Colonoscopy / Colon Exam

[elektrified]

Sorry to be picky, but if I can swing an over nighter at Rajavej, do the rooms have english TV and wi fi??

would make the night much more tolerable. Looking forward to the sedation.........

Ask for the Demerol, Versed cocktail with just a dash of Benadryl! (I don't know if they use those medicines in Thailand or not but that is the standard mix in the USA). But if they give too much Benadryl then you will fall asleep and not remember anything.

I've always been awake but very nicely sedated. You lay on the side but they face you in the direction of the video monitor and you can watch the camera traveling through your colon, snipping things, etc. It's interesting -- to me at least.

Best of luck. It's a piece of cake...no worries.

[Dante99]

Sorry to be picky, but if I can swing an over nighter at Rajavej, do the rooms have english TV and wi fi??

would make the night much more tolerable. Looking forward to the sedation.........

Since you are concerned about the night"s entertainment I suggest you call in a pair of dancing ladies for the evening, much better than TV or wifi.

[elektrified]

Sorry to be picky, but if I can swing an over nighter at Rajavej, do the rooms have english TV and wi fi??

would make the night much more tolerable. Looking forward to the sedation.........

Since you are concerned about the night"s entertainment I suggest you call in a pair of dancing ladies for the evening, much better than TV or wifi.

I'm sure it's doable (and has been done before) in Thailand.

[chiang mai]

I don't know about CM but I recently has endoscopy and colonoscopy done at Bumrungrad in BKK . Nothing found so had a capsule endoscopy done the following day which spotted the problem - total cost was just under $3K, very professional and I can certainly recommend them. I'm booked in next week for follow up treatment [colonoscopy APC to zap the problem areas].

Geez, this is a c.m. forum.

Maybe, but it's very interesting to know that a capsule endoscopy is available in Thailand. I'm not certain that it is available in CM or rather I've never heard of anyone being referred for one. Normal procedures can often miss problems in the small intestine, whereas the capsule contains a tiny camera and records images as it goes through the system.....it reaches the parts that other diagnostics can't reach. Appx 90,000 baht sounds expensive but it's high tech and can save a life...well worth knowing which hospitals in Thailand offer this.

I had a capsule endoscopy done at Sriphat via Dr Kannika about six months ago, the cost was THB 38,000.

[chiang mai]

Sorry to be picky, but if I can swing an over nighter at Rajavej, do the rooms have english TV and wi fi??

would make the night much more tolerable. Looking forward to the sedation.........

In practical terms you don't need an overnighter, the work starts at 6:0am in the bathroom and ends at 3:00pm when you arrive home, the bit in the middle is easy and painless.

[chiang mai]

Almost forgot, for the OP:

There's really only three places to get it done in CM that make sence, Sriphat Hospital under Dr Pisset/Dr. Sandhu Trichak, Rajavej Hospital under Dr Kannika or RAM Hospital under Dr. Ekacai Paiboonworachat, Rajavej is likely to be the least expensive.

[elektrified]

Sorry to be picky, but if I can swing an over nighter at Rajavej, do the rooms have english TV and wi fi??

would make the night much more tolerable. Looking forward to the sedation.........

In practical terms you don't need an overnighter, the work starts at 6:0am in the bathroom and ends at 3:00pm when you arrive home, the bit in the middle is easy and painless.

True but the OP has found a way to get his insurance company to pay for the procedure if he spends the night. Actually if one arrives at the hospital at 7:00, they should be on their way home by 12:00. I don't know how it works here but in the USA they have about 8 patients lined up and each one takes 30 minutes. Of course they have several different scopes as they take hours to clean! All are done by 12:00. They usually make you wait in the recovery room for 30 minutes. They also begin the cleansing a good 24 hours before, no food at all the day before and you drink the horrible stuff around 18:00 the night before. I would imagine in Thailand they make a bigger issue out of something simple (probably in order to milk the bill).

