Sunday 16 March 2014

Convenient.....Despite no need to wake early, I decide to wander down to the train station to observe the early traffic. It's just a five-minute walk. In fact, I can't remember accommodation being so convenient as it's a similar distance to the bus station where the Chan Tour bus I will be taking to Bangkok departs from. I head back to U.D. with something for breakfast. It should be a straightforward day, shouldn't it? The first sign that this is going to be one of those days is when I notice infection returning to the back of my right leg and I note that the medication I've been taking ran out three days ago. As I make preparations to leave for Bangkok there's more bad news from Villa Park as I check the results.
Udon Thani to Bangkok.....The Chan Tour VIP bus is a good service, but it's also a very long one. Ordinarily it's not a difficult trip, and I've secured a front seat on the upper deck, but this trip is not that exciting for the most part and I manage to get some sleep. However, it's becoming clear that the infection is spreading. Into the afternoon I feel a fever coming on, and although I'm fortunate that I'm heading for Bangkok, the next few hours will be uncomfortable. As It turns out I have a hospital appointment on Tuesday, but it's becoming obvious I can't wait that long. Progress today into the metropolis is very slow at the end of the weekend, all very frustrating, so I'm going to have to shortcut it by getting off at Rangsit and take a taxi. This is familiar territory now as I drop off my bags and head off to Nopparat Hospital. Again, I arrive too late for doctors to be available to prescribe medicines in general surgery, so I'm passed again to casualty. This department is really busy, but it's reassuring to find I'm not fast tracked as my case is not so urgent. However, after a blood test I'm prepared for intravenous injection. The good news is that I will be discharged after this but even so it is midnight before I get back. On this occasion I'm lucky but of course these repeated episodes of cellulitis have far-reaching implications and will figure prominently when I review my recent tours.
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