thetefldon

16 hours ago, SantiSuk said:

I agree entirely with this assessment. I had a triple bypass at Bumrungrad 4 years ago, age 67. Much easier than I expected.

I'm back again now and had a replacement hip a couple of days ago. Same again - I'm taking baby steps with a walker already.

Many thanks and good luck with the recovery.

13 hours ago, dddave said:

As long as your bed is high enough so it's easy to roll into a sitting position and then get-up without pushing with your hands there should be no problem.

It was actually uncomfortable to sleep on my sides for the first two weeks but I do not recall any specific instructions not to do so.  I did use extra pillows to sleep sitting up a bit. 

One uncomfortable part of recovery is the need and necessity to frequently deep cough to clear the unusual amount of mucous your lungs will make. It can be quite uncomfortable, especially in the first week.  My recovery team gave me a small pillow to clutch to my chest when I did cough.  It made it a bit less painful and also protects the sternum somehow.  If they don't give you one, just use a small throw pillow. 

Sleeping sitting up a bit seemed to lessen coughing at night.

They will also probably give you a blow toy.  It's a device you blow into as long and as hard as you can that measures and helps increase your lung volume and breathing force.

 

You may not feel you need the walker once you are home but a fall could possibly cause complications so best to be on the safe side and use it until you feel really steady.

 

Not much more I can think of.  Just keep in mind during the first few weeks of healing you always want to keep your arms and shoulders forward.  No reaching back like when putting on a shirt or jacket. 

It is really important to be your own advocate.  If you have questions you feel aren't fully answered, press for the answers.  if there are any instructions you don't understand, clarify them.  Ask them to explain what every medication they give you is and what it does and what possible side effects you may experience.  

One final item.  You mentioned you lived 5 hours away from where you'll have the surgery.  That is a long way.  Perhaps you should consider getting a hotel room fairly close to the hospital for the first two or three days once you are discharged, just in case something comes up or there is something you want checked out.  Best of luck.

 

Great stuff. Thanks for answering in such detail. It really is appreciated.

3 hours ago, The Hammer2021 said:

I dealt  with two agencies  but used one. One offers overnight care, accompaniment for air travel  etc.

Much appreciated.

2 hours ago, dddave said:

OP.

You will be better off if you make some advance preparations.  Thai hospitals do not seem to be very good at providing aftercare information.

Consider purchasing or renting if possible:

 

Raised toilet frame.  An aluminum frame with a toilet seat that sits over standard toilet with arm rests that make getting up less stressful on sternum.

 

Possibly, a walker.  I only needed mine for four of 5 days.

 

A cane or "trekking" stick (they have a wrist loop that aids in stability, also they fold up into a convenient size. (Lazada)

 

Put extra cushions on your favorite chair to make the sitting position high enough so you can get up from the chair without pushing off.

 

You said you lived on 2nd floor.  Test the handrail to make sure it's solid as you will be leaning on it more than usual.  If there is no handrail, I strongly suggest you arrange for one to be installed.

 

They may not warn you that some of the post surgical medications they will give you can cause dizziness, especially when you stand-up after sitting for a while.  Never stand quickly and just start walking.  Stand slowly and just stand stationary for 30 seconds.  If you feel at all light-headed, just give it a minute.

For the first month or two, always try to sit in the rear seat of any vehicle.

 

 

Once again many thanks. Some things I hadn't considered. Especially the toilet seat. I will probably buy a walker too. The handrail is about the strongest thing in my Thai built house???? A couple of questions if I may? What about sleeping? Presumably on your back? Raised pillows? Any mods needed to the bed? I assume(possibly wrongly) that I will get some coaching regarding getting out of bed etc.

2 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

If you have a wife there that may be sufficient, my mum 80+ had the heart valve replacement open heart surgery in UK just my Dad looked after her and worked out fine

Many thanks for sharing, again, quite reassuring.