[uptheos]

I don't know about CM but I recently has endoscopy and colonoscopy done at Bumrungrad in BKK . Nothing found so had a capsule endoscopy done the following day which spotted the problem - total cost was just under $3K, very professional and I can certainly recommend them. I'm booked in next week for follow up treatment [colonoscopy APC to zap the problem areas].

Geez, this is a c.m. forum.

Maybe, but it's very interesting to know that a capsule endoscopy is available in Thailand. I'm not certain that it is available in CM or rather I've never heard of anyone being referred for one. Normal procedures can often miss problems in the small intestine, whereas the capsule contains a tiny camera and records images as it goes through the system.....it reaches the parts that other diagnostics can't reach. Appx 90,000 baht sounds expensive but it's high tech and can save a life...well worth knowing which hospitals in Thailand offer this.

I had a capsule endoscopy done at Sriphat via Dr Kannika about six months ago, the cost was THB 38,000.

That's excellent value, hope all went well.

[jaideeguy]

Job Done!!

Still recovering from doing the deed at Rajavej and I have to say that it was no picnic. As most stated already the procedure is no problem, pain or embarrassment [under that sweet sedation they freely administer, but the prep and all the foul liquids you have to consume are the worse part. I'm happy to announce that there were no polyps or masses, but they did discover that I have diverticulitis [pockets in the colon that debris can get lodged in and can become infected].

Dr. Jeerasak was the Endoscopist and although maybe his skills were good, I can't say that I was that impressed with his bedside manner, English skills or follow up. After my initial consultation with him- 5 minutes, I didn't see him until after the procedure when I was still in a sedated state and could hardly understand a word he said in his limited English. No visit to my room or follow up appointment. They said just come in if I had any problems...............duuh

I do wonder about his Rx for post exam. He Rxed Ciprofloxacin and Metrolex {Flagyl]. Have any other of his [victims] been Rxed the same as a post exam treatment or is it for my diverticulitis?? Both heavy antibiotics that don't agree with me.

BTW...............agree Prof Kannika was the real brains behind the procedure.

[chiang mai]

Job Done!!

Still recovering from doing the deed at Rajavej and I have to say that it was no picnic. As most stated already the procedure is no problem, pain or embarrassment [under that sweet sedation they freely administer, but the prep and all the foul liquids you have to consume are the worse part. I'm happy to announce that there were no polyps or masses, but they did discover that I have diverticulitis [pockets in the colon that debris can get lodged in and can become infected].

Dr. Jeerasak was the Endoscopist and although maybe his skills were good, I can't say that I was that impressed with his bedside manner, English skills or follow up. After my initial consultation with him- 5 minutes, I didn't see him until after the procedure when I was still in a sedated state and could hardly understand a word he said in his limited English. No visit to my room or follow up appointment. They said just come in if I had any problems...............duuh

I do wonder about his Rx for post exam. He Rxed Ciprofloxacin and Metrolex {Flagyl]. Have any other of his [victims] been Rxed the same as a post exam treatment or is it for my diverticulitis?? Both heavy antibiotics that don't agree with me.

BTW...............agree Prof Kannika was the real brains behind the procedure.

It seems odd that you would be prescibed cypro. which is a broad spectrum anitbiotic, I guess they were simply taking precautions against infection from the procedure and/or the equipment used, it strikes me as being a peculiarly Asian solution. Agreed that Dr K is excellent, we should all be so alert at her age!

[jaideeguy]

Yeah, she is really sharp and keeps herself busy with her own clinic as well as heading the endoscopy dept at R hospital as well as others?? does she still teach at CMU as well??

Also would like to give credit to the 'Foreign Relations' girls..........Natasha and a new one, who were there to help, but I had the Thai wife by my side and they backed off. They were really helpful on the phone and perfect English!! both from the Philippines.

I would like to find out if the antibiotics were given as a post exam precaution or as a cure to my diverticulitis??

Maybe I'll give the girls a call and explain it to them.............

[chiang mai]

Yeah, she is really sharp and keeps herself busy with her own clinic as well as heading the endoscopy dept at R hospital as well as others?? does she still teach at CMU as well??

