Tuesday 11th February
8.30pm.....I decide to drop my luggage off first and after some food take a taxi to the hospital. They locate my medical records and I’m sent to surgery. At this time there are no specialist doctors available but the duty doctor is concerned and sends me to A & E. This department is very busy but they have to make a decision about treatment so they continue to work on my case. I get the feeling that while they have no problem in understanding the case they are concerned about my medical history of heart disease. I will need to see a specialist in the morning. It’s really too late this evening to start anything so after some oral medication I’m instructed to return in the morning as soon as possible. That can only mean one thing.
Wednesday 12th February
8am…….Arriving at the hospital I collect my records and proceed to the surgery.
10am …….I’m still waiting in surgery. This is a big surgery accommodating more than 100 patients. At 10am, the typical time for doctors to arrive, the surgery is regularly full. Presumably doctors are doing ward rounds before this; arriving as early as possible means a better queue position. There are signs that the doctors have arrived to start processing the queues. I am given number 21 in the general queue.
11.30am…….Having been in the hospital now for over 3 hours I eventually face the specialist. The meeting lasts just 2 minutes. My visit last night has saved him the job of collecting information; it’s all in the notes. He takes a look at the leg and utters the words ‘yeuh maak’ (a lot [of redness]) then states that I have an allergy. With that he wastes no more time on me and ushers the dreaded word , ‘ADMIT’. I’m sent back to the waiting area.
1.30pm…….Another wait until a team of doctors arrive on a round. I’m called into the treatment room for more questions and checks. At this point I am given more detail. In particular that ‘ADMIT’ means about 3 nights here in hospital. Well, at least things are clear to me now but the waters will get muddier.
2.30pm…….Nurses take blood samples and prepare a line for an intravenuous drip.
3pm…….Registration for admission. I’m given a costing 10,000 baht (190 pound). It’s really not that much. I should briefly explain that although I have travel insurance I’m not completely sure I’m coved if they decide that this a pre-existing condition which I haven’t declared. The private option is four times as much. I’m being cautious.
3.30am…….I proceed to X-Ray and ECG.
4pm…….I proceed to the ward in time for an ‘early’ dinner.
5pm…….First administration of antibiotics by intravenous drip and continued monitoring of body functions.
7.30pm…….Probably the most uncomfortable period. Some shivering returns, heart rate is erratic, blood pressure still high.
9pm.....A friend brings in personal supplies and even my computer.
9.30pm…….A strange feeling descends as a feeling of relative calm begins. It’s a sign that the medication is working. The heart needs to rest.
10pm.....A second bottle of antibiotic is attached to the drip. The calming feeling becomes permanent as I prepare for the night. That passes quite peacefully.
Nopparatrajathani Hospital is 4 kms from Minburi not far from the junction with Raminthra Road and the Kanchanapesek highway. It is probably typical of Thailand’s government hospitals, older in structure and tired in décor although at the time of my stay there were works ongoing to carry out upgrades. Government hospitals are part of a health service that provides free healthcare to certain sections of the community; the young, the old and the unemployed. Persons in these categories can apply for a ‘gold card’ which allows free healthcare or a discount on upgrades e.g. private facilities. Another group is also entitled to free healthcare. All government workers enjoy this privilege. In many ways these hospitals are structured in a similar way to hospitals in the West. There is however one important difference. Government hospitals also carry out a GP service. This is a turn-up and wait service; no need to make an appointment. Understandably the surgeries are always busy. The main advantage is that should admission be required there is not far to go. To cover local needs away from hospitals there is a system of private clinics. These provide a good service generally but often do not have facilities to deal with more serious cases. Overall Nopparatrajathani Hospital gave excellent medical care to a standard one would expect. However the difference between this and a private hospital is the same as the difference between a bus and a taxi. Both will get you where you want to go but the journey in between is quite different.
Thursday 13th February
Daily routine starts. 6am – iv injection, blood pressure, temperature etc. 7am – breakfast. Mid morning – ward visits by doctors. 11.30am - lunch. 1.30-3pm – iv injection. 4pm – dinner. 9.30-10.30pm - iv injection. At regular intervals, blood pressure, temperature checks, etc.
Progress: Blood pressure and temperature easing. Food is prepared without salt or spices; it’s a struggle to eat it. Doctor seems satisfied, makes some suggestions and allow me to walk to the washroom.
Friday 14th February
Daily routine, intravenous injection.
Progress: Blood pressure normal, temperature showing there is still some fever. Skipped lunch, otherwise all ok. Doctor reports improvement but explains that progress is slow because of the fever.
Saturday 15th February
Daily routine, intravenous injection.
Progress: Blood pressure normal, temperature now normal. Kitchens are sending up more flavoursome food and I’m eating more. Doctor reports more improvement but wants to be sure there is no recurrence of fever. Treatment by intravenous to continue for another day, at least.
Sunday 16th February
Daily routine, intravenous injection.
Progress: Blood pressure normal, temperature normal. Doctor reports more improvement and indicates that I can switch to oral tomorrow. Hopes that this may lead to discharge tomorrow fade as the nurse explains that they need to monitor for 24 hours after the switch.
Monday 17th February
Daily routine, intravenous injection.
Progress: Blood pressure normal, temperature normal. Doctor doesn’t arrive till 3pm causing frustration, then reports that intravenous injection is to continue overnight. I recollect that on my previous visit to hospital in similar circumstances, I was discharged after only two nights but the effects of cellulites continued well after my return to the UK, requiring a further course of antibiotics. The doctor is being cautious, of course, after my fever but I’m now at a psychological low point not helped by being out of reach via the internet. A friend continues to bring in supplies.
Tuesday 18th February
Daily routine, switch to oral medication.
Progress: Blood pressure normal, temperature normal. I’m in better spirits as I notice that infection is confined to the front of my right leg, an area of no more than 6 inches in diameter. Virtually all of that has turned a darker red and the heat has almost gone as is the swelling. Thankfully just before midday both doctors that have visited me confirm the switch to oral and confirm that likely discharge will be tomorrow.
Wednesday 19th February
Daily routine, oral medication.
Progress: Blood pressure normal, temperature normal. It’s been a strange night without the interruption of intravenous injection. I have slept generally well since I arrived despite the comings and goings in a ward of four; overnight occupancy has actually varied from 2-4. I’m now the senior member. Just before midday I’m given the all clear subject to the usual precautions, especially the need to rest. After make-up of medication and settling with the hospital I’m free to go as all plasters and dressings are removed revealing the after effects of my war with an army of porcupines. At 2.20pm I get assisted transport to the hospital entrance then depart by taxi. Does this finally close the chapter? As a footnote, the cost of hospitalisation is around 19,500 baht (360 pounds). While I intend to make a claim on my return to the UK, I can absorb this amount for the time being, keeping a number of options still open.