I began HRT while still receiving Social Services assistance. I was initially diagnosed by my therapist and then had it confirmed by a shrink who, while not necessarily agreeing that I was a good candidate for SRS, still started me on hormones and T-blockers.
Once I dropped off the Soc. Serv. roles, I went to the V.A. who, since I was already ON HRT, could continue it, and they assigned an Endocrinologist to my case. I WAS told that, if I hadn't already been on HRT, they would not have been able to initiate it, but...since beginning treatment with the V.A., I have to say that they have been MORE than understanding, and willing to help me in any way they can.
My Endocrinologist has already told me that, if it were not for the fact that the V.A. will not do orchiectomies unless they are medically necessary, she would already have recommended that it be done for me. She has, in my records, firmly stated her complete belief that I am, in fact, transgendered, a s should receive SRS.
I have been treated, by every single person affiliated with the V.A., with the very utmost of understanding, compassion, and support. Almost without fail, once a department is made aware of my TS status, they invariably use my femme name when calling me for tests and exams, even though I have not yet changed my name, legally, from my old, male name.
I know that this is not the norm for V.A. hospitals, and that some are absolutely abominable as regards their treatment, or the lack thereof, of TS patients. I give my V.A. hospital A-pluses, across the board, and I feel very fortunate to have lucked into one of the best in this regard.
I am now in the 14th month of my Real Life Test. The success of my test so far is, in no small way, due to my hospital's, and my local V.A. clinic's, approach and assistance in achieving my goals, within the V.A. guidelines.
Buffalo, N.Y. V.A. hospital... you are WONDERFUL, and I thank every one of you for all you've done for me, and for your support and compassion. God bless you, every one.
Many, many hugs, and lots of love,
Catherine Linda Michel
Comments
Beg to Differ
I have never had any difficulties with the VA in any of my dealings. In fact, when it comes time for breast exams, (God's way of punishing me for having tiny boobies), the VA sets up appointments for me at the Washington Hospital since the DC VA hospital isn't able to handle them. Medically, I have wanted for nothing, even when I walked in the Philly VA hospital emergency room.
I believe at this point, problems with the VA are the exception, rather than the rule.
Nancy Cole
"You may be what you resolve to be."
T.J. Jackson
has anyone heard of or had
has anyone heard of or had an orche done by the va would like to know and can verify if so maybe riverside va will do the same
Buffalo
Hi Cathy,
I was born in Boston while my dad was in college, but he graduated and got a job in Buffalo (N.Y. of course). He, mom and I moved there. As the family added a girl then a boy, we moved to Kenmore then to Williamsville. After MIT I sat around for a year, trivial jobs, then I went to SUNYAB for grad school for a year then dropped out.
Anyway, since you have served our country and the law says the VA has the responsibility for your medical care, IMHO they should pay for your SRS/GRS. It's medically necessary for your mental health. It also may be necessary for your physical health to get an orchiectomy to prevent cancer. You might be able to find some articles on line about cancer in chemically castrated testes and talk a doctor into doing the op, or appealing to some revue board or something.
I'm glad your RLT and all your other health care is going so well. Congrats!
Hugs and Bright Blessings,
Renee
Hugs and Bright Blessings,
Renee
Peering out of the closet
I'm not going to bad mouth a particular VA hospital, but I will mention my own experience. I've been going to the VA for my medical care since 2002. About 2006 my inner girl finally had enough and kicked the door of the closet I had her locked up in open. Since I've been battling depression and was seeing a doctor for it at the VA, I considered several times of mentioning my gender confusion/problem/enlightenment to him.
To give some background, I live in the deep south in a very red and conservative city. I'm sure everyone here can understand my caution and yes outright fear as I peered out of the closet considering this step. However, during my years of denial I did a real number on myself and needed help trying to untangle and work everything out.
I did a internet search looking for incidences and didn't find any. Then I joined TGVETS which has a lot of resources. After asking there, no one had any information about that particular facility. Then someone finally replied that they had an unpleasant experience at one of the clinics. Now that was not the same place, but it did make me ask how I felt about the place. I have no idea just how much my own fears influenced me but I was not getting good vibes, you know?
