Carol’s Diary 2005
Nov 2005
17th: I had lots of positive feedback from everyone that saw my documentary on October 10th. The whole series of 15 programmes was excellent and very informative, I think everyone of the trans women/men who opened their lives to the public through this documentary series, were brilliant. On October 11th I gave a two hour talk on Trangender Issues to second year counselling students, from the discussion that followed I was very pleased with the type of question that was asked and the thanks I received for giving them a better awareness and understanding of the lives of trans men and women. I received a lovely letter from the course tutor thanking me for the session. ( see Testimonial)
Sept 2005
4th: I returned home from Tenerife on Sept 2nd; I had a lovely time staying in Puerto de la Cruz. Highlights of my stay were making new friends for some good nights out, especially in Thatchers Irish Bar. A trip up mountain to see Teide the volcano, also a trip out from Playa Las Americas on a Catamaran to see the Whales and Dolphins in their own environment about 4 miles of the coast. (Some pics in gallery)
16th: I'm feeling more compelled to write this now. Since my surgery I have more and more been questioning my Sexuality. This in part has been through the re-discovery of my own body especially during periods of dilation. I know I went with a guy in Portugal, but I just had to test the water to see if this would change how I felt about my own Sexuality, it just didn't change how I felt. On that holiday I had found myself looking at women in a different way, sexually. On returning from that holiday I met a wonderful woman and we dated for about three weeks, it turned out I was too femme for her, however, we have stayed friends. One thing that is important to say is that; for me it may be about meeting the right person and the sexuality comes second. I must admit that even at my age I find my sexuality very liberating and in simple terms I am not going to start labelling myself, except to say; heterosexual woman I'm not.
August 2005
8th: Finally, I have posted my new birth certificate application to the Gender Recognition Panel today, they next meet in October. The two medical reports were done by Dr Kevan Wylie (no charge), the other was done by my GP (charged me 15 pounds). My statutory declaration was witnessed by my solicitor, she also did not charge me and actually thanked me for bringing it to their attention about the Gender Recognition Act. My solicitor had also handled my divorce, change of name deed poll and my Consent Order, which was an agreement that there would be no future claims against my estate by my former spouse, it was very amicable.
16th: Yesterday I had an appointment with Tim Terry at Leicester General Hospital, this was my check-up to see if I had any recurrence of the urethral stenosis I suffered with a couple of months ago. Since he last dilated my urethra two months ago I have been fine, he did say that I must get in touch with his team if I have any problems in the future and they would have me back to the hospital straight away. He was quite pleased to hear that, since my previous visit to his clinic I had experienced intercourse with no problems. I am now looking forward to going to Tenerife on the 26th
July 2005
7th: Arrived home on the 5th after having a wonderful weeks holiday at Cabanas in the East Algarve. I did manage to christen my new bikini and just over five months since my SRS thats not all that got christened. I hired a car for the week and had my first experience of driving on the other side. I also visited Vilamoura, Albufera and I went on an organized day tour to Lisbon, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I would love at sometime to go back to see more of this beautiful city. (See pics in gallery)
June 2005
10th: Yesterday June 9th I attended the Day Care Unit at Leicester General Hospital again. It is five weeks since I had the first dilation for the urethral stenosis. Yesterday I had a follow up dilation, again under a local anaesthetic, I did experience a couple of painful episodes when peeing during the last week. The surgeon remarked that I was still suffering some urethral stenosis, however, not as bad as last time. He has suggested I see him again in the out-patients clinic in August for an assessment of any recurrence of urethral stenosis. It may mean that I will need further surgery, they cannot just keep dilating me, it needs to be corrected surgically. I'm fine this morning, I had a good nights sleep and I'm going to see my friend Deb this afternoon for a little electrolysis session (she owns a beauty salon) and get my nails done. I have an Age Concern Trustee Support day to attend on Saturday, this is a get-together for all Age Concern Trustees based here in Yorkshire.