1 hour ago, The Hammer2021 said:

I needed care during a recent recovery period and used an agency based here in Pattaya. Would you like their number. Perhaps  they could advise. The only residential based care I know is in CM.

Many thanks, appreciate your reply. I suspect there are local private nursing agencies up here, I shall have a chat with the locals and get my wife on the case. I will get back to you if I am struggling to find something local.

1 hour ago, dddave said:

I had open sternum, triple bypass surgery 5 years ago and was out of the hospital in 7 days.  There were some restrictions designed not to stress the healing sternum but I was quite comfortable at the time, I was 74.

 

A good friend, now 75 just had triple bypass surgery in Khon Kaen (Srinakarin Hosp) and he was released to home care 6 days after surgery.  I just talked with him yesterday.  He's been home for a week now. He's very comfortable and able to get about very well.

 

OP: I think you will be surprised how quickly you recover.  Modern surgical techniques seem much less invasive and traumatic to the body.  Based on my own and my friends experience, I doubt very much you'll need a month of rehab.  You will need a care-giver for a week or two but just for light assistance, like help in getting up from a chair. 

 

 

 

Many thanks for sharing that, very reassuring. It's really because of the unknown, in coping with the recovery, that I inquired about some post operative care. Also worrying(probably unduly) about complications after leaving hospital since I am 5 hours from where I get the procedure done. I have a care-giver(the wife) but wasn't sure how I would cope at home. We live on the 2nd floor so stairs if I want to go out.

I am due to have Aortic Valve replacement surgery in Bangkok fairly soon.  Unfortunately I can't have TAVI( via catheter inserted in groin) so I must have traditional open heart surgery. I am "painfully"  aware of what this involves and am a bit concerned about the recovery process for a 75 year old!  With this in mind I thought I might try a month or two in convalescence to help with recovery after I get out of hospital. Not sure if Thailand has Convalescence Homes like the UK, given the family care that happens here, but ideally I would like somewhere near my home(Phetchabun) or near the hospital in Bangkok where I can be comfortable, get medical care if needed, be monitored and do some guided physical therapy. If you know anywhere that might fit my needs please let me know. An idea of costs would also be useful.  Any other suggestions would also be appreciated if a convalescence home is a no go.  Many thanks.

On 7/13/2022 at 8:20 PM, bulmercke said:

Thanks for the responses everyone. Well you won't believe this but I decided to email them again this afternoon using my existing email provider (yahoo.com) and received an automated response back within an hour.

I had originally contacted them twice using a new email account I had set up with GMX Mail and had heard nothing. So the problem must have been with GMX Mail even though the emails I "sent" to them were in the "sent folder". I had even successfully exchanged emails between these two accounts (to myself) but for some reason there must be an issue either sending emails to VFS or receiving emails from them using GMX Mail.  I guess I made a mistake trusting this dodgy free email.

Thanks for highlighting this. I have had exactly the same problem over the last week using my GMX mail address to book an appointment. Read this post today as it is a week since I first emailed them. Today I used a Gmail address I own and had a reply within 1 hour with an appointment. Clearly spam filters or something similar in play at VFS Global.  Something to be aware of if you do not get a quick response.

22 hours ago, Emdog said:

He wrote " I had to show my pink ID and hospital registration (I am covered by my wife's government spouse insurance). "

I wonder how many of the rest of us would fit into that category. Glad poster got his jab, but I would guess most of us aren't married to a government worker.

Interesting. I am married to a retired teacher and get free medical cover. However here in Phetchabun I have not got to register at either the main hospital or the military one(which I prefer). The wife is due to receive her jab(AZ) this week at the Army hospital. I shall go with her and hang out, there might be some spare vaccine with no shows?

I considered registering on the new website, https://thailandintervac.com/  but, since it seems to me, they are only offering appointments in the Bangkok/Pattaya area? Don't fancy a 5 hour drive each way.