Also would like to give credit to the 'Foreign Relations' girls..........Natasha and a new one, who were there to help, but I had the Thai wife by my side and they backed off. They were really helpful on the phone and perfect English!! both from the Philippines.

I would like to find out if the antibiotics were given as a post exam precaution or as a cure to my diverticulitis??

Maybe I'll give the girls a call and explain it to them.............

Dr K. is Professor Emeritus which means she's retired from teaching, at age 72 that's appropriate I reckon!

The anti's could be for either or both since people with diverticulitis do suffer from infections that require treatment via antii's.

[Sheryl]

It would be for your diverticulitis. It is certainly not routine.

[MESmith]

Yeah, she is really sharp and keeps herself busy with her own clinic as well as heading the endoscopy dept at R hospital as well as others?? does she still teach at CMU as well??

Also would like to give credit to the 'Foreign Relations' girls..........Natasha and a new one, who were there to help, but I had the Thai wife by my side and they backed off. They were really helpful on the phone and perfect English!! both from the Philippines.

I would like to find out if the antibiotics were given as a post exam precaution or as a cure to my diverticulitis??

JD, I was only given pain killers to take home afterwards. Didn't need them.

Dr J visited me in the recovery room afterwards & had an appointment with him a week later for biopsy results on 2 tiny (benign) polyps removed.

Edited August 20, 2013 by MESmith

[jaideeguy]

Thanks Sheryl, always appreciate your opinions...........

[Chicog]

If people are reticent to get tubes shoved up their bum, at least look at the simple faecal occult blood test, which basically involves you collecting some of your tom tit and sending it to a lab.

I'm sure someone's had it done there and can advise.

The chances are if it's positive it will probably give you the impetus to go one step further.

Edited August 20, 2013 by Chicog

[Dante99]

Job Done!!

Still recovering from doing the deed at Rajavej and I have to say that it was no picnic. As most stated already the procedure is no problem, pain or embarrassment [under that sweet sedation they freely administer, but the prep and all the foul liquids you have to consume are the worse part. I'm happy to announce that there were no polyps or masses, but they did discover that I have diverticulitis [pockets in the colon that debris can get lodged in and can become infected].

Dr. Jeerasak was the Endoscopist and although maybe his skills were good, I can't say that I was that impressed with his bedside manner, English skills or follow up. After my initial consultation with him- 5 minutes, I didn't see him until after the procedure when I was still in a sedated state and could hardly understand a word he said in his limited English. No visit to my room or follow up appointment. They said just come in if I had any problems...............duuh

I do wonder about his Rx for post exam. He Rxed Ciprofloxacin and Metrolex {Flagyl]. Have any other of his [victims] been Rxed the same as a post exam treatment or is it for my diverticulitis?? Both heavy antibiotics that don't agree with me.

BTW...............agree Prof Kannika was the real brains behind the procedure.

What was the price for the procedure and the price for the overnight room?

[bonzersmom]

There is a home test for occult blood in the stool. I am not sure where they are available in LOS but you should be able to order one over the internet. If you test positive get your butt to a GI Doc IMMEDIATELY. That's the easiest thing to do annually before 50. After 50 you need to do a colonoscopy every 5 years unless earlier colonoscopic exams show problems. You still need to take the occult blood in the stool test.

For those of you who are queasy this test is a strip of litmus type paper. You smear feces on 3 different strips for 3 days. I'm not sure if the new tests have the reagent included or not. If not you mail the tests back to the laboratory and get your results back in a couple of days. If it has the reagent you drop a few drops on each strip. If it turns one color its positive for occult blood and another color for negative. As I previously stated if positive you need to see a MD ASAP.

[jaideeguy]

Total costs for overnight in a private room and blood workup and all dr's fees came to 22k+. Don't have the breakdown receipt near, but remember that the room cost was 1,200.

BYOP....bring your own pillow, as the pillows provided were covered with vinyl and not very soft.

excellent large rooms with fantastic view of Doi Suthep with CM skyline and the ping river in the foreground and a balcony.

