Well, well, well, the critter went and done it.  After months of hemming and hawing, procrastination and chickening out, and other delays, I FINALLY actually journeyed to Los Angeles to see Dr. John O'Dea and got the estradiol pellets installed and thus, it has begun.
Never been to Los Angeles before, and haven't traveled in over 10 years.
Since I was going to "become a gal", I decided to dress the part, I went fully dressed out as lady. Travel day was May 22, 3:10 p.m. from Orlando. I scheduled a face makeup makeover by a MAC artist rather than trust my own hand at makeup. That was scheduled at 10:30 a.m.  I was an hour late because I got lost in the strange part of Orlando which she lived. Then she took longer than I thought because she is such a thorough and meticulous artist. Now I was 1.5 hour behind.  So I would get to airport 1:30. Less than the recommended 2 hours but, I usually get through okay. Then I got lost getting out her area. The stupid GPS doesn't work unless I have a full address. I couldn't find my way to the airport. I got turned around then finally ended up on Semoran Blvd which I knew but is riddled with stoplights and slow drivers. By this time I was sweating bullets. Finally got to airport but took several minutes to find a parking. Was hoping for a shaded spot on level 2,3, or 4, but all full. Had to settle on a sun-baked spot on the top level. DESPARATE for time, I charged on out of there. Ever try to run on high heels? Also, my ao-dai dress was breezing behing me. (I wore an ao-dai, a type of oriental dress. Search for "Tall, Fit, ->-bleeped-<- Cross-Dresser in Ao Dai" on Google to find the Youtube video where I model that very one. Include the quotes ("). Only difference, on the video, I do not wear the usual pants that go under the ao dai. For travel, I wore the traditional silk white pants that go underneath. Don't worry, video is completely G-rated.
I worked my way through the airport labyrinth to the long line for TSA. I was afraid TSA would give me hard time like some stories I heard. But not so. I handed a young man my boarding pass and driver's license and joked, "I've changed a little over the years! Transwoman..." He smiled and said "Have a nice trip, Miss".  Whew, well, that was that. Now the actual exam. Took off shoes, etc, walked through the thing. Short Afro-American lady on the other side said I must scan for indicated anomalies. (Hah-hah! Anomalies indeed! (One was in my chest area, I believe it was due to the underwire bra. (Holds the tissue-paper fillers better, hee-hee!))) She asked "do you want someone else to do this?" "No, you fine!" Then she asked, "Do you want to do it in private?" "No, here's fine." So that was that. Total time through TSA, maybe 3 minutes. No probs.
Then I charged on out thinking for sure I had missed the flight. Had I missed the flight, MY GOOSE WOULD HAVE BEEN COOKED! As I neared the terminal gate, I saw a clock say 2:45. Whew, just in time, although they may close the gate soon. When I got to the gate, I found out plane 15 minutes late. Hallelujah praise Jehovah! Never been so glad to see a plane late!
Safely on the plane, I was absolutely jittery from adrenaline for almost the whole flight.
Upon arrival to Los Angeles and check in motel, (Oh, yes, once again, I presented reservation and ID, joking, "I have changed a bit over the years!" No probs. This is LA! They see unusual stuff all the time!) I was then met and took a ride with none other than Erika Simone of "Driving Is A Drag", the drag queen Uber/Lyft driver of LA. It was an arrangement I had made in advance. That was an experience! (Look up Driving Is A Drag and Drag Queen Uber/Lyft driver on Google.)
Enough fun. Next day, 23rd of May, after good sleep, got up what I thought was very early for the 10 a.m. appointment with Dr. John O'Dea. I was an hour late for that because it took longer than I thought to rent the rental car and then actually get there. Fortunately, they are very easy going and forgiving especially of their "long-distance" clients/patients.
So, what is Doctor John O'Dea like?
Very fun and blunt, explains everything in detail, and KNOWS HIS STUFF better than most any other Doctor that does transpeople out there, and with decades of experience. He is from Ireland, and had various artifacts, pictures, and a book about Ireland in his office and waiting area.
I came expecting to get into an argument over my NOT wanting to use spironolactone. But, I had nothing to worry! He is AGAINST its use! He says it kills the libido, breaks down muscle, and can cause all manner of problems due to its tendency to dehydrate someone and upset their electrolytes.
As it turns out, the emission of copious and steady amounts of estrogen (estradiol) from the pellets causes a shut down of the body's production of testosterone. However, it is not immediate. May take a couple months. So I guess spironolactone advantage is faster, but, never mind! I'll wait! I don't need that stuff.
The shut down of testosterone is so complete, till he advises one testosterone pellet if one wants to keep some "sexual ability" and some muscles. And I want to keep as much muscle as possible. Pre HRT, I am 6 feet tall and 142 pounds. Biceps 12.5 inches. ALREADY girl arms, for crying out loud. He said I will still loose some or a little arm muscle but adipose deposits will maintain size and give the succulent look of a woman's arms. Sounds good. And of course, there should be considerable growth of adipose on hips, butt, thighs and calves. And face. Which I need. I am way too gaunt.
So the final decision was 8 estradiol pellets, one testosterone and one progesterone. In addition, a progesterone shot of his own formulation that they call "pink panther". Cost, 1300 and my card maxed out at 1100 because of the 200-dollar deposit for the rental car. They let me pay the rest a couple days later after returning home. I have an extra income that will pay off the cards in about 4-5 months.
At this point, (June 2nd early morning, I am only a few days into it. Pellets take a couple weeks or so to get going, and, with the androgen-blocker-free approach, a couple, few months for the testosterone to go way down. For some reason, however, my tits (nipples) have enlarged a bit, risen, and hardened a bit. Must be the pink panther shot. Can't wait for the rest of it to kick in.
Other interesting aspects of the trip include the fact, that I was in such a horrendous hurry to get to the terminal, I forgot all my male clothes and shoes in the car! I had to dress as woman the WHOLE TRIP! No choice. A number of people complemented my ao dai.
I forgot my rough ol' hands. I looked every bit the lady, all be it a tall one, except for the dad-blamed hands. I brought white lace gloves to wear, but I forgot those too, dagnabbit.
And there you go! That's the size of it! If you have further questions about Dr John O'Dea or his method, feel free to ask.
Thanks for reading!   

