Help Make Cass a Man with Trans Top Surgery

(To Be a man)
We must be swift as the coursing river
(To Be a man)
With all the force of a great typhoon
(To Be a man)
With all the strength of a raging fire
Mysterious as the dark side of the moon

                                      -- “I’ll Make a Man out of You,” from Mulan
 
Hi, my name is Cass, and I’m raising money to pay for my Gender Confirming Top Surgery. 18 months ago, I came out to my immediate family as a transgender man, and started taking testosterone. Now, on my 38th birthday, I’m ready to use that fire within and come out to the world by living my true self. And I need your help to make that happen.
Background

Like many transgender people, there were clues during childhood that pointed to what would eventually be revealed, and I was no different. I tried to pee standing up, fought with my mom to wear Thundercats underwear for boys and to not wear dresses (both arguments I lost) and use my GI JOES to kill the token barbie I got for Christmas. For me, this wasn’t just a Tomboy phase even if I didn’t realize it at the time.        
I was raised with the expectation that I would one day marry a man, have a family, and live as a woman. I also held very strong religious beliefs and even chose to serve as a Mormon Missionary for 18 months when I was 21.

In 2017, after working ten years for a bank, I took an unplanned medical leave. It was during this time that I also began therapy, which gave me the space to explore my identity. At first, it was very hard to accept that I might be trans, but the more I reflected on it, the more it made sense. I couldn’t deny what my heart was saying. I had always felt awkward in my body and now I knew why.
My Transition

Accepting my true gender was the first step. The next was to start my transition to make the outside better reflect how I feel inside. I started hormone replacement therapy (HRT) a little over a year ago through taking testosterone via intramuscular injection every week. For those interested, here’s a list of the expected effects:

https://www.rainbowhealthontario.ca/TransHealthGuide/gp-mascht.html

I’ve been approved for “top surgery”, also known as a double mastectomy with contouring, on May 17th. It will be performed by Dr McEvenue at the McLean Clinic in Mississauga. Following surgery, I’ve been approved to stay in the Sherbourne Health Centre’s Acute Respite Care (ARC) for two weeks. For more info about the actual procedure, please check out the clinic’s website:

https://www.mcleanclinic.com/surgical-procedures/breast/ftm-top-surgery/

Budget Breakdown

OHIP covers the double mastectomy, but it doesn’t cover the chest contouring, which is optional and serves to better masculinize the chest. It also doesn’t cover any peripheral costs associated with this complex procedure.

In the spirit of full transparency, I’ve provided a list of what your donations will be used for:

$2,260 -- Contouring performed by Surgeon during the procedure

$350 -- Cat sitting ($25 per day for 14 days)

$250 -- Miscellaneous/Emergency funds

$230 -- Cool Mesh Zipper Half Length Chest Binder (more expensive because of the material and zipper)

$300 -- Transportation to the McLean clinic in Mississauga for surgery and 2 post-op appts

$200 -- Medication (painkillers, stool softeners, anti-nauseants, etc) and incidental medical supplies

$200 -- Massage therapy (after I’ve healed to loosen up the chest muscles)

$120 - Scar cream

$45 - Button-up shirts (I have to restrict my arm movements so I don’t stretch the stitches/scars)

$45 -- Grabber tool mobility aid

In the miraculous event that I exceed my goal, any additional funds will go towards paying off the debt that was incurred after I chose to start a new life this year by moving to a new apartment.
Attitude of Gratitude

I’m a firm believer in paying it forward. While I’ve been waiting for my surgery, I’ve volunteered and spoken at the 519’s FTM Transmasc and Non-Binary Peer Support Group. I’ve also started to attend PFLAG Meetings, and have spoken with the organizers to help out with their data management. Also, any additional supplies that I have after my recovery will be donated to other trans men awaiting their surgeries.

I am very grateful for the love and support that I’ve already received, and continue to receive during this new stage of my life. I appreciate each and every donation, regardless of amount.

Thank you so much for reading and for your consideration,

Cass

*** Special thanks to Ardra Neala for her support and a super fun photo shoot! IG: ardraneala ***