Cohen's Blog
Good Morning! Monday, February 11th 2019
First of all, I must apologize! I have been sick and extremely busy lately. Finally, I am back and continuing! SOOOO Much to tell you! So LET`S BEGIN!
During the month of January, I gotta say, CRAZY! First, as you know, I had my endocrinologist appointment with Dr.Fung. Since then, I was anxiously waiting for a letter to come in the mail.
Also during the month of January, my family and I got sick quite often, taking turns or two of us were sick. Sick with headcolds, flus, nausea, new meds to get accustomed to, ulcer attacks...There was a lot of napping and long hours of sleep, lots of bathroom runs and small portions of food. Only wish that we lost weight while we were sick!!! That would of been a bonus... but Nope!
In between all that, I had my birthday party! It wasn't how I had planned it... But still worked out. I was supposed to have a big family and friends gathering at Lady Luck's Restaurant, here in Timmins, Ontario. My most favorite restaurant next to Osaka Sushi. But, due to Christmas and an unexpected bill, we couldn't afford to do it anymore. Anyhow, my mom and her husband had planned to take over the dinner part with cake. So, my family (that I live with) went to lunch at Lady Luck instead with just one of my sisters and her son. That was all we could afford. The lunch was fantastic and loved the time spent with my family, my sister and my Oh! Sooo ADORABLE nephew! Then we all went to my mom's . My other sister with her two boys were already there as well to celebrate my birthday. My mom's husband made a 5 cheese lasagna for supper and my mom made her FAMOUS chocolate cake with cherries on top! MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!! The goal was to have a good birthday with my family. I didn't have my friends like I hoped for but hey, this is better than nothing. I loved my time either way.
End of January, the sickness continues. So annoyed. On the plus side, I got registered for Young Drivers course with the help of CHS (Canadian Hearing Society).
Now we are February, already! So, the first Friday of february, I recieved the letter I've been so anxiously waiting for! The letter was to advise me that I have been approved for OHIP coverage for the next 24 months and that my surgeon, Dr. Melinda Musgrave will be doing my bilateral mastectomy at St-Micheal's Hospital in Toronto... Last Tuesday, I got a phone call giving me a consultation date! I am going to Toronto for March 15th to have the consultation and hopefully get a surgery date! I AM SO PUMPED!!!!!!!!!!!
Not yesterday but the Sunday before, I started Young Drivers course. Wow, what a day! I was in class until 3:30pm. Then I went for my first committee meeting with Timmins Hemp Community! We have a pretty cool event coming up! :)
Then Saturday, I had Young Drivers again. After young Drivers, I went over to a friend's place and we went to Karaoke Night to sing. It was fun, but not what I expected. We went back to her place and sang more fun Karaoke until 2 am. That was a blast. I am still learning my voice while singing. It isn't easy when it is so deep!!! The songs I used to sing were high enough tone... Now, I gotta learn to modify some more. I hope we get to hang out more often and do more Karaoke! It's always fun to do that with friends!
So, as for my transition progress, my voice is deeper, my mustache is growing in. My libido is still the same, strong as ever. I am passing everywhere I go which helps a lot with my dysphoria. I am not thinking as much about "Are they trying to figure out if I'm a guy or a girl?" Are my "chesticles" still showing through?
Since I have been feeling more comfortable and passing a lot more, like 95% of the time, I started using the men's washrooms. I gotta say, men's washrooms are just a dirty as women's washroom just that the seat is more dirty than the women's seat and the floor is more dirty in women's washroom than the men's. I like the idea of a clean seat, so, I need to start carrying individual packs of wipes in my pockets or something to clean the seat because, well, I still have trouble with my STP and rather sit at this point than make a mess in my pants and smell like piss for the rest of the day....This is where I CAN'T WAIT TILL I GET BOTTOM SURGERY!!!!!!!
Anyways, I must stop here. I gotta get ready as for I'm going to Cochrane to do some work. If you ever need Security system and caremas set up, contact Gryphon's Technology! (on Facebook) I install them with him :)
Thanks for reading!
Cohen
Good Afternoon! Monday, January 7th 2019
Yesterday, the technology was not my friend. I couldn't do a blog update after updating the home page. Well, today, I will compensate for yesterday.
