, at least, put the deposit down... something like $1200) and get it back once the funding has gone through. I'm not sure about it, but I've heard of it being done. I have both of my letters for SRS, so if I wanted to do that I probably could. Then again, the province might turn around and not cover. No body knows. The province just all of a sudden has been being weird... sending a warning to the GID doctor, delaying applications until Jan/Feb for Brassard, and then considering the Vancouver chop-shop in the future after our little group this year goes through. No body knows... I hate governments, especially when they play gatekeeper.

But, anyway, I do have to count my blessings that this option is even available, and that I don't have to pay for everything out of my own pocket (some expenses I do have to pay for). And, that my GID doc confirmed that I will be going to see Brassard for sure and the paperwork is going in on Feb. 1. He's pretty confident in that.

--natalie

Awwwww, Natalie!

It must be heart wrenching to go through that, to have your hopes up and then dashed, or at least postponed.  I'm sure you feel like a piece of meat right now.  But take courage!  I'm glad there is a light at the end of the tunnel for you.  I hope the time passes very quickly for you between now and February.  Hang in there, beautiful!

Big hugs,

Kristi

Thnx Kristi *hugs back* This was when my papers were going to be sent in, that's why he got my second letter in Aug, fully expecting to send it along to the province and book a date for Spring/Summer 2008. My GID doc wasn't at fault, but the province has been changing things around. But, 4 more months and he can resubmit my papers, and he's pretty confident that the province is going to let it go through. The provinces health board, it seems, has been spooked and so they want to double check everyone, and double check that the are actually ready, so that's what the extra months are for.

As much as it sucks, in a way I don't blame them if something bad happened -- someone who got through the system and then disaster. So, they are just getting more strict about things. And, honestly, if someone wanted to they could slip through the system, since we only now have one GID doctor now trying to take care of everyone right now. He's very passionate about what he does and helping trans people, but I can see someone taking advantage of him and lying about things and not really being ready for SRS. One should be ready and really, really sure about SRS. I did the homework like I was supposed to, like checking out my surgeon, seeing my local psychiatrist monthly, and knowing all of the risks. So, I've done everything correct, so I don't have much to worry about, except it does suck that things have been pushed back for a few more months.

Yes, it's really hard. But I understand that my Doc can only do so much, and I can understand if the province is freaking out if someone (or maybe even a couple) of people slipped through and the result was a disaster. So, my doc has to play politics, make sure he double checks everyone and hopes for the best. If he doesn't play by the rules, the province could hold of things even longer. It's more like the province sent out a warning, which is better than ditching the program (like other provinces have done, like Ontario). And it's not as bad as the other provinces with even longer lists, more rules, and more hurdles and red tape to go through. Some provinces don't even have a GID certified doctor, and must go out of province to even see one.

I'm trying to figure out who this Vancouver doc -- I really wish my friend would have remembered! I'm trying to do some research, but I don't see any word on the net about this vancouver doc, so it's something new... someone I'm not going to see, but I do worry about this mystery doctor for other trans friends that won't be going until 2009 or 2010.

Interestingly, enough, I found out that Brazil now has a similar system in that they cover GRS for those who qualify under their health care plan. Although, I can't find any information on any actual doctors or their histories. And I'm not even sure if my friend is sure that the doc is from Brazil or not -- but she remembers that the person has surgery experience being a urologist, and that's about it.

I heard about this from someone else a month ago who heard about it, and now the GID doc has confirmed the rumor, but he doesn't know when it will happen, but mentioned that it's not going to be right away and the province isn't going to be switching right away. But, since he's asking older tgirls about what they think, I kind of wonder if the province is asking him to ask and maybe seeing if anyone is willing to try this doc out (yay, practice!) I'm guessing the province is figuring if older tgirls get less than good results, it wouldn't be as bad. For younger ones, like me, it would be a nightmare I'd have to live with for many, many years. So, that's what I'm guessing. They are going to be seeking older tgirls for practice, who don't really care if they are totally functional (I'm really hoping it's an option between the two, since I would hate to see things go wrong for others -- then again, Alberta might not risk the chance of marring it's name by sending people to a chop shop. Vancouver might send people there, but might not).

Another rumor I've heard of (unconfirmed) is that Massachusetts might have some kind of program where you can get funding for SRS -- but that might be really out there, I'm not sure if I totally believe that will happen anytime soon (but if it did, cool). Brassard, apparently, has a license to practice there. But I believe that's so he can do US affidavits to confirm GRS.

Anyway, it's a hard, long day for me, but at least the doors aren't closed like it is for so many people. I'm pretty lucky that I even have an option.


--natalie

Yeah, it's hard. It's nothing that's my fault. I have both of the required letters. I have done all that I can do. And now it's up to the province to approve it. Sadly, some people get through the system who shouldn't have and then make it harder for those who are sincere.

Posted on: November 02, 2007, 04:25:22 AM

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On another note, I'm trying to see if they will allow me to book before the funding goes through -- technically, I have everything too book, but not all of the money (like almost half of it). And then, I'm not sure if I do that if they will just suspend my funding all together, and then it would even take me longer cause I'm not sure how long it would take for me to get the rest of it to pay for myself.