[Misty0732]

I never met a single spouse of a transgender who was delighted to learn of her husband's trans nature. Many recoil at the prospect of living with an out-and-about trans woman or cross dresser. Most come to tolerate their husband's 'hobby' as long as clear boundaries are honored.

Clara,

I had considered asking this in another thread but didn't want to hi-jack that one (another BN member had started it).

Your statement (above) in large part reflects my situation. I've made it clear on these forums that my SO and family prevent any serious consideration on my part to transition, though I must admit I have given the subject a lot of thought. I have followed your progress with considerable interest (though I must say I am a bit taken back by the financial investment required).

I have often thought about the surgical techniques (such as FFS and SRS) and wondered what they could really do for me. I am a little youger than you (I'm 56) but have been blessed with some naturally female traits such as virtually no body hair and no trace of a receding hairline. I attribute that to very low DHT throughout my life.

Still, I have always seemed to stop at one irrefutable point, and I wonder how it is you deal with this reality. I know that genetically I have 46 chromosomes in each nucleic cell. I know that 44 of those are autosomes. The other two, however, are sex chromosomes... one is an X and one is a Y. It is the presence of the Y chromosome that makes me male and no amount of hormones or surgery can change that fact. As much as I dream of being female I know that there is no way to flip the basic chemistry inside my body.

I'm not trying to put you on the spot here, nor am I in any way judging those that have chosen the transition route. I am really curious, however, if this fact is at all troubling to you and how you deal with it (one way or the other).

Am I making sense?

Misty