My life

[butterflyjack]

Interesting that you should point out the late spring bloom this year...Same here..The crocii(hehe), should have been out some time ago, but, I noticed them fairly freshly bloomed a few days ago...
Something like yourself...A late bloomer, but definitely worth the wait...
I just came back from my morning coffee shop visit, and was yakking with three younger women, who were discussing menopause..I interjected some of my knowledge of estrogen and it's therapies. They were surprised at my knowledge, and one of them commented on how it's probably because I was using them myself...Hehe How close to the truth she was..I felt privileged to be including in this little group...Like I was one of the girls..Maybe that's what I want to be... I envy you...What a wondrous journey you're on...
smooches. Keep talking to us...dragonfly

[Danya]

Now, THAT is going to be an extremely interesting and probably also entertaining visit. You're absolutely correct about them having their own personality. Knowing how it's built and where everything is situated exposes the secrets of that personality and allows you to use it to your advantage. I've always been amazed whenever I watched video of these beautiful organs being thoroughly cleaned and re-tuned. I imagine the builder is likely to have some interesting stories about your organ and others he's maintained.

I am very happy about this. It will be the first time I have an extended conversation with any pipe organ builder, let along the one who built the instrument I play. And my friend and fellow organist 'C' and I will have him or her all to ourselves.

I can't wait!

When I lived in Houston, I played at a large Catholic church. During my time there, a new tracker pipe organ was assembled in the sanctuary. I was able to watch part of this and it was extremely interesting.

In early June, my friend 'C' and I will travel to north central Illinois to attend a society meeting of organists and other musicians. There will be master classes for organists. The event will end with a recital by an internationally recognized organist. This is something else to look forward to.

Interesting that you should point out the late spring bloom this year...Same here..The crocii(hehe), should have been out some time ago, but, I noticed them fairly freshly bloomed a few days ago...

After the wonderful, extended spring we experienced in Chicago last year, I am very disappointed by our mostly colder than normal days and exceptionally cloudy conditions. It's not that it has been just a little colder than normal, either. Temperatures are frequently 10 - 15 degrees below average for this time of year.

After tomorrow, temperatures will start to climb into a more typical range. The cloudy conditions, however, are predicted to persist into early next week.

Something like yourself...A late bloomer, but definitely worth the wait...

I am indeed a late bloomer. Despite that, I still envision exciting possibilities for my life. Much of the last two years has been a bit more of an adventure that I thought I had signed up for. Now, though, I don't want the adventure to end. Or, at the least, I want a new adventure to replace it.

I just came back from my morning coffee shop visit, and was yakking with three younger women, who were discussing menopause..I interjected some of my knowledge of estrogen and it's therapies. They were surprised at my knowledge, and one of them commented on how it's probably because I was using them myself...Hehe How close to the truth she was..I felt privileged to be including in this little group...Like I was one of the girls..Maybe that's what I want to be... I envy you...What a wondrous journey you're on...
smooches. Keep talking to us...dragonfly

You certainly have picked up a lot of information on estrogen and related matters here and perhaps elsewhere, too. Shortly before I transitioned at work, I went with a group of female coworkers to a local bar. A few knew I would be transitioning soon. It was the first time in my life when I felt comfortable in a group of people.

I consider myself to be incredibly fortunate to have gotten this far on my transition journey. To get to this point, I have given up a lot both financially and in creature comforts. In addition, my biological family is lost to me along with several 'friends.'

What I have gained, though, far exceeds anything I have given up. Since transitioning nearly three years ago, I have learned what true happiness feels like. That alone is beyond value. I take more risks, after thoughtful consideration, that frequently pay off. I also make friends more easily and these friends appreciate me for who I am, rather than their idea of who I should be for their own comfort.

[kristoff]

Three years? It seems like just yesterday that we met at Vera's, and all that has followed. Time flies when one is with fun people, eh?

You just amaze me at how fluidly and naturally everything involved comes to you and you handle so gracefully.

I am happy to say I know you and love my friend!

K

[butterflyjack]

Three years? It seems like just yesterday that we met at Vera's, and all that has followed. Time flies when one is with fun people, eh?

You just amaze me at how fluidly and naturally everything involved comes to you and you handle so gracefully.

I am happy to say I know you and love my friend!