I've had several stool tests done over the years and none revealed blood................just sayin'

Edited August 21, 2013 by jaideeguy

[kimincm]

Total costs for overnight in a private room and blood workup and all dr's fees came to 22k+. Don't have the breakdown receipt near, but remember that the room cost was 1,200.

BYOP....bring your own pillow, as the pillows provided were covered with vinyl and not very soft.

excellent large rooms with fantastic view of Doi Suthep with CM skyline and the ping river in the foreground and a balcony.

I've had several stool tests done over the years and none revealed blood................just sayin'

Just a comment on pricing,my missus had a small stroke,unconscious 4days,ICU,a further 8days,MRI and batteries of tests,I told them spare no expense.12 days and all the bits and pieces 24K ,McCormick.The pillows were fine.Now on something that's been on my mind for a while when people talk here about hospital services.I go to the Policemans Hospital in MaeRim, Darasmee.

.All my life I've needed a confidence in who is diagnosing/treating me.Now I know that many people here talk about the best hotel,the restaurant,the best dentist,the best hospital the best everything.My doctor,who I make appointments with,I deal with nobody else,obtained her MD in Newcastle Australia,my home town,considered one of the best MD Universities in Oz.50Baht a visit,I think some of the people who espouse the virtues of private hospitals should take the time to find out where your GP/specialist acquired their credentials.How many posts here say that you cannot trust the Thai education system to produce competent qualified people and I agree.Now,to put down the same hospital I use,again the bride,left fore arm giant rash,bloodshot eyes,down the hospital,never seen the GP before,3 shots in the butt,600Baht pills,when I get home Google the new drugs for a rash,the pricks prescribed drugs for gastric reflux.

The point I am trying to get across,check credentials,not what,where,who are you dealing with,it's your health.

[Brian Allen]

Job Done!! .... Prof Kannika was the real brains behind the procedure.

How much, please? ฿? ฿? ฿?

Thanks in anticipation - B A:.

[Brian Allen]

.... Just a comment on pricing, my missus had a small stroke,unconscious for 4 days, ICU,a further 8 days, MRI and batteries of tests. I told them spare no expense.12 days and all the bits and pieces 24K McCormick.

.... And the pillows were fine

.... Now on something that's been on my mind for a while when people talk here about hospital services.I go to the Policemans Hospital in Mae Rim, Darasmee:

.... All my life I've needed a confidence in who is diagnosing/treating me. Now I know that many people here talk about the best hotel, the restaurant, the best dentist, the best hospital. The best everything.

.... My doctor, with whom I make appointments - I deal with nobody else - earned her medical degree at Newcastle, in Australia. That school's in my home town and is considered one of the best medical schools in Oz - 50 Baht a visit,

.... Those who espouse the virtues of private hospitals should perhaps take the time to find out where their GP/specialist earned his degree ...?

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Thanks for your post. Pray and trust Wifey is now well.

Please post the name and contact details for your doc?

About McCormick: A couple or three years ago, via my long-time GP, Doctor Tawachai, I helped a friend help his essentially insolvent 72-or-3-ish Danish friend, who we discovered in severe physical distress and unable to walk, into McCormick, where he was immediately admitted into a private, air-conditioned suite and was diagnostically examined. He'd been to Ram for a scan and that revealed a massive spinal-invasive tumor (metastasized prostate cancer) involving five vertebrae. (Around two or three – from memory – through six or seven)

At McCormick my friend (John) and I offered to be responsible for John's friend's bill -- and although, during the next several days, we visited the accounts office, where the requisite details were all collected, that was all treated as if a relatively unessential aspect of getting John's friend his much needed treatment.

Within a couple of hours of John’s friend’s admission, he'd been seen by several specialists who’d all confirmed his Stage Four Prostate Cancer – but had also been examined by a neuro-surgeon, who talked with us all as if we were friends and family. Later in the day – on his way home – the neurosurgeon dropped by, as if socially and offered to alleviate John’s friend’s pain and to get him mobile again – so he might make it home to Denmark - which John’s friend had indicated was important.

