Today, December 10, 2015, marks three years since I started HRT. (That's Hormone Replacement Therapy, for those who aren't familiar with the acronym.)
Three years. I'm trying to wrap my head around that.
Three years ago, I was still serving my license suspension for DUI. I was still living with my Wife and daughter. Lisa was still alive. There were many people I had yet to meet.
My "Big Sister" Mel drove me down to the Mazzoni Center, as I couldn't drive. I remember being just a little frightened, but more excited. After I picked up the prescription, we went to lunch at California Pizza Kitchen. She dropped me off back at the house, and I took the two pills: one blue and one white. Estrogen and spironolactone. Not long after, they would be joined by finasteride.
Things started slowly... until I started injections. Then the changes came fast and furious. By May, I was no longer wearing breast forms, and I had to wear constriction shirts to work. My skin softened. People began to notice differences, but attributed it to weight loss.
Wife noticed the differences as well, but ignored them. I celebrated them. I was still only going out once a month, but felt so much better. Then, one night after Laptop, I looked in a full length mirror, wearing nothing but a wig and panties.. Earlier that day, I'd shaved my whole body, which I'd never done before. I was used to seeing a hairy stomach. Without that, and with small breasts, makeup and wig, I saw, for the first time, a Woman looking back at me. I cried.
Still, there was something wrong. My injections were two weeks apart, and after nine days, I became angry, moody, and depressed- exactly what I was like before I rediscovered myself. Dr. Goodman increased the frequency of my injections to once every ten days. This solved that little issue fairly nicely.
August and September were horrible. I was thrown out of MIL's house and Lisa killed herself. I came close to falling into the Darkness as well. But, thanks to dear friends, I am still here.
In March 2014, I finally ditched the compression shirts when I went full time as a woman. I was now Me. That also meant wearing a bra full time. I remember reading long ago that the difference between a crossdresser and a transwoman is that one can't wait to get home and put on her bra, while the other can't wait to get home and take her bra off! There is some truth to this. But, I took it as a dream come true. I had breasts, and needed a bra. And like Donna Rose once wrote, she still enjoys putting on makeup because she's earned that right. I feel the same way.
Since then, I keep growing as a woman, and the hormones keep working. I am now a natural D cup. Yes, I am very blessed by good genetics. I will never have hips or, realistically, an hourglass figure like my friends Olivia and Kayden, but I will take the blessings I have been given. One thing that makes me very happy is that my roomie and bestie Linda Lewis is now also on HRT injections, and is seeing wonderful results! As it happens, we inject on the same day, so it makes remembering easier.
As I type this, I am in my PJs. Braless, as I usually am when at the apartment. Reflecting back on the past three years, I ask myself- If I knew all that would happen when I took those two pills three years ago... would I still have done it?
If I understood all the life changes that this decision would cause; all the heartbreaks people would suffer, that I would endure, all the changes, would I have swallowed those pills so eagerly?
Absolutely. This journey is one of many small steps. There was getting my ears pierced. Laser treatments. Growing out my hair. All conscious decisions, but all reversible. HRT was where the possible futures diverged. HRT was where my transition truly started. Once I headed down this path, there truly was no turning back.
And now, three years later, I'm living my truth. I have a woman's breasts and other features, and someday, maybe, I will be a complete Woman. I love having breasts- it's everything I ever dreamed it would be. I love being a Woman. For the first time in my life, I love being Me.
I took the road less travelled by, and it has made all the difference.
Three years. I'm trying to wrap my head around that.
Three years ago, I was still serving my license suspension for DUI. I was still living with my Wife and daughter. Lisa was still alive. There were many people I had yet to meet.
November 2012. I have no December 2012 pics.
My "Big Sister" Mel drove me down to the Mazzoni Center, as I couldn't drive. I remember being just a little frightened, but more excited. After I picked up the prescription, we went to lunch at California Pizza Kitchen. She dropped me off back at the house, and I took the two pills: one blue and one white. Estrogen and spironolactone. Not long after, they would be joined by finasteride.
Things started slowly... until I started injections. Then the changes came fast and furious. By May, I was no longer wearing breast forms, and I had to wear constriction shirts to work. My skin softened. People began to notice differences, but attributed it to weight loss.
May 2013. Laptop Lounge. No forms!
Wife noticed the differences as well, but ignored them. I celebrated them. I was still only going out once a month, but felt so much better. Then, one night after Laptop, I looked in a full length mirror, wearing nothing but a wig and panties.. Earlier that day, I'd shaved my whole body, which I'd never done before. I was used to seeing a hairy stomach. Without that, and with small breasts, makeup and wig, I saw, for the first time, a Woman looking back at me. I cried.
Still, there was something wrong. My injections were two weeks apart, and after nine days, I became angry, moody, and depressed- exactly what I was like before I rediscovered myself. Dr. Goodman increased the frequency of my injections to once every ten days. This solved that little issue fairly nicely.
August and September were horrible. I was thrown out of MIL's house and Lisa killed herself. I came close to falling into the Darkness as well. But, thanks to dear friends, I am still here.
December 2013, at Sandy's house, wearing one of Lisa's push ups
In March 2014, I finally ditched the compression shirts when I went full time as a woman. I was now Me. That also meant wearing a bra full time. I remember reading long ago that the difference between a crossdresser and a transwoman is that one can't wait to get home and put on her bra, while the other can't wait to get home and take her bra off! There is some truth to this. But, I took it as a dream come true. I had breasts, and needed a bra. And like Donna Rose once wrote, she still enjoys putting on makeup because she's earned that right. I feel the same way.
December 2014 at King of Prussia Mall
Since then, I keep growing as a woman, and the hormones keep working. I am now a natural D cup. Yes, I am very blessed by good genetics. I will never have hips or, realistically, an hourglass figure like my friends Olivia and Kayden, but I will take the blessings I have been given. One thing that makes me very happy is that my roomie and bestie Linda Lewis is now also on HRT injections, and is seeing wonderful results! As it happens, we inject on the same day, so it makes remembering easier.
December 2015
As I type this, I am in my PJs. Braless, as I usually am when at the apartment. Reflecting back on the past three years, I ask myself- If I knew all that would happen when I took those two pills three years ago... would I still have done it?
If I understood all the life changes that this decision would cause; all the heartbreaks people would suffer, that I would endure, all the changes, would I have swallowed those pills so eagerly?
Absolutely. This journey is one of many small steps. There was getting my ears pierced. Laser treatments. Growing out my hair. All conscious decisions, but all reversible. HRT was where the possible futures diverged. HRT was where my transition truly started. Once I headed down this path, there truly was no turning back.
And now, three years later, I'm living my truth. I have a woman's breasts and other features, and someday, maybe, I will be a complete Woman. I love having breasts- it's everything I ever dreamed it would be. I love being a Woman. For the first time in my life, I love being Me.
I took the road less travelled by, and it has made all the difference.
Wow, what a journey, hon. My condolences for your loss, but glad to hear there are no regrets. Not that you need me to tell you this, but you are looking fantastic!
ReplyDeleteIt's been 4 years since I came out to my wife, and they've been some of the best of my life. No hormones here (at least not yet), but it's wonderful to know I can come home and be her princess. :)