I hope you get the results you want from the judging.

So my life now... GRS.... Dilate 3 times a day .1/2 hrs. each time. Add ointment on scars to promote healing and still see doctor for follow ups.
   Nose surgery...Rinse nose 3 times a day to help healing. salve end of nose. Weekly doctor appointments.
   Voice training... 2 times a day 15min each. Meet with voice coach once a week.
   Braces... Brush and floss after eating (should be doing that anyway). See Orthodontist every 6 weeks.
   Stretching and crunches every morning for back pain.
   Makeup most mornings especially to hide bruises under eyes from nose job.

I feel like my life revolves around body maintenance. Moving on. I'm preparing for a week of camping and trail ridding in western Pa. this week. Cool fall weather and many activities provided by the campground. Ranch sorting, Bingo, Band, Costume party, dinners 4 nights. Weather forcast is looking good so far.

It wont go on for ever my dear, hang on in there!!

Oh I forgot, 3 times a week using the IPL.

Hey Gina-- I am 5 weeks post GCS tomorrow. Perhaps this can help. Do we have a lot of self care? yes, we do. When it gets to be a drag in my life? I remind myself I am one of the lucky ones. I tell myself there are so many sisters that won't get a sniff of transition or bottom surgery. I'd be letting them down to complain too much. A little complaining is human.

As for the rest? well. Rest days are a training principle. Once in a while skipping a voice practice or flossing doesn't mean the world is going to end. It means you come back the next time a little stronger, a little more ready.  Give yourself permission to take a break once in a while. You will come back stronger.


hope it helps. stay optimistic.

~Jenn

   Thanks Jenn and Davina. I hope I didn't come across as complaining. Just stating a fact. Life has sure changed from the old throw on a T shirt and go days. I wouldn't change it for the world! Also trying to get everything done NOW instead of stretching it out over several years has its challenges.
   On another note, went to a Billy Joel tribute band on Saturday. Courtney was playing drums. It was an outdoor show, in the drizzling rain. 12 people stuck it out. Last year I'm told they had 1500. Sad to see so few fans.

Always sad when that happens, free band practice time! You can "moan" all you like dear but we know its just saying what needs to be done. It can be a faff ,good "warning" for all that have to go through this. XXXX

  So, I received 2nd place in the trail competition a couple of weeks ago. Not to bad in an open gender group of 25. Though I'm sure I had some sort of advantage being trans, right?
  On vacation, holiday for those across the pond, for a week of trail ridding and fun. We got lost yesterday and finally found our way out to a road but were to far out to make it back before dark so we had to call for a ride back. Thankfully they came with a trailer and picked us up. They had Bingo at the camp last night. Games were only a dollar each. Wouldn't you know it my wife won a brand new saddle with rack and $52. Then tells me she switched cards, with me in the beginning. Tonight is ranch sorting which should be fun. Then a band and costume party tomorrow night. Gotta ride. By all!

Quote from: Gina P on October 04, 2024, 10:39:43 AMSo, I received 2nd place in the trail competition a couple of weeks ago. Not to bad in an open gender group of 25. Though I'm sure I had some sort of advantage being trans, right?
  On vacation, holiday for those across the pond, for a week of trail ridding and fun. We got lost yesterday and finally found our way out to a road but were to far out to make it back before dark so we had to call for a ride back. Thankfully they came with a trailer and picked us up. They had Bingo at the camp last night. Games were only a dollar each. Wouldn't you know it my wife won a brand new saddle with rack and $52. Then tells me she switched cards, with me in the beginning. Tonight is ranch sorting which should be fun. Then a band and costume party tomorrow night. Gotta ride. By all!

Congratulations!

Chrissy

They had a Halloween party at the camp last night. I went as red ridding hood and my wife as the big bad wolf. One woman came up to me at the start and said she liked my costume and said i looked beautiful. Women can be so nice. My wife won $50 for the best costume, though I thought we were a team. I danced as much as my bad hip would allow. The women all danced with me as one of thier own. Felt great being part of the club. Its been a fun week of being called lady. Now 5 hr. ride back home and start the work week. Blah...

That sounds like so much fun!

   My nose surgery continues to heal. Swelling is slowly going down. I would have liked it to be much smaller but the doctor said it would look silly to have a tiny nose on a large face. I guess I'll have to wait and see the final results.
   When we returned from vacation the depression hit hard. I hate living here and am considering selling and moving. I feel like 'Jenny' in Forest Gump when she visits her old house and starts throwing rocks at it. My wife wants to stay here but will move with me if that is what I decide to do. I would have to close or sell my business as well. At 62 and trans I'm afraid my employment opportunities are few. Early retirement looks great but I'm not sure if the finances will support that. We had a realtor come by and is going to give us a home value. There is much work to be done to sell and much more to down size to move. We have much to consider! I am afraid I might be shooting myself in the foot just to have piece of mind.
  Any body know much about West Virginia? Property is really cheap. Is it trans friendly? I love the mountains.

