Comments for Brandon http://brandonandmelissa.wordpress.com Interferon Treatment Finished...Baby on the way! Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:15:22 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Melanoma Links and Images by Melissa http://brandonandmelissa.wordpress.com/2009/01/04/melanoma-links-and-images/#comment-49 Melissa Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:15:22 +0000 http://brandonandmelissa.wordpress.com/?p=620#comment-49 Hi Natalie, We are sorry for getting back to so you so late. We are expecting a baby any day now and have been very busy. As far as the Mole, I would get a second opinion if you are worried about it. Whenever we go to the dermatologist (once every 3 months now) they are biopsying quite a few of Brandon's moles which to the naked eye seem to be just fine. So far we have only had that one that was melanoma but I definitely think that a second opinion will at least give you peace of mind. Melanoma is not something you ever want to have to deal with. Good luck to you! -Melissa and Brandon Hi Natalie,
We are sorry for getting back to so you so late. We are expecting a baby any day now and have been very busy. As far as the Mole, I would get a second opinion if you are worried about it. Whenever we go to the dermatologist (once every 3 months now) they are biopsying quite a few of Brandon’s moles which to the naked eye seem to be just fine. So far we have only had that one that was melanoma but I definitely think that a second opinion will at least give you peace of mind. Melanoma is not something you ever want to have to deal with. Good luck to you!
-Melissa and Brandon

]]> Comment on Melanoma Links and Images by Natalie http://brandonandmelissa.wordpress.com/2009/01/04/melanoma-links-and-images/#comment-48 Natalie Sat, 10 Oct 2009 19:11:40 +0000 http://brandonandmelissa.wordpress.com/?p=620#comment-48 Hi, Just asking for some opinions. I have a mole that is shaped like number 2 and is the color of number 11. It's a little smaller than a pencil eraser. I went to the dermatologist at Mayo in Jacksonville. They didn't think it looked like anything to worry about. Should I get a second opinion? It hasn't grown lately, but still... Thanks Hi,
Just asking for some opinions. I have a mole that is shaped like number 2 and is the color of number 11. It’s a little smaller than a pencil eraser. I went to the dermatologist at Mayo in Jacksonville. They didn’t think it looked like anything to worry about. Should I get a second opinion? It hasn’t grown lately, but still…
Thanks

]]> Comment on New article on the benefits of weight lifting for Lymphedema by Lymphedema Treatment http://brandonandmelissa.wordpress.com/2009/08/13/new-article-on-the-benefits-of-weight-lifting-for-lymphedema/#comment-46 Lymphedema Treatment Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:41:30 +0000 http://brandonandmelissa.wordpress.com/2009/08/13/new-article-on-the-benefits-of-weight-lifting-for-lymphedema/#comment-46 It's very pleasant for patients to hear that physical activity is helpful to their recovery instead of restrictions on avoiding such; and now that Lymphedema patients can hear the same, it spells a great advancement in the field. It’s very pleasant for patients to hear that physical activity is helpful to their recovery instead of restrictions on avoiding such; and now that Lymphedema patients can hear the same, it spells a great advancement in the field.

]]> Comment on Biopsied Mole Benign! by ebrothe http://brandonandmelissa.wordpress.com/2008/09/29/biopsied-mole-benign/#comment-38 ebrothe Sun, 14 Dec 2008 20:32:18 +0000 http://brandonandmelissa.wordpress.com/?p=533#comment-38 Hi Mary, Thanks for the contact, I'm sorry to hear your going through this as well and apologize for the late reply. It seems that depending on your medical plan it might be covered or not based on the plan, I've heard that a lot of people have paid out of pocket due to the low approval rate of this procedure by insurance providers. I'm not sure what the CPT code was, luckily my insurance is pretty good and they approved it as an X-ray or Lab Service. I saw that my backup dermatologist at the Polyclinic offered it for $300, but I'm not sure if that was an insurance company reduced rate. I was recommended by doctors at both places to the insurance company, they needed at least one before they would approve it and it seemed that at first UWMC didn't have a firm time line for when I could be scheduled. For people with unusual or numerous moles it is definately recommended it and if your seeing Dr Piepkorn then they must think you are needing specialist care already. Seems like a good thing to get even if you have to pay for it. I haven't received mine back yet but I'm sure it will be very useful in my many return visits with any dermatologists. UW Physicians seems to have great doctors but I would caution you to re-evaluate everything any doctor says and get second opinions on major events and have check ups often. Swedish and the Polyclinic both have good dermatologists as well. Melanoma research is rapidly expanding and it seems like most assumptions until the past few years are being reviewed. Another suggestion would be to possibly see a Naturopathic Oncologist for a more wholistic view of general health. I've been pretty happy with mine and he has been great about integrating modern medicine and whole body health. The uncertanty in diagnosing the spread of Melanoma is certainly a challenge, I wish you the best in your health and care and hope that everything is fine going forward. Brandon Hi Mary,

Thanks for the contact, I’m sorry to hear your going through this as well and apologize for the late reply. It seems that depending on your medical plan it might be covered or not based on the plan, I’ve heard that a lot of people have paid out of pocket due to the low approval rate of this procedure by insurance providers. I’m not sure what the CPT code was, luckily my insurance is pretty good and they approved it as an X-ray or Lab Service. I saw that my backup dermatologist at the Polyclinic offered it for $300, but I’m not sure if that was an insurance company reduced rate. I was recommended by doctors at both places to the insurance company, they needed at least one before they would approve it and it seemed that at first UWMC didn’t have a firm time line for when I could be scheduled.

