Sun, 10 Jul 1994

Dear Diary:

Being a mother is not easy. True, I missed the physical part, but I do have two "adopted" children through IRC. Alicyn is a young transsexual woman from South Africa that I befriended on TRANSGEN about 14 or 15 months ago. Ria is a young woman that lives in Pittsburgh and adopted me as a mother-figure almost a year ago. A lot of my friends think that this is more or less a game of sorts, but I take it seriously. Not having a chance to be a biological mother myself, these relationships fill a void in my life.

Unfortunately, both Alicyn and Ria are really depressed lately. I wish I could do more than talk to them when they are down, but I guess every parent has to learn that there are some things that their children have to learn to work out for themselves. I'll just try to be as supportive as I can be.

Allison Parent wrote me yesterday and allayed my fears about the lost of breast size during the hospital stay. She says it is temporary and that many post-ops even have another growth surge about three months after surgery. She suggested that I remain on spironolactone until shortly before surgery, so I guess I will, at 200mg a day, I think. If only the stuff didn't taste so bad to me...I'll never like the flavor of mint again.

I wrote to one of Alicyn's friends today, a writer from the bay area who is having surgery in Neenah several days before I do. Courtney has a friend who is also having surgery about that time. I hope I get to meet these women while I am there.

So far I have eight people who are going to visit me in Neenah. April will be there, as will my genetic daughter, Jen. I'm really hoping they will become good friends. Also coming are Alicyn, Joanne, Tracey, Jenny Kay, Janey, and Courtney. At least they are planning to come.

Well, Diary, I have to get back to grading tests.

Love and Peace,

Robyn

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