Travellers Tales.

Hi all. 

As mentioned in my last blog, I'd booked a little trip for myself. I decided to go to Barcelona. Couple of reasons. Been there before and enjoyed it. Also had a good reputation as being LGBTQ Friendly. You see there are certain parts of the world where it would be unwise to go such as Texas and Hungary for instance. Shame the bigots have taken over there but the benefits are for those who are welcoming.

So first trip abroad as me. I had changed my passport over earlier in the year but hadn't been used so conscious of having to go through security etc.

Need not have worried. Not a eye batted. Only fun moment was young lad had to sit next to me on the plane away from his mates. Saw them in the airport on arrival and he got a bit of a ribbing. Made me laugh.

Barcelona itself was glorious and enjoyed every minute. Culturally the Catalans however seemed to have an urge to gawp at me. Not a sly glance that I get in the UK but a full on head turning stare. Not everyone but enough to be noticeable and annoying.

Even when traversing through their village area. No demographic to it, just random. Didn't ruin the trip but did surprise me.

Trip back was equally uneventful. Used the passport egate which takes a picture and compares to your passport picture. Matched in seconds which was very much a relief. 

All in all uneventful enough to give me courage to travel more in the future. So already planning safe locations for next year.

As I write this, I am less than a week to my surgery. Wow that has come around quickly. My feelings are all over the place at the moment. Sense of anticipation mixed with nerves. Trepidation about the rehabilitation also. I'm not patient by any means so I will need people to keep me in check so I take my recovery at the right pace.

I am told I get mobilized pretty quickly so it won't all be bed ridden but I know I need to be careful and adapt.

I am unsure therefore when the next blog will be. I'm going private so will have access to be able to communicate from my bed soon after. I think it will take sometime to mentally adjust as well. 

So phase two is ending. I've been living in transition for two and a half years. COVID added to that delay. That said most who use the NHS haven't had an appointment in that time.

To those that say that this is a waste of NHS resources, unless you know of other people waiting for urologists to help them then in terms of specialists there is no pull on NHS resources. The infrastructure is there anyway and the NHS use private providers as well to supplement their needs. Your cancer treatment for instance is entirely unaffected by transgender reassignment surgery. 

I've saved and saved to get to this point. I know I'm privileged. I'll never be flippant about that or forget.

So next time I'll give you the lowdown on what GRS involves. It's going to be frank, you have been warned.

See you in phase three

Amanda xx