Sheryl

I would not describe this as casting doubt on testing. It sijmply explains the limitationso f the test and the pepek for whom it is most indicated. The issue with PSA testing is not the test itself but the tendency to take unnecessary action based on results that fall in the middle range of 4-10.

It is a dreadful crossing, and difficult for Cambodians as well. Among other things they are all now forced to pay extra to go through a "VIP" channel...even migrant workers with appropriate visas. Costs them about 3 days pay to do so. But I can't imagine why a Laotian would use it since it is on the Cambodian, not Lao, border.

Norhing at all about this on their website https://www.aainsure.net/ Where did you see this?

Mine doubled. Of course, always goes up in hot season but not by this much. 7,700 (big 2 story house plus a smaller 2 story house and very large garden). Last month was 3000+. Prior years, this month usually around 5k.

This. Bear in mind that most of the benefits (other than permission to stay) apply only in limited locations. No airport transfer, 90 dsy report assistance etc for the many of us who do not live in those areas.

The court process takes time. Money will not be available in time to cover medical and death expenses.

I would not use local hospitals for this given that world class care available at same low cost in Bangkok.

P.S. BCH is a noprofit hospital and cost of scans there, while certainly more than India, might not be that much more when you figure in airfare etc. And you could probably get it all done on same day you see doctor. If it were me I'd want to know the stage as soon as possible. And until you do, hold off on doing anything about the dogs. Colon cancer is completely curable in early stages. Don't be so quick to assume the worst.

The problem with India for treatment is that you would have to stay quite a long time especially if chemo or radiation are needed as is often the case. Not very practical and hotel costs would add up. But first things first. You need to get the cancer staged, then based on result consider treatment options.

These wait times do not apply in cases of cancer and other life threatening conditions. Another AN member recently returned to UK for investigation of possible cancer and was treated in a timely manner. May also depend on where in the country one goes. But for this OP it is a bit premature to think about going back.

@Tiber No reason to think there would be "long waiting" in Thailand. In a private hospital, immediate treatment. In government, a bit slower but not excessively so....especially if you can get the scans done privately as that is often where the most wait comes in. You might consider going to India for the scans (huge cost difference) then returning to Thailand for treatment. Once the scans are done you will at least know if it is Stage IV or not and that information would be significant in terms of decision making and planning. (final staging -- assuming nto Stage IV i.e. not spread to other organs -- may need to await surgery and lymph node biopsy) There is a world class specialist in colon cancer here in Thailand - Prof. Chucheep Sahakitrungruang. He is at Chuklalongkorn Hospital (government hospital) and also has private hours at Bangkok Christian Hospital and Bumrungrad, each once a week - recommend the former over the latter as much less expensive. I would suggest to consult him right away at Bangkok Christian - cost of consultation is not high - and get his recommendations re scans as well as estimated cost (likely CT will do, not essential to have PET) if done there, then decide if you can afford or prefer to fly to India for the scans. (If you do, make sure to get everything on DVD). Once scans done, have another consultation with him at BCH to discuss the results and treatment options, but at that point if you decide to proceed with treatment in Thailand you could switch to seeing him at Chula and have any surgery, chemo etc done there since it sounds like you are uninsured and cost a constraint. Prof Chucheep will be at BCH this Tuesday from 2-4, make appointment by phone in advance and arrive no later than 1 pm to get in the queue. https://www.bch.in.th/find-doctor/doctor-profile/?smid=4581 He can probably also be seen through the after hours clinic in Chula but BCH will be quicker and when just at consultation stage cost is not much. in addition to being world class in ability and knowledge (trained at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic in US) Prof. Chucheep is an extremely kind, sincere and compassionate person. If you are Stage IV then I would indeed urge a return to the UK as the quality of palliative care is not good here. But if earlier stages and provided you can at least afford government hospital prices, this can be managed in Thailand.

They are perfectly up to date on colon cancer treatment in Thailand and a number AN members have been successfully treated here. Cost is a concern for private care if uninsured. Government hospitals are an alternative especially the larger ones like Chula in Bangkok.

A very inaccurate post making false claims has been removed along with replies to it. Edit: make that 2 inaccurate posts removed

Moderately differentiated refers to the type of cancer cell and has nothing to do with stage. It does not sound like his cancer has been staged yet. Staging will require multiple scans to rule out metastasis and even then (assuming scans are negative) won't be final until after surgery when they can sample and biopsy lymph nodes.

You cannot spend the 800K anytime you want (unless you are ready to forgo further visa extension). You cannot spend 400k of it ever and can't spend the other 400k for 5 months of the year. Given the risks of forgetting of being unable to redeposit on time most people using the 800K method just leave the full amount in there all the time. It is a considerable hassle and loss, especially since Thai banks do not have any provision for "payable on death" and immigration does not accept joint accounts. As a result, these funds will also not be readily available to pay final hospital expenses or cremation/burial costs etc on your death. A thoroughly undesirable arrangement. Income method has its own risks and drawbacks as well. Some IOs are very difficult in terms of what sort of proof they require that the funds came from abroad. For those whose incomes are not significantly above the minimum amount there are risks of it dipping below due to currency fluctuations (and even a 1 baht below 65k dip in 1 month will be enough to disqualify you). No question that the LTR is much better. But its financial requirements are too high for most of us.

I do not think a Thai police report has that effect. But your report to the Embassy would have. Might be worth double checking with them just in case it is possible to reverse but might not be.

If you qualify for the LTR then a no-brainer to go that route IMO. No requirement for funds in Thailand, no need to do anything to renew until 5 years later. You can apply from your home ocuntry after you go back. I am unclear as to the "passport is cancelled" business. Did you already report it stolen to the Embassy and have you been informed that your home country has already cancelled it?

It is impossible to say anything from the scanty information provided. We do not even know if it was due to drowning or if something else occurred i.e. heart attack or stroke while in the water. Or both i.e. some rvrnt tendrred him unconscious and thrn drowning on top of it. Speculation is pointless.

This is not new and in fact more is required than FDA verification. It requires an FDA permit (hard to obtain but possible if the drug is otherwise unavailable in Thsilan) to import any pharmaceuticsa by mail and always has. Shipments via courier always get flagged on this. Shipments by regular post, if small in amount, are often let through but no guarantee. Good luck when you go - but before making such a long trip suggest ypu try to find out on phone if they are going to demand an FDA permit (which by law they should) as you will otherwise waste the trip.

500 mg (non XR) is standard dose and readily available everywhere, many brands. XR formulations should NOT be cut in half. No evidence at all that it will prevent COVID and should not be used for that purpose. Some preliminary evidence that ir may reduce incidence of long COVID in people already infected with COVID but more research needed.

CEA is emphatically not suitable for acreening.

This information is not at all correct....or perhaps more accurately, it is an exaggeration. It is true that some of the very newest drugs are not yet on the MoPH list but most standard chemo is, and hundreds of thousands of Thais are successfully treated every year. MRIs are covered under the scheme but there is often a long wait list for which reason patients often go to private imaging centers.

Extended release metformin comes in both 750mg and 1,000 mg formulations here

And 750mg

Quality is not the problem in (tertiary) government hospitals. But things move slowly in them and long waits and a lot of red tape is the norm. There is a 4-5 fold cost difference between government hospitals and private hospitals. As the type of cancer you have is very rare in Thailand you would do better to go to the Chulalongkorn Cancer Center as they are more likely to have the drugs on hand.