2 hours ago, phutoie2 said:

Pay 1000 Baht fee and they send the 90 Day slip in the mail to you. Up to you, I politely declined as up there regulary playing golf and easy to do if you are  at Imm Off for morning opening time. 

Phetchabun hasn't been open 8 years, this little cash earner carried over from Phitsanulok days. 

 

 

 

Thanks for info on the"privilege," I could use a more appropriate word. Since I live 15mins away from the office I will continue to pollute the planet and use up a few more trees in wasted paper. Yes I was a bit off with my dates, realise I used to go to Phitsanulok. So 8 years between the two offices.

3 hours ago, GreasyFingers said:

You have been going there for 8 years and have not been asked if you want to go on the preferred 90 day report list?

Sorry I don't understand. "preferred 90 day report list"

43 minutes ago, foreverlomsak said:

No copy TM30 receipt (problem I've never had one, it's never been asked for in 15 years of extensions and they can't find one in the system nor in last years application pack - queue at 90 day desk to file a new one - he found it using my old passport number and gave me a copy to keep in my passport and one for desk 2 - approx. 45 minute delay)

Had exactly the same thing in January, only been doing it there for 8 years mind! When they first opened at Phetchabun it was a great office, now I'm not so sure. Did my 90 day there yesterday after they told me on my January renewal they "prefer" me to go in person for 90day and not use the online system(if it was working).

As an aside, not a lot of evidence of staff wearing face masks either.

35 minutes ago, Enlil said:

nah 90 days u dont have to do it now, and I tried just for the heck of it and it didnt went through for me, was too late or something. 

 

90 days report is not the same as visa extension, its just the record of ur name and adress, propabelly automated, just adds u to database.

 

ps.

 

There is no limit on how many times u can extend NON-O as long as u meet criteria right ?

 

 

Not sure if you are replying to me. I just posted that I completed my 90 day online as the OP was querying 90 day reports. I know you don't have to do one.  But having been here a while I tend to apply both belt and braces.

Re your PS. No limit regarding extensions providing you meet criteria and don't break the cycle e.g leave country without a re-entry cert. I'm personally on my 9th yearly retirement extension to my original O visa.

Since the OP is about 90 day reports. Just my experience. Applied online yesterday using web-site not App since I didn't fancy being part of a mad scramble on 31 July if possible.. Approved today until 23rd August. So someone is still processing them(online TM 47). I am based Phetchabun.

17 hours ago, Mama Noodle said:

I would urge OP to take a step back and not put any more money into that system. Its impressive but looks insanely expensive. 

 

IMO the first step would be to spend the money and get the water thoroughly tested by a lab to see exactly what the contaminates are, then see if its viable/cost effective to stack another system on top of all that to target just those offending contaminates (likely calcium/lime). 

 

Then see if the yearly cost of maintaining the above system VS scrapping the entire thing and going with a reverse osmosis system. 

 

Im inclined to think at this point it might be better to scrap it all and go with RO. 5 years ago (when you got the system) RO wasn't as available as it is now. 

Many thanks for the explanation. I know very little about a "RO" system other than knowing about the theory behind RO.  Not sure how it would fit in with the supply I have(bore-hole) but I shall investigate. Just for your info. The set-up in the pic on OP cost around 70,000 5 years ago and my water costs me about 500 Baht a month(150 Baht to my neighbour for raw water, filter medium, maintenance costs and electricity). Expensive but no municipal water so I have little choice.

3 hours ago, Lacessit said:

Chlorination of dirty water is going to require more chlorine, because before one can get to a state of free available chlorine to guarantee a kill of bacteria and viruses, the organic compounds in the water consume chlorine first. Against that, there are bacteria and viruses proliferating in the filters if chlorination is done afterwards.

Chlorinated water does not taste good, best way to get drinking water is to boil it, which drives off chlorine and chloramines.