For people with unusual or numerous moles it is definately recommended it and if your seeing Dr Piepkorn then they must think you are needing specialist care already. Seems like a good thing to get even if you have to pay for it. I haven’t received mine back yet but I’m sure it will be very useful in my many return visits with any dermatologists. UW Physicians seems to have great doctors but I would caution you to re-evaluate everything any doctor says and get second opinions on major events and have check ups often. Swedish and the Polyclinic both have good dermatologists as well. Melanoma research is rapidly expanding and it seems like most assumptions until the past few years are being reviewed. Another suggestion would be to possibly see a Naturopathic Oncologist for a more wholistic view of general health. I’ve been pretty happy with mine and he has been great about integrating modern medicine and whole body health. The uncertanty in diagnosing the spread of Melanoma is certainly a challenge, I wish you the best in your health and care and hope that everything is fine going forward.

Brandon

]]> Comment on Biopsied Mole Benign! by Mary Andersen http://brandonandmelissa.wordpress.com/2008/09/29/biopsied-mole-benign/#comment-37 Mary Andersen Thu, 11 Dec 2008 23:20:39 +0000 http://brandonandmelissa.wordpress.com/?p=533#comment-37 Hello, I stumbled upon your website while searching 'grid photography'. I am trying to find out why my insurance company can't bill the grid photos I will be having done tomorrow. I too am going to UW Dermatology, but Regence is saying that the CPT code (96904) used for billing is invalid. Did you have trouble w/insurance? did you pay cash? I too am dealing w/ Melanoma too so I want to do the grid photos that the doctor is ordering! I am seeing Dr Piepkorn in the same office . . Thanks for any info you may have! Hello, I stumbled upon your website while searching ‘grid photography’. I am trying to find out why my insurance company can’t bill the grid photos I will be having done tomorrow. I too am going to UW Dermatology, but Regence is saying that the CPT code (96904) used for billing is invalid. Did you have trouble w/insurance? did you pay cash? I too am dealing w/ Melanoma too so I want to do the grid photos that the doctor is ordering! I am seeing Dr Piepkorn in the same office . . Thanks for any info you may have!

]]> Comment on Off of Interferon!! Chemical free since 11/3/08! by val baker http://brandonandmelissa.wordpress.com/2008/11/12/off-of-interferon-chemical-free-since-11308/#comment-36 val baker Fri, 05 Dec 2008 06:09:36 +0000 http://brandonandmelissa.wordpress.com/?p=584#comment-36 Brandon and Melissa I love to read this blog! I learn so much from you two!! You are both wonderful writers!! Brandon you are courageous and brave as also Melissa is! You two are the best of the best! I will keep you in my prayers!! Love to you both!! Val Baker In freezing, snowy Longmont! Brandon and Melissa I love to read this blog! I learn so much from you two!! You are both wonderful writers!!
Brandon you are courageous and brave as also Melissa is! You two are the best of the best!
I will keep you in my prayers!!
Love to you both!!
Val Baker
In freezing, snowy Longmont!

]]> Comment on Eastside move and Interferon by Jeff http://brandonandmelissa.wordpress.com/2008/10/20/eastside-move-and-interferon/#comment-34 Jeff Mon, 27 Oct 2008 21:15:49 +0000 http://brandonandmelissa.wordpress.com/?p=566#comment-34 We used to give one of the cats Melatonin because it would meow non stop about 2am. Worked like a charm. If you need anymore heavy lifting feel free to ask Rich. Cheers! We used to give one of the cats Melatonin because it would meow non stop about 2am. Worked like a charm. If you need anymore heavy lifting feel free to ask Rich. Cheers!

]]> Comment on Eastside move and Interferon by Todd Mortensen http://brandonandmelissa.wordpress.com/2008/10/20/eastside-move-and-interferon/#comment-28 Todd Mortensen Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:58:12 +0000 http://brandonandmelissa.wordpress.com/?p=566#comment-28 We are so glad to hear that things are coming along for you! I keep a close eye on your blog. Thanks for keeping it up to date. We are so glad to hear that things are coming along for you! I keep a close eye on your blog. Thanks for keeping it up to date.

]]> Comment on Eastside move and Interferon by Joe "TheHairFarmer.com" Kennedy http://brandonandmelissa.wordpress.com/2008/10/20/eastside-move-and-interferon/#comment-27 Joe "TheHairFarmer.com" Kennedy Tue, 21 Oct 2008 03:19:30 +0000 http://brandonandmelissa.wordpress.com/?p=566#comment-27 Please let me be among the first to welcome you to the Eastside! Please let me be among the first to welcome you to the Eastside!

]]> Comment on Biopsied Mole Benign! by mike http://brandonandmelissa.wordpress.com/2008/09/29/biopsied-mole-benign/#comment-24 mike Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:58:12 +0000 http://brandonandmelissa.wordpress.com/?p=533#comment-24 Glad to hear everything is going well. Lynette seems to be handling the injections rather well. I thought I was supposed to be the storng one I don't know where she gets her strength. Keep strong we'll keep you in our prayers. Mike and Lynette. Glad to hear everything is going well. Lynette seems to be handling the injections rather well. I thought I was supposed to be the storng one I don’t know where she gets her strength. Keep strong we’ll keep you in our prayers.
Mike and Lynette.

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