cnx37

loppylugs1

Good luck - I have spent B2-3m (LOS & Oz). Outcome - not as expected.

n210mp

The 1st 50% of your post - I entirely support. The 2nd 50% - we may need to agree to disagree.

loppylugs1

I, too, researched the Indian option. Too many options (for me). I did take a trip - open mind. Outcome - not as expected.

A consultation with a psychiatrist is obscenely cheap in Thailand. B1000? Quality - personal observation - woeful. I make a similar observation re Oz.

Medication is obscenely expensive. I have paid B1500/pill.

After having bipolar disorder (type 11) for many years, I have ceased all medication. Effects - ZERO - nothing adverse! The Oz doctors would be aghast!

In Oz, I had ECT - same in LOS.

Tip - NO BOOZE! There are self-help groups in Oz & LOS.

As mentioned by another poster, the company of a quality Thai lady is the best remedy & natural. Please be extremely careful!

Anti-depressants etc - I am not qualified in this area - personal experience only. It is a band-aid! My quality of life has improved significantly - another tip - choose your friends/acquaintances very carefully. Dispose of unnecessary relatives!

I MUST be really "sick". I may even attend another meeting today - "one day at a time" - 2 days in a row! Maybe I should start another meeting - advanced sobriety group?

In CNX, not much "Lord's Prayer" or "I luv you Jesus" stuff.

Just the usual "power plays", "character assassinations", "my sobriety is better than yours".

My desire - BP Petroleum - "the quiet achiever".

I don't luv JC - but I do luv AA. The politics is a bonus.

Apologies alyx

I have "wasted" about 1 hour trying to refine the above post. Mission accomplished. Exit - "Sorry you do not have permission to do that". Not my day? Maybe I will try again - maybe I won't.

a) I expanded upon my business experience

disclosure to patients

c) support - "close" & self-help groups

d) cost (for me) - procedures

alyx

You have "difficulties following" me. My native tongue is English. I have tertiary education - 2 pass degrees & a masters degree (all in business/commerce/economics). I was a university lecturer& CPA.To my knowledge, this is my 1st experience re communication difficulties! So be it. My humble apologies.

Stage 1V - Yes.

Treatment - radiotherapy - ceased about 4-5 years ago (after 35-40 sessions of barbaric torture).

Remission - Yes

Current treatment - zero except attempts at pain relief. I suggest that the patient has more experience re pain relief than the carer/medico.

Advice - this topic has numerous posts from supporters, carers & partners. How much from the actual sufferers?

"Time to go"? What choices are there? Euthanasia is illegal in most countries. Do we need to travel to other countries or resort to backyard operators?

Now, full disclosure communicated to the patient. Why not? Costs to date/estimated future costs? Prospects? Future probabilities? Who gets to make the decisions ie quality decisions? Quality value judgments re quality of life? Carer v patient? I suggest that the patient should have ALL the say (a veto) & receive a FULL disclosure. From what I read, this does not apply in many cases. SHAME! Most sufferers are adult (in age). I choose not to be treated as an infant.

I assume that I am in the wrong forum. This is one for "carers" - patting each other on the back? Yes, I will back off. You may have good intentions - outcomes?

I understand cancer pain. You have "carer's pain"? Your partner has "cancer pain"? No same, same!

There seems to be a lot written about medication, diet etc. The holistic approach?

In my previous country, my mother & sister became "instant experts"! Boring, ignorant & negative! Knowledge does not necessarily correlate with experience & wisdom. Here, in LOS, my carers have a quality that the "blood family" has not - listening.

Am I somewhat "touchy" on this issue? YES!

I have "wanted" to die for years - not now - I am neutral. What is so bad/wrong with dying? Not much in here about this "important" issue?

If I had received full disclosure from the beginning, I would not have taken this path.

It seems that many carers/medicos are obsessed with keeping the "poor bastard' alive - @ any cost!

Time to stand back? Look at the "big picture"?

I am confident that I have said MORE than enough. Sorry, sorry.

Went to a meeting this morning - 1st for quite a while! About 20 in attendance - a surprising number of women. I knew one guy only. The faces change but not the program. They come - they go. Maybe on holidays - in LOS for a visit. Maybe back on the "slops". Maybe a better way?

When I mentioned that I had not been for a period, the majority were agasp. Did you have a drink? No. Agasp again.

I still luv AA - with all its peculiarities.

jaideeguy

YOU ARE THE MAN!

Such different lifestyles? You watch English TV? Consume Chang? Still ride a m/c? OK, you can operate the internet & eat hamburgers.

Problems? Who instigates such?

And you, BIG $$$ GUY? What B15-20k/mth? - B25k at Songkran? Rented house/condo/room?

I am envious - MR MAN!

