URNotAlone

Doctor's Visit Recap

March 3rd, 2011 10:40 am MST

My doctor’s visit on February 23^rd couldn’t have gone any better for Jenni getting out into a new environment as herself. As I eluded too, I went fully as my true-self, meaning from head to toe and everywhere in between I was my feminine self. I had my full clothing on which I accented with black ankle high 2” heels and a black matching sequenced belt, some very feminine tight curve fitting low-rise jeans with rear sequenced pockets, a white lacy cami that wore lower than the purple laydown turtleneck style sweater, a silver necklace and matching silver earrings, my blond highlighted wig and of course full makeup (eye’s, face & cheeks, lips).

 

My confirmation of the doctor’s appointment and fore-warning to the nursing staff of my female presentation paid off with huge dividends. Upon my arrival into the reception and check-in area, the nurse behind the counter referred to me from the start as Jenni. All through the check-in process, we chatted and never once did her expression or use of verbal pronouns slip. She made me very at ease from the start and put a huge smile on my face, which she noticed by complimenting me on it. I said thank you for so many reason and had a seat in the waiting area.

 

As I was waiting, several people came and went, no one making any additional glances or weird looks my way. I went about my business waiting to be called. I reviewed my paperwork and fumbled through a magazine. An older couple even came in sat in the chairs right adjacent to mine and never looked twice. A dad and two kids came through the waiting area, and I knew them and the daughter I had coached a couple of years previous in soccer. They never even made any hint of knowing the male me. When the nurse came through the door and called my name, she called me as Jennifer. I got up and walked back as best I could through the door, with one foot asleep from having my legs crossed while waiting.

 

The nurse asked how I was and that it was nice to see “me” and not the former me, which she did make reference too. She took my weight and said that we would skip the height because of the heels, but she also already had it. From there, we walked quite a ways through and by many patient rooms before getting to my exam room. The nurse followed me into the room and did the routine exam items (BP, heart rate, temp, etc.) and commented again how nice I looked. The nurse said it was really great to see the true “me”. At the end, she took the paperwork I had to pre-fill-out and said the doctor would be in shortly.

 

The doctor came in a couple of minutes later and upon seeing me, a huge smile came across her face. She said it was nice to finally meet “me” (I had been to see her several times as my male self, but she knew even in male mode that I was trans). She ran through the numbers from the nurse and asked me many questions relating to my plans, living situation and acceptance from those around me (I’ll get into the answers of these questions and others in future blog entries). At this time, I told her I had started taking 1mg of Estrofem. She did indicate that because she didn’t have a lot of experience with hormonal treatments, that I should possibly consider going to one of the more trans-specialized doctor’s/clinics in and/or around the Twin Cities. She gave me a few names and I had confirmed I knew of them, one of them being a friend of hers whom she went through medical school with. She did say though that she’d be more than happy to continue my general medical assessments and needs.

 

She then left the room for a moment for me to fully undress. I was instructed to put on one of those very thin and flimsy paper gowns to open in the front and also drape a paper covering on the middle. I did so as I sat back on the exam table. She came back in and proceeded to begin the physical exam. She said that because I had not had genital reassignment surgery yet, the physical would be conducted as though I were a male. I understood that. She explained that she’d have to check my testes and penis, but that because I had started estrogen, that she would also do a breasts exam. She explained and showed me how to do a self-breast exam and instructed me to be doing one monthly. After the physical exam part, she exited the room again and asked me to get re-dressed.

 

When she came back, she said that everything looked good physically, but she wanted to send me to the lab for a cholesterol test and some additional blood tests to check kidney function. The nurse came in to escort me to the lab waiting area and said to have a seat. She went into the lab room and talked with the nurses for a moment, I presume to tell them my preferred name preference and to not be shocked. The lab nurse came out a few minutes later and called me in as Jenni, took my blood samples as needed. She said the results would take a couple of days and that if anything came back abnormal they’d call me, otherwise the results would be mailed. After that, I was free to leave.

 

Upon leaving the clinic, I stopped by the women’s restroom. I did my business and then freshened up at the sink on the way out. Another lady was in there at the same time and didn’t blink an eye as to anything unusual. We both exchanged glances and smiles, went about our business and left. I walked out the clinic building through a large common area with entrances to many other medical related offices, passing several other people, and all went as normal as normal could be.

