Trouble in Paridise – BUT – doesn’t water skiing look like fun

Sawadee Khrap

Very glad Dan asked me if I wanted to go see the Cable Skiing yesterday – it’s getting really boring staying home in the condo with very little to do – waiting for the next doctor appointment to see what is going to happen.  I really want to thank all of you who offered to help in some way after I sent out my cry for help, especially financially if needed  – that took a big load off my mind and helped getting my BP back in check.   It’s always the ones you don’t expect to help that come through and the ones you think would be there are staying in the background.  But, such is life I guess.

First, I was overcome by the cost that they told me for putting in the stent – after I went through all that mess about the CAT test cost – now this -   Again I find this hard to believe that 400,000 B is the usual cost for stent placement – that would be out of the question for an average Thai – so I have been checking with local BKK Gov’t hospitals (should be about 1/3 the cost they told me at BKK Pattaya) like King Chulalongkorn Hospital – largest and oldest in Thailand – a teaching University Hospital too.  Don’t know exactly what but will find out later this week – something I can manage  (and I’m certain without needing help).

In addition, the meds are another problem – just checking on the ones the last Dr. gave me until my appointment on the 17th.    Apolets for example , a generic anticlotting medicine, costs about 1000 Baht for a months supply which was prescribed for me at Chiang Mai hospital  – verses  Effient ( a free sample was given me to try – newer and much more effective at lower doses – but hold on to your seats – I fell off mine again) – Effient is priced at  6,000 B/30 day supply – and this is from cheap mail-order catalogs – I don’t  know what BKK Pattaya hospital’s pricing is, but you can bet your ass it’s not any lower  —  again over the top for greedy Drug companies.   Thailand saw this as a problem for their population who are mostly poor farmers so locally making generic replacements available was a necessity – so many of these generics are available in Thailand for Thai’s incomes –  I want to start out on this road  – not the expensive “Medical tourist/Insurance“  high road.

The problem with this shit is once you start on it you have to stay one it from then on or complications can arise.   So on Thurday 17th  I will discuss in detail the on-going cost for these non-generic  recommended solutions as apposed to Thai generic solutions.  At least I’m learning and hope anyone reading this can be prepared if they need these services.  I don’t think there is any better reason for having this blog.

So I’m blowing off a little steam – but keeping the BP down – and still putting it all in God’s hands – just doing the footwork.   By the way, my BP is down to 130-140, even after a 30 min morning walk around the complex.   Still some fear about the surgery, but I do have a friend who will come down and be with me at the hospital -  Ahhhh what will tomorrow bring.   But thanks for being there for me, without your prayers and help I wouldn’t have made it this far.

but here’s a great shot from yesterday at the water skiing   -    P.S. Not Dan

_MG_1365Ciao


Lakeland Water Cable Ski–Pattaya

Sawadee Khrap

As I have always said – Photography is the only hobby you can take to any other hobby and have a great time.              He went water skiing, I went shooting. _MG_0342 


I have no desire to try Cable Water Skiing, yet I spent a great 2 hrs. with a friend, Dan, at Lakeland.  Located off Sukhumvit Hwy, between Soi 98 and Chaiyaphruek 2 Rd. – easy to get to and offers an exciting day for all._MG_0555-Edit


And the Gallery Slideshow


Ciao