Hi Jennifer,

Thanks so much for writing. A phone call from a very kind friend helped me recover from the news of the day. What happened will be an on-going contributor to my stress for some time. I will write about this when it is safe to do so.

My friend suggested that I get to bed early for a change! He was right. I will curl up under some warm blankets very soon.

I was delighted to get the card from my niece. My brother and sister-in-law and my nephew had already sent cards. They are all reaching out to me and I need to respond.

My niece and I easily reconnect when we see each other. So we are close. We view people and the world in much the same way. She is very accepting of all kinds of folks. Unfortunately, she lives nearly 1,000 miles away and we seldom have a chance to visit.

One of the best experiences I have had is just what you long for, "feeling one of the girls". The first time that happened was weeks before I transitioned. I stopped at a local bar with some female friends from work. Most of them already knew that I would be transitioning. I told the rest that night. I finally felt like I fit in with a group.

I never felt that I fit in with men. Since I transitioned, I have spent many happy moments speaking with individual women and just relaxing with groups of women. This has been a real blessing.

I will get a good night's sleep, right after my next post anyway! I want to say a few words about transitioning realties. [Addendum: I will postpone the 'transitioning realities' post so I can get to bed now. I want to discuss some of the difficulties of transitioning, but not to discourage anyone. I have never been happier. As with any change though, and transitioning is a huge change, there are gains and losses.]

I wish you the best,

Danya

mrt (imported) wrote: Wed Jan 21, 2009 8:26 pm I'm sorry that its uncomfortable but its a great indication that its working the way it should. Anyway congrats your truly on your way. How long have you been on HRT?

Greetings, MrT,

As I told my gender therapist today, I don't mind the discomfort one bit!

I have been taking estrogen for about 7 1/2 months. When I transitioned in May, I hadn't started hormones.

Hugs,

Danya

This afternoon

Danya (imported) wrote: Fri Aug 01, 2008 7:30 pm , I saw my gender therapist for the first time in

a month. We talked about how my Real Life Experience has recently become much more intense!

Next week, my company will lay off about 7% of the people in my division. I got this news two days ago. As a single female, in the midst of puberty no less , I nearly panicked when I heard the news.

Most likely, I will not lose my job. I was laid off when I was about 31, though, so I know the pain people experience when they lose their work. I'd prefer not to experience job loss again.

I know I will feel sad for coworkers who lose their jobs next week.

Hi Danya my friend!

I will both cross my fingers and include you anew in my prayers!

Greetings

John

John (imported) wrote: Sat Jan 24, 2009 3:05 pm Hi Danya my friend!

I will both cross my fingers and include you anew in my prayers!

Greetings

John

Hi John,

Danya (imported) wrote: Wed Jul 09, 2008 8:50 am It's alway[quote="Danya (imported)"

time=1211370960]
s good to hear from you. I appreciate your
[/quote]
good wishes and prayers.

When I wrote that it is unlikely I will lose my job, it wasn't merely wishful thinking. Today at lunch, my boss told me he feels my job is safe. There are several things I do to support critical corporate systems. No one else at work knows how to do most of my job.

When I was laid off over two decades ago, that company closed my entire lab. Two weeks before the announcement, a corporate VP visited to tell us everything was fine after months of uncertainty.

My point is, I won't know my own job situation for sure until lay offs are announced next week. I feel reasonably safe but I have learned anything can happen.

The announcement will probably happen before Tuesday afternoon. I will write about that next week.

Hugs,

Danya

Well I'm glad your job sounds solid. I know how tough that can be and I'm sending a prayer for you that it continues to go well. I'm really really impressed with how well your doing transition. I think your either a real roll of the sleeves lets get to work type or its just a combo of some of that and the fact that this is just right for you.

I know talking about hormones on the archive is a bit off subject but I was pleased that your doctor is working actively with you to adjust them to the proper balance. There were a few times that I felt too "needy" and was worried that I wasting too much of my doctors time asking about this, adjusting that and so on. I'm glad she worked with me as I see yours if working with you. I know so many people that get the "here is your dose" and then never seems to be any change or close monitoring.

With functioning Ovaries or Testicles our bodies are used to a very complex system that is dynamic. We can't fully or easily emulate that with patches or injections etc but we can come close! But only if we work at it. That takes a good doctor and a patient who is proactive. The results for you seem to be right on! Bravo.

I admit just a touch of envy to know what its like to have a female puberty. Curiosity of course killed the cat however... So keep posting. For us curious cats its kind of cool to see how it all works on the other side of the fence. As for me its injection day so... Happy hormoning! Assuming that is a word...

mrt (imported) wrote: Sun Jan 25, 2009 10:04 am Well I'm glad your job sounds solid. I know how tough that can be and I'm sending a prayer for you that it continues to go well.

Hi MrT,

Thanks for the prayer. I know you understand.

mrt (imported) wrote: Sun Jan 25, 2009 10:04 am I'm really really impressed with how well your doing transition. I think your either a real roll of the sleeves lets get to work type or its just a combo of some of that and the fact that this is just right for you.

Although I know my transition is going well, it's still good to get reactions from others now and then.

mrt (imported) wrote: Sun Jan 25, 2009 10:04 am With functioning Ovaries or Testicles our bodies are used to a very complex system that is dynamic. We can't fully or easily emulate that with patches or injections etc but we can come close! But only if we work at it. That takes a good doctor and a patient who is proactive. The results for you seem to be right on! Bravo.

I a

m lucky. All of my doctors are good. I had to hunt a while to find one or two that were able to help me. I am proactive with all of them. It helps to remember that I am paying them for their time and knowledge.

..

mrt (imported) wrote: Sun Jan 25, 2009 10:04 am . For us curious cats its kind of cool to see how it all works on the other side of the fence. As for me its injection day so... Happy hormoning! Assuming that is a word...

I will continue posting

Danya (imported) wrote: Sun Jul 13, 2008 11:28 pm . Writing helps me sort through my

thoughts and feelings.

I hope your enjoy your T as much as I love my E.

Hugs,

Danya

Danya (imported) wrote: Fri Jan 23, 2009 7:34 pm Next week, my company will lay off about 7% of the people in my division. I got this news two days ago. As a single female, in the midst of puberty no less , I nearly panicked when I heard the news.

Most likely, I will not lose my job. I was laid off when I was about 31, though, so I know the pain people experience when they lose their work. I'd prefer not to experience job loss again.

I know I will feel sad for coworkers who lose their jobs next week.

By this afternoon, there was still no official announcement of who will be laid off. I decided to ask my boss for the lastest news. Earlier in the day, he spoke with the manager chiefly responsible for the final decision. My boss was able to assure me that I will keep my job. That decision has been finalized. He still may lose someone else from his group but won't know for sure until Wednesday.

I was relieved to know I'll have a job after this week. It is likely, though, that at least one of my friends will be let go.

That is definately good news. Hopefully things will just keep looking up.

Hi Danya,

That's very good news, but unfortunately it's also going to be bad news for one of your coworkers and friends. I feel very badly for anyone who looses their job, especially in this economy.

I am so looking forward to your visit in February. We are going to have the best time. This town may never be the same again!