#charring cross

Hey everyone :3

So recently I had my first formal appointment to seek out testosterone after waiting nearly a year for my first NHS appointment which has felt like forever and been a painful waiting process.

Originally, I wanted to see GenderCare, however as Dr. Lorrimer was booked up until next year, he recommended making an appointment with Dr. Lenihan. I started to look up accounts of other people who have seen her, however didn't find much, but found that others wanted accounts of what she was like. So after e-mailing her and booking my appointment a week later I thought it best to share my account to put other peoples minds at ease 😊 SPOILER ALERT: SHES AMAZING

-NOTE: When you e-mail Dr. Lenihan, she will ask for some basic information and if you have had your T bloods done - These are the ones that get sent to CX. Luckily I had mine done a year ago, so it was just a case of getting a printed copy of the results in order to take to the appointment. You will also need a form of identification, deed poll etc... anything to show you have been living under your new name or been living in your identified gender.

So firstly, depending on where you get off the underground, and how familiar you are to London, you will get lost. The building is in a street with identical buildings, however the number on the door is huge so you cant miss it.

When you go into the clinic, everything is purple and white and its really relaxing. I didn't have any paperwork to fill out luckily but this may be different for others. The staff there are really nice and polite and offer out free drinks, and the sofas are really REALLY cozy.

The doctors all come out to greet you and walk you to where you need to go, so don't worry about getting lost.

When I first met Dr. Lenihan she seemed really nice and approachable. She asked where I was from, why the weather was so warm (because there was a heatwave in the UK at the time) etc... we had a giggle before sitting down and getting to the questions.

I had read a article about what types of questions would be asked during this appointment, so I had a rough idea of what was gonna be asked but I didn't expect to get it all done in 1 appointment. Throughout the session, Dr. Lenihan was really kind and sweet, sharing her advice on not only my transition but also problems with my family and friends that were raised. It was as if I was talking with one of my relatives. When we spoke about waiting times for CX, she added that she also works there, so shared care wouldn't be an issue.

-NOTE: Questions asked were things like: what's the relationship with your family like? Are they supportive? When did you first get an idea that something wasn't right? What's your mental health like?

We went through the risks of taking testosterone, as well as the benefits, and then finally how often she would like to see me once I start taking hormones. At this point I could not stop smiling. What had taken nearly a year was done in two weeks. Despite being in a private clinic, I felt like I was visiting a friend, everything was really relaxed and chilled.

After our appointment, Dr. Lenihan said she would write up the report of what we spoke about and then recommend me to get a full physical examination in order to work out T levels. She said all information about what is going to happen next will be in the letter. WHICH IS REALLY REALLY INCREDIBLE OMGGG!! :D :D

So, despite the fear and hesitation of booking a private appointment, waiting times, finances. I would recommend it to anyone suffereing from extreme dysphoria if you can afford it. Saying it hasn't set me back wouldn't be being honest, but I feel so much better about myself knowing I went and have come back with answers. At the minute it feels like being on T by my birthday might actually come true, I’m keeping my fingers crossed. 

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For those who didn't know, Dr. Lenihan is also now going to start working at GenderCare, so you might see her there as well. She is a really really lovely person, so nobody should be afraid of contacting her or seeing her 😊

I’ll continue to keep everyone updated on what happens next, and if anyone has any questions just let me know! 

-Riley

TW: Mention of blood tests. nothing too extreme tho.

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Heya! I went MIA again, but I am back now. I have been in London during Wed and Thurs, for my first gender identity appt at charring cross/tavistock. For those who do not know - yes. I am ftm. and yes, i am pre everything. i had waited years for it, and i found out im able to start t after christmas so long as i get my bloods done before then.

I have thought about the future of this blog, and seeing as my timing is sporadic - for now I’ll post edits until I come up with a story idea, and my time is less taken up by college and other life stuff. After all, this is more of a dumping blog for screenshots I like and making up cute boys on the sims. its not really a storytelling blog, tho it started out as one.

I am on discord though, which is here: kaden#3512

feel free to add me since im more active there. But i dont talk much in 1 on 1 dms. 

A fantastic day and night out in Glasgow was had by @davidgulliver_photography, @archarlton1 and myself yesterday on a small Instameet. Time is pressing today to go through the photographs and create a Glasgow gallery but I thought I would put up a couple of my favourites. Click to enlarge...