K

Megadittos..and, of course, megasmooches dragonfly

[Danya]

Three years? It seems like just yesterday that we met at Vera's, and all that has followed. Time flies when one is with fun people, eh?

You just amaze me at how fluidly and naturally everything involved comes to you and you handle so gracefully.

I am happy to say I know you and love my friend!

K

Hi Kristoff,

As I promised, I will give you a call before I leave for Montreal.

I think when we met a Vera's, it was late November or December of 2007. I was pretending to be another person then. From that first meeting, you have been a wonderful friend whom I love. I'm very glad you are part of my life.

My surgery date of April 19 is one month before my third transition anniversary on May 19.

We have had fun times together. There was that time at Talula's, for instance, when you brought the whiskey. You gave me what I considered a far too small amount at first. We quickly remedied that.

Thanks for your very thoughtful, and generous, remarks.

Hugs,
Danya

Megadittos..and, of course, megasmooches dragonfly

Hey dragonfly,

I don't know that I've ever witnessed a megasmooch before. Too bad you don't live closer so you could give a demonstration!

Hugs,
Danya
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On the way home from the office, I spoke with Erica Ann. She's been through this whole stopping estrogen thing for surgery. I'm having more hot flashes and my energy level is plummeting. Erica Ann reassured me by saying this will get worse. That really didn't surprise me and I was glad to speak with her about this.

In a fruitless effort to boast my energy, early this evening I walked for 90 minutes at the botanic garden.
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Good news at the office. My boss will move me into a more challenging role when I return to work. There are very positive signs, too, that in a few months I will be hired as a permanent employee.

[butterflyjack]

I'd love to demonstrate the "Megasmooch" hehehe..You sound well...I like the news on the job front...Be well baby....megasmooches dragonfly

[Caith721]

Good news at the office. My boss will move me into a more challenging role when I return to work. There are very positive signs, too, that in a few months I will be hired as a permanent employee.

EXCELLENT NEWS!!

That's one less thing to be concerned about, in the immediate term.

[Danya]

I'd love to demonstrate the "Megasmooch" hehehe..You sound well...I like the news on the job front...Be well baby....megasmooches dragonfly

The job news is indeed good.

EXCELLENT NEWS!!

That's one less thing to be concerned about, in the immediate term.

Thanks for the applause. I'm very happy about this and it is a relief. I specifically asked for a more challenging role and got exactly what I wanted.

I'll see if this turns out to be a long-term solution for my career and life goals. I'd still like to move to the west coast, too. For now, at least, this will do nicely.

[Danya]

I saw Dr. "M" Wednesday evening to handle some aches and pains that I usually treat with ibuprofen. I cannot take this now that surgery is 11 days away. Dr. "M," an MD internist, also uses some medical solutions from non-Western medicine. He used one for my severe headache and it worked.

We also discussed my antidepressant situation, meaning the fact that I am haven't taken one in several weeks. The Montreal folks, it turns out, required that only tricyclic antidepressants be stopped prior to surgery. I double-checked with them and found that Zoloft, an SSRI type, is fine. Although I haven't felt depressed, I agreed with Dr. "M's" opinion that I should start taking this. The adjustment to no estrogen is difficult enough. Now is not the best time to try going without an antidepressant. I want to take all the steps I can to be sure that, when I return to work, I am in the best possible shape physically and mentally.
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During the visit, he asked if I had seen the just-released movie "Source Code." I told him I had not but wanted to see it. He asked that I see it before surgery so that I could tell him my reactions. Last night, I did. I really enjoyed this movie. Dr. "M" described it as a "mind f#%!." I agree and enjoy that type of movie. It's a sci-fi thriller and many of those no longer interest me. "Source Code," however, weaves in a potent story of love.

Then there's the fact that much of the film takes place on what is a Chicago Metra commuter train. The train is rebranded "Chicago Commuter Rail." The film has absolutely stunning shots of downtown Chicago, often rated as being among the top 2 or 3 of the world's most spectacular skylines. See, for example, http://www.diserio.com/top15-skylines.html. Note that there are four panoramic shots of downtown Chicago in the #2 ranked Chicago link. As far back as I can remember, I've been fascinated by city skylines.

