When we first started going to the endocrinologist, we would see the doctor and then she would send C for blood work. Estrogen and Testosterone results take time so we would get new medication updates etc. the following week from the nurse by phone after the lab results were in. Over time we learned that, if we requested that the lab order be sent in before the appointment, the doctor would already have the results and we could discuss the results face-to-face with her. Not only did it make it easier to advocate for my daughter, but it means she could hear from the doctor herself that everything is going well (mums know nothing, obviously).

This last week we went to the endocrinologist. C was excited because, on every previous occasion, she'd had an increase in her estrogen and it was time for her three month Depo Provera shot. Always a good day. However, her complete results weren't back and, of course, it was the testosterone and estrogen we were waiting for. A bit deflated, but not devastated thanks to the Depo shot, at least, we left.

Yesterday I got the call. Her testosterone is undetectable. YEA! Major milestone. But....

But, her estrogen is too high. That's a thing?! I sort of naively assumed as a trans kid her estrogen couldn't possibly get too high. She's been worried about not developing fast enough but her estrogen is actually too high? The doctor wanted her estrogen to be between 180 and 200. It was 230.

I told the nurse delivering the news that I was definitely going to need more information before I became the messenger for this downer. I was truly afraid it would send C spiralling into another depression so I needed facts. Something to explain why less estrogen was definitely better. A few hours later, the nurse called back. Increased risk of blood clots and stroke. Good enough for me.

I led with the bit about undetectable testosterone which made her beam and set the stage for the next part of the message. Happily, when I mentioned the reduction, she didn't tail spin at all. She calmly asked why, and when I told her, she just said, "ok." That's it. All this build up in my head and "ok" was all I got? Maybe I'm getting better at anticipating the issues? Or she's getting better at taking news? Or maybe I just hit her with that piece of information at just the right moment. At any rate - crisis averted!