One BIG problem with this new medication. It was advised to take no more than 3 doses per day. So you get thirsty! Problem! OK - just take it. Taste - no change!

Thank you to all the "experts" re throat cancer. I have been an active participant of throat cancer (stage 4) for some years. I have experienced every facet of it!

As background, I had substantial doses of morphine in varied forms - patches & oral. All was provided by the most respected hospital in CNX (yes, Chiang Mai for the uneducated). I am aware of treatments for constipation. However, the dosage requirements are inexact = an inexact science.

Sheryl suggested 2 alternative painkillers/relievers - they are NOT available at pharmacies (OTC).

I have been consulting the pain specialist at RAM for a number of years. I have respect for this doctor!

"We" are trying Xylocaine* Viscous (AstraZeneca) - 20mg/ml - 1 bottle is 100ml. Cost at RAM is B586/bottle (after age discount) - free measuring spoon included. Why not try some? The taste is "vulgar" - I did not dilute it or wash it down with water etc! It has a "gluey" feel to it. Effect after 15 minurtes - improvement in pain & taste. It is more localized than morphine - I prefer Xylocaine (today)!

Incidentally, I did inquire about that "special herb" - illegal in LOS (as we all know); unavailable at hospitals under script. The staff do not have knowledge of the dosage requirements ie a no-go or contact your local drug dealer!

Several years ago, I received the best advice - learn to live with it! That is the way it is - this was from a qualified medical practitioner.

Today, I spent B2342 (after age discount- B2928 pre discount). I must be in real pain! Add B300 for the consultation fee.

If I have success with this medication, I will advise. If unsuccessful, I will advise. So far - so good.

Unless one has personal or expert experience, I would be very careful providing advice - especially on open forums.

In summary, why do we fight nature? When it is time to go, it is time to go.

Hi tominbkk

As it is said: "Horses for courses".

It ain't a competition to "corner" the market. Whatever works for you I am SURE will be find by all - one day at a time.

Arjunadawn

Really it is TOO simple. Choices are extremely limited!

sirchai

a) avoiding people I cannot stand. I have been "culling" for some time. Recently, another "got the chop". Farang family - severely "cut" - 100%!

my wife - same, same. A real blessing! Young in years - maturity - well beyond her years. I very much appreciate her support.

c) doctors/hospitals - I should watch what I say. I have been to RAM in CNX - purportedly the best - definitely the most expensive for medication. At RAM, I had an oncologist & a pain management doctor - morphine & morphine. After a while, I was hallucinating & had severe constipation. Suandok - oncologist.

d) morphine did a job on me. I ended up returning to my home country - wheelchair, oxygen & escort. Home country doctors - useless - primitive withdrawal from morphine - no substitute.

e) existing house v new house. There are not a lot of existing houses for sale. This will be accommodating the "whole family" - Wife, self, FIL & MIL. It will be 2 storey - reasonable size to "breathe". FIL & wife will have prime responsibility. I will take a back-seat but put in my 2 bobs worth when it suits.

f) think positively - I am a member of AA (& try to follow the principles in all my affairs).I even try a little prayer - I will try anything!

g) meditation - tried a little - I would NOT say that I gave it a good try - a feeble attempt!

AOA

Currently, I use TOT in CNX - OK. Recently, changed to wi-fi - similar to land-line.

I have been advised by a Fang resident to utilize 3BBB - local knowledge - he changed from TOT.

Sheryl

Re hyperbaric, I went to 2 hospitals in BKK as recommended/referred by CNX RAM. Both said: No go! Who am I to debate?

Viscous lidocaine - I will try - good luck for me!

Painkillers - Fentayl patches - been there - done that. Hallucinations, acute constipation - required a trip to my home country - escort, wheelchair & oxygen. Otherwise , no go - Thai Airways. Doctors - RAM oncologist - you will know her. Suandok - they did the radiotherapy - not available at RAM - you will know her too. At RAM, I also saw the "pain specialist". All morphine was prescribed under the direction of the medical fraternity.

I have also "tried" hypnotherapy & some Indian therapy (CNX & India)- unsuccessful.

I utilised Carl's services too - Lannacare.

northernjohn, mesquite & CWMcMurray

NJ - thanks for the offer! Do I need to make a reservation or just try "pot luck"?

mesquite - I appreciate your frank comments - response provided - not a debate.

CWM - a late entry! Agree! I am paying - wife's house (of course). I will need to "stand firm" or suffer the consequences - our norms (it just depends).

