December 2, 2024
I had a doctor’s appointment today, and it happened to be linked to an account that I had previously set through Planned Parenthood for GAHT.
It was very fortuitous. I had planned to address my gender dysphoria during the appointment, amongst other health issues. But when I received a text confirming my appointment addressed to “Kimberly,” I did a double take. If my life were a movie (or self-indulgent TV show on a streaming service), there definitely would have been a record scratch.
I immediately resurrected the MyChart account I had used with Planned Parenthood, and saw that it was all there. My appointment scheduled for a few days later (now today) and right there in my personal information: Kimberly, she/her.
“Guess I can’t back out now,” I muttered. And with that, excitement and relief flushed through me.
So, a little over five years after my first stint of GAHT during the pandemic, I am beginning again. Five years older. About a dozen pounds heavier than the last time I began on August 12, 2020. My hair is much shorter than the wonderful pandemic bob I had in August 2020. My hair is also just beginning to turn gray as well in a few spots. But I am looking forward to laying the groundwork to coming out at some point in 2025, which happened to be the year that I will turn 50. (And I’m really having a difficult time seeing that number in reference to me and my next birthday, but I’ll just bring that up in therapy instead of here.)
So, the appointment went well. The doctor was fantastic and prescribed me:
Estradiol (gradually working up to my previous dosage of 2 mg three times per day, but starting at 2 mg per day)
Progesterone (100 mg once per day)
Finisteride (2.5 mg once per day, gradually increasing to 5 mg once per day)
Spironolactone (50 mg two times a day)
Cymbalta (20 mg per day — your girl is kinda depressed)
In a first, my blood pressure was elevated, but I was anxious, sleep deprived, dehydrated, and had an obscene amount of coffee this morning.
In a t-shirt and chinos, my weight was 235.5 (!)
In my bare feet, my height is exactly 5’12” (I find that more gender affirming than 6’0″)
Labs tomorrow. Next appointment in two weeks to see how I am doing.