I am seeing how many people are checking this out, and very thankful that you are! And your loved ones who are transgender or anything under the LGTBQ++ umbrella would also love you more for it! I love you for it as well.
Just remember, If you have questions, do ask them. Tell them you don't understand and would like help to understand as much as possible before asking the questions. You can't be afraid, ashamed or embarrassed. You can only do your best. You are not obligated to understand everything but we do expect the same respect you expect to receive. You too are transitioning in your own way. Just don't be harsh or negative. Don't bash or bully them. The moment you put them down, the more harm you can do to them. Instead, support them, love them, show them you care, make an effort! Just you making an effort makes a world of differences to another human being.
As for all the transgenders, remember to breath, be patient and if they question you, do not take it offensively. 75% of the time, it's because they don't understand and they want to. It isn't their fault if they can't comprehend everything. Give them time to process and make any senses. Also, you are not the only one who transitions. The loved ones who are cisgendered and your allies, are also transitioning, mentally and emotionally with you. Nothing happens overnight as much as we would love it to be.
Anyways, I will be back later to write some more and maybe update more stuff here. Depending how much time I have. :)
Thanks for reading!
Cohen
Good Evening! Fri, January 4th 2019
I woke up this morning, earlier than I have been during the holidays for an appointment! An appointment with Dr.Fung, an endocrinologist.
I didn't have to wait long, was brought to a room with TV, for it was a video conference appointment with him. The nurse took my vitals and everything is good.
So we began. We talked about my blood work, which most of it was good. My red blood cell count was high. Because of that, we are lowing my dose of testosterone down from 100ml to 80ml and bring those red blood cell count down. No problem. Doesn't change how the testosterone would affect me.
We also talked how I should of upped my dose of testosterone gradually rather than full dosage (100ml every week) from the start. It explains why my periods stopped instantly, explains why I nearly have a full beard already, did shave it once and it grew back in pretty quick, explains the high level of sex drive from the start, a good amount of growth happening down below, a great amount of body hair growing and thickening and building some muscle mass! Honestly, I am not complaining. I am quite happy with the results.
Dr.Fung asked me if I snore. I said full blown yes. He asked me how is my sleep. So I told him, I do wake up few times at night. I don't exactly have a hard time falling asleep but do have issues staying asleep and I am tired when I wake up. I do take medicinal marijuana, cannabis oil in the morning daily and 1:1 ration of CBD and THC oil at night with a good hoot from my bong or vaporizer to help me stay more asleep at night. He is recommending me to do a sleep apnea test. I am dreading it but if it will make everything better, like a friend mentioned, I should get it done. So, I will see my nurse and speak about it.
Then we talked about my level of testosterone. At it's lowest right now, it is 18.6. Pretty good. I will find out what my highest is in a few months.
He asked if I was sexually active. I said yes but not so much lately., he understood and asked if I had a gf or boyfriend. I said I have a wife! He said, how do you feel about it. I said, happy that we are doing it and making love but angry at same time because it isn't the right parts. And that was it for that.
Then he asked if I had any questions. I asked him, would I be able to get a letter from him to get top surgery done. He said yes, he is going to refer me to one. We spoke about locations. Toronto has 3 and GRS Montreal. The one in Mississauga is FULL for the entire 2019. So I am getting another one in Toronto. I can't remember what the surgeon's name is or what the office is called but I will find out soon enough because I should be getting a letter in the mail the next 3-4 weeks for consultation date. Then, 3-4 months from then, I will have my top surgery!!! He asked me if I knew what top surgery was and i did explain to him the three ways it's done. Then, he asked me if I knew the risks. I blanked out! I knew the answers but for some reason, I blanked. So he explained it to me, might not get the sensations back, may need to get my chest corrected due to fat tissues, diabetes, smoking, risk of infections... Either way, I am SOOOOO READY to get this done. I am beyond excited!!! But, I have work to do. I must loose 20 lbs at least so I can have a healthier healing time. Not should this be the only reason, in the long run, I should keep this and be healthier. So, going to do meal preps and portion control as well as finding a good work out schedule along with my roller derby practices every Tuesdays coming.
In 6 months from now, I will see Dr.Fung again, do an update of it all and make sure I do blood work before I see him to see what my testosterone level is at at it's highest peak. Will also probably get the ball rolling for bottom surgery too.
