Hi Everyone,

It certainly

SplitDik (imported) wrote: Thu Nov 22, 2012 2:42 am has been a while since I last

posted and quite a lot has happened since then!

As I stated in my last post, I was scheduled to see a urologist on Tuesday (yesterday) but there was a cancellation and I was moved into an earlier slot on Friday. I was scheduled to see a lady urologist but my Friday appointment turned out to be with a very nice male doctor. I presented him with my problem (hard, atrophied testicles) and following his initial exam he sent me immediately for a scrotal ultrasound. The radiologist said he had never seen a bilateral seminoma and had my doctor on the line almost immediately discussing the blood panel markers and my options. I told them that I had injured both in college during a martial arts match (I really did) and they said it could possibly be related.

The panel results came back on Tuesday morning but were negative for elevated markers. My urologist said that was the good news, however, seminomas do not typically show up in the panel and the only way to be certain is via surgery. He presented me with several options (surgical removal of a lump in one and send to pathologist, surgical removal of lumps in both and wait it out to see if the growth reoccurs, or simply remove both testicles.) Needless to say I opted for the bilateral orchiectomy (which he agreed was probably the best choice given the rarity of bilateral seminomas) and am scheduled for surgery this Friday morning :O) I'm a bit nervous about the surgery but will be really happy to finally have them gone forever!

I'll be sure to keep everyone posted on the results of the surgery and the healing process. The doctor said I will be in bed for a few days following the surgery and will be limited to light activities for a few weeks. I hope I heal fast so I can get back into my aerobics routine :O) I would like to know what some of you think about not going the HRT (testosterone) route. I currently take a very low dose of estradiol and calcium supplements daily and would really like to avoid T at any cost.

That's all for now! Wish me luck! I'm excited!

Be Well and Be Safe!

Brooke

Hi Brooke,

Good luck with the surgery, I wish you well and look forward to your next post op post

jcat (imported) wrote: Thu Feb 21, 2013 4:26 pm Hi Brooke,

Good luck with the surgery, I wish you well and look forward to your next post op post

Thanks so much for the kind thoughts JCat I'll be sure to update post op as soon as I'm feeling up to it!

Hope everything comes out okay Brooke

As for the TRT why would you consider it when you are already taking Estrogen? I don't see where it is an issue??

{{Hugs}}

Wolf-Pup

Wolf-Pup (imported) wrote: Thu Feb 21, 2013 5:33 pm Hope everything comes out okay Brooke

As for the TRT why would you consider it when you are already taking Estrogen? I don't see where it is an issue??

{{Hugs}}

Wolf-Pup

Thanks Wolf-Pup

As far as the TRT thing, my urologist suggested putting me on a T source following surgery and does not know about my being transgendered. I have read where low doses of estrogen can work very well for those non-trans folk that are unable to tolerate testosterone. There are inherent risks of course for the non-trans person, but I think being transgendered puts me in a different category. Ultimately, following castration, I would like to try to find a comfortable place somewhere in the middle of the male/female spectrum (androgyny). I am aware that it is a slippery slope but nonetheless is one that I am willing to try to negotiate.

I have been taking low dose estrogen on and of for many years and am currently on a 2mg per day regimen.

What I am curious about is trying no hrt at all for a while and instead using vitamin supplements (calcium, D, etc) and exercise to make up for any muscle, weight or bone density issues. I would be interested in hearing from those that have travelled this path since I have always preferred a holistic approach. However, I do realize this may not work any longer following castration

Brooke

Thanks Wolf-Pup

BrookeTS (imported) wrote: Thu Feb 21, 2013 6:32 pm What I am curious about is trying no hrt at all for a while and instead using vitamin supplements (calcium, D, etc) and exercise to make up for any muscle, weight or bone density issues. I would be interested in hearing from those that have travelled this path since I have always preferred a holistic approach. However, I do realize this may not work any longer following castration

Brooke

I am hypogonadal (low T) and it affected my bone density to where my spinal column was only one step above osteoporosis level. This led to something of an implosion and I have 5 bad lumbar disks. So if you go the no hormone route, be extra careful to check your bone density at least once a year if you have insurance that will pay for it.

Sorry to interject at this time, but I am about to inject myself, after three years of cord ligation (see threa 'Pinhole castration' in Surgical) have left me with low T to judge by effects on fat distibution, muscle loss and on libido, but with medically normal testes. I made up a 40% solution in the lab today and then ran a dilution series reading pH at each step. The max pH was 9.9 at 10% strength, 5% and 20%read 9.75, 40% read 9.45. The vets mg/kg dose rate is also quite important to avoid stopping your heart with too much calcium. More later, Dodo1943

dodo1943 (imported) wrote: Sat Feb 23, 2013 7:44 am Sorry to interject at this time, but I am about to inject myself, after three years of cord ligation (see threa 'Pinhole castration' in Surgical) have left me with low T to judge by effects on fat distibution, muscle loss and on libido, but with medically normal testes. I made up a 40% solution in the lab today and then ran a dilution series reading pH at each step. The max pH was 9.9 at 10% strength, 5% and 20%read 9.75, 40% read 9.45. The vets mg/kg dose rate is also quite important to avoid stopping your heart with too much calcium. More later, Dodo1943

Dodo1943,

In reading your post, it appears you have a substantial chemistry background and have the doses in the correct range. However, as we have seen with the few of us that have tried this method, your mileage will vary. The straight 30% calcium chloride combined with Everclear did the job for me using only one injection per side. If you have not yet injected then be sure to go slowly and keep everything as clean as possible. Use different needles for each injection and be sure to check for blood by drawing back on the syringe before injecting. Also, and probably most important in terms of avoiding any unnecessary pain, be sure to inject away from the epididymis area and be careful to not let any of the calcium chloride enter the scrotum!

I know where you are at and how you feel so good luck to you in your journey and I hope all goes well. Keep us posted on your progress and if you need any advice I am just a short e-mail away.

Hugs,

Brooke

Hi Everyone!

Well, this is my first post as a newly castrated lady (besides my reply above) and I'm loving it! I'm in a bit of pain as I write this so I'll try to keep it short and sweet.

The surgery went well (in and out of the the operating room in just over an hour) and as an outpatient was discharged from the hospital just 6 hours later! It all happened so fast that before I knew it I was home in my own cozy bed sleeping like a baby I awoke just a few hours ago with the realization that they are gone, banished forever

SplitDik (imported) wrote: Sat Dec 29, 2012 9:41 am , and for the first time in my life

I am feeling this overwhelming sense of liberation It may sound strange to some, but emotionally I finally feel whole after losing something that has been part of my physical being since birth.

To all here that have listened and advised, my sincerest gratitude. To all those that will attempt this journey, I wish you all the best for a safe and rewarding journey.

I'm off to rest now...

Hugs,

Brooke :):)

Congrats! Welcome to eunuchdom or if you prefer uniquedom. Wish you well. Are you also considering SRS surgery?