I went to the VA clinic today to discuss a few things with my PCM. The first two really don't matter, but I decided that today I was going to make the step to inquire about my pursue in gender reassignment to see what the VA would do for me, and what the process would be. It took a little courage, but I finally came out with it and told her that I am interested in pursuing SRS. I gave her my back story about how I had feelings about it for a while, but only now have come to terms with it, and have talked to my therapist about it multiple times already.
I was expecting to hear about how I needed to have a psychiatric evaluation, and be determined determined a good candidate to start anything. Her response to everything? "Ok. When do you want to make an appointment with the endocrinology to start hormone treatment?"
My jaw dropped to the floor. I was in disbelief. Could I really just begin HRT like that? I literally asked her that, and she said "Yes, you can. You would need to see the psychiatrist before going through with the actual SRS, but everything else can be done whenever you want." I swear it's like the heavens parted and the light of [insert omnipotent being here] was shining down on here, making me believe she was an angel as she said those words to me! She also said that as soon as I started, I could change my gender and name with them, so I would be treated as a female, and not a male. That will be a BIG step!
I said that I would love an appointment. So now I am waiting for a letter in the mail from the VA hospital to tell me when my appointment is, so I can go in and get things rolling!
I guess I won't need to order more PM after all.
I hope I don't become some sort of outcast here, since it's not NBE anymore. I love all of you here, and love to read your stories of success, or frustrations, or even questions. I am so excited to have taken the first big step towards transformation.
I was expecting to hear about how I needed to have a psychiatric evaluation, and be determined determined a good candidate to start anything. Her response to everything? "Ok. When do you want to make an appointment with the endocrinology to start hormone treatment?"
My jaw dropped to the floor. I was in disbelief. Could I really just begin HRT like that? I literally asked her that, and she said "Yes, you can. You would need to see the psychiatrist before going through with the actual SRS, but everything else can be done whenever you want." I swear it's like the heavens parted and the light of [insert omnipotent being here] was shining down on here, making me believe she was an angel as she said those words to me! She also said that as soon as I started, I could change my gender and name with them, so I would be treated as a female, and not a male. That will be a BIG step!
I said that I would love an appointment. So now I am waiting for a letter in the mail from the VA hospital to tell me when my appointment is, so I can go in and get things rolling!
I guess I won't need to order more PM after all.I hope I don't become some sort of outcast here, since it's not NBE anymore. I love all of you here, and love to read your stories of success, or frustrations, or even questions. I am so excited to have taken the first big step towards transformation.