On my next visit, all of the women's restrooms had added a new sign. In big red letters: FEMALES ONLY.
Why that was posted I have never been able to discover but that ended all thought of trying to get help there. As a follow on, there isn't even a gender therapist in town at all. The nearest is an hour or two away and given my lack of resources unreachable.
One must remember that VA's are staffed by locals and will reflect those attitudes. Directives will be seen though those eyes. There is also a medical university attached to the VA here in a partnership. As far as I can determine they are extremely conservative as well. As far gender studies are concerned they seem to be stuck in the 50's or perhaps even further back.
Did my fears talk me out getting help at the VA or did I have real concerns? I don't know. I do know the support group here is as skittish as a bunch of rabbits at a dog show. Which is why I'm so happy to be able to attend Southern Comfort this year. If the mountain won't come to Mohammad, then he must go to the mountain. There I hope to get a whole lot of stuff I need to know besides having fun. :)
Hugs!
grover
VA Hospitals good vs bad
In Wilmington Delaware the general consensus is: If it weren't for the people who worked at the hospital the vets would have no place to go.
Philadelphia VA hospital endocrinologist are the ones who put me on HRT. My endocrinologist is backing me up to have an orchiectomy done at Elsmere (Wilmington VAMC).
I was told that after the orchiectomy my gender on my records will reflect female.
I firmly believe that each hospital operates on the directives from Washington DC.
I feel what others experiences is gross ignorance of indivuals who work at the hospital.
Today I got my letter from the VA saying I am unemployable. It was addressed to me by my legal and proper name.
Its been a long hard battle to get where I am, but its a battle that opens doors for others.
Even though I mentioned the staff's attitudes I am addressed as MS or Jill.
There is a directive from the AMA to the Veterans Administration requiring the VA to begin doing SRS surgery. Whether or not the VA will conform is still in revue.
Jill Micayla
May you have a wonderful today and a better tomorrow
Jill Micayla
Be kinder than necessary,Because everyone you meet
Is fighting some kind of battle.
The VA has been flexible
A once close friend was diagnosed and discharged from the military as TS, put explicitly in B&W, TRANSSEXUAL. What they diagnose they have to treat, there is clearly only one accepted treatment. It took a VA advocate to hand hold her way through the system. Another part of the issue was she had been trained in a position for which there was no civilian equivelent, yet they did not offer any form of career counseling/retraining along with her diagnosis and discharge. The two together gave her leverage and maybe in her area the system had some good doctors in place. End result is she got her SRS paid for by the VA, since they lacked the specialist she went to the recognised specialist of her choice. This was some time ago and her circumstances were unique; they normally do not spell it out that specifically in a discharge, maybe they got smart :-)
VA Hospital La Jolla San Diego VAMC
I've been seeing the endo at San Diego VAMC since 2005. I've had good treatment there except for the lady in travel office, she laughed at me after I came in to get reimbursed for going to have a mamogram at Balboa Naval Hospital. I'm still working at getting my disability from lead poisoning from the VA.
*HUGS*
Robi
*HUGS*
Robi
Hmmm
Since I've always (since separation) had good medical care from employee plans, I've never taken advantage of VA care... (There wasn't much they could do for my deafness/ringing 20 some years ago, nor with my neck isues - which are my service connected issues.) So, I've been considering my monthly checks enough to cover my co-pay/deductible over the years.
Maybe I've been wrong, but I always felt that there were folks that needed the care more than I did. *sighs* I don't know. As I'm finally going through the steps (I couldn't put off any longer)... And the insurance doesn't cover TG care (except for the standard counseling bit)... Maybe I should re-consider my options. *sighs*
I'm so glad to hear all of you that have had good experiences in receiving the care you needed through the VA system. There are times I feel the country, as a whole, would prefer to pretend that there were no vets, and that they didn't have special needs.
Annette