Hoping to be welcomed back here in this sub.
TRIGGER WARNING
If I may, I’d like to share my story. I hope this doesn’t break any rules. I’m sure I’ll be informed if it does.
I’m a past member of this subreddit, having come and gone a few times, and looking to hopefully find some connection once again. There aren’t many who likely share my name, so I’ll share it for anyone who may recall my presence back about 4-6 years ago. My name is Treya.
Having begun hrt and my transition in general at the age of 56, I’m now 63, and my life is in a decline.
I waited too long to begin from the start, though told myself if I didn’t do it when I did, it would never happen.
My story is this. I have severe COPD/emphysema.
I smoked my whole life, until I quit at 59, having started at 9. I know, please don’t hate on me for that.
The condition was getting worse, and I really had lived so much of my life afraid to come out. I made the decision to begin, without much of a plan.
Counseling initially, then a fast track to consults for surgeries was the plan i came up with and perused.
Well, that didn’t go as planned. One denial after another, because quite frankly, doctors aren’t doing hours long surgeries on someone with a lung condition. I was a few years into hrt before the final denial was given to me as no doctor would touch me in my condition. I can’t say I wasn’t just a bit devastated that what I had hoped would be a happier existence after coming out was turning into a nightmare.
My whole transition has been riddled with situations I didn’t expect. Divorced from my wife after my trans identity was discovered, then the estrangement from family and friends over the years, social isolation, lack of connection in the trans community, and ongoing progression of the emphysema, have all been factors leading to where I’m at today.
After beginning back in late 2019, I’m still doing hrt, but have seen relatively little progress in the way of breast development from the start, though there has been some. I’ve continued seeing a therapist from the start of my transition, and have a medical support team through my primary care doctors practice for my medical conditions.
I’m experiencing some further decline these days in my overall condition, and struggling hard with keeping it together at times. My user name really does lend itself to how I feel about my life at this time, and I’m having a hard time all around, physically mentally and emotionally.
I feel like a sitting duck waiting for the Trump administration to come and round me up at some point, and take me away to the camps, thanks to whatever the hell is happening in the US and the world lately. Anxiety and panic attacks seem to be an almost daily occurrence since the March 6th attack on Iran, and the constant legislation targeting trans people in the US since DJT took office again 15 months ago.
I felt a desire to share this all this morning in an attempt to stave off another anxiety ridden wake up today, and if it’s more than you cared to read, do accept my apology, or scroll on by.
If you read it all or even partially and care to comment, I’d love to hear from anyone who feels inclined. Thank you.
Treya