24th: When I graduated from University last year I had also been awarded by my faculty the inaugural Professor Brian Edwards Prize In Health and Human Related Sciences. It has taken eleven months for me to finally receive the award. I went back to Sheffield University today to receive my award plus a cheque for £100. (See pics in gallery)
I am now looking forward to flying out to the Algarve on the 28th for a week’s holiday and to christen my new bikini.
May 2005
6th: Firstly an update on the mammogram I had a few weeks back, pleased to say it came back clear. Just over a week ago I noticed that it was becoming increasingly painful too pee. I attended my Health Clinic so that the clinic's nurse could check a sample of my urine, however, something was telling me this was more than just a urine infection. The sample was clear but the nurse wanted to send it away to be tested as a precautionary measure. Over the next few days the pain on starting a to pee become worse and I was sure that Stenosis (narrowing) of the urethra caused through the healing process, a common problem for post-op trans women was taking place. This had been explained to me by Tim Terry on my initial consultation.
I contacted Tim Terry's secretary at Leicester General Hospital on the afternoon of May 3rd, I told her of my problem, she said that she would get hold of Mr Terry and phone me back. Within a couple of hours she got back to me and it was arranged for me to attend Day Surgery Unit on Thursday 5th so that Mr Terry could perform a urethral dilation to alleviate my problem. This was done under a local anaesthetic, I was in theatre around 10 minutes and I was on my way back home within the hour. Thankfully it was successful, although it is a little painful to pee, this is because of the dilation and I am still bleeding a little. I must say a big thank you to Tim Terry, his staff for their prompt attention in sorting out my problem and also say a big thank you to the NHS nurses who looked after me in the Day Care Unit.
April 2005
2nd: The healing process is still going well, although, I visited a friend three days ago about a 150 mile round trip and I did ache a little internally. On Tuesday March 29th I had my final day of filming for the documentary series. I have, like many others, a love of butterflies and I was filmed in the Tropical Butterfly House at Roundhay Park Leeds, for me it was magical. My final interview was then done with me seated on a park bench in Roundhay Park. Then I was filmed going for a swim for the first time since surgery, it was wonderful to get back in the pool, although I have gone swimming while on holiday abroad. It has been a wonderful experience doing this documentary, Andrea the producer and her film crew from Mandrill Television have been a pleasure to work with.
12th: It was welcome to the joys of womanhood today, well the pleasures we older women have to endure but are necessary. I attended my first mammogram at my local Breast Screening Service, being of a certain age they send for you every three years. My GG friends had told me it was not a pleasant procedure and they were right, being squeezed between two plates top down and side to side. However, it is reassuring that you are being looked after and the importance for self assessment for abnormalities and that Breast Screening is available.
25th: Had an appointment at Porterbrook Gender Identity Clinic in Sheffield today. I had my first blood tests done since surgery, checking hormone levels etc. They also took my blood pressure which was normal, as it should be for one happy woman. I also got weighed and checking back on the chart I am 22 lbs lighter than the same time last year. I shall go back in two weeks for the blood test results. I noticed tonight that Dr Kevan Wylie has taken a look at the web site and he posted a kind message in my guest book.
March 2005
21st: I had an appointment in Leicester today with Tim Terry for my 7 week follow up. All went well and we are both happy with the surgery and there is no need to see him again, however, he did say that if I had any problems to get in touch with his team straight away, from my point of view this is really reassuring.
Feb 2005
On the 1st I had my SRS done by Tim Terry at Leicester General Hospital. I am one of the fortunate women having had my surgery funded by the NHS. It is now just six weeks since what I call my re-alignment surgery, my vagina looks good and I have healed well externally but I realise internally it will take a little longer, so it is wise to listen to what your body is saying. Other than that, I must say it is a joyous time as I experience the joy of really discovering myself and I for one believe that this part of our journey is the true transition.
My story and the surgery has been filmed to be part of a series for Discovery Health Channel. This has been done by documentary film makers Mandrill Television and it will be shown later in 2005.
(See pic in gallery six weeks after surgery; its not of my vagina)
