So, on the intake questionnaire there were lots of questions about health history. One of the questions asked whether or not I've had any "serious operations, or hospitalizations". For every other question I marked No. As anyone reading this knows, the answer for me is yes, so I checked that. I was honest.
It asked for specifics, and provided a little line. I could have used a whole sheet of scratch paper to list them. Well, I wrote "Misc".
So, when the hygienist started taking X-Rays, one of the first things she noticed was the bright metal screws and metalwork in my jaw. She asked if I had had any jaw surgery - the obvious answer was yes. She asked if I had been in an accident, and I simply told her that I my jaw had to be rebuilt. And that was that.
She had a name tag with her name followed by R.D.H. I asked her what that stood for....she said "Registered Dental Hygienist". I told her I thought it stood for "Reliable, Dependable, and Honest."....that I didn't know her all that well yet but she seemed that way to me. She liked that.
The big news of the day is obviously the Supreme Court decisions on same-sex marriage. I don't need to say how important and historic all of this is.
But.....
I've said before and I'll continue to say that the biggest issue for most transpeople I know isn't marriage....it's jobs. It's workplace discrimination, and our ability to get and keep appropriate employment. That's not to say that the marriage decisions aren't a big deal. They're huge. But there are lots of LGB people for whom marriage equality is the be-all-end-all, the top of the mountain. It's not. ENDA, and recognition of workplace quality, can't be forgotten in all of this.
Anyway, that will not mute my celebration and my happiness for these milestones. They're big steps along the the cultural journey toward recognition and respect of personhood.
I took a self-portrait today after work as I was headed out to do a few errands. Nothing special....just an iPhone pic on my back patio. It's pretty accurate.....I'm glad I've got a hair appt. this weekend. I need a little blonde in my life, if you get my gist.... :)
In the be-careful-what-you-ask-for department I'm getting busier at work. I'm glad about it - still enjoying it. Which is a good thing, since I've come a long way and had to make significant life changes to do this. It "felt" good to me. But there are always situations where a feeling can lead you down a path that needs a U-Turn. So far so good in that department.
3 comments:
"So, on the intake questionnaire there were lots of questions about health history. One of the questions asked whether or not I've had any "serious operations, or hospitalizations"."
The FAA asked me the same thing for my Flight Physical yesterday. In the remarks, I put: "See attached 5 page, small print addendum."
Ok, so most of it was previously reported on my last physical, but they still wanted it submitted. The doctor asked if Oklahoma City questioned any of it last time; I said nope -- they were good with it and appreciated its completeness.
the things we must go thru ...
Hi Donna,
I'm glad that Nebraska is suiting you well. The Plain States must be a huge change for a "Coastal Girl"! : )
I am not sure of the correct protocol of this, but we don't know each other (though I and my wife have read your great book and read your blog). This morning, I came across a post by Kristin Beck on F-book and would like you to see it, just in case you know her or could reach out to her... https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=594666327220304&id=572882592732011
Thank you and Good luck in all your endeavors. You helped save my life without your knowing it. : )
Best Regards,
Karin
Donna, I've had to deal with surgery questions too lately. I started with a new dentist about a year ago....same question: "Why did you have surgery on your mandible?"
My answer: "I was born with a congenital deformity that needed to be fixed."
Recently, I had my gallbladder removed. I do not list my GRS when asked about prior surgeries. I list my BAS and my FFS as facial plastic surgery and my knee fracture repair and that's it.
Surgeon: "These are your surgeries? Have you had a hysterectomy?"
My answer, "No I haven't." I didn't lie. I haven't.
After surgery, at the first postoperative office appointment, nothing was said and no questions asked. I don't know how much he peered around in there with the operative laparascope, but if he noticed anything different, he never said anything. The surgeons make four incisions, three of them very small. The largest one was about an inch long, just below my umbilicus. So I was worried he might say something, but nope.
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