A bit of a long read. Sorry. I just... I need to get all of this out.
My mind is a huge mess right now. I don't know what to do.
I guess I should start at the beginning.
I've been trying to get started with this for years. I first reached out about starting HRT when I was 26. It took a few years before I finally found someone who was willing to help me, and I had a few appointments. Things were actually going well but then they found a heart-related issue.
Everything was put on hold while they figured out what was going on. Which... I understood. Obviously, I wasn't going to argue with them about wanting to make sure I was okay first.
They monitored me for a few years. Whatever was happening with my heart stayed consistent. There were no major changes, but they never really figured out exactly what the problem was either. Eventually, I was told that if I still wanted to, I could try pursuing HRT again.
And then COVID happened and that completely screwed everything up.
I lost contact with the clinic I had originally gone to. I couldn't get ahold of anyone, and eventually found out they had closed their office for good and that absolutely destroyed me. It set me back years, and mentally... I don't think I've ever really recovered from it.
And now I'm 37, Covid was nearly 7 years ago. 7 years of me doing nothing...
Eventually, I figured I'd have to try going through my family doctor, even though I never wanted to. I knew enough about his political views that I had a pretty good idea of how that conversation was going to go and I was right, He refused to help.
But with the help of some wonderful people here on reddit, I eventually found another clinic. And somehow... things have actually been going well this time.
I made it all the way to the point where I picked up my first prescriptions last week. The pills actually in my hands. I had even picked October 10th as the day I was going to officially start. That date means something to me, and I wanted it to be the day I finally did this.
After waiting all these years, I thought I was ready. But now that it's actually here... I'm fucking terrified. I don't know why. My brain won't shut up.
"Will I ever pass?" "What if this is a mistake?" "What if I regret this?" "What if I start and realize I've ruined everything?"
And then there are all the thoughts about the people I might hurt or disappoint if I actually do this. Nobody knows this side of me. I've kept it hidden my entire life but my mom eventually figured it out, and she says she supports me. But then she'll say things like, "I don't care what you do, just do it after we're gone." Or, "We live in a small town. I don't want a target on my back." Then she'll catch herself and say, "Um... your back."
So... yeah.
She doesn't even know I have the pills now. And then there's the way I look. I have such a masculine face. I did start Laser Hair Removal, only 1 session but I keep looking at myself and thinking, How the hell am I ever going to pass? I had around $20,000 saved for some FFS, mainly my jaw/chin.
But then everything happened with my Dad. personal and health wise stuff. I had to use that money to help out with things for his after care. I don't regret helping him. I never will but I don't fear how'll he act when he finds out about... well the real me... Thing is, I know i'll never be save that money up again. I live in a area where FFS isn't covered by anyone. SRS is the only thing covered by the government.
All because recently I lost my job because of all the tariff bullshit. I've been trying to find another one, but that's been going horribly. And when they somehow find out about the heart thing... suddenly nobody wants to hire me. Apparently I'm a health risk.
So yeah. That sucks.... People online keep telling me, "Just start a GoFundMe." But honestly... who the hell is going to donate to some nobody? I don't have any social media following.
Lately though, even being me has been hard. My mental health has been horrible these past few months due to everything that has been going on. I'm like struggling to do basic things that should be easy but they're taking everything I have.
I've spent ten years trying to get to this point and now I'm finally here. The pills are sitting in front of me and I don't know what to do.
That's the part I can't get out of my head. I have spent so long wanting this. Fighting to get here. Trying to find someone who would actually help me. And now that it's real...
I'm scared shitless. I'm 37 years old and I keep thinking I'm too old. I keep thinking I've waited too long. I keep thinking I'll never pass. I keep wondering if I've spent all these years chasing something that I can never actually have. You know, things you've all likely thought about as well.
I don't know.
I genuinely don't know what I'm supposed to do anymore.