This final countdown is so difficult. I try to remember if it's difficult for me, how HARD it must be for DJ. But, in true self-centered fashion, I come right back to how stressed I feel. I'm such a lech!
DJ seems to be, for all intents and purposes, "nesting." This is a word that I'm not sure translates to other cultures; however, in light of the fact that it is likely a universal feminine trait, I am certain women of other countries can relate. We usually see this quality in pregnant mothers right before birth of the baby is due. We clean, we tidy, we arrange, all in preparation for the life changing event that is about to occur.
DJ, to a certain degree, has been nesting. The girl is, otherwise, a perpetual mess maker. Her room is constantly in a state of disaster. It truly looks as if a tornado came through it. And her bathroom is ridiculous. Yesterday, however, for some strange reason, she started cleaning. Usually we have to make her do it. For her to take the initiative is a bit unusual. Let me state it more accurately: for her to take the initiative is highly irregular!!
On other fronts, she had her first sleepover with her best friend, Sister Chromatid recently and it was like "old times." This is the first time in 4 months that she has been in the company of someone other than Bulldog or me for more than an hour or two, not including staff at the hospital. She was giddy and silly and laughed so hard she spit, according to Barbie, Sister Chromatid's mom.
The next morning, I took both girls with me to a fundraiser with a "pirate" theme. DJ looked adorable in her subtly alluring pirate get up but I could see her retreat into her shell as she came in contact with more and more strangers, especially when it was time to eat her breakfast. She just wasn't up to the task that morning and felt embarrassed and disappointed in herself at not being up to the task. We told her that all of us bite off more than we can chew some days and oftentimes, it's best to just back off and try again another day. Bulldog picked her up, brought her home, she took her therapeutic bath and hung out with Mimi the rest of the day.
She's been off her hormones for five days and the mood changes have been minimal. But DJ has never been one to have wild alterations in her mood anyway. She's just varying degrees of stoic no matter what. If I didn't know better, I would swear she is British. And to any of you in the UK who are reading this, I mean that as a compliment in a "steady heads will prevail" kind of way.
On the surgery front, the surgeon is in receipt of the letters from the therapist and psychologist, so I can breathe a sigh of relief. The surgeon's office has had to reassure me a number of times that everything is moving along properly. What do you do for people who soothe your neediness? Are flowers appropriate? Or does the fact that you've written a very large check suffice? I don't know....
Bulldog touched base with the psychologist yesterday by phone.
He said to me, "There is one thing she wants us to do as soon as the surgery is over." My heart sank, because I am constantly expecting SOMETHING to derail our plans somehow (I'm such a "negative nancy" lately).
"What's that?" I replied.
"As soon as DJ comes out of surgery, she wants us to call her and let her know how DJ is."
I almost cried.
Once the surgery is done then, maybe, and only with their permission, can we share the names of all these incredible professionals who have made it their mission in life to help transgender folks achieve the lives they want and need. But until then, I just want to keep everything on the down low. Fly under the radar, so to speak. Which makes me regret that I shared some of my blog entries on Facebook last year....sigh. The more I learn, the more I learn how much I have to learn.
Many thanks to some of my blog readers (friends) who have contacted me by my gmail email address. I sincerely hope we can meet someday.
That's all for now. Be back in the next few days if I have not experienced some sort of meltdown while DJ keeps that stiff upper lip.
DJ seems to be, for all intents and purposes, "nesting." This is a word that I'm not sure translates to other cultures; however, in light of the fact that it is likely a universal feminine trait, I am certain women of other countries can relate. We usually see this quality in pregnant mothers right before birth of the baby is due. We clean, we tidy, we arrange, all in preparation for the life changing event that is about to occur.
DJ, to a certain degree, has been nesting. The girl is, otherwise, a perpetual mess maker. Her room is constantly in a state of disaster. It truly looks as if a tornado came through it. And her bathroom is ridiculous. Yesterday, however, for some strange reason, she started cleaning. Usually we have to make her do it. For her to take the initiative is a bit unusual. Let me state it more accurately: for her to take the initiative is highly irregular!!
On other fronts, she had her first sleepover with her best friend, Sister Chromatid recently and it was like "old times." This is the first time in 4 months that she has been in the company of someone other than Bulldog or me for more than an hour or two, not including staff at the hospital. She was giddy and silly and laughed so hard she spit, according to Barbie, Sister Chromatid's mom.
