Started hormones (estrogen & progesterone) in January of 2001 - still on them.

Had hair transplant surgery in December of 2001. 2200 Micro grafts, so far I'm quite pleased with the results, though the new hair did seem to take a long time to grow in!

Finished 5th session of laser hair removal - only partially sucessful. Have gone to E2000 in Dallas Texas for electrolysis, have had 10 full clearings of my beard, chest, underarms and genital region. Last session with E2000 was in June 2004. Takes a long time to kill all those pesky hairs!

Divorce was finalized in March of 2002. Glad to have it done. Nothing fun about getting a divorce.

Legally changed my name to Andrea Marie von Kaenel in April of 2002.

Started living full time as a woman in April of 2002. No serious problems.

On August 1st, 2002 I had a breast augmentation. Went from a 42A to a 42B/C. Has done wonders for my self esteem and ability to be accepted as a woman. Still getting used to men talking to my chest! Was funny at first - now it's just kind of creepy.

On February 13th, 2003 I had Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS) with Dr. Schrang in Neenah Wisconsin. The staff at the Theda Clark Medical Center were fantastic! No real pain from the surgery. Everything went well and I healed up nicely - things are fully functional! All in all a very positive experience.

Back to Neenah Wisconsin for a Labiaplasty on May 12th, 2003, again with Dr. Schrang (this is the second part of SRS) at the Theda Clark Medical Center. Everything went fine.

In June 2003 I got my New York State Birth Certificated amended to be female instead of male.

In September 2003 I attended my first Southern Comfort Conference. Had a wonderful time in Atlanta and met some wonderful people (Hi Lucy). I hope to make SCC a yearly event.

Finally got my driver's license changed to have the coveted "F" on it on 10/1/03.

Attended the Colorado Gold Rush event in Denver. Met loads of TG/TS people and had a generally great time. February 26th - 29th, 2004

Had Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS) - to make my face look a bit more feminine, in San Francisico with Dr. Ousterhout (aka Dr. O) on March 17th, 2004 (St. Patrick's Day). The most intense, invasive and painful surgery to date. Mira was wonderful to me. I met some of the nicest people in the world at the Cocoon House (Kela, Mel, Anne, Trica, Mary-Lou, etc...). I spent some time in the Noe Valley / Castro area (The Parker Guest House - is awesome!). All in all, the best (and most expensive) vacation I've ever had!

Put my money where my mouth is and let a great gal - Jessica - live with me for a few months. She was going though a rough spot and needed a place to start getting her life in order. Sharing my space with someone wasn't easy for me, but we managed to come through it just fine. Jessica is now my virtual daughter and I'm her mom - a relationship I enjoy a great deal. No one can make me laugh like she can! August - October 2004.

Attended my second Southern Comfort Conference. Atlanta was great! Got caught up with Lucy, and met a bunch of new friends. Had a nice time chatting with Zelda, Laura and Samantha. September 28th - October 3rd, 2004.

Had my last psychology appointment, October 29th, 2004. I got a clean bill of mental health. (lol) Another transition item comes to a close.

Ventured overseas (first time using my new passport) for a holiday in the UK. Met up with my FFS pal Melanie in London and played tourist. Did all the normal stuff - Buckingham Palace, London Eye, Tower of London, etc... Took the train up to where Melanie lives. Met her kids, went out to dinner, mellow type of stuff. Melanie drove us over to Stratoford-Upon-Avon where we did the requisite Shakespeare tour stuff. Train back to London where I met up with one of my new SCC friends - Laura - for dinner and conversation. And a good time was had by all. November 2nd - 8th, 2004.

Attended the Transgender Day of Rememberance in Washington DC with Kalli. Group of 30+ folks gathered in front of the Lincoln Memorial to remember and honor those T people who'd been murdered in the past year. November 20th, 2004.

Dipped my toes into the activism arena. Attended the NCTE lobbying training and lobby days in Washington DC. Met with my senator and representative. Got to meet several other T folks (which I always enjoy). March 13th and 14th, 2005.