  I had a great experience while working, a neighbor came over to the job and said I looked just like someone he played bingo with. He said, Connie and I could pass for twin sisters! Made my day.
   I went ahead and made an appointment to view a piece of property in WV next week. Not sure yet if this is the right decision but just looking at this point.
   Dilation took a down turn. I missed a couple of mid day dilations and have been struggling with depth. I have retained my depth but now have some blood and back to wearing pads. I see the doc on Friday for a checkup. Work has been quite busy and my mind just isn't into it. 

I've never been to West Virginia, but from the photos I've seen it's appears to be a beautiful state. According to the Movement Advancement Project, West Virginia is ranked 31 out of 56 on the topic of 'gender identity'.

https://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/index/policies?sortdir=desc&sort1=identity&sort2=total

Relocating can provided a wonderful, fresh start after transition. However, in addition to being expensive, you will also lose most of your support network. You will need to find new doctors, dentists, hair stylists, etc. This can be a daunting task anywhere, but being trans can make it even more difficult than usual. Susan and I relocated a few years after all my surgeries were complete. I still think it was a good idea, but the only electrologist I trust is now nearly 1000 miles away.

I occasionally have issues with dilation. It could be because I've dropped down to twice a week. Yes, it can be a struggle at times. However, I would much rather deal with this than continue being the person I used to be. Just be patient, and careful.

Love always -- Jess

  I saw the GRS doc on Friday. I have a green light for anything including sex. She was very pleased with my healing. At just 4 months post op now. I thought it would be 6 months but I have healed quick. I went out and bought a toy to celebrate. Still no big O but hopefully soon.

That is great news!

New toys are always fun to try. 

No trail ride this weekend. My wife's horse is sick with a respiratory infection. Vet was out and I think we caught is soon enough. Weather is absolutely beautiful. Leaves are in thier full glory, temps are in the 60's, not a cloud in the sky. 
  I am fixing things on the house incase we try to sell it. The thought brings about a rollercoaster of emotions. I built this house to die in. It has all the conveniences for getting old in, including wide doors, a handicap shower, almost no steps etc. But every time I see my niece and her family on the property I tended to all the years, it grieves me. Moving hopefully would help. At least it would not be in my face every day. I also feel I should not be forced off my own land but feel my piece of mind is worth far more.
  At least I'm happy with my body now and that means a lot!

   So we had our road trip to West Virginia. The house and land was a bit of a bust. The house reeked of cat urine, land was overgrown with brush, and everything needed maintaince. The land was almost vertical and the water was contaminated. So we keep looking! On a good note, the 6+ hr. ride down there was beautiful with all the fall foliage. The hotel we stayed in had a pool so I donned my girly swimsuit. It felt great and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. As a guy I was always embarrassed to go with swim trunks. 

Quote from: Gina P on October 25, 2024, 11:43:32 AMSo we had our road trip to West Virginia. The house and land was a bit of a bust. The house reeked of cat urine, land was overgrown with brush, and everything needed maintaince. The land was almost vertical and the water was contaminated. So we keep looking! On a good note, the 6+ hr. ride down there was beautiful with all the fall foliage. The hotel we stayed in had a pool so I donned my girly swimsuit. It felt great and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. As a guy I was always embarrassed to go with swim trunks.

I had to get to work yesterday and ran out of time to finish my thought.

   A very interesting part of swimming was how buoyant I have become. I have always been a sinker my whole life but now can float. 
   Just looking the new piece of property gave me a renewed state of mind, realizing I am not trapped here. There are options if I want to take them. We had an relator look at our current property and he said the value was around $550k which gives us options should we decide to move. Until then I will continue to prep things for sale should we find a new place.
  I have an appointment this coming week for pelvic floor therapy. My gender surgeon recommended I go for a few sessions. I'm not sure what it's all about but I'll give it a try. I also have an appointment to see another doctor about getting my hip replaced. They had told me several years ago to do it but I have been resisting. Some days the pain gets so bad I need a crutch to walk but others there is no pain. 
   Voice lessons are progressing. We are working on showing emotions through pitch and putting more emphasis on certain syllables. I still have trouble in normal conversations keeping my new voice and find I revert back to the old one. Practice, practice, practice!

I have been busy fixing up my current home for sale. Painting and finishing things that I had neglected to do when I built it 23 years ago. Anyway, I managed to throw out my back! First time in many years. So I have been living on pain killers for the last couple of days. I think it is a little better today, time for more stretching.