ImageDude

The Chiang Rai Branch of 'Sauage King' has moved to 'Chiang Rai Saddlebags'. They have limited stocks at present which they are selling at discount prices. It is my understanding that they will be introducing a couple of new items each time they restock, so customer feedback would be appreciated.

Cheers
ImageDude  

Monday 6th June, the day started normally here in Chiang Rai. I rose at 6-30am had coffee, carried out my ablutions, then checked e-mails. Around 8am I sat on the bed to prepare to go and shower. And zap !, I was hit by the most horrendous abdominal pain I have ever experienced in my life, this pain was located centrally in the abdomen  directly  below my sternum. I could not get comfortable or ease the pain no matter which way I turned. I tolerated this for about 1 hour and then  decided to go to the hospital to get checked out. I was taken to the emergency treatment room and questioned by several nurses about my condition. I was then told the doctor would be along in 30 minutes.
The doctor duly arrived, carried out a cursory examination asked a few more questions. He then decided he needed to carry out an Endoscopy procedure for further diagnostics, but in meantime he gave me a shot of morphine to try to make me a more comfortable and I was taken to Op. Theatre area and was introduced to a second doctor who asked me pretty much the same questions as before.  I was then left for a further 30 minutes, the morphine had not taken any effect and I was still writhing in pain. When the second doctor returned I asked him if he could further reduce the pain as it was excruciating. He immediately yelled  “I am not God, I am a doctor you will have to be patient” Wow, great response. I tried to explain that the previous shot of morphine had had no effect whatsoever, he responded by stating it probably wouldn’t, it was what he had anticipated,(confused ?) he further stated that I had taken far too many opiates already and that is why it is having no effect now (further confused ?).  I enquired as to what on earth was he talking about as I had come here straight from home and only taken medication that had been administered at the hospital.  He then shouted me down saying that he didn’t believe me, It was his view that I was addicted to opiates. I asked him on what premise he based this ludicrous diagnosis. He didn’t answer, he just carried on with his preps for the Endoscopy  procedure.  After the procedure he disappeared without a word  and I was admitted into nursing room.
I was then visited by doctor number three, who was very pleasant, he informed me that the endoscopy hadn’t revealed anything that would cause this pain and further investigation would be required, probably a CT scan. I was given a further shot of morphine. Around 5pm I was carted off to the X-Ray department and a CT-scan was carried out, and I was returned to my room. In due course doctor number two arrived and stated that the CT scan had not produced anything untoward. So I asked him what he intended to do next, his answer shocked and stunned me. In a very angry manner he said that he would transfer me to a hospital in Chiang Mai ! I asked him the reason and by this time he was shouting that I needed to stop arguing with him and making problems. He wanted me to see (his) professor in Chiang Mai because my symptoms were beyond his knowledge, if I refused he would not treat me further. So I refused. My treatment carried on by doctor number three took the form of Tramadol administered intravenously. Over the course of 3 days the pain gradually subsided and I discharged myself from their care or rather lack of it. I wasn’t given any explanation or diagnosis, just an account for 38,000 baht, more than half of which was made up of ‘Special Diagnostic Procedures’.
What do you guys think about this ? I am trying to come to terms with all of this, but at the moment I can’t get through the immense anger that I feel towards this doctor.

This little fella was in our bathroom a couple of days ago. My wife and the maid said it was a sign of good luck and both have put a picture on their Buddha shrines.

I will be arriving in Chiang Rai on Tuesday 7th Dec. Look forward to catching up with everybody.
I am not sorry to be leaving this behind  


Cheers

ImageDude