It gets lonely

The lonely transgender journey

I’ve just completed my third surgery to correct a physical situation I was born with. I sit with an icepack between my legs and a nightstand full of various pills. There are pain pills and antibiotics, pills to counteract the ill effects of anesthisia and pills to counter the ill effects of antibiotics.

It’s been just over eight months since my medical journey began. In a few days time I will round the final lap and complete the surgical part of the race to become myself.

I realize that I haven’t written a lot about my previous surgeries. The agonizing and frightening facial feminization surgery, or the debilitating vaginoplasty, or the comparatively pain free labiaplasty. Hmm… Maybe that’s just the drugs talking. It was only yesterday after all, and I still have quite a dose running through my system.

EnFemme

In part my silence is because my energy has been sapped doing the work of healing my body. In part it’s because I wanted to write a thorough treatise on my experience as a helpful guide for others. And I guess in part I wanted to put the whole experience behind me as quickly as possible. I am eager to move on with my new life and to leave the old behind me.

So a few days away from breast augmentation surgery I ponder the phrase some have used to describe my experience – ”it’s just a phase”. I think the word ”phase” means something different to you and me…

This is my life. Sometimes I dance for joy at being alive. Sometimes I weep as years of pent up grief roll down my cheeks and I realize – this is my life.

Soon at least I will get a reprieve from doctors and nurses. A welcome respite from needles and hospital rooms. Then the real work begins.

In some ways the physical act of transition has been straightforward. Organize the surgeries. Fly there, follow the doctor’s orders. Get cut, survive the pain and heal. Rinse, lather, repeat until medical science has helped create the life I have always lived inside.

But it gets lonely. When all the therapy has been done. When all the name change forms have been filled out. When you’ve told everyone you know. When the voice therapy has taken you as far as it can and the electrolysis is at it’s end. When plastic surgeons from coast to coast have plied their trade on you. It gets lonely.

I am a woman. Inside and out I am a woman. But I will always have a secret. A secret that will make dating more difficult, that will haunt me in my vulnerable moments.

Sometimes I am lonely and afraid. Yet so far I have made the most of my turn at life. I cannot imagine another future. Even though happiness is at times out of reach, with a bit of luck I will be able to hold it for just a while. Just one more moment.

EnFemme

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I’m passionate about creating a safe space for everyone in the transgender community to find laughter and friendship on their journey. I completed my physical transition in 2011 and through it I lost everything, and gained everything. I am blessed that I was forced to gaze inward and embark on the journey to discover and live my authentic self. My deepest wish is that all who wander here may find peace, happiness and freedom.
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Shanda Labonte
Member
Shanda Labonte(@trixietkw)
4 years ago

You had a great line: “I have made the most at my turn of life” Another one, “I am a woman inside out I am a woman “ God grant you find someone you can share your secret with. Lotta fits and starts with dating – a pretty universal truth-no news there . I would just hope in getting to where you want to be you would have fun getting there ❤️👩‍🎤

Dame Veronica Graunwolf
Member
5 years ago

Vanessa……..I am not really worthy of bowing to….much to atone for in my past. But….I thank you for your kindness. May the force be with you always!

Dame Veronica.

Dame Veronica Graunwolf
Member
5 years ago

As usual…a great story Vanessa. I applaud you for writing it all down. Is a great source of info into what people face when they transition. Knowledge from one who has been there. You have my respect and I bow before you as a great human being.

Dame Veronica

Mariabella
Mariabella
5 years ago

Love and a big kiss Vanessa. You are not as alone as it feels some times. Just look at this community are we all not together in the same place more or less? And you are hear now love to feel the love and support from those of us with such startlingly similar stories. Again BIGLOVE from little me
MariaBella

Mariabella
Mariabella
5 years ago
Reply to  Vanessa Law

Giant hugs for all you went through honey. Giant loving hugs

Ginnie Gidlund
Member
Ginnie Gidlund(@ginnirg)
5 years ago

Oh Vanesa, you realy had it bad. I almost do not dare to tell how easy it was for me. Beside the three year of preparation and v a i t i n g, all went all according to the WPATH’s “rules" Only one thing that failed. On the Saturday after the op day (Monday) I god so many visitors that the whole thing came out, A GG would call it a prolaps. It felt odd so I called the nurse, she looked on the lower part of me and turned frightenning silent. and run out and then the circus… Read more »

Rebecca Williams
Rebecca Williams(@rebecca)
5 years ago

I have posted this in the past on the other web site. This journey we choose to take is not an easy one. I have a song that I listen to when I get depressed. The song is from ABBA, called " I Have A Dream " I Have a Dream ABBA I have a dream, a song to sing To help me cope with anything If you see the wonder of a fairy tale You can take the future even if you fail I believe in angels Something good in everything I see I believe in angels When I… Read more »

Carla Roberts
Member
Carla Roberts(@carlaroberts)
5 years ago

Thanks Rebecca,

Love this song, and the message of hope it carries with it.

Carla

Anonymous
Anonymous
10 years ago

It is very tough for us to throw off the conventions of the old us.We even see our new lives with the old eyes.Acceptance and love comes from within!When we worry about "secrets"; when we have anxiety about whether someone will love us or want to marry us and be with forever; we give power to our fears. In truth when someone loves you, they see past all of our shortcomings and they see the person we are.This body, this form mean very little in the end.I had certain beliefs that I was going to find just a man and… Read more »

Lea Henderson
Member
Lea Henderson
5 years ago
Reply to  Anonymous

Thanks, I needed to hear that reassurance. Trying to wrap my mind around all this including my opening up to myself and a significant lady friend who who keeps saying this to me too… Who we are inside and with each other…. Us both getting older, and our bodies to so…. That aside – what remains that’s valuable for ourselves and for each other? I believe she’s smarter in this area than I am, and I’m ok with that too, letting her take the lead once in a while…. A jointly shared Experience, yes… So yes, this process is helping… Read more »

rhinoplasty new york
11 years ago

I'm really happy that you are all better now, I suggest you go to support groups if you want extra support.

Julie Higgins
12 years ago

However much support we have, however we look, however together we seem to have our life, we always harbour that secret, that iceberg, that potential to rip open what we've become. Almost everyone around us has no idea what it means to be transgender, how far this circumstance embeds into our bodies and our psyche. Best wishes as you begin to live.
Julie.

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago

Oh Dearest Vanessa: I read your blog and feel compelled to remind you that you ae never alone! We, your friends are always here for you. I know this will sound unusual but i wish I could have the wonderful ability to experieince your pain. Not that I am the kind that likes pain, but because it means I would be on the same route as you to full femininity. I have neither the money nor the opportunity to do so,, but I assure you I would love to have the chance to esperience those same pains. My love to… Read more »

Anonymous
Anonymous
12 years ago

yes you are right in the dating area but girl tall the man after sex if you like it i think it would not mater yes you where that the key word you where man but know you are woman and you go girl love you alexandra

Kathleen Sullivan
12 years ago

Hi Vanessa,

To be trans is to be lonely. I am married, surrounded by a loving family, friends, and coworkers. All of them are very supportive, but still don't understand the depths of conflict that exist, no matter how far the transition proceeds.

It is good that there is a trans community here just because of that. Without it, I know I'd be hurting terribly.

Try to find your community too. Reach out – it will help you and you can help others too.

Love, Megan

Unknown
12 years ago

Vanessa, you have made it this far, and I know you will be able to make it the rest of the way to womanhood.
Hugs,
Ronda

Kimberlyann Marie
Kimberlyann Marie
12 years ago

(((((((((((((((((hug))))))))))))))))) may your pain ease soon!

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