[Carol]

Don’t be too jealous Caty. I too am approaching 70 (just 18 months to go). I have an obvious helicopter landing area on top which my hairdresser is working to disguise behind the perimeter growth but I often resort to a wig or hat when that isn’t working.

👿 Can we stick to the topic please – Coming out in the city and regional areas – or the moderator’s axe will be unsheathed!! 👿 Adrian

[Carol]

It might seem contradictory but I totally agree with both Dianne and Caty. Let me explain. I too live in a small regional centre with a high proportion of retiree residents, in my case in NSW not far from Nowra. I regularly get out as Carol but never, so far, in my own area. I head off north to Sydney or Wollongong or further south to other small coastal centres. On these occasions I leave home and return as Carol and keep my fingers and toes crossed that nobody that knows me notices a strange woman driving my somewhat distinctive vehicle. I’ve had no hassles from anyone on these expeditions either in the big smoke or in other rural places. I should also say that I had a high profile in various organisations a couple of years back and can imagine the rumour mill going hyper if the word gets out.
Despite all this I am pretty sure that the local community will be very supportive when I come out. The perceived problems for my wife are a major reason I don’t. At times I just think I’m chicken and I’m using my wife as an excuse. I’ll have to come out soon though. My hair getting longer and my face getting smoother will see to that. Watch this space.

[Carol]

Moderator

Quote:

WARNING
TgR is not a medical forum and any comments you may read in TgR forums are only the opinions of the member posting. You should not assume that a posting on TgR implies any verification or independent review and whilst the advice is honestly offered it is made without knowledge of your particular medical conditions. You should always seek professional medical advice before taking any action that might affect your health.

Jennifer_1 wrote:

I would like to switch to an implant however my Doctor keeps arguing against it. Have you found any disadvantages with the implant?

No disadvantages from the implant worth mentioning yet, Jennifer. My doctor agreed to the implant only after I had shown no adverse reaction to about 18 months of oestrogen by gel and patch. My first implant lasted 6 months. My second is still keeping me in the target range after another 17 months. My doctor says that’s because there is still a residual effect from the first one. I expect to start my third one next month. It really is important to check your blood hormone levels regularly, as you say, and never ever self-medicate.

[Carol]

Interesting. TV’s Doc Martin (Martin Clunes) investigated a male patient who grew impressive breasts because of vigorous contact with his female partner who was using gel to promote her own breast growth. If only it was that easy!
More seriously my doctor originally put me on gel (Sandrena daily) to avoid liver damage which he said was more likely for older patients (I was 65 at the time). The does and don’ts you provided Adrian would have helped then. I thought the gel dose was variable in effect and the application messy and got him to switch me to a patch which turned out worse in both respects. Later I went for an implant which has worked fine.

[Carol]

Dr Vlahakis has left the Taylor Square practice but Dr Pell is still there and I see her regularly. There are other doctors there with TG patients. I guess if you say why you need to see a doctor, reception will steer you to one with relevant experience.

[Carol]

This letter doesn’t ring true to me. I can’t believe a long-term closeted married cross-dresser is the author. I think the clue is in the sub-title. “The letter you always wanted to write”. I think it is more likely the work of one of those crazy -we can cure you groups.

[Carol]

I read this article too. It mentioned an 82 minute documentary about Eddie Ayres but said nothing about whether it was coming on TV or being released to cinemas. Does anyone know?

PS: Sorry, my little brain’s filing system isn’t what it used to be. I managed to confuse two articles of interest to me from this weekend’s SMH. The documentary I referred to was in Spectrum p13 and was about Irish LGBTI activist and drag comedian Panti Bliss alias Rory O’Neill. I hope nobody else spent ages rereading the Eddie Ayres article scratching their head like I did.

[Carol]

I just watched Georgie Stone on iView. What an inspirational girl! Thanks for the heads up Terri.

I also found the Transgender episode of “You Can’t Ask That” on ABC iView. “You Can’t Ask That” is a series of short docos where a panel of marginalised people answer tricky anonymous questions from members of the public. Tonight’s episode covers Islam, Transgender will play on free to air sometime in the future but all episodes are available on iView now. There’s no rush the Transgender episode will remain available until mid 2019.

[Carol]

Hi Jessica, Are you by any chance using hormones as well as IPL? My hair removal campaign started with whole of body laser “to give the hormones a kick start”. Arms, legs and body have greatly reduced hair but armpits, face and neck are very resistant. I’m now into heavy duty use of electrolysis on my face. I put the long-term reduced body hair down the hormones.

[Carol]

I agree with your assessment Claire. In the reports I read there was also a reference to the Democratic National Convention. I had a look, it seems that there were 600 LGBTIQ official delegates at the DNC and of these 28 were openly transgender. It may not seem many but there were more Transgender delegates at the DNC than Black delegates at the RNC.

[Carol]

The chemists who insist on cross-examining me about my symptoms in a loud voice in a public area before filling my prescription for anti-androgens.

[Carol]

That is great news Chantelle. As far as I am aware there were 2 other transgender candidates in this election. The candidate in Queensland reported some bad trolling on Facebook shortly after announcing her candidacy.

[Carol]

I hope you are right Josephine. Another sign of changed community attitudes that cheered me up was when a couple of high profile politicians tried to express sympathy with the victims without mentioning they were part of the LGBTI community. Public and media opinion quickly pulled those pollies into line.

[Carol]

Trump is starting to backpedal. He now thinks bathrooms are a states rights issue and the states should be able to set rules that work locally. Pity, for a brief moment I thought he had one shred of humanity left.

Back on our home front. …..off topic comments deleted (see Transformal thread)

[Carol]

Far too confrontational for me. It seems like Eddie is asking for trouble by glaring at people. I prefer to smile and de-escalate the potential for violence that way.