Son: Apr 2026(for 10months): Vitiligo Treatment
76th – 4 Apr
It has become a routine to visit the clinic twice a week. While it still presents a burden, arrangements have been made to attend appointments on Mondays and Saturdays.
Following laser treatment, I opt to use the subway and public bus for my journey home. This is because, despite the train offering a significantly shorter travel time, the wait for it is often considerably longer than the combined duration of a subway and bus trip, even if the latter takes triple the time.
77th – 6 Apr
It becomes more apparent when he develops dots in the vitiligo areas on his hands. The progression of the condition means that dots are appearing on the vitiligo patches, which are easily noticeable to others.
Previously, people might not have immediately recognized that my son was undergoing laser treatment for vitiligo on his face and hands, and it wasn’t obvious on his hands until the dots appeared, but now the situation is different. I empathize with him as he is experiencing a skin condition that was not his choice.
78th – 11 Apr- Checking last 3months
A new picture has been taken to document the changes in his skin over the past three months. It is encouraging to compare the progress made since then. It was certainly difficult to learn that my son had vitiligo on his foot during our initial visit to the clinic.
While acknowledging his skin condition may not directly lead to a cure for his vitiligo, I find it challenging to confront and manage his medical issue. Although there has been significant improvement, it remains quite stressful to hear about his condition. I hope this journey continues to show gradual improvement, and I earnestly wish for no new areas to be affected.
79th – 13 Apr – increasing 5secs
Following a three-month period, the duration of phototherapy was extended by an additional 5 seconds, resulting in a total session time of 60 seconds.
It was my understanding that the previous duration was 55 seconds. His symptoms appear to be improving since the change in clinic, as he is adapting to his new environment more rapidly.
80th – 18 Apr
During my previous visit, I requested Protopic 0.1%, but the doctor declined, explaining that they had previously been required to reimburse the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) for prescribing it to patients under 16, as insurance coverage for that age group is limited to the 0.03% strength.
However, given that we had received the 0.1% concentration before, I contacted HIRA for clarification. They confirmed that our initial 0.1% prescription was indeed denied coverage, and subsequent prescriptions were likely not recorded as they were processed as non-reimbursable (out-of-pocket) expenses.
After discussing this with the doctor today, we decided to consult with a pharmacist to ascertain the price difference for the 0.1% ointment between the insured rate and the out-of-pocket rate. I attempted to visit the pharmacy today, but it was closed, so I will need to check another one.
81st – 20 Apr
Prior to my hospital visit, I made a stop at the pharmacy to compare the pricing of Protopic 0.1%. I noted that the non-reimbursable cost was 27,050 KRW, whereas the insured rate was considerably lower at 8,100 KRW.
Due to this notable price disparity, I opted to obtain a prescription for the 0.03% strength, which is covered by insurance for pediatric use. To minimize the need for frequent trips, I requested and was provided with five tubes simultaneously.
82nd – 25 Apr
This marks my initial experience accompanying two children for vitiligo treatment concurrently. The prior instance was notably distinct, as it encompassed not only laser treatment but also the long-awaited mole removal for two children. We were all quite pressed for time to ensure we caught our train back home as scheduled. I found myself rather fatigued upon our return. Escorting two children to the clinic presents a considerably different experience compared to attending with just one.
83rd – 27 Apr
It makes me contemplate the duration of this journey for ongoing treatment. Additionally, I found the frequent travel to Daegu quite tiring. I was curious to know what others in a similar situation to mine would advise.
