Everything is set to go and I'm very excited as you can imagine.
I'm 51 years of age and have been employed for 32 years in the Canadian military. They are paying for my surgery and for that I'm very thankful.
I've known that I'm the wrong sex since the age of 8 but there didn't seem to be a lot I could do about it at the time. My parents were conservative with my father growing up in a tough foster home and then joining the military. I was the first born and they really didn't know how to deal with a boy child who wanted to wear dresses. Needless to say I stopped that pretty quick.
I slowly developed a male persona which I was wearing very well up to a couple of years ago when things came together for me to say enough was enough. So, in the summer of 2008 I came out to the medical staff at the one base I was at and haven't turned back since.
One of the women who works in the same building as I remarked, just before Christmas, that I'm most certainly happier as Teresa. She could see how happy I was as Teresa and happier still as Teresa on hormones. From my point of view I'm certainly more comfortable and content now than I've ever been and, according to others, a lot happier. I suppose I am.
A good friend who's only known me as Teresa remarked on how my self-confidence has appeared to blossom and how she could certainly see an inner strength grow. Part of that is my age and the amount of time I've served in the military but a large part is now I get to be me - 100% me! That is so important.
So now I'm looking forward to the next step of my life and that is the surgery and the recovery after. I've heard from so many sources to follow the doctor's instructions to the letter so I most certainly will. The time ahead is exciting and maybe a little painful but I will proceed without a drop of hesitation and not a nerve in my body.
Bless you all.
Teresa