Such great news today! I am soooooo excited. I can't wait to get this chest binder off and be free! Free from useless flubs on my chest, free from acne build up on my back because of the binder and I can't wait to be shirtless!
I came home with such big smile that I kinda freaked out my wife a little. LMAO! So, I told her and my roommate the news and they were also happy.
Well that's it folks! Nice long one for you!
Thanks for reading!
Cohen
Good Morning! Thur, January 3nd 2019
Today, I updated the News page and trans info page.
I am hoping to post a local trans man soon :) Currently speaking to one and made some arrangements which will come within a month. I am excited!
I will do a couple live videos through youtube first before I do interviews. I want to make sure this works as for it will be my first time doing live videos through youtube and will have it all connected to here!
As I was typing this, my Facebook pinged. I will be posting a local trans man very shortly, once I gather the information!
I am doing this because I want to remind everyone that We are not alone! There are many of us and we need to stick together and stay strong! We need to help educate others and fight for our rights just like the Black, the Jews, the Woman, The Deafs and so on. These fights are not over and neither is ours. But together, we can.
So adding other transgender here, is to show also, it's not all about me. I am a small part of what's out there. but all of us small parts together makes something huge!!! Makes us strong!
I would love to add Allies here too. It is not required to be transgender. You can be a supporter, straight, gay, lesbian, non-binary... anything under the umbrella and outside it too.
If you have a story or article or link you want to share, don't hesitate to share it! Click on Trans Info (not the drop menu in black) and it will bring you to the page where you can message me!
Well, back to work I go, time to collect information and work it!
Thank you,
Cohen
Good Afternoon! Wed, January 2nd 2019
Firstly, Happy New Years! We entered a new years with some of us holding on to new goals for the year or old ones in hope to complete this year. I'm bringing in this year with one BIG goal. Stick to my commitments more than ever and accomplish them all.
Secondly, yesterday I've turned 28+1! Meaning, I am 28 years old and 1 year finally being me then way I've always meant to be.
I hope you all had a great Christmas and that this year treats you well. I know 2018 felt like a sh*t year for a lot of us but remember the good times. It will get better. Just get out there and make 2019 the best one yet.
My goals this year are: - complete this website and just updating to do
- get my name change done
- hysterectomy (medoidioplasty maybe if it's included?)
- mastectomy
- drivers (beginners)
- pay off last loan
- buy a home
- buy a vehicle
I think this is a big enough goal plan for 2019. If I can get most of it, I will be a happy man.
Only one wish is, I hope I can get my hands on a good Drawing Tablet for digital artwork! :)
Well, that's all for now. I must continue working on the rest of the website. I will be adding informative links today. I hope you find them useful, if you check them out.
Thank you,
Cohen
Good Evening! Wed, January 2nd 2019
So, I am ending my evening here, after spending the day, posting and searching links for you to read up, photos of my transition in 2018, and touch ups in certain places. Still a lot of work to do on my page.
Maybe tomorrow, I will add more photos of before I transition, more blogging of course, find video links to put here and find a local event to post in news!
Keep an eye out, it may not be much now but I am far from being done. I am doing this because I love you all and love myself for who I am.
If there is anything you want to share like your before and after photos, your stories of your own transition, challenges you face, even poems or short stories related to the LGTBQ++, any information for me to look up for, something you would like me to post on website, anything, contact me via facebook or email, cohenjones1990@gmail.com.
I am going to join my wife for the rest of the evening, wish you all a great night and hope you sleep well!
Thank you,
Cohen
DECEMBER 2018
Good Morning! Tue, Dec 11th 2018
Today is the day I start blogging. I will be blogging as much as I can! I will start as of today and onward. To view when I first started, click the Facebook logo on the Home page and scroll down to the old posts. I will have it transferred here briefly once I complete the web.
Keep an eye out as I will be posting all sorts of information and world wide stuff too.
Who is ready for Christmas! (I temporarily added Christmas photos, these are not mine.)
Cohen
Good Afternoon! Tue, Dec 11th 2018
My brave beautiful wife is baking cookies today! Aren't cookies some of them best desert and snack?! I love them. Can you guess what is my favorite cookies?
CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES! Especially when the cookies have a crunchy edge and soft chew center! Mmm!
Please be patient as I build the site. I'm giving you a little something to read while I work :) Enjoy some cookies while you check the web!
Thank you!
Cohen
