Please help me raise money for laser treatment on a Port-wine Stain which covers part the of the left side of my face.

$3,286 donated

Given by 52 generous donors in around 3 months

I am starting this Givealittle to raise money to cover the costs/part of the costs of laser treatment with Dr Swee Tan at Hutt Hospital.

Otago

This is a bit scary for me starting this campaign but I have reached the point where I need help.

My name is Frances Mcmillan from Oamaru, Otago. I was born with a Port-wine Stain covering part of the left side of my face.

I have had laser surgery in the past. Firstly as a child (6) and then again as a young adult.

As a child: In 1995 the laser technology was not advanced as it is now, the recovery time was slow, painful and resulted in blackened purple bruising. Growing up with a birthmark I was used to being bullied but after treatments, the bullying was far more severe. The general anaesthetic was making me constantly sick and overall experience was too stressful for a six-year-old. After three treatments I stopped.

As a Young Adult: More recently I had started treatment again with Dr. Swee Tan. This had been going great with visible improvements but funding for this treatment as stopped due to my age (27).

Due to the high cost involved with this surgery, I am starting this Givealittle to raise money to continue my treatment privately with Dr. Swee Tan at Hutt Hospital. The cost of the specialist plastic surgeon and hospital costs for each treatment is around $1800 and am hoping this campaign will fund 3 to 5 of my treatments.

My birthmark will change over time with darkening and slight swelling. I am hoping to start treatment again early 2017 to lighten and to prevent these changes happening.

Your help and support will be much appreciated and will go to a good cause.

First treatment 28 January 2017

As I mentioned in an earlier update, I had a consultation with Prof Swee Tan on Thursday 26 January at Lower Hutt Hospital.

On arrival, I had a very promising talk with Prof Tan and planned my ongoing treatments. We will be doing one treatment every two months until required and then one treatment a year from then on. We talked about cost and different ways of pain management- I knew that having my treatments under general anesthetic was not an option (costing $3000 per treatment) and was prepared to be awake. I asked about the possibility of applying a topical cream to numb the area, but I was informed that it would make the treatment less effective. We then talked cost and as I had anticipated treatments will cost around $1000 per session.

Prof Swee Tan offered that I have a treatment done then and there and I said yes. Thank you to Swee Tan, the nurse and my mother for being so patient with me through this very painful treatment. Next time I will be prepared and have some pain medication before hand and maybe something to calm me.

My first treatment is now over, and I'm looking forward to my next one in March.

Cost breakdown:

Accommodation: $90

Flights: $130

Treatment: $1000

Sunblock: $35 (this is the most important part, as well as no sun for a month)

Aloe Vera: $13.99

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