I have been struggling with this feeling inside me for 45 years. As for my back story, I retired from the military in 2009 and I’m still going strong. The feelings over the last ten years were more overwhelming when it had gotten to the point that I figured I needed to reach out to the VA transgender coordinator. I was unsure as to how they would judge me at first. Would I be accepted as normal?
I called and had a very nice fifteen-minute conversation. I informed her that I had an upcoming annual physical and was curious as to how to bring up the topic with my regular doctor about this issue. The coordinator contacted the nurse and physician to find out if they had any previous patients who identified with a similar condition that they had seen.
When the day arrived, I was very nervous, suspecting my file had been updated reflecting my coming out. I was handed a blank piece of paper, which they claimed was for me to write down any issues or concerns I had. On it, I wrote “Gender affirming hormone treatment,” as an issue I wanted to discuss. Although she was very professional, I had to explain to her in detail what I was after and threw it out there that I was a transgender male-to-female seeking to transition and to gain treatment.
My doctor was also first to read the concerns and paused, apparently to note on my chart about my transitioning. He was very professional and discussed the next steps in order to proceed.
The behavioral health appointment referral took nearly a month to secure after several calls. I finally got in for a prescreen appointment, which went well. I felt that after speaking to her for about an hour, it lifted a ton of bricks off of my back. She said that I didn’t need to speak with a therapist since I currently only wanted to start HRT, but if I would consider top or bottom surgeries then I would need to speak with one.
The coordinator informed me that one of the VA local therapists was recently recognized as one of the top transgender specialists in Illinois should I have an interest in speaking with her. So, today, I had my very first heart-to-heart conversation about my transgender journey with a complete stranger. It was somewhat scary but exhilarating at the same time.
For those of you who have got this far in your journey, you know what I’m talking about. I was tired of trying to do all of this on my own; self-medicating with herbal supplements and creams (throwing money down the toilet,) and understanding that I needed professional help if I was to do this.
My endocrinologist appointment is in November; virtually at John Hopkins University. Hopefully, that’s the last step before going forward. Overall, my experience with the VA in this process has been positive and caring, and I had been worried that I would be judged and scrutinized.
Wish me luck in my journey as it has been a long time coming, and I was tired of doing it alone.
God bless you all and happy thoughts throughout your days!
Gena
Gena Hart
Latest posts by Gena Hart (see all)
- Connecting with the VA transgender Support Office - July 17, 2024
Oh by the way when I attend my VA appts I do present as male but would love to pass and show up in a sun dress and heels, time will tell.
Thank you Gena!
My endo appt is by virtual in late Nov. seems way out there but this gives me time to processs this mentally. The VA behavior health monthly appts have be all positive a wonderful supportive therapist with a background in transgender care. My biggest delima is I’m 59 and all kids are grown. Still want to process forward but keep it under the covers from them. Gina
I also just had a VA check up and mentioned that I wanted to discuss starting HRT. No less then two hours later I got a call for making an endo appointment. I’m so over the moon to finally speaking up and it not being taken as crazy.
Glad to hear that it’s going well for you. Probably the path I’ll take.
Gena Hart Outstanding Gina. It is truly a wonderful experience to have a plan, and then see it start to be be put into action. So many of us flounder more than we probably should, and definitely more than we want. Every step along your path comes with a sigh or relief knowing you can check one more thing off the list. But as one thing leaves the list, another one will get put on. You only need worry when there are no new one’s getting put on. It’s part of that game we call “Life". And not the one… Read more »
Thank you so much I’ve been watching a lot of Dr Z on utube a clinical psychologist has a lot to offer