John’s friend accepted the offered neuro-surgical operation and at two the next afternoon, underwent an almost seven-hour procedure, which removed all of the tumor except the five per cent or so that was already into spinal column bone. Within a couple of hours of returning from theater, Johns friend walked to the toilet.

Long story short: In addition to his seven hour neurosurgical procedure, John’s friend spent almost seven weeks total in his private suite (during which time most of those involved, all of the floor staff and the neuro-surgeon, dropped in, at least once, every day) before he had recovered sufficiently to be able to fly home to Denmark.

Big catch, though: Thai and Finnair would take him home - in Business - only if a nurse travelled with him.

No problem. Chiang Mai’s leading neurosurgeon – by then pretty much a friend – instantly volunteered to go and, taking three days, flew CNX BKK HEL CPH, saw to John’s friend’s comfort there -- and back: HEL BKK CNX. For free! From the kindness of his heart.

As John’s friend’s ambulance was about to leave for the airport, the entire floor staff – every sister, nurse and aid - lined up at the ambulance and hopped in and gave John’s friend a hug.

Then John and I steeled ourselves to go see the accounts’ office.

Gulp ….

The bill for ALL of the above?

One Hundred and Twenty-Two Thousand Baht.

A few days later John’s friend called from just outside of Copenhagen, from his Mum’s house, where, after a fairly cursory examination by Denmark’s much-vaunted state “health-care” system, he’d been sent home to await his death.

Sounded a bit forlorn.

Wonder why.

Brian Richard Allen

[Genericnic]

I came across this thread and couldn't help thinking of the late comedian Dennis Wolfberg and his skit that he did on rigid sigmoidoscopy he had. I'm sure it will bring a laugh to most of you.

David

[Genericnic]

Hi all.

This tread caught my attention because it has been about 10 years since my last colonoscopy and it is getting time to have a new one. After reading all the posts, I have one question. Do any of the hospitals use tablets for the prep to clean you out? When I had my colonoscopy before, they gave me a series of tablets to take - I think it was about 6 doses with 4 or 6 pills in each dose, an hour apart with copious amounts of water - rather than having to drink the liquid stuff I have been reading about here. I can say with no hint of exaggeration that the pills were very through. I think the made me pass the hamburger I had a couple of weeks before. Other than the results of taking them, the pills were much easier to deal with than the liquid cleaner seems to be.

So, does anyone know if this is used here and, if so, the name of the meds?

Thanks

David

[RajavejChiangmai]

Yeah, she is really sharp and keeps herself busy with her own clinic as well as heading the endoscopy dept at R hospital as well as others?? does she still teach at CMU as well??

Also would like to give credit to the 'Foreign Relations' girls..........Natasha and a new one, who were there to help, but I had the Thai wife by my side and they backed off. They were really helpful on the phone and perfect English!! both from the Philippines.

I would like to find out if the antibiotics were given as a post exam precaution or as a cure to my diverticulitis??

Maybe I'll give the girls a call and explain it to them.............

Dr K. is Professor Emeritus which means she's retired from teaching, at age 72 that's appropriate I reckon!

The anti's could be for either or both since people with diverticulitis do suffer from infections that require treatment via antii's.

[RajavejChiangmai]

The many positive remarks here are much appreciated.

Our gastroenterology specialists are available by appointment every day except Sundays from 8.00am to 4.00pm (until 12 noon on Saturdays).

Call 053 801999 ext 177 (Foreign Relations Dept) or e-mail to [email protected] for full information.

[haybilly]

Hi all.

This tread caught my attention because it has been about 10 years since my last colonoscopy and it is getting time to have a new one. After reading all the posts, I have one question. Do any of the hospitals use tablets for the prep to clean you out? When I had my colonoscopy before, they gave me a series of tablets to take - I think it was about 6 doses with 4 or 6 pills in each dose, an hour apart with copious amounts of water - rather than having to drink the liquid stuff I have been reading about here. I can say with no hint of exaggeration that the pills were very through. I think the made me pass the hamburger I had a couple of weeks before. Other than the results of taking them, the pills were much easier to deal with than the liquid cleaner seems to be.

