Jump to content
Transgender Message Forum
  • entries
    23
  • comments
    38
  • views
    15,543

Keeping the Door Open!


Cyrsti

1,596 views

On the way down the hall with my psychologist, she spoke briefly of the strides transgendered vets such as I have started to make in good old "conservative" Ohio. Some of the other professionals at the center it seems are starting to "reach out" to other gender experts in the community for advice.

She also mentioned some of the directives within the VA and the military itself concerning gay and transgendered vets as positive changes. Then added she hoped the new thinking would continue. However,

I have mentioned she said no doctor in this clinic would consider dispensing hormones but there could be other altrnatives she was checking into.

When and if any of these alternatives actually materialize, I will pass them along.

In the meantime, I'm happy to be able to help any other transgendered sisters or brothers walk through the same doors I did. By all indications there haven't been many or any before me.

I'm sure all of us know trangendered men and women seem to always be the last to benefit from advances; after the gay and lesbian community. We have to work harder to make more of our opportunities.

The most important point she made is we all have to keep these doors open to make the most of the future.

2 Comments


Recommended Comments

Cyrsti, I am pleased to hear you're helping to drag Ohio, kicking and screaming, into the 9th century and no, that's not a typo.

I, too, am a transgendered veteran. In my case, I'm MtF and have known it since I was 7. I've been in the VA health care system for several years after a decades long delay in enrolling. The first two years, I established myself with my primary physician and my mental health social worker. I never expected the VA to treat me any more than that.

Imagine my shock when my primary said, "Instead of seeking an outside Endocrinologist, why not try ours first?" So, I did. She referred me to Endo, set up an intake appointment and gave me the date and time. I attended the appointment, we interviewed for an hour and then the endo offered me HRT. I was so floored! A federal agency offering HRT to a MtF???? Wow.

As it is, I'm on my second prescription fill of 90 days conjugated estrogen and my breasts are symptomatic. I haven't been prescribed a T-blocker, but apparently my original low level isn't enough to prevent some estrogen getting through. There's no more I could ask for and I'm feeling so good.

So, don't give up on the VA yet. Also, there's a group, Transgendered American Veteran Association, or perhaps it's Transsexual American Veteran Association. They have a website, the dues are reasonable. Join so we can show how large our community is and increase our influence.

In the meantime, thanks and HUGG.

Link to comment

Cyrsti,

I'm glad that you found something like that out. It odes look like some things are changing over time. Gradually, but still in all changing.

I'm happy for you.

Link to comment
Guest
Add a comment...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...