My wife & I did not meet in Pattaya last month. We have known each other for about 10 years.

a)farangs moving to a small town - I am already insane.

b)wife's relatives & friends - never met the friends. Family - we take it in turns at a restaurant (I do not eat much). Yes, years ago, I provided financial support - no coercion - very much appreciated. FIL - now 60 - intends to work until he is 70 - to support me.

c) sitting on the floor - OK by me - up to them. With a previous g/f, I used to join in - not now.

d) jabbering on endlessly in local language - yes, a problem. My Thai is limited. My wife is bilingual. FIL/MIL - Thai only - except happpppy bird-daaaaaaay. Really, my problem to solve. I have no need to be a participant in all activities.

e) eating local food - no problem in the past - enjoyed - including insects, grasshoppers. Now, I have throat cancer - no solids!

f) drinking local whiskey - no problem. FIL - low consumer. MIL - non-drinker. Relatives - no idea. PIL pretty well keep to themselves except grandma (age 84) - any interest? - she is a widow - own home - many termites.

g)total lack of farang contact - now fairly limited - cancer. Most communication is by telephone & internet. From what I hear, there are about 20 farangs living in the town. One, two or three will be ample.

h) all at my expense - there will be a house-warming - I am told maybe 200 guests. Estimated budget is B40-50k - we have agreed - 50/50. This is a once-off! Other - I am confident that all will be worked out.

i) my wife is a home-lover. Partying - immediate family only - lunch, dinner occasionally. With acquaintances, "dutch" - 50/50 - B200-300 per person - no "free lunches". In the past, I have been the "silly ol fool" - my farang family - touched me up big time. My wife advised against it. FOOL, FOOL, FOOL - ME!

theDukes - you have a quality reputation in CNX. Unfortunately, I cannot enjoy your menu (throat cancer) - cannot swallow - 5 years now.

"honest educated opinion" - welcomed!

I am 66yo - PIL/MIL - 60. I may well pre-decease them!

Succession planning - all in order.

Build the house - decided - YES! There have been minor matters - resolved.

I take care of them & reciprocal - already in place. In the past, I have given them a "helping hand" - no coercion. FIL plans to work until he is 70 - take care of me!

TV & computer - there will be a few TVs - maybe 2 computers.

Expenses - no problem. Our monthly condo charge is >B4000 - it will be zero. That is just a start.

Quality of life/other intangibles - all good - Rose-colored glasses (I do not think so).

Enjoy myself - very much - riding a bicycle, hosing the garden, learning to ride a m/c + ? - all good!

Village/simple life - a huge desire!

banker44 - really I cannot help myself re the house construction. It is just a matter of how much involvement! I anticipate that I will enjoy the journey - enjoy the pain of problem resolution etc. A dog - team effort - it has been a very long time since I have owned a dog - say 60 years.

Suggestion #1 - will take on board

Suggestion #2 - pass - I will buy a bicycle & learn to ride a m/c! Compromise?

Kiss & make up! I will take a video - you will be a sponsor if I need a visa agent!

Hell, extension of RV - sooooooooo easy!

CMCMANGOMAN

Just emailed the contact - thanks!

I am "desperate" - quality of life - what is that?

I forget about the morphine situation. In the end, I was hallucinating!

Opoids - a mystery to me but prepared to try anything - somewhat wary regarding legality in LOS.

Other painkillers - I forget. Morphine was the main culprit.

My teeth & gums are "no joke" - but dental assistance is not an option - I guess that it will only get worse. 50-75% of teeth have fallen out/broken - a big mess.

BIG HELP!

I object to paying a visa agency - principle! B5k-10k - it is not the $$$. Would rather "invest" the $$$ in other ways - the wife can have it - clothes, face treatments etc.

My wife does the 90 day checkups. We do the online "play" - again my wife coordinates - no problems to date.

Last time (annual extension), we were all prepared as usual - very simple procedure. Arrived 10-15 mins early - a full house! Went to the inquiry counter - polite, polite. We were out 5 minutes after the scheduled time!

Another 12 months of bliss.

I even researched PR! Forget it - my advice.

BTW - I am surprised. CNX residents are renowned for their - "I have no $$$"; "how do you live on B15k/mth"; "super-tight"; "visa runs". Now, B5k-10k is petty cash? Maybe times, they are a changin!

Krisb

"Come on Aussie, come on!"

Condo is in CNX - for sale - not for rent (B6+m)- 164sqm - 14th floor - Huay Kaew Rd.

I am ex BNE & ex GC.

LOS is HOME!

northernjohn

Privacy? That is something which I will not know until I have experienced it. I can always "escape" as required. FIL & MIL work all day.

I get along with FIL & MIL - but no day-in-day-out experience. My Thai is so-so - their English - worse. my wife - bilingual & interpreter. Re FIL/MIL, there is not a lot to talk about? In fact, absolutely nothing comes to mind re FIL/MIL chit-chat. Sabai dee mai? Dee.

I do not lose sleep over it - my wife is ecstatic (a +++ for me?)

If the "s..t" hits the fan, I can always bunk in with you! Thanks mate.