Hey folks!

So my first (and second) appointment at the Mazzoni Clinc is on Tuesday. I'm so excited/nervous!

Anywho I have a couple of quick questions and thought y'all might be able to help me out.

1. Is there a good/cheap place to park near the clinic?

2. Also I have an hour to kill between appointments. Any suggestions about where to kill that time?

3. What should I expect from the doctor consult? I know they take blood to test, but what else do they...examine?

4. What sort of questions does the trans specialist ask?

5. Any other advice?

Thanks! And wish me luck!

-Abe

Hi Abe, funny enough I was researching today for a good doctor for hormones and came across The Mazonni Center even though I am presently in KY I would be prepared to go to Philly if I know it is going to be worth it. I am new here by the way. If you would not mind letting me know how you got on would be really helpful. If you don't mind me commenting, you look really good in your photo.

Thanks

Caprice

Quote from: caprice on July 12, 2015, 06:48:48 PM
Hi Abe, funny enough I was researching today for a good doctor for hormones and came across The Mazonni Center even though I am presently in KY I would be prepared to go to Philly if I know it is going to be worth it. I am new here by the way. If you would not mind letting me know how you got on would be really helpful. If you don't mind me commenting, you look really good in your photo.

Thanks

Caprice

Hey Caprice -

Yeah I'm in NJ myself, but found Mazzoni to be the best option for me too. I'll be sure to let you know how it goes. And thanks  and welcome to Susans 

Hi Caprice, welcome to Susan's. I look forward to seeing you around the forums. Hugs
Mariah
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Quote from: caprice on July 12, 2015, 06:48:48 PM
Hi Abe, funny enough I was researching today for a good doctor for hormones and came across The Mazonni Center even though I am presently in KY I would be prepared to go to Philly if I know it is going to be worth it. I am new here by the way. If you would not mind letting me know how you got on would be really helpful. If you don't mind me commenting, you look really good in your photo.

Thanks

Caprice

Quote from: AbeLane on July 12, 2015, 06:23:40 PM
Hey folks!

So my first (and second) appointment at the Mazzoni Clinc is on Tuesday. I'm so excited/nervous!

Anywho I have a couple of quick questions and thought y'all might be able to help me out.

1. Is there a good/cheap place to park near the clinic?

Good for you! The Mazzoni Center is fantastic! For free parking stroll along Pine and Lombard streets. Pine is two blocks south of Locust, and Lombard is three blocks south. Watch out, though! It's all a two-hour limit. So if you do park there, be sure to move your car to a different block between appointments.

Also, there are some spots on 6th Street that are totally free and untimed. Between South and Bainbridge is actually free, which seems so odd and out of place. You probably won't get a spot there, but it's always worth a shot. And then on 6th, between Catherine and Christian is also free and untimed. Read the signs.

Oh! And there's the free lot on Christian between 7th and 8th. You might get lucky with a spot there. Definitely check it. It's also untimed. Be warned about parking against the wall (you'll see). I've had one PPA meter maid tell me this is perfectly fine, but I've also seen people given tickets for doing so.

One last thing about parking: don't park in a pay lot. They charge you out the wazoo, and oftentimes a $35 parking ticket is cheaper.

Quote2. Also I have an hour to kill between appointments. Any suggestions about where to kill that time?

If you do get a free, untimed spot, check out Philly AIDS Thrift, at 5th & Bainbridge! It's a charity thrift store helping to fight HIV. There's so much cool stuff in there, and the place is very, very, VERY queer-friendly. I mean, I do volunteer there.

OR, check out Giavonni's Room, a queer bookstore at 12th & Pine. It's also owned by Philly AIDS Thrift. Check out phillyaidsthrift.com and phillyaidsthriftatgiovannisroom.com.

Quote3. What should I expect from the doctor consult? I know they take blood to test, but what else do they...examine?

Nothing else. There's no invasive anything there. Unless you're going in for something specifically about that, they aren't going to bring it up. Also, who are you seeing, if you don't mind me asking? Is it Dusty? Is it Matthew Fellows? I've never been sure who does the trans guy stuff there, but I adore those two to no end.

