Transgender Care l: Who knew that there was such a thing?

While I was sitting in the exam room waiting for my doctor to enter, my wife helped me to relax and take some much needed deep breaths.  This was it, the time had finally come when I would say out loud, to a health care professional, that I desired TOPSurgery and that I wanted them to help me get it.  I had in my folder (that became quite thick as the process moved forward) a letter from a psychologist stating that I was not crazy (not in those words of course) and that my gender dysphoria required treatment. In my case that meant TOPSurgery. I had told her that I labeled myself 'gender-variant'. Gender-queer is a more hip term, but the queer word can put some people off.  I guess that I wanted to sound as normal as possible when I was presented to professional health care providers.  As I mentioned in a previous post, the concept of non-gender binary has become more socialized and recognized, at least in  queer circles and for many younger people, at least in major metropolitan areas. I told my PCP why I was sitting in front of her.  My emotions heightened, I felt choked up, the words so hard to say.  Part of me felt empowered, part of me felt like a failure. Failing to buck-up, to deal with the life that I had been given - maybe even flying in the face of my karma.  Dr. H immediately put me at ease by telling me that more and more people were coming in, asking for help with gender dysphoria.  Even school aged children, accompanied by their very aware and accepting parents. How wonderful I thought, understanding and accepting parents. TG, and more specifically Non-gender binary folks, well, we are the gluten free diet of gender.
Dr. H said that she could refer me to a gender-care specialist. WHO KNEW?  There was an M.D. in the same practice, or another upstairs that I could see.
Bad news........this might take a little longer than I would like. Good news........I was on my way and would be guided by someone who specialized in helping people like me.  FANTASTIC!