 

To wrap things up, it all went so well and I was even asked separately by both the doctor and nurse, if they’d be seeing “me” again as my true-self. I said most definitely to both of them and they both applauded my courage and willingness to be myself. I am so happy and thankful I took the advice of a dear friend and didn’t short change the experience. I am finding the more I get out into different environments and social settings, that my only trouble is the self generated fear I bring onto myself. Most people I have encountered have been very gracious, and those that haven’t, have kept to themselves and not made rude or judgmental comments. For me, I encourage everyone to get out and be themselves, it’s the only way to gain confidence.

 

Take care and be well.

~~Hugs to all~~ Jenni

 

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2nd order of Hormones

March 3rd, 2011 9:39 am MST

Well, a little early today I placed my second order of Hormones. I ordered a five month supply of 1mg Estrofem and an additional 100- 25mg Spironolactone pills. I am currently on a once a day regime of 1mg estrofem and a twice daily dose of 50mg Spironolactone. Results haven't really begun in fast forward type of fashion, but I am okay with that. I want to take things very slowly, and if it takes a year to begin seeing the first stages of any measurable results, then I am okay with that. I did go back forth for a few days trying to decide between ordering the 1mg or bumping up to 2mg Estrofem, but I decided with hte help aof a friend, that I am not quite ready to deal with the external issues yet. I know the day is ocming and I'm sure it will be here before I know it, but at least the slower route will afford me some additional time to come out to everyone I'll need too and also deal with some personal relationship issues. Anyways, here's to another five months of chemical changes to come and hopefully some permanancy in the process. Take care all and bext wishes.

~~Hugs~~  Jenni

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Thoughts on upcoming Doctor's Visit

February 22nd, 2011 2:51 pm MST

Well, I'm about to go in for my 40 year physical tomorrow morning with my primary doctor. I am excited and a bit nervous to say the least and I will explain in more detail throughout this journal entry. But to primer the reasoning, I am going to my visit fully enfemme as my true-self thanks in large part to a yahoo messenger chat I had with a good friend of mine who convinced and righted my thinking. To that friend, and you know who you are, thank you very much!!

A little background into the clinic and it's setting. If you can picture typical suburbia USA, then you know the average surroundings I’m about to try to put a picture too. The clinic I go to is in the northern suburbs of Minneapolis, MN in a city called Blaine. The population of Blaine is about 70,000 and the surrounding Anoka County is near 600,000. The clinic is in a large public two-story building with several other medical related tenants. I would say the clinic is a pretty standard run-of-the-mill clinic's with many patients being seen for a wide variety of ailments. The check-in/reception area is large open space that allows for multiple patient check-in at one time. The waiting area is an even larger open space with many rows of seating and a couple of entry doors that lead back into the private patient rooms. So, in short, I guess what I am getting at by this explanation is this clinic is not a specialty clinic for Trans or GLBT people.

I have been planning this appointment for quite some time now, probably close to two months. I made the appointment just before Christmas. Toward the middle of January, I was mailed a pre-physical packet with a standard questionnaire sheet asking some generic background info like your name, gender, age, address, etc followed by about 100 medical related questions. A couple of days later I begun filling everything out, and under my name, I stated Michael (Jennifer) Richmond and the form for gender had your typical binary male or female, so I just wrote in next to them trans-female.

A little further down the form, they asked what medications I am currently routinely taking, and I wrote in Spironolactone (50mg split daily), Singular (10mg once daily)and Estrofem (1mg once daily). My doctor knows about the Spiro and the Singular, but I’ve been DIY’ing the Estrofem since late December. This should lead to some interesting conversation/lecturing from my doctor about risks and such. Overall though, she’s been overly understanding and willing to learn and care for me, so my hope is that as long as I am open and honest about it, that she’ll be understanding and continue my general care and blood work.

I got a call early today from the clinic, at roughly 1:30pm or so, confirming my scheduled appointment for tomorrow and that I had received the above mentioned packet and had it all completed. I said I had and was looking forward to coming in tomorrow. After the formalities, I explained to the receptionist confirming the appointment that I am “trans” and will be arriving for my appointment as my true-self in feminine form. She didn’t think there would be any issues with that. I also further explained that all my legal documents will still indicate my male name (Mike) and I will be checking in as that, but that I’d prefer the nurse calling me from the waiting area to call me by Jenni or Jennifer. Once, again she didn’t think that would be an issue, but asked me to remind her upon check in.

 

All in all, this will be a new and wonderful experience for me in my journey to future womanhood. I am excited and nervous about this upcoming event, but I also welcome the wonderful sensations that come from having gone through this and as they say, “survived” the experience. Until I write my follow-up, wish me luck and take care.

 

Hugs ~~ Jenni

 

 

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