There comes a time during transitioning when it seems like everything we do in order to follow the standards of care, appears to be at a standstill. I know I have wondered on numerous occassions why it is so important to continue therapy with my psychologist when everything is going so smoothly for me. The only explanation I can offer about it is having someone to talk to during times when there is a slight doubt as to how far along the transition road I am willing to travel.

  Fortunately those times of doubt are few and far between but alas they are present. There are so many different sites on the internet that a person can go into seeking information about the different proceedures available to a transgendered person. The tough part is deciding which ones are accurate and which ones are just hear-say. I have researched a few of the physicians who perform gender reassignment surgeries and just like the personal websites we encounter, the information provided varies.

  There are a lot of post-operative women who will swear by the quality of surgery in Thailand and others who swear by a handful of surgeons in the states. I believe the deciding factor in most cases revolves around cost. Those can run from a few thousand dollars in Thailand for everything up to many thousands in the states.

  Another problem we face so many times is finding physicians willing to treat a transgendered person. I experienced that myself about 11 months ago when the gynecologist who was prescribing my hormones faced an family emergency which caused her to relocate her practice. I searched every hospital and doctors office in my area for someone to take over only to be turned down. I don't know if the lack of willing doctors was due to inexperience with treatment of transgendered persons or if it was due to religious reasons  or maybe a little of both. I was one of the more fortunate ones though and through the assistance of a nurse at my primary doctors office, who suggested an ob/gyn office in Duluth where I have therapy, I was able to obtain treatment. The doctor stated to me she wasn't sure how to go about treatment but was willing to learn and through my helpful information, was able to develope a treatment plan.

  I'm at the stage now where my therapist has suggested bringing in another therapist to evaluate me and follow my progress in order to obtain the 2 letters needed for GRS or even an orchiectomy. We'll see how that all goes when it happens.