It's time, people

[Ze]

I plan to see a gender specialist for the first time once I'm settled into Boston. :straightface: Don't know what exactly is going through my head, but suddenly I know it's something I "have" to do. I don't know if something has finally snapped in me or it's finally dawned on me that I'll be living on my own starting tomorrow and that's somehow triggering a need I've been suppressing. Anyway...

I know little of what Boston has to offer, but Fenway Health (http://www.fenwayhealth.org/site/PageServer?pagename=FCHC_srv_services_trans) looks like they do, well, just about everything and anything I'd need for starting off. They're also only a mile away from me, which is extremely helpful since I only have a bike. I have no clue how much they cost or how well insurance would cover such needs, but I'm right now curious as to their quality of care.

Also, well, I just plain felt like announcing this. I plan to see a gender specialist quite soon. All by myself. In a big scary city I know nothing about. And I don't know why the hell I'm doing it.

*sits and stares at the wall*

[Kathi Lake]

. . . and I don't know why the hell I'm doing it.That, my friend, would be a lie (which is a slightly nicer way of saying the thing that I was first thinking, which was, "The hell he doesn't!")

You're doing it because you are driven to do it. Life has moved you towards this path like a pinball game - a little bump here, a little nudge there, and here you are! Ze, it's a path on a progression of life. Look forward to it. You life is gonna rock! Sure, getting there will be a little bit of a climb (yes, I am one of "those" silver-lining girls that always looks on the bright side. I have rainbows and kittens and unicorns coming out of my nether regions. Takes a bit of getting used to, believe me! :)), but you can do it. I know you can! I've heard your smarts, your strength, and your heart here on this board. I know you can.

Kathi

[Midnight Skye]

Well Ze... just make sure your internet keeps working so you can keep poking at us! :) And don't get too frantic lifes a weird twisty thing and never makes full sense. But hitting up the gender specialist in Boston and getting some feelings out and doing some soul searching on your own should be a stressful, but healthy thing for you! Being alone is scary (I have honestly never been alone in my life... its kind of creepy). But it also spells freedom. You'll get to make your own choices, mistakes, and build your own life without others looking over your shoulder. I hope you have fun, and just wander online here if you're feeling blue!

[Kaitlyn Michele]

:hugs:

I"ve always felt like life happened to me

[Thornton]

A little note about Fenway Health...

They do offer what you want. They cater specifically to the LGBT community. But I kind of had a not so good relationship with them.

When I turned 18, I was still living in eastern mass, so I went to see them as soon a possible. I told them I wanted to start HRT. I saw a counselor once. About 2 weeks later, I had a physical and a blood test. Not long after that, I was approved to start T.

Unfortunately, once I was approved, I was already stuck at college in western MA. I tried to have my approval transferred to the health services in my area. But, it turned out, Fenway Health doesn't exactly follow the WPATH standards of care. They more or less have their own, which isn't exactly accepted by other health services...So, I ended up having to see a licensed gender therapist on a regular basis for at least 3 months before starting T ( and I have to keep seeing her). It ended up being that the only useful thing Fenway did for me was the blood test.

And that blood test wasn't cheap. My insurance ended up not covering those 2 visits I had with Fenway, and now I owe them about $300. I still have bill collectors calling me...

Oh, and did I mention I had a co-pay of about $60 each for those visits...

I don't know. Maybe I just had a really bad experience with them. Maybe the'll be just what you need. But I personally wouldn't ever go back there.

[Ze]

Damn.

Well, if I was looking for an excuse to not go through with it, that was it.

[Karen564]

Good for you Ze..! :thumbsup:
& good luck in bean town, I think you'll like it..! :)

Your taking charge of your life...and I adore that in a man...:battingeyelashes:

[Thornton]

Well, no. I think you should still check out Fenway. And if you end up not liking them or if you think you're gonna end up with the same shit I did, then you can find another gender therapist in Boston. Boston is a thriving medical mecca; I'm positive there a people outside Fenway that can give you what your looking for.

[Faith_G]

If he hangs around there long enough to start T and be on it a few months, it's unlikely a different clinic would take him off when he leaves the Boston area. Thornton hadn't started yet...

[Karen564]

If he hangs around there long enough to start T and be on it a few months, it's unlikely a different clinic would take him off when he leaves the Boston area. Thornton hadn't started yet...

I would agree ...once started that is...but as far as changing insurances after, I have no idea what they would do...may depend on the plan?


I was already stuck at college in western MA.

Really.....Which one?

Currently, I'm going to AIC in Springfield...

[Ze]

I guess this kicks up my worry of having to be so dependent on medical personnel once I started T. They could pretty much mess with me whenever they felt like it and there'd be nothing I could do about it. And especially once I started, it'd be my body that would suffer most for it.

Meh. I hate Western medicine. I just don't trust people.

[Karen564]

Ze, What about going on Mass Health?

[Kieron Andrew]

Well, no. I think you should still check out Fenway. And if you end up not liking them or if you think you're gonna end up with the same shit I did, then you can find another gender therapist in Boston. Boston is a thriving medical mecca; I'm positive there a people outside Fenway that can give you what your looking for.

I agree with Thorny, still use Fenway as a stepping stone, if it doesn't work i'm sure i can find other links just like the one i found the other day

[Linda Z]

welcome to the town of Boston.

[Miranda09]

Just take it one step at a time Ze. Make sure you do some research on their procedures and, of course, their billing practices and how they work with your insurance carrier. I agree with others who advise to make an appointment with them. If you don't like what they have to say, then continue your search. :)

[Lorileah]

shooting from the hip here....yeah I know surprise surprise, aren't there two large very prominent well respected medical schools in Boston? I would bet they have gender specialists who are residents or even interns who will work with you at a discounted rate if you don't mind running through mazes or pressing yellow buttons to get rewards (that didn't sound right did it?)

[Sharon]

Just a huge hug, Ze, and..., relax! :hugs:

If Fenway turns out to be less than ideal, then simply try another. Unfortunately, you don't know until you try them, and what one person feels about a clinic may be totally at odds with what another person's opinion is. Besides, how bad a place can it be if they call themselves "Fenway?" :)

[Angel.Marie76]

I have a friend that uses Fenway Health as well to get her scripts and care, and she lives primarily in the WMass area. She drives (or did drive perhaps) all the flippin way to B-Town on a regular basis for the care and updates.

I myself have a GID-therapist out here in WMass that's great, but of course a 2 hour drive from Boston... the medical care I get from my Local PCP and Endo.

[EnglishRose]

I called Fenway but they don't take my insurance for "behavioral health", only the physical aspects, so I went with someone else.

[Ze]

Thank you, everyone. :) Reviews seem to be varied, so I guess the best thing for me is to just call them up and see what's what for me personally. Needless to say, though, I'm quite anxious about this move. I'm worried it's (obviously) going to start up the entire process and won't stop until I've seen it all the way through. I have a lot to lose by going this route.