Quote from: Steph2.0 on October 09, 2018, 01:37:39 PM
Ha! Funny you should call my smile "infectious" after Kathy called me STAPHanie!

Aaaargh!!!  Sorry about that.  My fingers make the weirdest typos.  A vs. E, P vs. B, F vs. V.  And I type Spoonerisms, too.  OK, I admit it, I'm weird!  (If you want confirmation of that, just tell my wife that I'm normal, and watch her roll her eyes!)

Quote from: KathyLauren on October 09, 2018, 02:37:47 PM
Aaaargh!!!  Sorry about that.  My fingers make the weirdest typos.  A vs. E, P vs. B, F vs. V.  And I type Spoonerisms, too.  OK, I admit it, I'm weird!  (If you want confirmation of that, just tell my wife that I'm normal, and watch her roll her eyes!)

Not a problem, Kathy. I thought it was funny. Here's something for your wife:



STEPHanie

Just a couple of fun photos.

@SassyCassie   and I went to Alexander Springs on Sunday. The water is the same temperature all year long as it boils out of the aquifer, which is to say it's "refreshing," i.e., cold! It took me a long time to finally get in up to my neck, and after we cooled off it was time for lunch, a little music, and lots of relaxing. With pleasant weather and company it was a very nice day.





It took actual effort to consider the enormity of what we were doing. A year ago it would have been unthinkable, but when I didn't force myself to dwell on it, it was just life as usual: a couple of cute chicks out enjoying the day. Nobody looked twice except to appreciate the view, and it was just the new normal.

Stephanie

SQUEEE!

I got it! Injection lessons and my first dose on Thursday. Buh-bye pills!



Squeeeful Stephie

My apologies if you explained this earlier in the thread, but why the switch from pills to injections?

Quote from: Jennifer M on October 09, 2018, 10:49:54 PM
My apologies if you explained this earlier in the thread, but why the switch from pills to injections?

Hello Jennifer!

I think this will clarify it for you: https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php?topic=241033.msg2182050#msg2182050

You can download and study the presentation Dr. Powers created by visiting his Facebook page. Search for drwillpowers.

You can also listen to interviews with him here: https://www.doatw.com/episode-list/2017/1/25/episode-57-dr-powers

and here: https://www.doatw.com/episode-list/2017/5/24/episode-67-dr-powers-2.

I'll answer any questions you've got as best as I can, but I'm not the expert by any means. Dr. Powers presents interesting information, but everyone should work with their doctors on their HRT.

Stephanie

Quote from: Steph2.0 on October 09, 2018, 09:52:15 PM
Just a couple of fun photos.

@SassyCassie   and I went to Alexander Springs on Sunday. The water is the same temperature all year long as it boils out of the aquifer, which is to say it's "refreshing," i.e., cold! It took me a long time to finally get in up to my neck, and after we cooled off it was time for lunch, a little music, and lots of relaxing. With pleasant weather and company it was a very nice day.





It took actual effort to consider the enormity of what we were doing. A year ago it would have been unthinkable, but when I didn't force myself to dwell on it, it was just life as usual: a couple of cute chicks out enjoying the day. Nobody looked twice except to appreciate the view, and it was just the new normal.

Stephanie

@Steph2.0   @SassyCassie
Dear Stephanie and Cassie:
You two girls look absolutely terrific ....  what a difference that a year makes.

Definitely you are beautiful girls of leisure.

Thank you for posting and sharing... wonderful pictures.   

Meanwhile where I live I have broken out the winter coats, the tops with sleeves, gloves, hats, etc.

Oh, one more thing... are you in the possible path of the latest hurricane hitting the panhandle??
Hugs,
Danielle

Quote from: Alaskan Danielle on October 10, 2018, 12:03:31 AM
@Steph2.0   @SassyCassie
Dear Stephanie and Cassie:
You two girls look absolutely terrific ....  what a difference that a year makes.

Definitely you are beautiful girls of leisure.

Thank you for posting and sharing... wonderful pictures.   

Meanwhile where I live I have broken out the winter coats, the tops with sleeves, gloves, hats, etc.

Oh, one more thing... are you in the possible path of the latest hurricane hitting the panhandle??
Hugs,
Danielle

The thought of hanging out in a park in a swimsuit would have been terrifying a year ago for sure! As for leisure, well, you grab such moments when you can.

I admit that I've been envious of the cooler dryer weather and the beautiful scenery you got to enjoy all summer, while it was so incredibly hot and humid for an outrageously long summer here. It's still going into the upper 80s to 90 degrees F here this week. I should be able to have my windows and doors open by now, but it's coming soon, and I'll finally be able to enjoy one of the big reasons for living here.