Adding this to my rambling story above.  The story mentions airline travel from Florida to Los Angeles California, stays in a hotel, restaurants, and private tour by something of a minor celebrity there (or she was, for a time).  THE POINT IS, it may appear that I'm some sort of Richie Rich-Pants or something.  No, no, no.

Let me explain how this was financed:  Okay, I have a job, both commuting and work-at-home, that adds up to about $12,000 a year.  Does that sound rich?  I turned 65 April of 2017.  I therefore qualified for and applied for social security retirement income.  It is 710 a month.  Already received my first paycheck which is used entirely for paying off the cards.

That's it.

I "pretend" the 710 a month does not exist and continue with my other jobs as before.  I will pay off most of the cards before my next trip in October.  Then I'll repeat the process.

THEREFORE I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL I WAS 65 before I could even begin.

I don't know how in hell's name I am in my 60s already!  Last I checked, which seems like only a few years ago, I was in my 30s.  Oh well, so be it.  I will MAKE LEMONADE OUT OF LEMONS.

Add the 710 a month to my roughly 1000 a month, and you get about $1700 a month.  About $20400 a year.  That does not sound rich, does it?

My hope is after 2 years of this, I can switch the pellet hrt to some place locally, because, after doing it for 2 years, most endos accept that in lieu of letters, permits, etc.  Than I will not have to make trips anymore and maybe SOME of it will be covered by Medicare.

And I did not live exactly luxuriantly.  Though the hotel was fine to me, the ratings of it on Orbitz are 2.4 out of 5 and is in, what the locals say, is a "gangstery" part of town (Inglewood).  I ate at one restaurant.  A breakfast consisted of the free chips and free granola bar or whatever it was provided by the hotel, AND MY OWN protein powder which I brought with me.

I went to the doctor, ran short of money, and DID NOT HAVE A SINGLE BITE TO EAT OR DRINK all the way from the morning of the appointment day, 8 a.m. California time to well over 24 hours later when I finally drove home from the airport.  I literally did not have a cent.  Both cards maxed, and no cash.  That does NOT sound like a rich person's trip.

Next trip I will plan more carefully, having learned from this one.

Thank you for reading!   

There are sources of pellets in the USA, eg College Pharmacy. Perhaps your doctor can get them from here

http://www.collegepharmacy.com/index.php?/bhrt_fused_pellet_implant

  I live a couple of hours south of you on lake "O" We are about the same age with my being a little older. When you have over 15 posts you can PM me.  Patty

Hi, Josephine8Alexandria!

I read your story with some interest, as pellets are really convenient and have all the advantages of transdermal delivery without the inconvenience of peeling patches.  (Yaaay!) I'm glad your mission was successful and your trip to California went well.  (And no bathroom issues here, either.  California, particularly the coastal regions, tends to be very accepting.)

It looks like nobody's given you the official greeting yet!  Oops.  Here, pull up a rock and I'll give you the nickel speech...

I hope you feel welcome here.

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Once again, welcome to Susan's. Look around, ask questions and join in.

Hello and thank you for your responses!   

AnonyMS:  Thank you!  Visited site and definitely put it down in my favorites.  It will be for future reference for when I use Doctor locally.  Doctor John O'Dea has his own source which he is very picky about.

JustPat:  You got it!  When I reach 15 posts, I'll be a-calling!   

Michelle_P:  Thanks!  I'll pull up the rock now!  Yeah, that trip was something else indeed!  An adventure to say the least.  I still laugh at myself who planned to be en femm only part of the time but forgot my male clothes due to being in such a desperate hurry.  That includes no comfortable shoes.  The WHOLE time in high heels!  Boy, my hounds were howling by the time I got home.  I had blisters on top of blisters!    Interesting though, dressed feminine the whole time.  Tweren't bad actually.  I PLAN it for the October trip.  But maybe stylish FLATS this time!    Thank you for the information and links! 

Quote from: Josephine8Alexandria on June 09, 2017, 01:25:12 AM
Doctor John O'Dea has his own source which he is very picky about.

I have the impression he like to promote himself quite heavily, and I'd not be surprised if its part of that. Implants are a very old technology, going back at least to the 50's, but they fell out of favor in recent decades for some reason.

Hi Josephene;
Let us know how you get on with the pellets!
Judith