Hi Everyone,
I haven't posted in awhile, but just wanted to let let everyone know that I'm alive and doing well.
I'm now 4 months into my RLT and things are going well for the most part. I have found a great deal of acceptance in my job and in my profession. I was stationed at the site of the project I was completing for a period of about 3 months and began going there as "me" from about the middle of October. At the time there were 30+ tradesmen on site. I walked into the building and did get a strange look from several of them. I looked at them and said "We'll have a Q & A session after work today, in the mean time get back to it, we have a lot of work to do." No one, but no one came up to me and said anything. My laborer saw me get out of my car and I walked up to him and explained to him that this is really who I am and that my real name is Erica. I told him that I hope this is not going to create any problems in work together. He just looked at me and said "No ma'am, I don't have a problem working for a women." So much for that! By the time the job was completed I had everyone calling me by my new name and they even had their pronouns correct.
I went to the grand opening party for the project where there were about 300 people in attendance. Wearing my "little black dress" I introduced myself to the mayor of the local municipality and told her what a joy it was to work with her staff. I also introduced myself to the president of the company that owns the facility. He complimented on the wonderful job we did for him.
The middle of October my doctor started me on his "hormone cocktail" consisting of a combination of estradiol and progesterone. I now do a weekly injection of both. I have noticed a definite effect on my breasts. They are now rounding out quite nicely!
I did have somewhat of an emotional let down a few weeks ago. My father-in-law passed away after a long fight with cancer. I was barred by my spouse's family from attending his wake and funeral because of who and what I am. When my spouse asked her Mother about me attending her response was "Absolutely not. I don't even know why you'd ask that question."
That hurt a great deal! Here was a man that I have known, loved and respected for over 31 years and I could not attend to pay my final respects to him. I felt it was a cruel and hurtful act. Several of my spouses family members feel that I'm being selfish in my actions and pursuits to finally be the person I really am. I sometimes feel that maybe these people should look inward at their own selfishness in expecting me to continue to try to be someone that I'm really not just for their own comfort. Maybe some day I will gain their acceptance, but for the time being, I'm not going to hold my breath waiting for it to come. Just have to keep moving on!
My laser hair removal continues and is really starting to make a big difference. I have very little hair left on my arms, chest and underarms. My beard is down to basically a "chin strap" configuration and rapidly disappearing. It won't be long now until I'm pretty much hair free.
My therapist has sent her letter to Marci for the big event coming up in September. I'm going to see a second therapist after the Holidays to get the second letter I need for the SRS and after that it's just a matter of time.
