British Embassy Helped Us When We Needed Them The Most.

[Guemlum]

"Mods, feel free to move to the most appropriate sub forum should you feel it neccesary".I'm transfixed by numbers and colours at the moment…

Green = Heart Rate, fluctuating between 92 to 130

Yellow = Oxygen Saturation levels, fluctuating 80 to 100

Red = Blood pressure, fluctuating between 72 to 130

There's not a lot to do other than look at numbers.

My wife has been in ICU (intensive care unit) in a medically induced coma and on advanced life support for 24 days now.

Midazolan, Atracurium, Altrapid, Furosemide, Platelets; all new to my intellectual vocabulary. It feels like I've been studying medicine and nursing for years now.

An ultrasound monitor, respirator and Stats display sit to the left of her.

9 syringe pumps infusing an array of antibiotics sit to the right of her.

3 statues of Buddha sit watching over her, as does an angel on the windowsill surrounded by wedding photos.

Saffron coloured bracelets are tied around the end of the bed, blessed by monks from her hometown and brought to the UK.

A chest drain and catheter sit at the end of her bed, as does a nurse who gives her 24/7 care, rotating on a 12hr by 12hr shift basis.

A monk from the Thai temple in Wimbledon has just left after giving her a blessing. We hope that she was able to hear and that it gave her some comfort. The nurses tell us that the first sense to go and the first to come back is the hearing, but they also say that she may not remember everything we say to her. It tends to come back in the form of dreams.

Nevertheless, we continue talking to her so she knows we are here.

I don't feel it necessary to go into what brought her here, but just as equally important, the idiocy and bureaucracy that was involved in getting her son here.

A few days after my wife had been admitted, I started the ball rolling with regards to my stepson visiting his sick mother. Only once my family in Thailand had told him he was going to be getting a passport did he realize the seriousness of it all.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please let me introduce you to Mr. Davies of Davies Khan Immigration Associates".

I had used the services of Davies Khan in the past and felt that he was the only man who could take on board and manage my affairs in a prompt and professional manner.

A letter from the consultants in ICU was forwarded to Davies Khan, which in turn was forwarded to the British Embassy in Bangkok. With very few questions asked the British Embassy agreed in principal to issue a visa without the usual formalities subject to him obtaining a valid passport.

I am indebted to the British Embassy for their swift and sympathetic response.

However, we still needed a passport for my stepson, and the British Embassy could not issue the visa until he was in possession of one.

Family members had taken him to the passport office in Udon Thani on 2 occasions only to be told that as he was only 16yrs old and would be traveling alone, he could not be issued one…HOLD IT…unless my wife would write and sign a letter of consent. "<deleted>?"

Now some idiotic clerk with no common sense had already received a letter from our local hospital stating her condition. Surely they would put 2 and 2 together?

Despite me providing them and Davies Khan with all of the necessary documentation asked for, they still weren't budging on the "Authorized Letter" from my wife

Davies Khan steps in again, this time using very influential contacts in Thailand whom include the former Foreign Minister, Dr.Kantathi Suphamongkhon.

Whilst Davies Khan was using his contacts in Thailand, I was using my contacts here in the UK and via the Royal Thai Embassy in London.

Everyone was working flat out in order to get the passport office in Udon Thani to issue the passport. I even believe that Dr.Kantathi Suphamongkhon was told on one occasion that they wouldn't issue the passport because they were concerned that we might be "Child Trafficking"

Anyway, after 1 week of fighting, the passport office decided to issue one with no further questions asked or any explanation as to the delay.

The following day, my stepson was on a flight to the UK where Davies Khan had prepared and issued a letter to the Border Control at Heathrow Airport, ensuing that he had a speedy and problem free entry to the UK. 15 minutes in fact, from departing the plane through to arrivals.

He's been in the UK for 2 weeks now and has settled in very well. You can never tell what someone is feeling on the inside but we can tell how he's feeling from the outside. He just wants his mum to wake up. We all do.

Our days are spent by her side, praying and hoping and not giving up.

The care she is receiving is superb. My stepson realises this and also knows that had she been in Thailand she would have probably have left us already. We are so glad that he made it to the UK in time to see his mother still alive.

My family and I, both here in the UK and in Thailand would like to thank Mr Davies at Davies Khan for the professional, considerate and compassionate service we have received so far. As per my previous posts, I cannot recommend highly enough the service that Mr Davies has provided us.

And last but not least, I would like to thank from the bottom of my heart, the contacts that were used via Davies Khan including the "middle man" and also the former Foreign Minister for Thailand, Dr.Kantathi Suphamongkhon for their intervention in this sensitive matter.

Guemlum

[the scouser]

There is nothing more to be said at this time other than I'm sure we all wish P. a swift and full recovery.

Scouse.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

There is nothing more to be said at this time other than I'm sure we all wish P. a swift and full recovery.

Scouse.

Well done Scouse.

[7by7]

There is nothing more to be said at this time other than I'm sure we all wish P. a swift and full recovery.

Scouse.

Indeed.

[Boo]

Praying for your wife to make a full recovery. And well done Davis Khan.

[mrtoad]

Well done scouse, and good luck to the OP.

[khundon]

Wishing you and your family all the best.

[Mossfinn]

Guemlum,

May I pass on my heart felt best wishes, I remember when you first came on the forum and have been taken aback by running across this thread.

Good Luck, you and your family are in my prayers

Moss

[Guemlum]

At 13.15hrs yesterday afternoon my wife passed away.

I'd like to thank those forum members who posted with their thoughts and prayers for my wife and my family.

We will be taking her back to her hometown of Nongkhai within the coming weeks.

Guemlum

[mrbojangles]

Very sad to hear that Guehum.

My deepest sympathies to you, your stepson and all of the family.

[Boo]

My deepest sympathies to you & your step son.

[Mossfinn]

My Deepest Sympathies Guemlum.

Rest in Peace

Moss

[DanaDeLuxe]

My heartfelt sympathies to you and your son. Good that it could be made possible that the two of you are together now and share the grief in this hard times. Your wife and mother is now free of the pain of the faulty body but she will be in your hearts forever. RIP.

[DC1066]

Guemlum I'm truly sorry for your loss.

My thoughts are with you and your family.

Remember the good times you shared with a smile.

[stevebow]

My Deepest Sympathies.

Steve

[OJAS]

I wish to add my deepest sympathies on your tragic loss.

[oldoldgit!!]

I wish to add my deepest sympathies and sorrow on your tragic loss, time is a great healer.

[MonkeyTravels]

shes in better place and smiling down on you

At 13.15hrs yesterday afternoon my wife passed away.

I'd like to thank those forum members who posted with their thoughts and prayers for my wife and my family.

We will be taking her back to her hometown of Nongkhai within the coming weeks.

Guemlum

[goonerthegooner]

Sad story,my heart goes out too you and your family at this tragic time.

RIP.

[fongvin]

Just picked-up on the op & threads, I am in-country uk at present.

I don't mind saying I'm a 'grown man' and reduced tears, a very tragic story but eleviated by professionals like Davies Khan, and others. So happy for you ALL that your stepson was able to be with your loved one in her last moments

God Bless, my thought & prayers are with you ALL, free spirit to Meung Thai, safe trip.