Stopping Hormone Therapy Case Studies

Assessment Immediate Concerns Candice is a 53 year old transgender woman who has just been diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a type of lung disease, after she was taken to the emergency room (ER) for chest pain with shortness of breath, while vacationing with her partner Charles. Candice has been smoking one pack of cigarettes daily for the past twenty-five years, with multiple unsuccessful attempts of cessation. The ER doctor has warned Candice that she can possibly develop emphysema, also a lung disease, if she does not quit smoking soon. Since receiving hormone therapy (Candice underwent gender reassignment surgery in her mid-twenties), she has begun experiencing long term side effects including Type 2 diabetes and gallbladder disease. Currently, Candice is not interested in stopping hormone therapy. Candice’s current support consists of her partner Charles, and a sister she speaks to one-two times annually by phone. Candice’s parents stopped speaking to her since she had gender reassignment surgery. She is employed as a Sous-Chef for a local restaurant, describing her duties as being “high stress”. Candice also states that her co-workers tease her about being transgender,
With little to no support from biological family, Candice has been able to survive on inner strength and self determination. Her previous attempts at cessation from smoking, including the patch, electronic cigarettes, telephone quit-lines, and hypnotism, also exhibit courage and conviction that she can quit. She has stated that she does not want to stop hormone therapy, because she “can’t live like that” suggests that she has previously experienced the affects of stopping the therapy. Although Candice has endured intolerance from her coworkers, she continues to go to work, also knowing the importance of rest and relaxation by taking