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