The next morning, I took both girls with me to a fundraiser with a "pirate" theme. DJ looked adorable in her subtly alluring pirate get up but I could see her retreat into her shell as she came in contact with more and more strangers, especially when it was time to eat her breakfast. She just wasn't up to the task that morning and felt embarrassed and disappointed in herself at not being up to the task. We told her that all of us bite off more than we can chew some days and oftentimes, it's best to just back off and try again another day. Bulldog picked her up, brought her home, she took her therapeutic bath and hung out with Mimi the rest of the day.
She's been off her hormones for five days and the mood changes have been minimal. But DJ has never been one to have wild alterations in her mood anyway. She's just varying degrees of stoic no matter what. If I didn't know better, I would swear she is British. And to any of you in the UK who are reading this, I mean that as a compliment in a "steady heads will prevail" kind of way.
On the surgery front, the surgeon is in receipt of the letters from the therapist and psychologist, so I can breathe a sigh of relief. The surgeon's office has had to reassure me a number of times that everything is moving along properly. What do you do for people who soothe your neediness? Are flowers appropriate? Or does the fact that you've written a very large check suffice? I don't know....
Bulldog touched base with the psychologist yesterday by phone.
He said to me, "There is one thing she wants us to do as soon as the surgery is over." My heart sank, because I am constantly expecting SOMETHING to derail our plans somehow (I'm such a "negative nancy" lately).
"What's that?" I replied.
"As soon as DJ comes out of surgery, she wants us to call her and let her know how DJ is."
I almost cried.
Once the surgery is done then, maybe, and only with their permission, can we share the names of all these incredible professionals who have made it their mission in life to help transgender folks achieve the lives they want and need. But until then, I just want to keep everything on the down low. Fly under the radar, so to speak. Which makes me regret that I shared some of my blog entries on Facebook last year....sigh. The more I learn, the more I learn how much I have to learn.
Many thanks to some of my blog readers (friends) who have contacted me by my gmail email address. I sincerely hope we can meet someday.
That's all for now. Be back in the next few days if I have not experienced some sort of meltdown while DJ keeps that stiff upper lip.
To DJ: My thoughts and prayers are with you. I know that sounds shallow, but it's the truth. Major surgery isn't fun, but you will finally be YOU when you come out the other side. Laugh all you want, cry all you want, the gender battle will finally be over with.
ReplyDeleteTo Author and Bulldog: My extreme admiration for fighting this battle with your daughter. You didn't ostracize her, ignore her, chastize her, or anything negative. You supported and loved her. There isn't a child on the planet, no matter what their gender, that deserves any less.
To Romeo and Goodwrench: Please continue to support your sister. One battle may be one, but you'll still need to hang tough as a family.
To Sister Chromatid: I'm so proud of you for being a friend to DJ. May you be lifelong friends with her and share a lifetime of experiences later on.
To all of you: Thanks for sharing life. I will be thinking of all of you. And author, please share with us as soon as the surgery is over with. We want to know how she's doing.
There are times when I want to be able to hug you as I read your blog. I know that 'mom's' generally always do anything they can to help their child but I just wanted to say how amazing I think you are. To grow up believing you are girl in the wrong body is just hellish - I look back at my life and its just makes me so sad - I wasted so many opportunities.
ReplyDeleteWith your support DJ is turning her life around and despite the fact I have zero connection except by reading your blog, I just feel so happy and glad that DJ will never have to experience what so many of us have to face day in day out. Good luck to you all over the forthcoming weeks.
Becca
Becca and Marie-
ReplyDeleteThank you and thank you and thank you. I tried to read your comments aloud to DJ and couldn't manage it without getting all choked up. You are wonderful cyber friends :)
Certainly sending warm fuzzy energies your way during what is sure to be an exciting and emotionally draining time. I hope all is well on your end, and I'm happy that things are moving forward for DJ. It sounds like Bulldog and yourself have had more than enough adventure for one lifetime, and to be able to look back on this in the years to come will show you just how strong you are, even if you don't see it now.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to reading more updates from you in the future, and I've also got you on my RSS feed so I know when updates happen. Good luck!!
Blazewing-good to hear from you!! Thanks for the good wishes. We will keep you all informed-it's really wonderful having so many people pulling for DJ and for us. XOXO The Author
ReplyDelete