The film also has terrific shots of various parts of downtown, including Millennium Park and its Jay Pritzker Pavilion where free summer concerts are held.

After a year, I'm still delighted by downtown Chicago. If I am still here this summer, I will take advantage of many of the free concerts at Millennium Park.
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It seems unbelievable that I will work only 5 more days and then fly to Montreal on Sunday, April 17. It's been several years since I've flown and I always enjoy it. The flight will be one of the highlights of the trip. It seems almost surreal that I will be having GRS in 11 days. For a long time, I was not sure this would ever happen.

Most of all, I look forward to recovering from surgery and getting on with my life.
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I was a little surprised to receive an email from 'X,' if your remember him. We have had no contact for many weeks. He wanted to wish me well, which was very sweet. He wrote: "As April 19th gets closer, the long journey is closing and another adventure awaits." He continues with "I wish you only the very best and you are in my prayers. I hope for a successful procedure and a full and rapid recovery." I appreciate his reaching out to me at this time and I will respond, asking how he is doing, too, with school. I won't mention that I deleted his email address and phone number from my records.
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While I do not miss 'X,' I miss having someone very special in my life.

[butterflyjack]

Wow, Danya...time flies...smooches dragonfly

[Mac]

Hang in there girl. You have come a long way and the major turning point is near. You will make it. Also looks like the job situation is going to work out ok.

[mrt]

I just wanted to send you our best wishes and hope that everything goes perfectly. Hang in there. The life with no hormones is a rough one. I hope the Zoloft makes things better. That stuff does really help I think...

I didn't tell Mrs T about your GRS date but I'm sure she feels the same way.

[Danya]

Wow, Danya...time flies...smooches dragonfly

It seems like only yesterday that I sent in my first surgery deposit. I was very excited then.

Hang in there girl. You have come a long way and the major turning point is near. You will make it. Also looks like the job situation is going to work out ok.

Thanks, Mac, for your very supportive words. With the low estrogen/energy thing and a physical problem I could easily treat if I could still take ibuprofen, I'm havng a little bit of a tough time now.

My job situation looks very good. Many folks on my floor now know I will be out for surgery. They just don't know what the surgery is. They also know I haven't been feeling well and they have been very understanding.

I'm in good spirits, though. Today was a gorgeous day under a cloudless sky and I walked for over an hour at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The first daffodils are blooming and some tulips are budding. Along one wooded path lined with paper birches, the ground is nearly covered with a variety of flowering bulbs.

Then I walked for another 45 minutes at the nearby mall.

I just wanted to send you our best wishes and hope that everything goes perfectly. Hang in there. The life with no hormones is a rough one. I hope the Zoloft makes things better. That stuff does really help I think...

I didn't tell Mrs T about your GRS date but I'm sure she feels the same way.

Thanks, my friend, for your understanding, encouragement, support and good wishes.

I'm hopeful Dr. Brassard will start giving me estradiol while I am still in Montreal.

Zoloft has worked fairly well for me before so I suspect it will again.
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One thing I've experienced over the last few days is evidence, which I will not reveal , that a fair amount of my testosterone production has resumed. A little would be fine, but this seems to go beyond that. I'm not happy about this, but it will soon be taken care of for good.

I have many things to do in this final week before catching next Sunday's flight to Montreal. That, combined with work, will occupy much of my time. I may not post again before I leave.

I'm not certain I will have a computer with me in Canada. My laptop and its case are a bit too heavy, particularly since my back continues to act up. My Minnesota woman friend is buying me a lighter Netbook that I hope will arrive by Saturday.

I will speak with Erica Ann from Montreal, although that will be a day or two after surgery. I may ask her to post a brief update here.

[butterflyjack]

I would imagine there will be internet access in Montreal...I'd really like to stay in contact with you during your stay there...Brushing up on your French?
My few little daffys are trying to bud...The weather is warming here..I love this time of year..A new awakening...for you too...smooches dragonfly

[Caith721]

I'm really glad to hear you're taking your SSRI again. It just didn't make sense why they asked you to stop it, until you mentioned the older tri-phasic antihistamine-based anti-depressants. I hope you have a very good, relaxing, and productive week before you travel. I was going to suggest a netbook, but it looks like you're all set!

Good luck, godspeed, heal well, and heal quickly!