Okay, now here's the deal.

I have agonized for months, re: my feminine presentation. Having somewhat low self esteem regarding my overall presentation, I have never, I repeat, NEVER considered myself female looking enough to be comfortable in public. That has gone by the boards. Over the last few months there have been more than a few instances where I have been accepted by people who have no other reason to accept that I am who and what I appear to be. To be accepted simply as just another female is still heady stuff for me, but I LOVE it!

Nextly: I have successfully been the recipient of a partial, radical orchiectomy, due to a medical condition which occurred. Not so unusual, but for the first time, I have found people in positions of authority who are receptive to finishing the job! WIthin the next week or two, I expect to hear from my V.A. doctors regarding taking the one testicle I have left away from me, via a simple office/out patient basis. The head surgeon seems quite willing to do the job and understands WHY I need it done!

And on: My Testosterone levels have FINALLY fallen to the point where they are comfortable within the normal FEMALE range!!! Girls? The injectable hormones WORK!!! BOY... I mean GIRL, do they ever! Ten years of unsuccessful attempts at getting those pesky t- levels down with almost zero progress...two weeks into the injectables and the bottom falls out of my t- levels. I'm now into my third month of the injections with NO ill effects and I fully expect my next blood work to be somewhere near that of Paris Hilton! LOL!

Lastly, I am no longer in any danger of losing my place of residence. A situation which had presented itself a couple of months or so ago, has resolved itself and I can relax in my place again.

The only not-good news is that I have still heard nothing regarding the issuance of my V.A. pension. IF I get it, it will net me an additional 350 dollars a month which will take me from abject poverty into the ranks of the merely poor, but able to survive.

The V.A. pension, by the way, for those who don't know, is available to any veteran who has served during a time of conflict, for 90 days or so, or longer, and whose income is under $985 a month, for a single person. Disabilities do enter into the equation, but I'm not certain how much or how little they effect the final decision.

All told I have plumbed the depths of despair, and the heights of anticipation within the space of a very few days. Hormones! What are ya gonna do? LOL

I hope for the very best for every one of you, and I appreciate the understanding and care expressed to me over the last few weeks. Believe me, your words DID make a difference to me. Thank you.

Hugs and love,
Cathy