Another trip to the UK. Mostly stayed in London but did venture up to Birmingham and York. Got to see my pals Laura and Melanie, and my baby T Lisa and her s/o Anne. Another good time - I'm looking forward to going again! May 2005.

Went to Montreal to be with Melanie during her GRS. Nice set surgical set up, and the recovery facility was fantastic! Montreal is certainly a place I'd have no problem recommending for anyone thinking about SRS/GRS. And I must say Dr. Brassard is a really nice looking guy! lol. I got to meet some great people and help a dear friend. Best kind of trip. June, 2005.

Venturing into the wild world of dating. Casually dating a great guy - Richard. Learning a lot about myself and men. Some of it is nice, some of it is frustrating. August 2005. (Ended things with Richard - just wasn't what I wanted)

SCC 2005 in Atlanta. Fantastic time. Met up with a group from Northern VA - Kaitlyn, Debbie & Brooke. Got caught up with Laura and some baby Ts. Loads of fun. Brooke really caught my attention as the conference went on! Something about her that just fascinated me. I kept thinking "this is someone I want to know better". Which with some gentle nudging from her friends - I did. I've seen her once since the conference - it was great - can't wait to see her again! I'm smitten. SCC was September 20th - 25th, 2005.

Heading to Colorado to do some work and visit my Baby-T Lisa. She's having her SRS with Dr. Bowers down in Trinidad! Great fun to visit and not be on the patient side of surgery for a change. October 4th, 2005.

Ventured overseas on yet another visit to London. Got to see Laura & Melanie again. Did the normal tourist stuff plus a few extras that Laura helped arrange - (VIP tour of the London Eye, and BBC tour). Hampton Court Palace, Shopping, dining, pubs, etc... And best of all Brooke went with me! Great fun to have a travel companion of such high caliber! November 16th - 22nd, 2005.

Brooke and I went to San Francisco, CA to be with a friend who was having FFS with Dr. Ousterhout. It was wonderful! I got to see Mira, and the gang at the Cocoon House, and I met someone else from the NOVA/Metro DC area. Very different to watch someone else go through the whole process - I have a new found appreciation for what my Mother had to see with me! Brooke and I did get to play tourist - stayed in the Noe Valley/Castro area - took the Muni all over the place. And a good time was had by all. January 2006.

TGEA elections have come and gone. I'm on the Board as the Secretary. Brooke is the Communication Director (she edits the newsletter and deals with the website stuff). I'm enjoying taking a more active role in TGEA ( www.tgea.net ) and I especially enjoy meeting the members. June 2006.

TGEA elections again. I'm on the Board as the President this year! Brooke and I have been living together for going on a year now. Brooke has decided to transition and is just starting the first steps - therapy and hormones. June 2007.

SCC was great fun this year. Went with Brooke, Bailey and Dana. Long road trip but it was fun to have our own gang to share the experience with. Several TGEA and other local Washington DC area folks were also there. Great to catch up with everyone. And most important, Brooke and I got engaged. We met at SCC, so it only seemed fitting that we get engaged at SCC. No wedding date set yet, but I'm sure we'll do it sometime in 2008. September 2007.

Elected as the President of TGEA for another year. Getting involved with IFGE, as part of planning for their Washington DC conference in early 2009. Brooke and I are planning a Fall wedding. July 2008.

Another SCC has come and gone. Drove down with Brooke. As always it was great to catch up with everyone! My brother and sister-in-law had their first baby on October 11th. I'm an Aunt! Wedding planning is mostly done. Ceremony and reception will be on October 26th. About 50 people, a few family and mostly friends will be in attendance. It will be a mix of traditional and non-traditional. We've got the big poofy wedding dresses and all that, but are opting for a handfasting ceremony. With a two bride wedding we get to tailor things to our liking. Should be a fun time! October 2008.

So there you have it, all the latest!

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