I am going to start by saying that I will leave the difference in treatment post for later on. Things have progressed a lot since my last post, so that is what I am going to concentrate on.

How has it been, living full time? Well.......it's been absolutely blooming marvellous! It all feels normal. I'm sleeping better, eating better, feel happier in myself now that I am being who I should be. I have a spring in my step, a song in my heart and a smile (sort of - my smile is quite scary!) on my face. I wish I could have done this years ago, but circumstances meant that I never realised that this is what I wanted.

It is easier when going out in the evening now. Just freshen up my makeup, get changes then out. I have rationed my evenings out to three times a week, mainly to give my body a rest from the restrictive undergarments and my face a rest from the makeup. My face so far has held up to the repeated shaving, as I am trying to have one of my weekend days as a shave free day. Fingers crossed it continues.

So why the change in post subject? Answer: My first assessment. My first appointment at the Gender Clinic. It all happened pretty fast. I had a call about three weeks ago from the clinic asking if I could come the next day. There was no way that I could get the day off of work, so, luckily, they had an appointment for the two weeks later. As the days passed, the more nervous I became. I don't really know why? Perhaps it's due to the fact that my future happiness is in their hands.

The day finally arrived. A close friend had offered to come with me and I gratefully accepted their offer. I was a bit anxious on the way up. Not as anxious as I would have been in a past life, but nevertheless, it was there. We were early to the clinic, so we had something to eat and drink, as we were both a bit in need of some sustenance.

The time came. In we went. They confirmed my identity at the reception and we waited to be called in. The time came - in we went. The consultant asked lots of questions about work, family, history of my feelings of my dysphoria, any mental health issues, family illnesses - mainly ticking boxes and getting an overview of my life so far. Then the biggie - what do I want? Surgery, I said. What about hormone therapy? Of course, I said. They then went through the possible side effects and problems of hormone therapy; which I thought was a lot for the first assessment. Little did I know..........

After the talk on the side effects, the consultant said that, subject to satisfactory blood tests, I could be on hormones before Christmas. BEFORE CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR!! WOOHOO! Not after my second assessment, THIS YEAR!! I was gobsmacked. The letter from the mental health doctor last year (who used to work at the clinic) was a large factor in the way the assessment went. Their assessment was largely rubber stamped by the consultant who had no problem in recommending me for the therapy.

I was also referred for speech therapy and funding for electrolysis. The consultant was so fixated on the hormone therapy, they forgot about those! We walked out of the assessment slightly stunned. I was slowly taking it all in. I couldn't get the blood tests that day - the department was closed. I am off to my doctors tomorrow for that. Then the waiting begins again! 

Whilst all this was going on, I had applied for another job at my employers. The same job, just in a different branch. I had applied for it the week before and had my interview last week. So not only did I have my assessment at the clinic, I had a job interview as well! The interview went.......very well! I answered every question, gave concise answers, backed up with examples. I was confident and hopefully that came across. The outcome of the interview was a job offer, which I accepted.

As you can see, I had a pretty good week. The best week I've had for many years. Things are moving forward quicker than I had ever imagined they would. I can't get too ahead of myself though - things can change in the blink of an eye. I have to stay realistic, but I'm going to enjoy my good fortune for once! xxxx