Been watching them for sometime via youtube, even before I knew this was the path I had to ultimately take.

I've watched them for encouragement mainly, anymore though I've discovered I can no longer watch them without my eyes welling up with tears.

Is it because I realize I'm getting closer and closer to that point and the realization that soon I can finally be myself?

Don't know what it is, but I get quite emotional watching them anymore and I used to watch get encouraged, but not really emotional per-say.

Yep it must be because I'm getting closer and closer to that point myself and the overwhelming happiness that's going to come along with it.

I just feel overwhelmingly happy and I've not even started the real life living yet, nor hormones... although the magic pills are getting close.

Make no mistake these aren't tears of sadness when watching these videos, they are tears of joy and pure contentment. Finally after 31 years of living a lie... the real me is close to coming out and it's a wonderful feeling and a feeling I'm going to use to get me through the rough patches and the 'scary' aspects... first time going out and such.

Well I'm very happy for you! I'm happy that your happy, and that you're moving smoothly along your path! Congrats and Good Luck!

I go the other way, especially with the post-surgical videos.  And I am getting that way with the threads also.  I just can't really watch or read them any more.

It isn't that I am not happy for those girls, but it just hurt when your own had to be canceled and may not be re-scheduled.  But I just go day by day.  That is all I can do.

It's always encouraging to see other people succeed, isn't it? What seems difficult at the start is made real and really possible when other people who are in so many ways in the same situation as you are, are doing what you've dreamt of and are achieving their goals. If they can do it, you can too, and to actually see it happen was something I always found supportive.

It's going to take time, but you'll make it happen, on your own time schedule, and in your own way. Perhaps one day, it'll be YOUR video people are watching for inspiration!

Quote from: Janet Lynn on March 21, 2011, 06:16:39 PM
I go the other way, especially with the post-surgical videos.  And I am getting that way with the threads also.  I just can't really watch or read them any more.

It isn't that I am not happy for those girls, but it just hurt when your own had to be canceled and may not be re-scheduled.  But I just go day by day.  That is all I can do.

My bank account is at an all time low, I'm in debt to the credit cards, and I'm unemployed. I've spent virtually all of my savings on transition, including SRS with Dr. Brassard in Montreal. It was a situation of either transition, including SRS, or I'd end up drinking myself to death. I sold everything I could to make it happen.

Once the desire is there, it comes down to getting the money together, and then it's only a matter of time. People are transitioning and having SRS at ages which would have been unimaginable years back, people in their 60's and 70's are routinely having the procedure. Even if you're unemployed now, in time you WILL get another job, or you'll work temp jobs, whatever- you WILL earn money, and over time, you'll save whatever it costs to complete your transition. There are reliable surgeons such as Dr. Kamol (and others!) performing SRS in Thailand for thousands of dollars less than North American surgeons, so there are choices without sacrificing quality. It's a question of time and money, and if the desire is there, you can, and you will make it happen!

I met a girl who spent ten years on her Real Life Experience while she saved her money for surgery. She said, when she was post-op, that the long wait was actually a good experience for her, as she used the time to truly perfect her social and vocal skills. By the time she had surgery, it was a totally seamless integration into her life as a complete (and sexually active!) woman. The long wait for surgery doesn't need to be a totally negative experience.

I have the same reaction. I'm just starting out but I still get overwhelmed that it's really, finally happening.

I also know that I am very susceptible to going the other way if things start slowing down. But we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

Quote from: Janet Lynn on March 21, 2011, 06:16:39 PM
I go the other way, especially with the post-surgical videos.  And I am getting that way with the threads also.  I just can't really watch or read them any more.

It isn't that I am not happy for those girls, but it just hurt when your own had to be canceled and may not be re-scheduled.  But I just go day by day.  That is all I can do.

Same here, I can't watch or read anything surgery related without becoming full of emotion.... sadness, jealousy, bitterness... it runs the gamut. It's been this way for a while and things get so bad I just avoid the topic all together...I don't want to talk about it, I don't even want to think about it because I know how I'll end up feeling.

I have felt like the OP with the watching of videos, it's been a long time though.

~Sara