As for Michael, it looks like he'll be due west of us about 8am, and about 250 mikes away in the Gulf. The worst they're forecasting for us is 20 MPH winds and 60% chance of rain if he sticks to his forecast path. I don't personally know of any Susan's members in Florida who are in his path. Thanks for asking!

Stephanie

Yup! As usual Steph! I miss a day and your thread goes viral. You and Cassie are Looking good a the water hole. I haven't worn my one piece yet but I'm sure it would be the norm for me too because I would be more into the relaxing fun than what everybody else is thinking.

I made a mistake. I see my Endo next week, not this week. I am going to talk to her about the injection as well. She will probably request more lab work first. I already take so many pill, it would be nice to loose the little blues.

And again Steph! You always know just what to say . I am LMAO at that rolling eyes picture. I wish I had just half of your talent.

Oh my BTW??? I hope you are in a safe place out of the way from the approaching hurricane. Stay safe girl!!!

Hugs girl!
Donica.

Quote from: Steph2.0 on October 10, 2018, 03:56:41 AM
The thought of hanging out in a park in a swimsuit would have been terrifying a year ago for sure! As for leisure, well, you grab such moments when you can.

I admit that I've been envious of the cooler dryer weather and the beautiful scenery you got to enjoy all summer, while it was so incredibly hot and humid for an outrageously long summer here. It's still going into the upper 80s to 90 degrees F here this week. I should be able to have my windows and doors open by now, but it's coming soon, and I'll finally be able to enjoy one of the big reasons for living here.

As for Michael, it looks like he'll be due west of us about 8am, and about 250 mikes away in the Gulf. The worst they're forecasting for us is 20 MPH winds and 60% chance of rain if he sticks to his forecast path. I don't personally know of any Susan's members in Florida who are in his path. Thanks for asking!

Stephanie

Good on you girls for getting out there in your swimsuits...I am still not game enough to go out in public but it does say just how great you have progressed in such a short time and the fantastic confidence to do it.


Each time I catch up on you thread I marvel at you remarkable transformation...inspiring stuff


Take care

Liz

Thank you, Donica. My suit is actually a two-piece, a swim skirt and a long top. The problem with the top is I don't have enough there yet to fill it, so I have to be careful it doesn't cup open and show what little I do have. I have a little clippy thingy that holds the straps together in the back that holds things in place better, but I forgot it on Sunday. I also bought a bikini top that matches the swim skirt, and that actually works a lot better, but I chickened out on wearing it. I'm not proud of my belly right now...

Thanks for the nice comments Liz! It seems like things are moving at a glacial pace until I look back and realize it's only been about 18 months since I began this journey. I'm hoping and planning that by this time next year I will have accomplished all my goals and can live complete for the first time in my life. Time's a'wastin'!


Stephanie

I got fitted for contact lenses yesterday. It was at the office where I'd inadvertently surprised my doctor last time I was there because, even though I'd changed the name in my records months ago, they'd neglected to change the gender marker. He was a bit taken aback by my presentation and had to ask whether I was transitioning. He was fine with it and had the gender changed immediately, but it had never been my intention to spring it on him like that. This time I apologized for that, and again he was fine.

It turns out, though, that I'm not a great candidate for contacts. We decided to try it anyway, but I'll have a single-vision contact in my right eye, and a bifocal in the left. He didn't have the exact prescription in stock, so he gave me some "starters" that are close to practice with.

They work okay. Unlike lenses I'd tried in the late 70s they are comfortable on my eyes. Focus is not bad for distance, and should get better with the right lenses. But close-up isn't great, which is a tragedy if I can't use Tapatalk on my phone to keep up with all y'all. If that doesn't get better I may have to give up on the idea.

And getting them out! My eyes are not at all happy about me sticking my fingers in them. My eyelids are still sore from trying to hold them out of the way so I could repeatedly poke myself in the eyes yesterday. I feel like I've been abused by Moe from the Three Stooges: "You knucklehead, why I oughtta..." *POINK* *BONK*


Stephanie

I gave up on contacts, ended up with lasik. I could get them in and out good enough, after lots of practice, but chronic dry eye .. bleh .. plus I had severe astigmatism. The contacts had to stay in a certain orientation. The contacts moved every time I blinked.

bifocal is tricky to get used to, similar to dealing with my astigmatism.

now I don't worry at all. a few drops, a slice, a few laser zaps. No more glasses or contacts.

