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07-23-2007, 06:01 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,380
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Had my tatoo zapped
Today, I went to see a dermatologist to have the one radiation tatoo that is in my upper neckline removed. I was referred to a cosmetic dermatologist by my regular dermatologist. When I called about 6 weeks ago to get an idea of pricing so I knew how much $$ to put in my flex spending account this year as insurance will not cover this procedure, and I was told basically $250 was the base price this doctor charges for anything. I was also told I needed a letter from my radiation onc giving permission to have the tatoo removed, which I obtained, and took with me.
I filled out some obligatory forms, but none asked for insurance information (a little odd, but ok). The doctor was an engaging young (to me!) man who explained the laser procedure as a simple "zap" and that I may have to come back in 8 weeks for one more treatment. Everything went fine - my appointment was at 4:45 and I was out the door by 5:05, with one unexpected twist.
The doctor shook my hand as I was leaving and wished me well, then went into his office. The office staff was getting ready to close the office, but no one had discussed payment. I asked if they planned to just bill me, and was told, "This treatment is free - the doctor performs these procedures as a service to bc patients."
I just stood there, stunned. After so many experiences in the last year where all humanity was stripped from the process, this struck me as such a simply decent thing to do to that I was overwhelmed.
Just thought I would share this uplifting experience.
Hopeful
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07-23-2007, 06:25 PM
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#2
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Guest
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Nice story. Thanks for sharing it.
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07-23-2007, 06:31 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 212
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Aw, Hopeful, I bet that made your day! There are some good people left in this world. Now you have to pay it forward!
__________________
Audrey
diagnosed July 2001, at age 36
large tumor, 11+ nodes
Stage IIIb, er/pr-, Her2+
treated with A/C, weekly Taxol
radiation, + year of Herceptin
on clinical trial. double mastectomy
followed by reconstruction
NED!!
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07-23-2007, 06:57 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Morris, IL
Posts: 3,507
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There are some really great people along lifes path...you met one today....what an example!
__________________
"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."
Hugs & Blessings
Sheila
Diagnosed at age 49.99999 2/21/2002 via Mammography (Calcifications)
Core Biopsy 2/22/02
L. Mastectomy 2/25/2002
Stage 1, 0.7cm IDC, Node Neg from 19 nodes Her2+++ ER PR Neg
6/2003 Reconstruction W/ Tissue Expander, Silicone Implant
9/2003 Stage IV with Mets to Supraclavicular nodes
9/2003 Began Herceptin every 3 weeks
3/2006 Xeloda 2500mg/Herceptin for recurrence to neck nodes
3/2007 Added back the Xeloda with Herceptin for continued mets to nodes
5/2007 Taken Off Xeloda, no longer working
6/14/07 Taxol/Herceptin/Avastin
3/26 - 5/28/08 Taxol Holiday Whopeeeeeeeee
5/29 2008 Back on Taxol w Herceptin q 2 weeks
4/2009 Progression on Taxol & Paralyzed L Vocal Cord from Nodes Pressing on Nerve
5/2009 Begin Rx with Navelbine/Herceptin
11/09 Progression on Navelbine
Fought for and started Tykerb/Herceptin...nodes are melting!!!!!
2/2010 Back to Avastin/Herceptin
5/2010 Switched to Metronomic Chemo with Herceptin...Cytoxan and Methotrexate
Pericardial Window Surgery to Drain Pericardial Effusion
7/2010 Back to walking a mile a day...YEAH!!!!
9/2010 Nodes are back with a vengence in neck
Qualified for TDM-1 EAP
10/6/10 Begin my miracle drug, TDM-1
Mixed response, shrinking internal nodes, progression skin mets after 3 treatments
12/6/10 Started Halaven (Eribulen) /Herceptin excellent results in 2 treatments
2/2011 I CELEBRATE my 9 YEAR MARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
7/5/11 begin Gemzar /Herceptin for node progression
2/8/2012 Gemzar stopped, Continue Herceptin
2/20/2012 Begin Tomo Radiation to Neck Nodes
2/21/2012 I CELEBRATE 10 YEARS
5/12/2012 BeganTaxotere/ Herceptin is my next miracle for new node progression
6/28/12 Stopped Taxotere due to pregression, Started Perjeta/Herceptin
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07-23-2007, 07:22 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 2,582
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Awwww, another nice story. Lately I've been coming across a lot of those here. Goodness, is so awesome and it's what makes this life worth living!!!
Thanks for sharing.
Mary Jo
__________________
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10
Dx. 6/24/05 age 45 Right Breast IDC ER/PR. Neg., - Her2+++ RB Mast. - 7/28/05 - 4 cm. tumor Margins clear - 1 microscopic cell 1 sent. node No Vasucular Invasion 4 DD A/C - 4 DD Taxol & Herceptin 1 full year of Herceptin received every 3 weeks 28 rads prophylactic Mast. 3/2/06
17 Years NED
<>< Romans 8:28
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07-23-2007, 07:39 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Alexandria, VA
Posts: 1,055
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Very nice. Send a thank you note. Let us know if you're happy with the results. I've put make up on my "beauty mark". Makes it look green, a shade I'm not fond of. BB
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07-23-2007, 07:43 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Marengo, IL
Posts: 518
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Hopeful,
All thru your message I thought it was going to come out with a different outcome. Wow, that was inspiring. Yes, there are so many good people in this world. Thanks for reminding us all of just that.
