Got my Gender Clinic appointment yesterday

[Kokoro]

It seems things are finally started moving forward for me.

After I had my referral last December and confirmation letter in early January, it's been a bit of a waiting game. I was told that they it's the clinics policy to see people within 18 weeks of referral, so I thought I'd give them a ring on Friday which marked the 17 week mark. Really I only rang just to make sure they hadn't forgotten about me and was still on their waiting list but after a couple of phone calls I'd been booked in for an appointment next Tuesday at 10am :D I'm soooo pleased.

From the time I got my referral letter up till now I'd pushed my feelings to the back-burner as I knew there was no point worrying about them until I was in a position to do something with them. Cue the inevitable mood swings and depression. Since yesterday though it feels like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I'm opening up again now and starting to feel happier. Fingers crossed things will move swiftly from here.

[Nigella]

Thats good news, so which clinic are you visiting?

[Jay Cee]

Good for you, Kokoro! Wishing you best of luck on your journey. :thumbsup:

[Rianna Humble]

I am so pleased for you Kokoro! :bighug: You have done much better than me! Now you'll be able to tell us all about it before I go for my first appointment on 6th June!

I know exactly what you mean about mood swings and so on! Ever since it hit me that I have less than 4 weeks left to wait, my moods have been up and down faster than a champion yoyo :heehee:

I really hope that things start moving at the right pace for you.

[Kokoro]

- Nigella
I'm going to the Porterbrook Clinic in Sheffield. A bit of a hike from where I am on the east coast but frankly I'd go to the ends of the earth for this appointment. :)

[Nigella]

I was offered that one, one in Nottingham and one in Leeds. I chose Leeds. I take it you come under Lincolnshire PCT.

[Kokoro]

Yup. I had the choice of Leeds or Sheffield and chose Sheffield as it's slightly easier to reach from where I am.

[Kokoro]

I just had a thought - should I go to the clinic in drab or take a change of clothes with me? To show them I'm the real-deal. I'm getting really excited and looking forward to it.

[Nigella]

You need to go how you feel you should. They will not judge you based upon how you present.

[Rianna Humble]

I just had a thought - should I go to the clinic in drab or take a change of clothes with me? To show them I'm the real-deal. I'm getting really excited and looking forward to it.

Drab would not be an option for me, but if you feel safer/better travelling to the clinic in drab then that is what you should do. Please remember this appointment is about you and about getting you the right support - it is not about what others think of you.

[Kokoro]

I'm back from the appointment. I decided to go in drab as I felt that would be best for me at this point. I was a little underwhelmed by it all at the time but after coming out (of the clinic, not the closet :heehee:) I began to realise it's not so much that the clinic is meant to 'treat' you, but to allow and encourage you to be your true self while providing the means to do so.

It's finally dawned on me know that transitioning is now a real possibility and not something unobtainable. To that end I'm going to start being more proactive in feminising myself and learning the 'tricks of the trade' as it were. I've got a make-up kit ordered and coming next week. Gonna take the opportunity to practice while my folks are on holiday. Also, the diet started again today. :D

It seems like things are really starting to look up.

[Nigella]

See it was not such a daunting visit.

Did you expect to be "treated". Gender clinics will eventually "treat" you, that is help you with hormones etc, but first they empower you to be who you are inside. It will be a long road for you, but one worth travelling if you want to.