Chapter 6 Dr. Allen Gurber, Notes: All the patients are settled in and functioning well. As a group, we have decided to wait for any clothing changes until the bodies will naturally accommodate it. We have decided to assign work to everyone who lives in the "hotel". Billie has gone around and asked who wanted to do what job in the hotel. The cleaning and cooking would be shared equally. There would be no stereotyping in this place. After all, there would be some major role reversals here. So everyone does everything. Jobs will be rotated. It didn't matter who was better at what. Everyone needed to know how to do these things. Physically, everyone is in excellent health. They were not completely regressed, but they all were in a lot better shape. It was unusual for the FDA to come and look at a program. But today, I received word that a team of experts were coming to see my patients at the "Hotel". Billie will have to be on parade again too. Poor Billie, she might as well have been a stripper. That is all she seemed to be now. I am going to cut her a lot of slack if she asks for it. The big thing is that she was willing to do it for the new patients. They need to know what to expect. I looked at the computer screen. Everyone would be putting in their comments soon. It was time. The state of mind the patients were in would be evident by what they said. All would be in good shape because of the improvement in their health. I was worried very greatly about one particular thing. The FDA people were big supporters of the drug lobby in the senate and congress. For all I knew, they were being sent to discredit the program. They could make me jump through some hoops as to how my program and testing were done. But they could not dispute the findings. The drug was remarkable in the fact that it was totally effective. The sex change was how the drug worked. It was an integral part of the process. The cause of the distress was because the drug was so effective in its cure of any cancer. Would they try to shut me down? Oh yes, if they could. I was prepared. The gay rights lobby was going to be my biggest weapon. They had already lobbied the FDA in drugs for AIDS. I would have their support, as well, in the fight with the drug companies and their cronies. The waiting game as usual. I would have to be patient and wait for their move. I knew something was up by the phone calls from the news media. Everyone wanted to interview me. They were calling him Dr. Sex. I didn't like the connotation. PATIENT JOURNAL Larry......... Physically I feel much better. But there are new aches and pains. I was told that the drug would cause some discomfort in the genitals. Boy they were right. My breasts burn constantly. I have a pain like some one is squeezing my balls. Doc has prescribed a sedative so I can sleep. The "Hotel" is starting to be a nice place. We can come and go at will. Some of us even have asked if we can find jobs here in the community. Doc doesn't like the idea because of the public exposure. In a couple of months, the change will start and it would be too hard to explain. I have to agree. Kate............ I can't wait. I feel the best I have ever been since cancer developed. I love this place. Very few restrictions. I really want to go to work in the community. But Doc explained that it would cause exposure when we started to change sex. The guys are starting to have pain. Us girls haven't had the problem yet. I haven't had a period since the cancer got bad. Doc seems to think that I won't have one ever again. That is the best news I have ever heard. I hope the guys can deal with the "curse". I think it is. Some women don't have the pain I did. I'm gonna have some fun with the assholes in the office when I am complete. I have a deal with the company that allows extended leaves of absence in cases of illness. I can't wait. Jerrie................ I'm getting bored. I got to get out of this house. Yea the people are nice and all of that. But they are all crybabies. I gotta do something. I am finally out of that stupid wheel chair. I feel like I could take on the world again. Those guys can have all the female stuff. I never could stand it anyway. Frank................ I am really worried about Helen. She seems to be getting along with the others. I've talked to the kids and relatives. They are supportive. But I don't think they will ever get used to Dad and Grandpa changing into a Grandma. I am worried. (Frank and Helen have 2 children who have married and had kids.) O, I am supposed to tell about my health. I do have some pain. My nipples hurt. It feels like someone is cutting at my body with a dull butter knife. Doc got me some pills. Only thing is they make me feel dizzy and weird. So I take them only before I go to bed. Hey Doc, you got to get us something to do around here. Cooking and cleaning will last only so long. We need a project. I have an idea. Come see me. Maureen................ Sharky is getting to know everyone around here. He will finally let Billie pet him. I understand that Billie was gay. I guess now she isn't. I read a lot. I walk Sharky and go all over town. No one bothers me. I like the guys. They treat me well. No man has ever been that nice to me. I can see their motives, but I don't care. It is still well meant. Physically, I'm fine. I can walk all day. We need a project. I need something to do. Doc will not let us get a job. I can see why. But doing something would help. By the way, don't call my dog "the shark". He doesn't like it. I read the note that Frank had left and went to see him. "Doc, I think that you should let us help with the social programs in town. It would get you some recognition and give us an outlet for some of this new found energy. At first, Doc you will be a little nervous but don't worry. We can have a little talk with the program managers. I think they would welcome our help." "OK Frank, let me talk to United way and some of the other." With that, Doc would have a chance to create good will and pay back some of the kindness that the research program had received. I still wished the patients in the program could remain hidden. The next day, the united way director in town was happy to see "Dr. Sex." The meeting had gone well. I had to explain the nature of the program and that the patients were in transition. It would take several months for the change to be noticed. Their identity would have to be protected and each would have to carry a letter explaining their status if some kind of accident occurred. It would be very bad if a man with large breasts came in the emergency room. It wouldn't be pleasant. The crew upstairs had their outlet. The next day, everyone was gathered to talk about the new program. I had to explain his reservations with the concept. But the program director had guaranteed their privacy. Each would get a chance to interview with the director as to their different abilities. "The big thing you must do is remain anonymous. This is going to help you and its going to help the program. But it won't help if you got a news man all over you. Go and have some fun." The idea was a big success. Everyone found jobs in the organization. The program basically put the patients in temporary positions. One person might have a job a week and move on to the next one. I was sure that if he needed the publicity, this would be fantastic. But it was the last resort. The boredom problem had been fixed. It took a week for everyone to find a job in the program. This was going to work out well. Even Helen and Frank had found something to do. The program was now at 12 weeks. Patient journal...........Frank Me and Helen have found a day care center that needs a little attention. She is working with the children and I am doing the upkeep on the building. I can't do any lawn or heavy work yet. But I am getting better. This beats the hell out of starring at the TV all day. Physically, I am almost recovered. I am growing breasts. Its still hard to get used to. Me and Helen can no longer have a sexual relation. Doc says that its the drug. Its just one of the prices I have to pay to live. I guess I'll have to pay it. Jerrie............. They got me driving a delivery truck. I kinda like it. I bring groceries to old people who cannot do it on their own. Its a good pace and I had rather be outside doing something than cooped up. My tits are shrinking, I am also losing weight. Doc says its the redistribution of body fat. Its caused by the hormones. Its OK by me. Physically, I am doing great Larry.............. I am starting to grow breasts just like Frank. I will have to soon wear a bra. This is something I will have to get used to. I also can no longer function as a man sexually. No big deal. I have never found anyone that I was really interested it anyway. I am now physically 100 %. The doc's idea about helping charities is great. They got me teaching kids electronics. Mostly TV repair. I have had a few bright students. We will see how they do. Thanks Doc. It is a lot of fun and fulfilling. Kate................ I am teaching people how to use a camera. Its great. I haven't done this since my early days doing pictures for ad copy. I am losing weight and things are shrinking. Doc says its OK. Its part of the transition. It feels funny. Maureen............ I am helping at the animal shelter. The locals are very poorly staffed and need all the help they can get. It figures that that would happen. Doc, I'm wise to you. You had something to do with this. Thanks. Physically, I am also losing weight. Fat distribution. Here comes the new me.