My four tats are not obvious.
God Bless you.
Donna
__________________
Donna
Crystal Lake, IL
Diagnosed 8/4/06 at age 54
Lumpectomy 8/30/06
Stage llA, grade 3, ER/PR-, Her2++
1.7 cm tumor, 1+ lymph node out of 9
Completed 4 A/C, & 4 Taxol with Herceptin
36 rads completed 5/16/07
Mammograms, 7/07 clear
fractured ribs in radiated area 10/07
Finished Herceptin 12/27/07
Mammogram,CT,tumor markers 1/08 - small lung nodules in radiated area, repeated tests 3/08 stable
Mammogram,CT ,tumor markers 6/08 stable
NED 2 years!!
3 years !!!
4years!!!!
4 years, 10 months and 8 day NED, calling it 5 years!!!
Official 5 years 8/30/2011
8/31/ 2012 - 6 years!!!!!!
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07-23-2007, 08:15 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Acworth, GA
Posts: 2,104
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My radiation tattoos were so small and light that they just seemed to dissolve away. Guess I'm lucky.
__________________
Kate
Stage IIIC Diagnosed Oct 25, 2005 (age 58)
ER/PR-, HER2+++, grade 3, Ploidy/DNA index: Aneuploid/1.61, S-phase: 24.2%
Neoadjunct chemo: 4 A/C; 4 Taxatore
Bilateral mastectomy June 8, 2006
14 of 26 nodes positive
Herceptin June 22, 2006 - April 20, 2007
Radiation (X35) July 24-September 11, 2006
BRCA1/BRCA2 negative
Stage IV lung mets July 13, 2007 - TCH
Single brain met - August 6, 2007 -CyberKnife
Oct 2007 - clear brain MRI and lung mets shrinking.
March 2008 lung met progression, brain still clear - begin Tykerb/Xeloda/Ixempra
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07-23-2007, 10:49 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 143
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My dermatologist also offered to lazar my port scar and bill it to insurance. They did three zaps and the mark is now almost invisable. And I never got any kind of bill, not even for a co pay. Pretty cool.
Linda
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07-24-2007, 07:28 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Naples FL
Posts: 1,747
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That is a nice story! One small step for mankind...!!!
__________________
 Suzan W.
age 54 at diagnosis
5/05 suspicious mammogram-left breast
5/05 biopsy-invasive lobular carcinoma with LCIS,8mm tumor,stage 1 grade 2, ER+ PR+ Her2+++
6/14/05 bilateral mastectomy, node neg. all scans neg.
Oncotype DX-high risk
8/05-10/05 4 rounds A/C
10/05 -10/06 1 yr. herceptin
arimidex-5 years
2/14/08 started daily self administered injections..FORTEO for severe osteoporosis
7/28/09 BRCA 1 negative BRCA2 POSITIVE
8/17/09 prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy
10/15/10 last FORTEOinjection
RECLAST infusion(ostoeporosis)
6/14/10 5 year cancerversary!
8/2010-18%increase in bone density!
no further treatments
Oncologist says, "Go do the Happy Dance"
I say,"What a long strange trip its been"
'One day at a time'
6-14-2015. 10 YEAR CANCERVERSARY!
7-16 to 9-16. Extensive (and expensive) dental work done to save teeth. Damage from osteoporosis and chemo and long term bisphosphonate use
6-14-16. 11 YEAR CANCERVERSARY!!
7-20-16 Prolia injection for severe osteoporosis
2 days later, massive hive outbreak. This led to an eventual dx of Chronic Ideopathic Urticaria, an auto-immune disease from HELL.
6-14-17 12 YEAR CANCERVERSARY!!
still suffering from CIU. 4 hospitilizations in the past year
as of today, 10-31-17 in remission from CIU and still, CANCER FREE!!!
6-14-18 13 YEAR CANCERVERSARY!! NED!!
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07-24-2007, 07:34 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 3,154
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Very nice indeed...
Thank you for sharing your experience....it puts a big smile on my face.
We have to remember there are many wonderful people out there!
Jean
__________________
Stage 1, Grade 1, 3/30/05
Lumpectomy 4/15/05 - 6MM IDC
Node Neg. (Sentinel node)
ER+ 90% / PR-, Her2+++ by FISH
Ki-67 40%
Arimidex 5/05
Radiation 32 trt, 5/30/05
Oncotype DX test 4/17/06, 31% high risk
TOPO 11 neg. 4/06
Stopped Arimidex 5/06
TCH 5/06, 6 treatments
Herceptin 5/06 - for 1 yr.
9/06 Completed chemo
Started Femara Sept. 2006
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