Birthday, and rebirthday.

[I Am Paula]

I posted a few weeks ago about my endo and I not being on the same page about HRT. He wanted considerable therapist time, and an assesment by CAMH (provincial mental health org.), who are notoriously slow.
Yesterday I went back to my old endo, who had already agreed I was a candidate. I moved before pursueing it. After a long chat where I voiced my not positive opinions about therapists, he said he was going to insist on at least an assesment. We agreed on a one hour meeting with a therapist he knows well. He basically said that he was good to go, a just wanted the letter to cross the t's, and iidot the i's.
He gave me the requisition for blood work, and said he'd call me with the referal.
He called me back not three hours later. The therapist has a spot tommorow at 9:00 a.m. he says he's given her his go ahead, and barring being declared a psychopath, it's a done deal.
I should have my letter tomorrow, blood work back on thurs. He says we can have an 'orientation' meeting friday, where he will set up a check up and bloodwork schedule, and discuss delivery options, and leave with a scrip then, to start spiro right away.
Saturday is my actual birthday, so in the future I can celebrate a birthday, and a rebirthday at the same time.
Both my Dr. and my surgeon say it's best I postpone my BA, which was set for sept., for at least a year. I'll get better results than a non-hormonal BA.
8 hours and fifty two minutes till therapist meeting!

P.S. It's so nice to find someone with common sense, and the cojones to just follow his judgement.

[kimdl93]

Congratulations and happy birthday, Celeste! I'm very happy for you and your emergence!

[Barbara Ella]

You have a Happy Birthday, and even Happier ReBirthdays.

Barbara

[whowhatwhen]

Congrats!
I've heard bad things about CAMH so it's great that you're able to bypass them entirely.

Though I thought that you only needed a letter from a therapist to start HRT and that CAMH was only required for SRS and even then only to have it covered under OHIP?

[I Am Paula]

I think most Dr.s have no idea what protocol is, so err (too much) on the side of caution. I think liability may have a lot to do with it. Or, Drs. just won't admit that they don't know. Every Dr. I've spoken to started with 'Have you contacted CAMH?'

The Dr. I didn't like was just trying to avoid the issue entirely. He was requesting a year therapy, and reading between the lines, sounded like he thought therapy would 'cure' me.

I have found a Dr. that I really like, and agrees with most of my views, so I'm gonna quit bitchin' about them and get on with life.

Thanks girls, it's 7:19 and time to dress, and head to appt.

[traci_k]

Congratulation Celeste and Happy Birthday and Rebirthday!
So happy for you that things are moving forward.
Hugs

[Marleena]

Congrats Celeste! It seems a natural progression for you based on your lifestyle.

[I Am Paula]

Had my assesment this morning. The therapist was a terrific GG who had pretty good insight. She agreed that I was 100% on the right track. In less than an hour we covered ground, from my life story, to sexuality and sexual function, employment, family, and self image.
She has already emailed her recommendation to start HRT, to my endo, family Dr., and CC'd me for my records.
My life is finally progressing to MY expectations.
For most of my life, progress moved at at a glacial pace. In the last 14 months, things have moved so fast, sometimes I need to stop and look around, to see if it's real.
I may even change my name. Even Celeste is a discontinued model now.


Corinne- The reason everyone asks about CAMH is they know it's SO slow, they want to get you into the system, in case you ever need it. It is not pre requisite- I asked

[Linda St. John]

Congrats Celeste...Happy ReBirthday ! I remember CAMH from the '90s ...it took ages to go thru the gates to HRT....but that was the only option in Ontario and even then we thought we were luckier than the Americans who had an even harder time . But....I did meet a good Dr. who got me started in "98 and I still see him now,,,in fact May 17 to check estradiol level .

Linda

P.S.: Don't you have a BA scheduled in October ....moving right along now !

[DaniG]

That's great news, Celeste! And happy birthday/rebirthday! :-)

[traci_k]

Great news Celeste - So Happy for you!

Hugs,

[I Am Paula]

Linda- Sept. actually. On my surgeons advice, we are setting that date back a year. He would much rather see what kind of growth, I'm experiencing. I was in a hurry to get the ball rolling, and didn't know I would be starting HRT tommorow. He had no problem rescheduling, as he IS holding my $3000 deposit interest free. We all knew I was putting the cart before the horse somewhat, but I couldn't stand being at a standstill. We have now regained order.
Thanks girls, for all the well wishes. I have PROMISED myself not to turn this forum into my blog, so I'll slow down the posting abit.