6 Month Check In

Wow … back. Sorry for the last two “fluff” piece posts. Weak … totally weak.

But I’ve been working my butt off. I’m totally whipped and exhausted. I just have to survive today … and then … tasty smooth scheduuule ! 🙂

Yesterday, I had my semi-annual counseling session with Gatekeeper in the University of Michigan Comprehensive Health Services Gender Program. It went really well ! 🙂 Amazing how far our relationship has progressed. I got some really good advice from him on a couple of issues pending with me, he observed that he’s never seen me so happy and relaxed, and we didn’t bust into each other even once !! Sa-wheat !! 😉

Every since getting my … “you’re fine. you handle your situation very well, you’re emotionally stable and you suffer from no apparent conditions other than gender dysphoria. Though your ability to deliver delayed sarcasm is extremely irritating. Anyways, just see me when you feel the need, though you have to check in once every six months to remain in the program” … diagnosis, I’ve only seem him once every six months. Surprise, huh? I really haven’t felt the need. Besides, you guys are much better at helping me !! 🙂

Anyways, yesterday, Gatekeeper and I got along fine. That’s like the last three times in a row.

And I did need his help on a couple of issues. First, my two nephews and Shaft’s oldest son have to be told that I’m about to become Aunt Amy (I think Shaft has already told his youngest son, but hey, the kid’s only like 3 weeks old, it’s no big deal to him). Anyways … we covered the obvious … Tell Them The Truth … he suggested not to go into too much detail (as I’ve learned works well with adults too !! lol) and to consider having a video tape/dvd from some of the shows being aired lately showing Ts in a positive light (not sure I’ll do that). He said the critical thing in how the kids will take it is how their parents will respond. Now with Shaft and Satan, I’m totally confident that will be fine. Both are very understanding and wise when it comes to setting examples. I think my sister-in-law will be fine, but I have concerns about my brother. He’s my project for the next couple of weeks. I’m also concerned because of how close my nephews and I are … disturbingly, they do look up to me, call me out of the blue, we goof off, have fun … now all of those things can continue, though my parents are very worried about the impact it’ll have on them.

We also talked about how my dad wants to talk with a professional “his age” about my condition. I honestly think it’s more of his desire to find someone who he doesn’t suspect may be part of this grand conspiracy to convince successful, middle aged men that they are really women and that they should toss everything away to pursue such a life instead of a desire to learn more about my condition … but anyways … we talked about it … he said he’s more than happy to meet with both my parents, but of course, he’s only in his late 40’s not old enough … so he said he’d locate another in the program more of my parents’ contemporary. Which he did and already called me with before I got back to my office.

Let’s see … he welcomed me back if any time in the next few months as my I transition progresses to come back as sometimes there are a few bumps in the beginning period … good advice.

He advised that I NOT have my parents with me during my FFS. Which already was decided, as it simply was not possible. He said I’d be stressed enough and I don’t need that additional worry of them being there … so that it would be best if I had Shaft, Singer or another friend there with me, someone with whom I was comfortable. I’ve already got Shaft booked for the excursion, so that’s cool. (And I get to drive !!! At least there ! :))

Hmmm …. we laughed a bit as I brought him up to speed on some of the events in my life … ’cause phace it, I can be pretty phreakin’ phunny (at least in my own mind)… he commented how my parents’ concern that I’m rushing into this is just so misconceived, as how out of all of his clients, I’ve probably been the most painfully meticulous, thoughtful, and cautious of all and have deliberated ad nauseum over my decision … hehe, I told him that’s been mentioned to me before !! lol 😉 … and that was pretty much that.

Though I did stop at White Castle on the way back … 6 Sliders, 2 Fish Sandwiches, Fries and a large Iced Tea. I coulda done more … but I’m dieting ! 🙂