I met with a transgendered patient today.

[Aristus]

She had just undergone gender re-assignment surgery three months ago. She was still having some understandable pain and some bleeding, so I referred her to a urologist. She is new to the area. After she underwent the procedure, her family sort of disowned her.

She and I kind of hit it off, mainly over our mutual support for marijuana legalization. I'm not sure she knew what to expect with her new primary care provider, but we had a very pleasant visit.

As she was leaving, she asked me if I had ever had transgendered patients before. I told her "A few, but I haven't seen them for a couple of years." She seemed pleased that I was comfortable around her. I asked her to follow up with me after her visit to the urologist.

I'm glad she likes me. I'm a liberal, and a medical provider. If I can't walk the walk, I may as well turn in my liberal card...

[Wounded Bear]

1. Probably a very difficult situation...

for a transgendered person is that first doctor visit, not knowing what to expect. There are so many bigoted people in the world, even among those who are supposed to be professional. It's good that she met you, a professional and compassionate person.

I hope her condition improves.

[Aristus]

2. I'm sure she will.

She seems like a fighter...

[Laffy Kat]

3. I work in healthcare and wear a rainbow ribbon pen on my badge.

It seems to put some people immediately at ease. I get a lot of comments about it and have never heard anything negative, although I'm sure I will at some point.