Requests to All Medical Professionals, Post #47

 Requests to All Medical Professionals

When a person is transgender because of gender dysphoria, we will most likely eventually seek medical professionals for treatment.  For me because of that and other medical conditions, I need to see medical professionals more than the average person. Even with all my experience as a patient, I was nervous when I first sought medical help for my gender dysphoria.  Here was a tough former civil servant anxious to see a doctor.  Fortunately for me, I had a very positive experience at the beginning of my transitioning journey.  However, since then, that has not always been the case.  My hope and prayer by sharing this is not to talk negative about medical professionals, but to help them better serve their patients.  Perhaps, some may even grow as a person by learning about us.

I would like to share some examples that I personally have experienced: 

1.  At a local hospital after I legally changed my name and gender marker, and after being transported by ambulance for my seizures, the hospital would not use my legal name and gender because I did not have my new ID and and insurance card on me. Now, some people may say, "Well, that is just an administrative issue that can be changed".  True, but my care was affected by how I was treated by the use of my former name, pronouns, etc, which caused me more anxiety because of my gender dysphoria. I believe those in the ER meant well, but my visit was more rough on me than it needed to be.

2.  Once again, in a different emergency room, a nurse and aid was sent in with a male urinal for a urine sample.  Please note: no one asked me if I was pre-op.  This moment  immediately reminded me that I was pre-op and I about cried.  Instead, I just went along with their request in silent emotional agony.  I do not believe the nursing staff meant to make me feel bad, but this is why I am sharing this.  I am use to the ER routine, but they could have just asked what would be best for me.... Please Do not Assume Anything. 

3.  I needed to go into the hospital for some testing, so I needed to go through registration, etc.  Of course I was anxious about the testing, but also about being out and in this big hospital as me.  I thought I looked good, with my hair, nails, and make up was done, and I dressed nice.  Now, my records and all of my identification is in my new name and gender marker, but unfortunately my voice is still deeper.  Regardless the reason, the person who helped register me and took me to the floor for testing, continued to use male pronouns, even after my wife corrected her.  Either this person was not trained on the topic, or she intentionally used the improper pronouns for me. (I would like to believe it was lack of training.)  Then, I discovered that I was only treated female when I was in my room...... Deep Voice?  Again, Please Do not Assume Anything

4. By this experience, I was getting a little use to some medical professional staff making mistakes, but this one almost made me laugh.  I was in the hospital for a seizure study, which meant I could not use the restroom without someone in my room.  I remember asking my nurse for her assistance, and during this evolution I hear, "Aren't you go to stand up?" LOL This nurse probably already knew I was pre-op, but apparently did not know what testosterone blockers and estrogen does to the male body parts.  I could have stood up, but then they would have needed to call maintenance.  LOL  Again,   Assume Nothing

If I could ask every medical professional something,  I would ask them,  "please try to have empathy". The unfortunate fact, many transgender people rarely goes out in public because they are afraid of being mistreated or worse.  I only seek medical attention when I need to, and like other patients, I have to trust that I will be treated well when I do.  Please try to remember, gender dysphoria is a medical condition that can effect us transgender people very deeply.  Many of us have been abused in many different ways; and all of us face anxiety, with some dealing with depression or worse.  So, please be kind.  We do not want special treatment, we are just another human needing help. 

Like my hope and prayer of when I created this blog, maybe this post will help someone. I wish I could do more, but maybe this will help at least one person.

Thank you to all the medical professionals (including first responders) who try to treat us transgender people properly.  Your support means more to us that we could ever express in words.

Respect and Love,

Jade