Posting for Terry

[Paolo]

Posting this for Terry:

Exactly a year ago today, September 22nd, 2003, I was castrated in a private hospital in Wiltshire, England. The medically-qualified surgeon used only a local anaesthetic so that I was full conscious throughout the procedure. The surgeon did not shave me and he did not give me any antibiotic. He relied on the quality of his aseptic technique to ensure that I did not suffer any post-operative infection. I described the whole procedure in a posting to the Bulletin at the time.

I can now say, one year on, that I have no regrets. I did have the advantage that before actually loosing my balls, I had been on a testosterone reducing drug for just over a year as part of my treatment for prostate cancer. For those who know about these things, I can say that a blood test taken a few days ago showed that I had a PSA level < 0.1 and a serum testosterone level of 0.6.

A couple of months ago, Jesus came to England and we met up and I took him to my home and introduced to my wife. In reply to Jesus' question my wife commented that I had been a much nicer person since I was castrated. I can say that I do feel much calmer now that I am a eunuch.

For some time, both while I was on the testosterone reducing drug (Zoladex LA by subcutaneous implantation) and after my castration, I did suffer from "hot flushes". I am happy to report that these occur less often now.

For the record, I can reveal that in ten days time,on Sunday October 3rd, I shall (God willing) celebrate my 74th birthday. There will be a Harvest Festival at my local church. I shall be going there with my son-in-law and two of my five grandchildren.

My special thanks go to the Eunuch Archive for helping me to come to the decision to be castrated.

regards

Terry (a very contented eunuch)

[JesusA (imported)]

As many regulars of the Eunuch Archive know, I am an anthropologist who is currently working on two books related to the Archive. One will be a study of voluntary eunuchs that will be both scholarly and sympathetic to the community. The other will be a general history of human castration from Sumer to the present.

I am finding great difficulty with the first of these as I am having a very hard time retaining any “professional distance” with those I have met and interviewed. I find that I LIKE them far too much to be able to remain truly objective. Paolo, for example, I now consider to be one of my best friends. TheFraj is intermediate in age between my son and my grandson. I find myself giving him grandfatherly advice quite regularly and I consider him to be a part of my extended family. I have spent hours talking, not only with him, but with both of his parents and his younger brother as well. I have met no one through the Archive that I would not want to have as a friend.

Recently, when I was in England on business, I visited three members of the Eunuch Archive.

Terry describes himself as a “a very contented eunuch”, and the day that I spent with both him and his wife of nearly 50 years made clear that it is an appropriate label.

Terry, at nearly 74, can walk and think circles around most men 20 years younger. He took me on a sightseeing tour and went charging up and down hills and stairways at a pace that sometimes left me breathless. He recently completed a university degree (at age 73) in computer science – just for the fun of it!

He understands castration better than most members of the Archive, having a degree in Veterinary Medicine and having castrated a great number of cats, dogs, sheep, cattle, pigs, and horses over the years. When Terry became bored with being a veterinarian, he took a degree in law and was a practicing lawyer until his retirement. Computer science is his third subject.

Terry was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and the treatment included chemical castration. Both he and his wife liked what he became better than what he had been. The cancer seems to be totally cured, and when he went off the castration chemicals his personality, drive and stress level reverted to what it had been before.

One comment that I especially remember is that Terry’s wife said that she was now happier to ride in the car with him – he no longer experiences road rage at the incompetent drivers he encounters. (Last week, when I was in Los Angeles and met Skoptizkov of the Archive, he made the same comment about no longer experiencing road rage and being a much calmer person.)

I can’t vouch for the pre-castration Terry, but the current version is a wonderful person whom I very much enjoyed meeting. I still need to write up his comments on the medical and psychological benefits of castration for posting.

[An Onymus (imported)]

I have never met any members of the archive, and probably never will; and, as my interest in the subject of sexual differentiation is really peripheral to orchiectomy, its unlikely that I will every write any academically researched or popular works on the subject.

However, I have noticed something similar to what Jesus comments on. Archive members seem to be nice folks, and I have really come to view their sex conditions, whatever they are, as details, rather than as substantive parts of their personalities. Krister can be bombastic, Robby can get more introspective than necessary, Scottie seems to have a very effusive personality, etc., but these aren't really major problems or irritations. Of course, I don't read the stories, and that is, I guess, the main thing of interest in the archive--but I do think that eunuchism is more a pretext for people getting together here, than something which dominates every aspect of the archive.

As to whether it was orchiectomy which made people like Sag111, Robby, and Andrew, civil folk--I don't know. I really don't like to say that the procedure was necessary to produce certain personality traits. But I'm willing to accept people as they are, and I don't criticize anybody for their sex condition or lifestyle choices.

[Skopztikov (imported)]

Hello Terry,

I'd like to offer you my hearty congratulations on the anniversary of your transition to eunuch status. I have heard of few people whose surgeries went so well, so easily and with virtually NO complications. It seems hard to believe that a year has passed! You were a eunuch little more than three weeks before my own orchiectomy, and the support you offered via e-mail and a telephone call to my hotel room in Philadelphia were MORE than appreciated when it was my turn to take the same step.

Like you, I do not regret my decision to become a eunuch; it was made after years of thought, therapy and the support of my immediate family and friends. My road since that time has not been as smooth as yours, neither in the recovery nor the emotional aftermath, but, were I faced with the same situation, I would do exactly as I did nearly one year ago.

I'm happy to have walked along side you (albeit at some distance) all this time. I wish you continued happiness on this road we've taken. My best to you your wife and family!

Eunuch Greg

PS: Thanks for the postcard from your recent Baltic trip! I would have especially like to visit St Petersburg. Skopetz Grigorii

[Riverwind (imported)]

Terry,

I too pass on good wishes. I was castrated 2 years ago and yes I dont miss them either. Thanks for posting and keep us up to date.

River

[talula]

Terry,

I congratulate you on your anniversary! Do keep us informed.

Also I am sorry you had any troubles posting. I checked your account and can find nothing wrong.

Please let me know if you continue to have difficulties.

tal

[Uncle Flo (imported)]

One whole year! My congratulations and kindest thoughts To you on this important occasion. I wish you many more contented anniversaries such as this one. FLO

[Christina (imported)]

To Terry:

Big heartfelt congratulations on this milestone event. I concur with you that without the help of the many fine people here, I most likely would not be where I am today. I hope also, that those following in our footsteps take the time to listen and learn from the fine people here.

May you have many more wonderful years as a content eunuch.

To Jesus:

I am not as fortunate as you to have met so many people from here. But those that I have, and spoke with, are some of the finest people I have ever met outside of the Archives. I can see how you would consider it difficult to remain at a distance in your research.

To everyone:

The Archive has felt like a second home to me for many years now. I find the people here kind and caring. It’s a melting pot of sorts for many folks to find answers and make friends, no matter what their age, orientation or gender. It’s a wonderful place to call home.

Hugs