Last week we had a visit to Leeds GIC, to see Gary the clinical nurse for a catch up as Nigella has now been on hormones for a year and the endo is happy, and has passed her over to the prescribing pharmacist who deals with transgendered patients, and we also wanted to get information on surgery etc.
The next step is for Nigella to see the gender physiatrist Mr Beanie, who she saw when she first went to Leeds. He will give initial assessment on whether Nigella is ready for surgery, then if he thinks she is we then have to have a second opinion, this is standard practise in the UK. If the second opinion agrees with Mr Beanie then an appointment is then made with the surgeon.
We have been given two choices of surgeons, one is not too far from us the other is around 300 miles away in BrightonWe don’t yet know whether our PCT who funds this will pay for me to stay in a hotel/B&B nearby while she has the surgery, if they don’t then we will have to go for the one nearer to us, which is still an 1 ½ hours away, but I would find a B&B and stay over night for a couple of nights then come home. If we do get to use the one in Brighton there is the trip back, travelling 300 miles after surgery is going to be a bit uncomfortable. Nigella has said she will need me at home when she gets home, so instead of taking time of work to stay while she is in hospital I take the time off later. Charing Cross is out of the question as they are only taking people from their catchment area, plus the waiting list is longer.
Hair removal, we don’t know if the PCT will fund this, they won’t fund facial hair removal as it is classed as cosmetic, but will fund if it is classed as medical, which Gary said this is medical. Some PCT’s who do fund, won’t grant funds unless the patient has already seen the surgeon and he says yes hair removal is needed. So what Gray has said is that if they do fund but won’t grant until she seen the surgeon, then Gary will ask for an early appointment, to set the wheels in motion and get electrolysis under way.There is only 2 places in the UK that are registered with the CQC to do genital hair removal, so not much of a choice, one is about an hour away the other again miles away. The thing is there is others who aren't registered who can do this, but well I wouldn't let anyone who wasn't registered near my genital area with an electrolysis machine
Next fully functioning vagina or cosmetic. Of course a lot of this depends on what the surgeon has to work with, if there is not enough to work with to do a fully functioning then it will have to be cosmetic. Nigella has said she is not bothered about fully functioning, and after chatting about this more she has said she is not bothered then that way if she can’t have a fully functioning for what ever reason she won’t be disappointed.
it's going to seem really strange not going with her. After this appointment we then have to attend for a second opinion, this will most likely be at Sheffield, hopefully we won't have to wait to long for the second appointment.