Thanks, plus all the other useful contributions.  Just so everyone knows I don't drink the water or use it for cooking, I just use it for showers, washing etc

On 5/18/2020 at 2:56 PM, bankruatsteve said:

If you need ppm for salts, minerals, and most metals, they can do that.  They do not detect pathogens/pollution type of thing - need a lab for that.

Thanks for that, most helpful. And other respondents too.

Is chlorination effective for killing Bacteria and Viruses? If so, would you apply it to the water in the dirty tank or to the water in the clean tank that has passed through the filter system? Is it practical to chlorinate and if so how do you do it? I ask the latter question because during the day the water is moving between tanks when we are at home using the supply. Can you build something into the system or do you need to add chemicals to the tank(s)?

Many thanks.

1 hour ago, Lacessit said:

Calcium deposition comes in two forms, calcium carbonate or calcium sulphate.

It's easy enough to test if the deposit is calcium carbonate.

Just pour a bit of vinegar over it. If it fizzes, voila. Calcium sulphate would need EDTA to dissolve it.

Have you ever had your input and output water analyzed by a laboratory? It's worth doing to know what parts of the purification system need beefing up.

I buy my vinegar in bulk from Macro, bet they think I have a pickle factory. Certainly works as you point out. Thanks for other info too. I have not had water analysed I went to local water company and asked if they could do it....they just smiled. Lab analysis is very expensive I believe.....any tips?

1 hour ago, NCC1701A said:

not including issues from deposits, what is the on going cost of the filter replacement?

 

do you have a annual cost figure?    

I replace the filter medium around every 18 months as the bore hole water is very dirty.  Activated carbon, Manganese and Resin. Can't remember the volume but it costs around 9000 Baht to fill the 3 units. Two adults in the house, two bathrooms, kitchen and utility room run off the tanks. I don't cost it but it is bloody expensive water before anyone says it!!

1 hour ago, faraday said:

How much would a filter system, as shown in the op cost?

 

Including 2 pumps, 2 tanks, 3 filtration units, filter medium, pipe work and fitting it cost me around 70,000 Baht 5 years ago.

Many thanks for all your replies. I should have perhaps added to my OP that I backwash the system(each tank) every 14 days. The Resin also get regenerated with salt as part of the process.

I assumed(probably incorrectly) that the Resin tank is to deal with water hardness and in theory should deal with limescale.

As an aside I just found another leaking valve in the bathroom. Clearly needs replacing, when I removed it it was gunged up with scale and would not close fully!

Am I right in saying RO stands for reverse osmosis(bankrautsteve)?

The above photo is my home filtration system. There is no municipal water where I live and I get my water from a neighbours deep bore-hole. I have two tanks of 1000L one for dirty water, one for water after filtration through manganese, carbon and resin filter mediums. The filtered water from the holding tank is then passed through another cartridge filter(blue housing to right of Resin tank) before entering the house. The water on inspection in a glass appears clean.  However if you leave for an hour or so a white scum forms on the top. I left to dry this forms a white powder. I tried to photograph this but image poor. Over the 5 years the system has been in place I have replaced the filter mediums twice and had one new filtration tanks. I am currently replacing the pump to the house that is malfunctioning possibly because of the water quality passing through it.

Over the same time period(5 yrs) I have had to replace several taps, an electric shower unit and cut off valves in the house because they became clogged with a stone like substance(possibly bad lime scale).

Now a couple of questions.

1. Any idea what the white substance might be?

2. Any suggestions how to improve filtration?

46 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

Everything is a preference. If existing drainage is OK I'd go for wooden decking squares. But I don't know where you find them. 

 

Many thanks. That is something like what I fancy. Are these squares just laid on dry concrete floor? How do they drain?

36 minutes ago, bankruatsteve said:

I've seen the wood squares in the Home places.  But, did you have good quality tile laid?  Good tile should handle weather with just a clean up.

Many thanks, no not high quality tiles. Also workmanship is not great.