So, does anyone know if this is used here and, if so, the name of the meds?

Thanks

David

They use a liquid at Rajavej--but don't worry it certainly does the job--looking at the photos my guts were spotless. As they were 5 years previously in Bumrungrad where they made me drink some filthy Orange Cool-Aid stuff--whatever they give you--be prepared to pass about 30 motions--at least that was the outcome recently with the Rajavej drink----- and that's probably the worst part--other than slight embarrassment in the surgery area--young nurses messing around your posterior!!

[haybilly]

.... Just a comment on pricing, my missus had a small stroke,unconscious for 4 days, ICU,a further 8 days, MRI and batteries of tests. I told them spare no expense.12 days and all the bits and pieces 24K McCormick.

.... And the pillows were fine

.... Now on something that's been on my mind for a while when people talk here about hospital services.I go to the Policemans Hospital in Mae Rim, Darasmee:

.... All my life I've needed a confidence in who is diagnosing/treating me. Now I know that many people here talk about the best hotel, the restaurant, the best dentist, the best hospital. The best everything.

.... My doctor, with whom I make appointments - I deal with nobody else - earned her medical degree at Newcastle, in Australia. That school's in my home town and is considered one of the best medical schools in Oz - 50 Baht a visit,

.... Those who espouse the virtues of private hospitals should perhaps take the time to find out where their GP/specialist earned his degree ...?

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Thanks for your post. Pray and trust Wifey is now well.

Please post the name and contact details for your doc?

About McCormick: A couple or three years ago, via my long-time GP, Doctor Tawachai, I helped a friend help his essentially insolvent 72-or-3-ish Danish friend, who we discovered in severe physical distress and unable to walk, into McCormick, where he was immediately admitted into a private, air-conditioned suite and was diagnostically examined. He'd been to Ram for a scan and that revealed a massive spinal-invasive tumor (metastasized prostate cancer) involving five vertebrae. (Around two or three – from memory – through six or seven)

At McCormick my friend (John) and I offered to be responsible for John's friend's bill -- and although, during the next several days, we visited the accounts office, where the requisite details were all collected, that was all treated as if a relatively unessential aspect of getting John's friend his much needed treatment.

Within a couple of hours of John’s friend’s admission, he'd been seen by several specialists who’d all confirmed his Stage Four Prostate Cancer – but had also been examined by a neuro-surgeon, who talked with us all as if we were friends and family. Later in the day – on his way home – the neurosurgeon dropped by, as if socially and offered to alleviate John’s friend’s pain and to get him mobile again – so he might make it home to Denmark - which John’s friend had indicated was important.

John’s friend accepted the offered neuro-surgical operation and at two the next afternoon, underwent an almost seven-hour procedure, which removed all of the tumor except the five per cent or so that was already into spinal column bone. Within a couple of hours of returning from theater, Johns friend walked to the toilet.

Long story short: In addition to his seven hour neurosurgical procedure, John’s friend spent almost seven weeks total in his private suite (during which time most of those involved, all of the floor staff and the neuro-surgeon, dropped in, at least once, every day) before he had recovered sufficiently to be able to fly home to Denmark.

Big catch, though: Thai and Finnair would take him home - in Business - only if a nurse travelled with him.

No problem. Chiang Mai’s leading neurosurgeon – by then pretty much a friend – instantly volunteered to go and, taking three days, flew CNX BKK HEL CPH, saw to John’s friend’s comfort there -- and back: HEL BKK CNX. For free! From the kindness of his heart.

As John’s friend’s ambulance was about to leave for the airport, the entire floor staff – every sister, nurse and aid - lined up at the ambulance and hopped in and gave John’s friend a hug.

Then John and I steeled ourselves to go see the accounts’ office.

Gulp ….

The bill for ALL of the above?

One Hundred and Twenty-Two Thousand Baht.

A few days later John’s friend called from just outside of Copenhagen, from his Mum’s house, where, after a fairly cursory examination by Denmark’s much-vaunted state “health-care” system, he’d been sent home to await his death.

Sounded a bit forlorn.

Wonder why.

Brian Richard Allen

I am sure that your post was interesting--but I couldn't read it--maybe re-post??

[elektrified]

.... Just a comment on pricing, my missus had a small stroke,unconscious for 4 days, ICU,a further 8 days, MRI and batteries of tests. I told them spare no expense.12 days and all the bits and pieces 24K McCormick.

.... And the pillows were fine

.... Now on something that's been on my mind for a while when people talk here about hospital services.I go to the Policemans Hospital in Mae Rim, Darasmee:

.... All my life I've needed a confidence in who is diagnosing/treating me. Now I know that many people here talk about the best hotel, the restaurant, the best dentist, the best hospital. The best everything.

.... My doctor, with whom I make appointments - I deal with nobody else - earned her medical degree at Newcastle, in Australia. That school's in my home town and is considered one of the best medical schools in Oz - 50 Baht a visit,

.... Those who espouse the virtues of private hospitals should perhaps take the time to find out where their GP/specialist earned his degree ...?

+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Thanks for your post. Pray and trust Wifey is now well.

Please post the name and contact details for your doc?

About McCormick: A couple or three years ago, via my long-time GP, Doctor Tawachai, I helped a friend help his essentially insolvent 72-or-3-ish Danish friend, who we discovered in severe physical distress and unable to walk, into McCormick, where he was immediately admitted into a private, air-conditioned suite and was diagnostically examined. He'd been to Ram for a scan and that revealed a massive spinal-invasive tumor (metastasized prostate cancer) involving five vertebrae. (Around two or three – from memory – through six or seven)

At McCormick my friend (John) and I offered to be responsible for John's friend's bill -- and although, during the next several days, we visited the accounts office, where the requisite details were all collected, that was all treated as if a relatively unessential aspect of getting John's friend his much needed treatment.

Within a couple of hours of John’s friend’s admission, he'd been seen by several specialists who’d all confirmed his Stage Four Prostate Cancer – but had also been examined by a neuro-surgeon, who talked with us all as if we were friends and family. Later in the day – on his way home – the neurosurgeon dropped by, as if socially and offered to alleviate John’s friend’s pain and to get him mobile again – so he might make it home to Denmark - which John’s friend had indicated was important.

John’s friend accepted the offered neuro-surgical operation and at two the next afternoon, underwent an almost seven-hour procedure, which removed all of the tumor except the five per cent or so that was already into spinal column bone. Within a couple of hours of returning from theater, Johns friend walked to the toilet.

Long story short: In addition to his seven hour neurosurgical procedure, John’s friend spent almost seven weeks total in his private suite (during which time most of those involved, all of the floor staff and the neuro-surgeon, dropped in, at least once, every day) before he had recovered sufficiently to be able to fly home to Denmark.

Big catch, though: Thai and Finnair would take him home - in Business - only if a nurse travelled with him.

No problem. Chiang Mai’s leading neurosurgeon – by then pretty much a friend – instantly volunteered to go and, taking three days, flew CNX BKK HEL CPH, saw to John’s friend’s comfort there -- and back: HEL BKK CNX. For free! From the kindness of his heart.

As John’s friend’s ambulance was about to leave for the airport, the entire floor staff – every sister, nurse and aid - lined up at the ambulance and hopped in and gave John’s friend a hug.

Then John and I steeled ourselves to go see the accounts’ office.

Gulp ….

The bill for ALL of the above?

One Hundred and Twenty-Two Thousand Baht.

A few days later John’s friend called from just outside of Copenhagen, from his Mum’s house, where, after a fairly cursory examination by Denmark’s much-vaunted state “health-care” system, he’d been sent home to await his death.

Sounded a bit forlorn.

Wonder why.

Brian Richard Allen

I am sure that your post was interesting--but I couldn't read it--maybe re-post??

Maybe just push <CTRL> +