Friday, February 10, 2012

1 year (and 4 months) later

Well, it has been a while.

I thought I'd restart this blog as an exercise in journaling and self reflection, especially since it's been over a year since I started hormones.  Since then, I've managed to change my name, get my finances under control and start considering top surgery.

So, as far as a short update goes:

October 2011 marked one year on hormones for me, and it's been a very good year. Despite some other personal struggles, I found my self-esteem getting better and my dysphoric episodes retrograding.  A year and some on, I'm much calmer, stronger and confident.  The changes that the hormones have elicited have been nothing short of amazing for me.

December 7, 2011 was like a second birthday.  I sat nervously in a courtroom for 10 minutes, answered a series of questions with "Yes, your honor" and "No, your honor" and walked out with a sheet of paper that said (To me at least) "You are now free."  It was exhilarating and relieving to change my name, to finally be free of one of the last vestiges of the female identity that had been placed on me.  I was giddy to say the least, and I had to have been the happiest person the DMV had ever seen walk in.

Now, I'm mulling surgery. It's expensive, yes. But it could be the last thing I need to have done. My name is changed, my HRT is going well...it's the last body issue I have to deal with.  

A video may be forthcoming, either tonight or tomorrow.