(20) 21st had arrived.

We set off for London, I drove as my car was more economical. We had both been to see Noel Gallagher the previous evening so Rach slept for most of the journey, it was a late night.
We arrived in Uxbridge with plenty of time to spare, so far so good no cancellation. At 11.20am we were sitting in the reception area of Dr Richard Curtis's gender clinic, we had 40 minutes to relax and have a coffee. There was plenty of information around the place but none to take away. Drew the receptionist was quite chatty with Rach and it felt a very comfortable place to be.
There were posters on the wall telling people they would be asked to leave if they were discriminative towards their clients, other posters advertising for people to take part in channel 4s My Transsexual Summer.
Whilst we were waiting there were MTFs having electrolysis. The buzzer rang and a MTF came into the clinic to leave Dr Curtis a gift. This bought it home to me that gender dysphoria was a much wider issue than I had imagined, but how comfortable they appeared in this environment.
I was in a calm state although my mind was working overtime, I had to hold it together for Rach.
Rach had been concerned that Dr Curtis may not prescribe if he thought I was against it or said anything that may jeopardise the prescription. I knew I had to refer to her as Will and he etc, I would try my best.
At exactly 12pm the door opened and a client walked out followed by Dr Curtis, we were asked to go in.
This was it, in one hours time my daughter would be having a prescription for testosterone.
The consultation went quite well, Rach was asked personal questions and answered them with no embarrassment of me being there. Dr Curtis asked me questions too, how had I been coping? What support had I received? I felt at ease and was able to answer honestly and not have to worry about any outcome, I was referring to Rach as he, sometimes she but corrected myself quickly. Once again it was a great feeling speaking to somebody who had the knowledge in this field.
Rach discussed next weeks consultation in Brighton, she would need a referral letter off Dr Curtis.
Dr Curtis spoke about all of the options and recommended that she start the hormones and put the operation on hold. What if the testosterone didn't work, would she still want to go through with the operation, we had discussed that Rach's dysphoria was her voice so hormones were at the top of the list. I was quite glad as I would prefer just one change at a time to cope with.
Parenthood had been discussed, the freezing of eggs or embryos. We had many discussions, some heated over the past year and I was upset to think that she would never experience natural motherhood as she has always adored kids, kids also adored Rach they made a beeline to her. I know my opinion doesn't count as it is purely Rach's choice but I felt that doing what she was, she was giving up the right to be a natural parent. How difficult for a child to be born to a mum who is really their dad. I know people have lived a normal life as possible and had children and then decided they should change sex, but Rach was doing it as a single young person she was only 20 and starting her life as a male, Rach did agree and as freezing of eggs would cost money and more importantly time the decision had been made.
Rach had taken all of her paperwork and it was quite obvious to Dr Curtis that she had GD. He would prescribe the hormone but...

New protocol now states that you have to see an independent counsellor before the prescription can be given. I thought it was going quite well.
More money and another trip to the London Gender Clinic.
There were counsellors who used the GD clinic weekly who Rach could see, we were given there contact details, also Rach would have to have another blood test and send the results to Dr Curtis prior to the next consultation.
Consultation ended at exactly 13.00 hrs, documents had to be photocopied which took a while. I was chatting to a couple of trans women in the waiting area, it had been a tough journey for them, it did appear easier for trans men as in passing for male.
We now had the journey home, also another visit to London asap.
I had very mixed emotions, it was becoming so close and reality was hitting me.
I was also thinking that there were lots more people who didn't know, they all knew me with 2 children, a daughter and a son. Who did I need to tell, how would I do it?