Quote from: Faith on October 11, 2018, 09:53:54 AM
I gave up on contacts, ended up with lasik. I could get them in and out good enough, after lots of practice, but chronic dry eye .. bleh .. plus I had severe astigmatism. The contacts had to stay in a certain orientation. The contacts moved every time I blinked.

bifocal is tricky to get used to, similar to dealing with my astigmatism.

now I don't worry at all. a few drops, a slice, a few laser zaps. No more glasses or contacts.

Doc did say that despite my advanced age, I'm a good candidate for Lasik, though I'd still need reading glasses. The only disqualifier is the $3,500 - $4,000 I'd have to cough up to make it happen. FFS and GCS first, please.


Stephanie

Quote from: Steph2.0 on October 11, 2018, 09:56:39 AM
Doc did say that despite my advanced age, I'm a good candidate for Lasik, though I'd still need reading glasses. The only disqualifier is the $3,500 - $4,000 I'd have to cough up to make it happen. FFS and GCS first, please.


Stephanie

I hear you there, or see you . I'd worn glasses since I was ~9 .. they were turning into goggles. My Mom paid for lasik before she passed or I wouldn't have gotten it done either.

I have dual focus. One eye for distance, one for close. I don't need reading glasses. I do have a pair for distance when night driving (the near eye sometimes blurs things too much at night) I rarely need to wear them. Takes, maybe, a week to adjust to shifting the dominant eye depending on what you are doing. I prefer it over bifocals and if they were the same focus I'd need a pair of glasses on me all the time.

Quote from: Faith on October 11, 2018, 10:03:18 AM
I hear you there, or see you . I'd worn glasses since I was ~9 .. they were turning into goggles. My Mom paid for lasik before she passed or I wouldn't have gotten it done either.

I have dual focus. One eye for distance, one for close. I don't need reading glasses. I do have a pair for distance when night driving (the near eye sometimes blurs things too much at night) I rarely need to wear them. Takes, maybe, a week to adjust to shifting the dominant eye depending on what you are doing. I prefer it over bifocals and if they were the same focus I'd need a pair of glasses on me all the time.

Very interesting! I had assumed that something like dual-focus would lead to headaches. I suppose that's what my contacts amount to, though, so I'll have a chance to test out the concept while I save my pennies.


Stephanie

Quote from: Steph2.0 on October 11, 2018, 10:06:26 AM
Very interesting! I had assumed that something like dual-focus would lead to headaches. I suppose that's what my contacts amount to, though, so I'll have a chance to test out the concept while I save my pennies.


Stephanie

I could have went bifocal in the near eye to help with close-up work .. but, like I said, I don't like bifocal.  I don't know if they can do something similar to bifocal with lasik.

Quote from: Faith on October 11, 2018, 10:23:23 AM
I could have went bifocal in the near eye to help with close-up work .. but, like I said, I don't like bifocal.  I don't know if they can do something similar to bifocal with lasik.

One thing I did notice that I liked was the ability to focus close when looking up. The progressive lenses in my glasses don't allow that, which is a real pain when working under a high-wing plane. I could have gotten some special lenses for that, but I have too many glasses already.


Stephanie

I am near in the left eye and far in the right eye. Most of the time I don't wear glasses however I have two sets. One is set up for driving and the other is at screen distance for when I am doing intensive computer work. If you decide to go with contacts, you could do what I do or decide on being near or far sighted without glasses then have glasses that correct for the other. I could use bifocals however looking out the bottom when using a computer wouldn't work most of the time so I felt it was better just to have single vision in all my glasses.

A Tiny Dot

I'm feeling contemplative tonight.

It doesn't look like much. You can hardly see it. But it may very well represent a new page in my story. After 16 months of HRT, with - in my perception - minimal changes, today, on National Coming Out Day, I retired those little green pills and took my first injection of estradiol valerate. That tiny dot is where the needle delivered its dose of magic.



I've covered the reason for the change in previous posts. If Doctor Powers' theories are correct, I may be seeing substantial changes in the next 3-6 months. To quote him: "4 months after correction of the [estradiol/estrone] ratio, the patient physically looked quite different and has noted increased feminization facially as well as much better breast development and adipose redistribution." In an interview he noted that one of his patients "looked like a different person." I'm not expecting miracles, but it does sound promising, and certainly worth a try.

On June 21st, 2017, I took my first dose of estradiol and spiro. It was a deeply meaningful moment, but I knew so little back then. Today feels much the same, but with the added benefit of all the knowledge and experience I've gained in those short 16 months. I have to wonder if this can be counted as yet another milestone.

All of those memories. All of that knowledge. All of the thoughts of the future. All represented by a tiny dot.

Stephanie