6 Months On T (and a New Video)

As I was driving home from work tonight, I realized that it’s been six months since I started on T! I haven’t done a video in a while (I didn’t know whether there’d be much of a difference), but I thought the six-month mark would be a good opportunity to record another. And so, without further ado, here it is:

4 Months On T!

I started taking T (testosterone) exactly four months ago, on the 2nd of June. I was reminded yesterday at my best friend’s wedding (by multiple people who haven’t seen/heard me in a while) that my voice has indeed been changing, so I thought that I would record another video to mark the occasion and display what my voice currently sounds like.

From Soprano 2 to Tenor 2: I’m Joining a Chorus!

For months, I have considered auditioning for a local LGBTA chorus: I love to sing, and I miss choral singing. Since I started T three months ago, however, my singing voice has changed immensely, which made selecting an audition piece absolutely nerve-wracking (not to mention the actual rehearsing of it and auditioning itself). As of Monday of last week, when I worked on my voice with my former high school choir director, I had a six-note singing range. That’s less than one octave. Nevertheless, I auditioned, and they accepted me!

Update About the Doctor’s Appointment (and Frustration With Trans Healthcare)

I posted yesterday about my frustration with the medical system relating to trans healthcare (sort of — it was a series of haiku). I went to my appointment with the doctor today and discovered that it’s not quite as bad as the people on the phone made it out to be. Apparently, I don’t actually need a letter from a therapist stating that I’m mentally competent to transition in order to have a doctor review my hormone levels and monitor my dosage (which is good because that’s just ridiculous).

Haiku Regarding Medical Appointments For Monitoring T

Med’cal gatekeepers
I don’t need regulation
So much frustration

Why require letter?
Been on T for near three months
I am “competent”

Two Months On T and My First Video

I started on T exactly two months ago today — the 2nd of June, 2011. The biggest change thus far has definitely been to my voice. And since it is rather difficult to express, in writing, what my voice sounds like, I thought I would post a video on YouTube so that you can hear what my voice sounds like. 

Starting T: What I’m Looking Forward To

A few months ago, I was talking to a friend about my plans for starting T. He asked me what I was most looking forward to — after a bit, I said not sounding like a twelve-year-old and not being read as a girl. While that’s true, it’s not the first thing that came to mind.

Overcoming My Fear of Needles

What is a fear you think you can conquer today?

The Daily Post’s 145th topic, June 2, 2011

This prompt was perfectly timed. On the 2nd of June, I managed to work my way past my fear of needles in order to give myself my first shot of T. I had been worried that I just wouldn’t be able to make myself do it, but it worked!

Two Weeks On T!

For the first month I’m on T, I’m supposed to get my shot every two weeks, and this past fortnight since my first shot has gone by so slowly. Of course, by the weekend after my first shot of T, I was already getting impatient for my next one. I was so tempted to get my second shot last week — I am really not good with this patience thing — but I managed to restrain myself. I got my script from a doctor, after all; I might as well listen to her directions (especially since I’m sure there’s a good reason for it).

Got My First Shot Of T!

After months of phone calls, appointments, fighting with the insurance company, and stressful waiting, I finally gave myself my first shot of T today (testosterone, for those who don’t know)! I was worried I’d somehow screw it up or be incapable of actually injecting myself, so I went to the Minnesota Transgender Health Coalition‘s shot clinic. It all went well, and I even managed to do it myself!