Today, I passed another milestone. I didn't think I had that many left and this one kind of sneaked up on me. I used the woman's locker room for the first time.
I hurt my knee very badly about a six weeks ago and am supposed to have surgery on it in a couple weeks. But in the mean time, I'm trying to do what I can to loose just a few more pounds before GCS in Dec. Most normal exercise is out and the gym where I normally go doesn't have a pool so swimming was out. They also don't have men's and women's locker rooms, just several unisex bathrooms with small showers. Something I actually liked. However, I was in a jam. It was either find an exercise or postpone GCS. That option hurt way to much, more than my broken knee ever could. But I was damaging the knee trying to work out. It really hasn't been a fun time lately.
So, today, I joined a very large gym that has a pool. But they only have one small family restroom and large men's and large woman's locker rooms. I don't pass as male in any circumstance and although my profile pic is OK, that was taken just a few weeks after FFS and almost a year and a half ago. I look even better now. And even though there are no testicles, the winky is still there, hiding most of the time. (I think it misses the two bobbles it used to hang out with - I sure don't.....)
So, I had the tour, loved the pool and the price was right so I joined. I left with hopes that I could swim my few pounds away. Then, when I got home to grab my suit, I couldn't figure out how to do this. My one piece is OK. But I wear a wig while my slow growing hair gets longer. And I have a winky. I almost had a panic attack trying to figure this out while feeling the weight of a postponement of GCS. So, I went to Dick's to get better supplies. (Seriously, a sporting goods store named Dick's. The universe has a sense of humor.) I walked in and grabbed this 20 something sales woman and told her everything. Then I started to cry. She hung something up and said she would help. She congratulated me on transitioning. We went and got a swim cap to cover my wig-less head with too short hair, a new bag to carry things with and then she took me aside and explained woman's locker room etiquette. I decided I wanted to have her children and then figured that really wouldn't work. But she was tremendous.
I went in, changed in one of the corners and swam about a quarter of a mile. (Not bad for an old fat lady.) I went back in, went into the shower, closed the curtain, rinsed with the suit on then rinsed with the suit off, wrapped my self in an over size towel and went to my locker. I then started to dry, changed the cap for the wig when no one was looking, finished drying and got dressed.
I had just done the impossible. Several women smiled and said "Hi". No one stared, no one cared. I was just another semi-naked woman trying to loose a few pounds and get in shape. I was just another woman. God that feels great. Except that I am so tired and drained I'm half goofy.....
Thought I'd share.
Hugs,
Jen
