[Carol]

Oh Scylla, This is all so familiar. I too am one of those optimists, trying to bring my wife with me on this journey. All I can offer is slowing down because I can’t stop or go backwards. She has put up with what I am doing so far but I am getting close to her limit. I’m putting relationships with 3 adult children and 4 grandchildren at risk. But I’m going to keep trying to keep us all together until it really does become impossible. There are positive stories out there. Fingers crossed that we can be part of the small lucky minority. Hugs

[Carol]

Well in another life I had something to do with controlling imports of hormones. Unless the law has changed it was seriously wrong to import male hormones (performance enhancing for athletes) but perfectly OK to import female hormones. Go figure.
I’ve used what Amanda calls the coloured creams from Transformation in the UK and they did have a small effect but when I finally bucked up the courage to talk to a GP and got a legit prescription it was all so much easier and so much more effective. Not to mention safer. If you can’t trust your local GP try one of the LGBT oriented practices (there’s no rule against having two GPs) such as the Taylor Square Medical Centre in Sydney.

[Carol]

Hi Scylla, I go to the Taylor Square Medical Centre, recommended there by the Gender Centre, so does my friend Georgie. Georgie goes to Cathy Pell and I go to Emmanuel Vlahakos. Only these two specialise in TG clients. Both of us are comfortable with the service. On my first visit Dr E put me on anti-androgens and referred me to a psych. On the second post psych visit he shifted me to stronger anti-androgens and started me on E. I’ll never forget the huge grin he had when I first turned up en femme and he yelled “Carol” across the waiting room. He gave me scripts for “male name (Carol) surname”. First time Carol has been on an official form. The receptionists are scrupulous about the right name and pronouns. It really is a comfortable environment. Their main business is LGBT and so other clients are also relaxed. It’s a pain to travel as far as I do from the NSW South Coast and you will have to from Newcastle but worth it.

[Carol]

I’m at the same don’t care after 50yrs stage as you Alison but my wife is still terrified of the neighbours catching me. So I’m out and proud in Sydney but behind closed doors or ducking and weaving when in our little village.

[Carol]

This public speaking can become addictive. You’re a natural Kristyana. Next?
The mainstream media will be looking for you as a regular commentator on TG issues.

[Carol]

Well done Kristyana.

[Carol]

This all sounds so familiar. I managed to keep my two sides in some sort of balance for 50yrs with the occasional breakout. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say I kept the lid on my feelings. Then came the point when I was retired, the last of my children married and my parents deceased. Essentially the brakes were off. My newly released enthusiasm was fuelled by the educational effect of a TG web site (not this one) and now I am gloriously and happily unbalanced, on hrt and heading in my 60s towards transition. You seek a balance that suits your personal circumstances and stage of life. There is definitely no one-size fits all solution. To myself I am not unbalanced but the outside observer might see things differently.

[Carol]

Hi Scylla
I suffered too until I found a product called “Remove” by smith and nephew.
Described as universal adhesive remover wipes ,gently removes tapes and adhesives, reduces risk of irritation and skin stripping, contains aloe. I found it works a treat. Not all chemists carry it so you may have to ask around or get them to order it in. I get mine at Wals Pharmacy Warilla. The same place I get my patches. Again not all chemists carry a stock of those. We must be a minority!

[Carol]

Having wide shoulders means that off-the-shelf purchases that fit upstairs never are tight at the waist and I can usually slip the lot on over my head with the zip already done up. But as a chicken winger I find that if I do want to zip I can move the zip as far as it will go up with the dress pulled down. Then by hitching the dress up slightly I can reach the zip over my shoulder to finish the job. All this depends, I guess, on not having the dress form fitting made to measure of non-stretch fabric. But I haven’t tried one of those.

[Carol]

Calliope, That is so close to encapsulating my thinking it’s scary.

[Carol]

Thanks Caty for starting a great run of posts. For once I was with the majority.

[Carol]

I’m a confirmed chicken winger despite being told by Tanya from the BFS that only idiot CDs did it that way. In line with Tanya’s view my wife spins hers round. For removal I usually chicken wing but if getting changed covertly in the car I slip the straps off down my sleeves so I don’t have to remove my shirt/top.

[Carol]

6mths in on anti-androgen and 5mths in on estrogen, I’ve noticed dramatic reduction in body hair, noticeable boob growth but not enough to throw away the forms yet, boob soreness, very slight reduction in diameter of bald spot, some weight loss but I’m dieting too, fat redistribution onto hips and bum but not enough to make me throw away the boy jeans, slight reduction in waist but it’s still to big. Massive increase in propensity to burst into tears at sad stories on tele and a shorter fuse in terms of other people’s stupidity.

[Carol]

I’ve just been out en femme and have good news and bad. I made a complete mess of painting my nails after spending three weeks growing them long enough for it to be worthwhile painting them. Wife knows about the dressing but disapproves about the nails and they were on the brink of triggering her trip-line too.
However according to Tanya of the BFS only idiot CD males bother trying to do up bras behind their backs. GGs swing them round just like you did, Caty, so don’t feel too bad.
For lashes I’ve given up on mascara and falsies. I’m just too uncoordinated but male lashes are naturally thicker than girls and I’ve discovered lash tinting: black, very subtle, or blue-black, more daring, have not yet been noticed by my wife. It’s cheap around $15 and lasts 6 weeks. Definitely easier too.

[Carol]

Thank you Amanda. I really needed a positive story this week and you’ve delivered a beauty.