A Petition

On the Task Force, named as Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders Chair, we find Dr. Kenneth Zucker, from Toronto infamous Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH, formerly the Clarke Institute). Dr. Zucker is infamous for utilizing reparative therapy to Ccure gender-variant children. Named to his work group, we find Zuckers mentor, Dr. Ray Blanchard, Head of Clinical Sexology Services at CAMH and creator of the theory of autogynephilia, categorized as a paraphilia and defined as man paraphilic tendency to be sexually aroused by the thought or image of himself as a woman.
Also Dr Ann Lawrence, a supporter of his JUNK SCIENCE.. is understood to be in consideration as an alternate member.

We, the undersigned hereby object to their inclusion on this committee, and object to the hurtful theories they promote.
In order to have any credibility in the field of gender identity, the DSM must not include discounted theories or junk science.
We ask that they be removed at once as members. Please sign the Petition here.

More Follow-up

I am really sorry to be so lax at blogging! There is nothing wrong with me. In fact, everything is going well. I have been busy. I visited a friend in Massachusetts last weekend and there has just been one thing after another. Yes, I am mostly healed. Yes, I am loosing weight. No I can't eat much (what a surprise!) I am gradually moving toward more normal food. I can now eat soft regular food. I have been enjoying flaky fish like cod and thin cut ham and turkey. I eat vegetables now if they are soft cooked and I drink lots of water. I have already shrunk out of some of my cloths and into some of the smaller cloths I couldn't wear. In short, I am well.

By the way, the picture is a picture of a lap-band, in case you were curious.

Have a great day.

Love,
Shel

Follow up

Just to fill in anyone who is interested, I went to the Doctor's Friday and I am doing very well. He moved my diet up to level 4, which means that I now get to eat pured foods (yes, baby food.) The link is to a web site that gives something close to my diet. It isn't the one from my Dr. The good news is that I had lost 23 pounds as of Friday. I am of course consuming very little. The average meal is 1/4 cup. The curious thing is that I really don't feel what you would call hunger. I miss eating things. It is hard to watch others consume pizza and steak and not participate, but I knew that this would be the case when I went into this. I will eventually be able to eat more conventional foods (even the steak), but I am still healing. this is the reason for the staged diet afterward. Bad things can happen if the diet isn't followed, so I comply.

I have been going through some very intense emotional swings. I am not really sure what it is all about. I am sure eating filled a void in my life. Possibly now that eating is less prominent I need to deal with that void. I have seen my ex more that I used to, just because we both visit my son and granddaughter. The visit is usually pleasant, but recently she has seemed resentful (more than usual.) My youngest son often seems to be the catalyst for her resentment. If things get worse, I will have to visit when she doesn't I guess.

Right now I am dealing with diet and attempting to be as active as possible. I am also trying to be as positive as possible (which has been difficult with the mood swings.) I try any way. One helpful thing is that the sun is shining and temperatures are coming up as are the flowers.

You have a bright day.

Love,
Shel

Quickly

I came home from the hospital yesterday. The surgery went well and I am healing. I have some small amount of soreness, but not a lot. It hurts to cough, but it was abdominal surgery. My challenge is now getting some nourishment down and staying hydrated small sips at a time. Crushing and taking pills will be a bit challenging also. I am sure I will get the hang of things.

I'm off to take a brief nap. Have a great day.

Love,
Shel

A Million Dollar Friday Five

A Million Dollar Friday Five


Singing Owl at RevGalBlogpals posses this question today:

Lingering effects of a cold have me watching more television than usual. There appears to be a resurgence of the old daytime staple--the quiz show. Except they are on during prime time, and a great many of them offer the chance of winning one million dollars.

I think it started with Regis Philbin and "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" but now we have a half dozen or so.

My husband and I started musing (after watching "Deal or No Deal") about what we could do with a million dollars. I thought I'd just bring that discussion into the Friday Five this week. It's simple. What are five things you would want to do with a million dollar deposit in your bank account?


1) Get thee behind me Satan! Five years ago my life changed drastically. Part of that change was financial. In that time I have been within $15 of total poverty and I have been deathly ill. Though money is a necessity, DON'T give me a Million! I would not deal with it wisely I am afraid.

2) The above aside I guess a Million would provide a level of security and ability to pay one's debts that I currently don't have.

3) I would like to be able to be generous and give some money to good causes.

4) I am not sure money would really improve my life all that much at the base of things. I would be able to help my children a bit and that would be good.

5) I might buy a new car. My present one is nine years old with 160,000 miles on it. The car would have to be fuel efficient and simple. The Amish may have the right idea about simple living.

What I would really like is a Million Blessings for each of you!

Love,
Shel

Ready

The date of my Lap-Band surgery is getting near. It is this Monday. I have had soo many tests. The latest was a CAT scan. I think I am not likely to know the results of that for a while unless it shows something alarming. The Echo Cardiogram showed a perfectly normal healthy heart. That is great. It looks like I am ready for this big step in my life. Eating will change for ever and I am hopeful that I will achieve a normal weight at long last. I am ready. Wish me well.

Love,
Shel

Preparations

Last week was a very difficult week. I had three days of different forms of medical tests and examinations. I have been poked and prodded and I have answered a thousand questions. It isn't that I am in any worse physical condition, it's that the doctor's want to make sure they are on top of the surgery. The last appointment was with a cardiologist who talked about risk management. I guess that the judgment is that my risk is rather low. This is good news. The only problem is that he followed that assessment with an order for an echo cardiogram. I had that Thursday. It's a rather easy test, kind of like a sonogram. I won't know any results until next week since Friday was Good Friday and I am sure little work was done that day. In the mean time I diet away at 1000 calories per day with no fat.

Next week will be I hope more stress free. The tests were not strenuous like the colonoscopy but the whole process was stressful. Oh and to add to the stress I testified before the Legislature's Judiciary committee on Wednesday. A fun week.

It is Easter Morning as I write this. I wish you new life and the peace which resurrection brings. I know a bit about resurrection and rebirth. Easter is about renewal. I hope you are renewed today and every day. God's Peace!

Love,
Shel