MugwortPsychonaut -

Thanks for all of your answers! A friend of mine is driving (I told her I'd pay for parking and gas if she'd drive me there since I don't have a car) so I'll be passing along all the info. Since she'll be free to move the car around I think the 2hr limit shouldn't be a problem.

Also I'll check out those two stores. I love thrift stores and bookstores. How did you know?

And yeah I'll be meeting with Dr. Fellows, glad to hear he's good.

Iirc Mazzoni's medical building is a reasonable walk away from the Reading Terminal Market and Chinatown. It is VERY easy to kill time in both. (I live near, but not IN Philly, though, so actual residents are more than welcome to correct me.)

Quote from: Nicodeme on July 14, 2015, 01:52:58 AM
Iirc Mazzoni's medical building is a reasonable walk away from the Reading Terminal Market and Chinatown. It is VERY easy to kill time in both. (I live near, but not IN Philly, though, so actual residents are more than welcome to correct me.)

Thanks! I heard from someone else about Chinatown too, so it sounds like I may have to check that out. My friend and I might hang around after my appointment too for a little chill/relaxing after I'm done freaking about my appointment time. So thanks for the suggestions.

Quote from: AbeLane on July 12, 2015, 06:53:34 PM
Hey Caprice -

Yeah I'm in NJ myself, but found Mazzoni to be the best option for me too. I'll be sure to let you know how it goes. And thanks  and welcome to Susans 

Hi again Abe, how did it go at the Mazzoni clinic? and thanks for welcoming me here

Quote from: Mariah2014 on July 12, 2015, 11:07:30 PM
Hi Caprice, welcome to Susan's. I look forward to seeing you around the forums. Hugs
Mariah
Here are the links to the rules and FAQ that I highly recommend you take a look at which help you get to know the site better.

Things that you should read

Site Terms of Service & Rules to Live By	Standard Terms & Definitions	Post Ranks (including when you can upload an avatar)
Reputation rules	News posting & quoting guidelines	Photo, avatars, & signature images policy

Hi Mariah, thanks for the welcome and the info to read.

Quote from: caprice on July 14, 2015, 11:28:45 PM
Hi again Abe, how did it go at the Mazzoni clinic? and thanks for welcoming me here

Caprice -

It was wonderful. Every single member on the staff was respectful and friendly. I had my first appointment with Dr. Matthew Fellows. We talked about the medical side of testosterone and discuss any questions/concerns. There was a very brief medical exam (he looked in my ears, mouth, listened to my heart- nothing that required removing clothing). Then I was sent to a nurse who took some blood for tests.

Then later the same day (they let me schedule my first two appointments on the same day because they knew i was traveling from NJ) I talked with the social worker (Lisa, can't remember her last name right now). It wasn't invasive at all. We talked about how I had started to question to my gender identity, what kind of support system I had in place, any non-medical concerns I had about transitioning, and also legal stuff like name changes. She was great and at the end of every brief questions she told me that if I ever had questions or needed a letter to prove I was transgender to get in touch with her. She said she could even mail me things or chat on e-mail so I wouldn't have to come into the office for a simple question. And she would be willing to help me find stuff in my area as well. So that was great too. She also mentioned that there might be a possibility of them shipping my hormones to me so I wouldn't have to return to the office every time I needed a refill. So that's awesome.

Overall, it was a great experience. And I would highly recommend Mazzoni to anyone. I know it's a bit of a hike for you to get there though, but I think it might be a good idea to call them and see if they know of resources closer to you area too. Hope that answers any of your questions. Feel free to ask if I missed something.

Quote from: AbeLane on July 15, 2015, 09:27:37 PM
I talked with the social worker (Lisa, can't remember her last name right now). It wasn't invasive at all. We talked about how I had started to question to my gender identity, what kind of support system I had in place, any non-medical concerns I had about transitioning, and also legal stuff like name changes. She was great and at the end of every brief questions she told me that if I ever had questions or needed a letter to prove I was transgender to get in touch with her.

Lisa Pozzi?