I got my first shot of testosterone today...

[UncleSepp]

I went in to see my new doctor today, a transgender-friendly doc in Seattle who is also a civil rights advocate and all around interesting man. I expected to have a consultation, schedule a bunch of tests for liver function, cholesterol, a Pap smear, and all sorts of other uncomfortable stuff. I had the consultation, the referrals and tests are in the works. I told the doctor that I wanted to go with Testopel, which is a form of testosterone delivery that is implanted under the skin and releases a steady amount instead of the up and down of injections. The doc wanted to do further research and consult with his colleagues, and then surprised me.

He offered to start me on T today, with injections, until he has his research done on how to do the Testopel. My brain froze. Today? I was thinking April! (Actually I was targeting Passover, because of the whole connection to getting out of a place of stuckness.)

I had to think, talk with my born sister and acquired sister, and finally realized that my hesitation was only because how things could happen conflicted with what I had imagined. I went back to the doctor and got the first injection today.

Sometime this summer, I will reach a tipping point where I will parse more as male than as female. It has begun! The bullshit and fakery that has defined my life so far, the mask that has come between me and the world for my whole life, is at the beginning of its end. I have never been so excited, so happy, and also at the same time so at peace.

Tonight I will be working on getting a microphone working and my digital camera hooked up to AlienGirl's computer so that I can record the first day's photos and voice clips. I will be blogging this transition and sharing it with DU. Why? Because DU was the first place where I met other transgendered people. DU was the place that first gave me a home. DU was the first place where I publicly started using my new name - a nickname of it, anyway. Not despite the "Mann Coulter" jokes and the occasional lack of thinking, but because of it, DU helped open this door: here I defended the idea of transfolk being treated with respect, and in doing so, made stronger my own heart and my own will to exist as I am, and not as I seem. Thanks, DU!

Now all I need is the boxer shorts printed with "Watch this space..."

[fleabert]

1. CONGRATS!

What an amazing trip we are all on in life- thank you so much for sharing your journey with us all. i look forward to sharing it further. Best of luck and kudos for doing what is right for you, you are one of the very lucky transgendered people whom have found a safe place with a doctor who cares and can do something about it - I am so happy for you!

Consider me another person on your list of trans-friendlies!

[BikeWriter]

4. Hello, Dear. It's good to "see" you. :-)

[UncleSepp]

5. Hello, Sweetie!

It's so good to be SEEN!

[AlienGirl]

2. Mazel tov!

Yeah, I know I just said that to you in person too, but I wanted to make sure your thread doesn't sink!

:WOOhoo: :party:

Tucker

[BikeWriter]

3. Hey, Bro...

:)

[gunsaximbo]

6. So how's it hangen?

Good luck to you. I'm happy for you.

Gunsaximbo

[Random_Australian]

7. Welcome to Blokedom, Mate... n/t

[Katherine Brengle]

8. Congratulations!!!

My best friend's significant other is transgendered (I suck with terminology--physically, he was born male) and undergoing testosterone injections now--definitely a roller-coaster, but I have deep respect for everyone who can be this true to themselves.

:yourock:

[SeattleGirl]

9. I'm so pleased that you are sharing this with us

I have met a number of transgender people in various stages of transition, from the very beginning of the process, to a woman who's transition happened a number of years ago. What I learned from them was that it was a very multifaceted process, emotionally, mentally, and of course, physically.

Good for you, though, for proceeding toward becoming who you really are. I wish you all blessings in your transition.

[ThomCat]

10. Good for you.

I'm looking forward to seeing the transition. Thank you very much for sharing this with us. You're awesome! :)

[Oeditpus Rex]

11. Know what the most fun part's gonna be?

Adjusting.

:yourock:

[Heidi]

12. I've always wondered

why some ambitious designer hasn't created men's undergarments more specifically sized, like bras for women. :shrug: Seems like that'd save a lot of adjusting. (Or maybe ya'll don't want to avoid adjusting. :shrug:)

[Oeditpus Rex]

14. It's not really about size

Mostly it's about shifting.

Although I guess if they made chonies with a pouch or somethin', there wouldn't be so much shifting.

But can you see guys doing the size thing? It'd be a planet fulla B's floppin' around in DD shorts, especially if the clerk at the underwear counter were female.

[Heidi]

15. It's _already_

a planet fulls B's floppin' around in DD shorts. That's where I got the idea for bras for guys' party-parts. x(

[Oeditpus Rex]

16. Yeah, and it'd stay that way

Because no guy's gonna cop to havin' anything less than nad cleavage you could ski down.

[Heidi]

18. Yeah, but don't you guys want the opportunity

to wear demi-cup bras? They're so pretty, and they're like a nice display shelf. :)

Sorta like this, but retro-fitted for the male form(s). :evilgrin:

[Oeditpus Rex]

19. You can't imagine

how much I don't want to see a male adaptation of that. :scared:

[Heidi]

13. Take good care of _you_.

Congratulations on taking the first step to become more fully who you are. :thumbsup:

[tuvor]

17. Glad you're feeling good, UncleSepp.

Thank you for sharing, and continued good wishes!

[misanthrope]

20. Be prepared...

...I saw an interview with a transgendered person once who said the one thing they weren't prepared for was how powerful testosterone is. The former-she said most women have no idea what it's like and the only thing they could compare it to was being pre-menstrual...every day.

[UncleSepp]

21. Hm, I can't relate

I never got PMS. I don't know what that's like :shrug: Thanks for the heads up though!

[LeftyMom]

22. I'm so very excited for you!

In addition to sharing with DU have you thought about blogging your experience? If you feel comfortable sharing the ups and downs of your experience I think reading about it and identifying with you as a human being could open a lot of eyes, since you express yourself very well.

[StellaBlue]

23. Awesome!

Congratulations on this big step!!!

I personally do not understand why so many people see transgendered issues as weird or freaky or disgusting. I find it fascinating and so very human. Best wishes to you on your journey. I can only begin to imagine what this will mean for you.

All the best!

[sakabatou]

24. I have a comic that you might like

http://www.transe-generation.com/default.asp">here.

[crispini]

25. Well congrats and good luck!

:toast: