The very Best Cancer Care on a Shoe String at Chulalongkorn

[tryasimight]

15 hours ago, superglue said:

I have stage 4 throat cancer in remission.

All teeth were extracted at the CNX University Hospital.

In addition I had many sessions of Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber therapy.

I accept that I will never eat solids again and subsist on soy milk.

Not likley that a stage 4 cancer will go into remission......the very definition indicates it has spread already.

[superglue]

This occurred several years ago - actually 3.5. My oncologist was @ RAM Hospital & trained @ Mayo Clinic USA.

[al007]

18 hours ago, superglue said:

I have stage 4 throat cancer in remission.

All teeth were extracted at the CNX University Hospital.

In addition I had many sessions of Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber therapy.

I accept that I will never eat solids again and subsist on soy milk.

God Bless you sir please do not let my reference to God upset you, it comes from me a simple mere Englishman

 

Thank you for sharing

 

I have a lot of gratitude but you even top that up for me

 

All I know and this is only for me if I were at stage 4 I would probably be on overproof rum !!

 

I can add nothing other than say I am thinking of you

[Antonymous]

3 hours ago, tryasimight said:

Not likley that a stage 4 cancer will go into remission......the very definition indicates it has spread already.

That's such a defeatist attitude and a wrong assumption. There are many cases of complete remission after reaching stage 4, but usually only among those patients that 'finally' walk away from conventional medicine (which has the same attitude as you do) and use the tried and tested alternatives. Oxygen therapy is one such. This poster is a great example and I'm happy for him and glad that he's come on board to share his private story.

[superglue]

13 minutes ago, al007 said:

God Bless you sir please do not let my reference to God upset you, it comes from me a simple mere Englishman

 

Thank you for sharing

 

I have a lot of gratitude but you even top that up for me

 

All I know and this is only for me if I were at stage 4 I would probably be on overproof rum !!

 

I can add nothing other than say I am thinking of you

 

God - no problems as I am in AA.

[superglue]

It is not a load of fun. I had 27 teeth extracted in 2 days followed by 30+ sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber (similar to the treatment for the bends).

Humans tend to have the will to survive.

Cancer - I was a heavy drinker & moderate smoker.

Albeit my MIL has throat cancer & she has never imbibed.

Burning off - Northern Thailand -pollution.

I am light hearted about it as several years have passed.

The term cancer - BIG C - seems to instill fear into us all.

[al007]

I had the first good nights sleep since my operation I took 1000mg of paracetamol and a sleeping pill from my supply when having surgery in India, I seldom use but need to have in my medicine chest just in case

 

Up at before 6.00 am at hospital by 7.00 am for 8.30 am appointment,  see photo above of the mob scene, many many people no chairs and many stretchers, when we arrive at the hospital I go for a wheel chair, not because I need it but it gives me a place to sit while waiting, may next time a trolley then I can sleep!!

 

Being British I need doses of humour, as a quackery remedy it works well for me, and I would recommend it to all, I promise not to sell it

 

God in his wisdom decided to test my gratitude and tolerance today

 

By 10.00 we have not got out of the queue to allow us to enter the queue for the doctor, again the excuse my file had been lost, and then a nurse said to me, it is you again why are you so impatient, I smiled, I need a concealed button hole camera to catch some of this in the future, and I will!!

 

I am worried the next trick they will pull is sorry please come back next week, I live in KhonKaen

 

Well after 5 hrs we get to the Doctor, I compliment him, and say he is the best dressed doctor at Chulalongkorn and he must have many beautiful nurses, he smiles, I then ask some of his six students if they have seen his video on U Tube and they say no, I tell them where to find it

 

I remind him he promised to remove the rod  (stitches) as they call it from my stoma

 

Oh dear more pain while he is doing this he promises me, he gets no joy from inflicting pain, I tell him he is a good liar he smiles

 

He then says to his students I am one of his success stories, I tell his students he is a wonderful surgeon

 

We both massage each others ego, I like him and he likes me which definitely makes things easier, but I still require a very competent surgeon even if I were to hate him!!

 

It transpires the results from the lab will not be available for three more weeks, so no firm answers, I am hopeful it will remain at stage one especially as after the chemo and radiation the opinion of many doctors was it had been eliminated before it reappeared

So I could have taken my valium before going, but thats OK

 

In any case it gives me a breather to do more research, so I am well prepared in December

 

I make a new appointment for Dec 14 when he promises he will have all the answers, I am OK with that.

 

In my car I have a web cam to record the idiots on the road, and there are many,  maybe I need one strapped to me for my hospital visits, and like when stopped by the police, I readjust the camera so it is pointing at my, window, Good afternoon Officer, I hope you are well, look I have you on camera, for some reason requests for money have stopped, before proceeding I generally say here is 100bhat for you to have a beer  !! and of course Thank You

 

 

[al007]

34 minutes ago, superglue said:

 

God - no problems as I am in AA.

Bl**dy wonderful, I was 19 yrs without a drink and have done meetings in Changmai, and all round the world, maybe 15/20 yrs ago, I had wife no 3 with me then a lovely English Lady called Rose, also in AA been doing more research for the last ten yrs, and thats ok as well; I can say just for today OK 

 

AA showed me a new  way of life and before you are halfway through, and every one of those promises have come true

 

And for anyone who has doubts about miracles, there are many many in AA

 

God Bless you all

[yooper]

12 minutes ago, al007 said:

I had the first good nights sleep since my operation I took 1000mg of paracetamol and a sleeping pill from my supply when having surgery in India, I seldom use but need to have in my medicine chest just in case

 

Up at before 6.00 am at hospital by 7.00 am for 8.30 am appointment,  see photo above of the mob scene, many many people no chairs and many stretchers, when we arrive at the hospital I go for a wheel chair, not because I need it but it gives me a place to sit while waiting, may next time a trolley then I can sleep!!

 

Being British I need doses of humour, as a quackery remedy it works well for me, and I would recommend it to all, I promise not to sell it

 

God in his wisdom decided to test my gratitude and tolerance today

 

By 10.00 we have not got out of the queue to allow us to enter the queue for the doctor, again the excuse my file had been lost, and then a nurse said to me, it is you again why are you so impatient, I smiled, I need a concealed button hole camera to catch some of this in the future, and I will!!

 

I am worried the next trick they will pull is sorry please come back next week, I live in KhonKaen

 

Well after 5 hrs we get to the Doctor, I compliment him, and say he is the best dressed doctor at Chulalongkorn and he must have many beautiful nurses, he smiles, I then ask some of his six students if they have seen his video on U Tube and they say no, I tell them where to find it

 

I remind him he promised to remove the rod  (stitches) as they call it from my stoma

 

Oh dear more pain while he is doing this he promises me, he gets no joy from inflicting pain, I tell him he is a good liar he smiles

 

He then says to his students I am one of his success stories, I tell his students he is a wonderful surgeon

 

We both massage each others ego, I like him and he likes me which definitely makes things easier, but I still require a very competent surgeon even if I were to hate him!!

 

It transpires the results from the lab will not be available for three more weeks, so no firm answers, I am hopeful it will remain at stage one especially as after the chemo and radiation the opinion of many doctors was it had been eliminated before it reappeared

So I could have taken my valium before going, but thats OK

 

In any case it gives me a breather to do more research, so I am well prepared in December

 

I make a new appointment for Dec 14 when he promises he will have all the answers, I am OK with that.

 

In my car I have a web cam to record the idiots on the road, and there are many,  maybe I need one strapped to me for my hospital visits, and like when stopped by the police, I readjust the camera so it is pointing at my, window, Good afternoon Officer, I hope you are well, look I have you on camera, for some reason requests for money have stopped, before proceeding I generally say here is 100bhat for you to have a beer  !! and of course Thank You

 

 

great photograph. a 5 hr wait, good grief. Was the room air conditioned?  Nice that there is such great wi-fi and cell service to pass the time. I hope I'll never have to endure such a wait .  Your journals here a great gift to us falangs, may God protect you and yes, better living thru chemistry.

[al007]

4 hours ago, tryasimight said:

Not likley that a stage 4 cancer will go into remission......the very definition indicates it has spread already.

You know we just do not know, we do not, stay negative and I believe you can will yourself to death

 

The doctors may tell you that  for the chronic alcoholic there is but one fate, death

 

AA will show you otherwise, around that place and those people miracles are happening all the time

 

All I can say is keep an open mind especially when the chips are down, to quote others leave no stone unturned

 

Remember the mind like a parachute works much better when open

[al007]

20 hours ago, superglue said:

I have stage 4 throat cancer in remission.

All teeth were extracted at the CNX University Hospital.

In addition I had many sessions of Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber therapy.

I accept that I will never eat solids again and subsist on soy milk.

When I first read this post I was to be honest filled with horror, and compassion a few posts later I am feeling so relieved and happy

 

What has changed, something very substantial, this man is in a spiritual program, that like me has given me the tools with which to live, and coping mechanisms

 

Of course I am not suggesting AA a s a cure for cancer, but I am very convinced with the right attitude  of mind that AA gives, to many; not all of course, survival chances are much greater, and not just survival but happiness and contentment

 

Even my surgeon has said state of mind and happiness improve ones chances greatly

 

Many doctors will also confirm this

[superglue]

It is said that alcoholism is a physical, emotional & spiritual disorder.

To get a Higher Power was my biggest hurdle but I did know that it was not me.

The group is a fair example.

This was the time I gathered an interest in Buddhism.

Both AA & Buddhism refer to a way of life - a quality fit.

[yooper]

I have a book somewhere that outlines mental exercises based on visualization, for healing.  Once of the exercises involves visualizing  yourself attending a medical procedure where you are the patient and doctors are operating on you, removing or fixing your problems. In the late 70's I slipped on some ice in Rotterdam shortly before I was ending my govt service.  Eventually, after I was discharged from service,  I began having severe pain in my hip and could barely walk after being at rest for some time. I would literally crawl on hands and knees at times until my hip limbered up enough to walk on. For many years I slept in an over-sized recliner as that was the only way I could get restful sleep and lessen the morning hip pains, with the recliner in a half upright position. I often used the visualization techniques in a effort to better my condition. I never saw a doctor as I had so little money in those years, going to school and work-study under the gi bill,  and supporting a family.  

 

I can't really say how much the mental exercises helped but eventually whatever was pinched or cracked got better or healed in my hip, but I would still need to have upper back and neck support in order to get a totally pain-free sleep.   In the past few years I have bought into the gel-foam mattresses and sleeping  flat on my back with  a normal pillow finally became pain free. I suspect losing weight and better diet  have helped much in recent years too. Just thankful for pain free stretch of time now, regardless of cause/effect.

 

[al007]

More observations from today

 

My total bills today were 200 bhat, specialist included, had however to pay cash they would not take credit cards !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

they will however take credit cards for larger amounts

 

My wife was talking to another couple Thai people who had a similar operation to me at a private hospital but had been a mess at three times my price they were coming to my surgeon to ask for help and get the job properly finished, this hospital said they could not do the reversal,  to me also sounds like they could not do the first bit as well

 

My surgeon enquired of my wife how much was my bill he had no idea

 

As we spend more time in hospitals am hearing many horror stories

 

When I was complaining and refusing to allow nurses to make the decisions I felt guilty but as I hear more if you want to survive you have to be prepared if necessary to be confrontational

 

The majority of nurses are in my opinion very good but there are too many bad ones and maybe it only takes one to kill you

 

Vigilance is very much require

 

Chula sells colostomy bits and pieces at very competitive rates, but you need a doctors prescription for them to let you buy, in Dec I am seeing three different specialists and will have my shopping list so will be easy to get the prescription

 

My feeling on dispensary is similar, too many hospitals screw you on drugs from their dispensary and often it is better to buy outside

 

My PSA on my prostate remains very low which is comforting

[tryasimight]

6 hours ago, al007 said:

You know we just do not know, we do not, stay negative and I believe you can will yourself to death

 

The doctors may tell you that  for the chronic alcoholic there is but one fate, death

 

AA will show you otherwise, around that place and those people miracles are happening all the time

 

All I can say is keep an open mind especially when the chips are down, to quote others leave no stone unturned

 

Remember the mind like a parachute works much better when open

No idea what the alcoholics reference is about......but trust me....   some of us with cancer survive until we die....like everybody else........a lot don't die so fast.......the guy with stage 4 throat cancer will be dead very shortly....as will you be my friend, sorry  say but that is life and death...that is the human condition.........if you had a great time  Pattaya shagging you guts out as an older male.....you bloody beauty......if not....well you will die anyway.

[faraday]

@tryasimight

 

I'm sure you mean well, but some of your comments seem a little insensitive.

[al007]

 

FIT TO FLY YES OR NO

 

So travel for us disabled  !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

To fly or not to fly  ?

 

So we have  booked nice leisurely flight BKK to KKC at 13.00 hrs

 

Arrive at airport 3 hrs early, the plan for the worst me wants time on my side; for the first time D I S A B L E D  traveller

 

Request wheel chair as ordered a couple of days before

 

Why do you need a wheel chair, my wife replies I have been in hospital

 

You need a fit to fly certificate, I reply I was discharged  over a week ago, by luck, ( which I make) because despite advice to the contrary on TVF

cautious me decided in any case to get one, no down side I decided

 

I smile and produce it thinking this will shut you up

 

Wrong, this certificate is a 7 days old, yes issued when I discharged from hospital, so I then say so it is over seven days old and I have not been back to hospital are you saying every time I travel now I need a certificate I think not, lets have the superviser

 

Alongs she trots looks at my certificate and says can not travel with colostomy bag it smells, I am loosing it, I open my shirt and say want to put your nose on there MADAME, the doctor mentions my bag and says specifically fit to fly AND it does not smell, I tell her she is getting an old man so upset soon he is going to have a heart attack, and I will sue the airline, by now quite a crowd watching and listening

 

This all takes many phone calls and nearly one and a half hours,later in wheel chair to security, little frail old lady ahead of me in wheel chair being given hard time her toothpaste confiscated, now my turn, ask me about medical certificate I produce it, no problem, then when frisking me finds the bag, wants to check it, does not know what to do calls supervisor, and all OK

 

Are people over 70 in wheel chairs likely terrorists some how I doubt it

 

Flew to KhonKaen, on Thai smile much better than air asia, more leg room, and 20 kilos per person free baggage allowance, and this time much lower cost than Air Asia

 

I need to do airline research on colostomy bags and have copies with me in future, just in case

[faraday]

Good to see you've not lost your sense of humour Al.

 

Bet it's nice to be back home. Cocktails at 1800 hours I hope.

 

[Sheryl]

I'm surprised to hear this as I have flown using wheelchair and also accompanied others doing so and never had a problem or been asked to produce a certificate.

 

May depend on the airline.

 

Any airline will ask for a "Fit to Fly" certificate if the passenger to them looks seriously unwell (or heavily pregnant), or it is a medical evacuation of someone stretcher bound  -- in these cases what they are concerned about is not to have a medical emergency mid flight. But as you are some time out of hospital I assume you look OK stable enough. And this was a very short flight. What nonsense.

 

Any way your rant probably proved your overall physical fitness

 

But may be worth others thinking of not using Thai Smile if in need of a wheelchair...

 

There are NO airline rules about colostomies. She made that up.   Utter nonsense. Not only does a colostomy wearer not smell bad, but airlines  allow small babies in diapers to fly, which truly can and do smell.

[al007]

52 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

I'm surprised to hear this as I have flown using wheelchair and also accompanied others doing so and never had a problem or been asked to produce a certificate.

Thank you

 

Talking to a friend when home suggests I follow up with a complaint, which I am going to do, quite honestly prefer to let it go, but that is negative thinking will try and do early next week

 

I love your comments on babies and they make noise as well, and often flying for free, When I complain I will definitely use that as well

 

Another problem being KhonKaen not such a choice of airlines and Thai Smile actually suits us best

 

A friend returns today having had same operation in USA and will be interesting to compare notes with her

[al007]

An interesting thread on flying with ostomies, which shows generally few problems

 

http://stolencolon.com/flying-airport-ostomy-bag/

 

looks like I was just unlucky today

[Sheryl]

I think it is well worth complaining, will help the next person. Did you by any chance get the name of the staff person you dealt with?

[JLCrab]

By the time you get a transfer to the airport in Bangkok, then all the check-in/boarding rigmarole, and then the deplaning and transfer at your destination airport in Khon Kaen, wouldn't it just be easier and door-to-door maybe the same time or less -- and maybe even less expensive for 2 persons -- to get a taxi from your hotel in Bangkok direct to your home in Khon Kaen?

[al007]

4 hours ago, JLCrab said:

By the time you get a transfer to the airport in Bangkok, then all the check-in/boarding rigmarole, and then the deplaning and transfer at your destination airport in Khon Kaen, wouldn't it just be easier and door-to-door maybe the same time or less -- and maybe even less expensive for 2 persons -- to get a taxi from your hotel in Bangkok direct to your home in Khon Kaen?

Generally we use Naconair first class bus, big seats reclining with massage, very comfortable, I am still a big man now 121 kilos down from 143 kilos and hopefully on my way to 100 kilos

 

Journey time 6 hrs if driving oneself difficult to do muck quicker

 

Nacon air have good drivers first class get blanket and snacks from hostess, drivers are changed at half way stage I often recommend them some think I am penny pinching , definitely not , and for early appointment in Bangkok the midnight bus that arrives at 6.00 am is excellent, saves a hotel bill and only way to arrive in BKK at that time, even if we have early flight out of BKK we do this

 

Nacon air first class only six busses a day, executive class a little cheaper more choice, can only book upto 28 days in advance , first class normally full so book in advance

 

 

Bus station 20 mins from our house and Taxi 300 bhat, cost to BKK with out discount card around 600 bhat per person one way six hours, also much more space and more comfortable than airport, easy easy, KhonKaen also has very large bus terminal just south of KhonKaen by the ring road built about three years ago

 

If we are on a short trip we can park in a well lit area for free but if over two days use taxis as I do not wish to temp fate with nice new car being parked there too long

 

NO AIRPORT HASSLE

 

I forgot to mention in my earlier, post that once in the wheel chair each time over a bump more pain in my ass, by the time I was home seepage and blood had temporarily increased, and sitting for the 45 min flight was also somewhat painful, also a lot of waiting time on hard seats at airport

 

However when I said to my surgeon I was probably going home by bus what about the pain and stitches in my anus he said fly, he commented six hours bouncing on my ass on Thai road he would strongly not recommend and might just damage his masterpiece of surgery, he is very proud of what he does, and I believe he like me, sets his own standards very high, personally I like him a lot

 

I am still suffering substantial pain in my ass

 

A taxi can also be risky with a bad driver, I seriously considered a limo also exclusive use of mini bus if i could have staid horizontal, proviso on mini bus not over 90 KMS at max

 

Then I think the mini busses are death traps, no I want to survive surgery that I have also paid good but fair money for

 

We are home, and that is very very wonderful

 

In any case JLCrab, I trust I have briefly and concisely answered your very sensible post  !!!!

[JLCrab]

OK but it sure seems that you got bounced around the airport and I never heard of a taxi asking for a fitness to ride document. BTW I've lived in KK for almost 14 years.

[faraday]

What's the web address for Nacon, can't find it?

Wonder if they operate in Udon where we live.

[al007]

19 hours ago, faraday said:

Good to see you've not lost your sense of humour Al.

 

Bet it's nice to be back home. Cocktails at 1800 hours I hope.

 

Not being one to give up easily, or do things in moderation, had to go out to restaurant I drove 20 mins to get there, ( getting in and out the car a little painful )had a spicy clear fish soup; with some salmon and wasabi with a 1/3 portion of snake rice, washed down with a slightly less liberal than usual, doses of Samsung,and water, I finished with an excellent capuchino double shot with condensed milk, no sugar as it is not good for me

 

Nice to see my gay restaurant owner we had many laughs, and for me that is good therapy

 

He asked was I allowed to Drink my Samsung, to which I replied probably not, but I have avoided asking anyone as I have no intention of not , we both had a good laugh

 

My wife drove home, she said wont the coffee keep me awake, I was out cold sleeping within mins of getting home, for me it had been a long successful and happy day

 

It is now two weeks since the operation, hopefully the pain and discomfort will in the next couple of weeks go, I am now on no prescribed medication

 

 

[JLCrab]

10 minutes ago, faraday said:

What's the web address for Nacon, can't find it?

Wonder if they operate in Udon where we live.

https://www2.nakhonchaiair.com/

 

then LANGUAGE to Englsih

[al007]

11 minutes ago, faraday said:

What's the web address for Nacon, can't find it?

Wonder if they operate in Udon where we live.

https://www.google.com.sg/search?dcr=0&biw=1795&bih=1333&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=Wn8GWvGSIcn5vASao7ko&q=nakhonchai+air+first+class&oq=nackonthaiair&gs_l=psy-ab.1.0.0i13k1l4.18885.18885.0.25297.1.1.0.0.0.0.88.88.1.1.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..0.1.88....0.8MeT1TU8w5Q

 

I did not spell the name correctly

 

Yes they do Udon as well

 

Overall door to door from Khonkaen only about a couple of hours longer when all airport checkin and baggage waiting times removed

 

I would guess Udon will be one hour longer journey time

 

They come with a five star rating from me as you may have noticed I am unfortunately not an easy man

[al007]

Rather interesting two similar answers to the same question, one very brief and to the point then mine of course I have to say more, only because of my wish to help others