Thread: Large Lump in Armpit

How interesting, perhaps that's why the insurance company said it was an elective surgery.

Don't waste your time and more stress trying to get more of a translation from Thai doctors,

on the basis of an incomplete 10 line pathology report on a biopsy i had last year, a doctor told me i had an advanced cancer and wanted to perform major surgery the next morning.

i had the biopsy tissue re examined at a major hospital and was told that the cancer was not advanced, had not spread and that only minor surgery was all that was needed. their pathology report was 25 lines long and went into much more detail. i had the surgery at the second hospital.

after the surgery i sent the tissue to the uk, to an oncologist who had it re examined by a pathologist. that report was three pages long and went into much more detail, and confirmed the second thai report and concurred with the treatment i received.

had i had the operation the first doctor recommended on the basis of what turned out to be a rather sloppy and unprofessional pathology report, i would have had no lymph glands in my left armpit and be suffering from circulatory problems and constant swelling in the arm.

doctors in this country are under no pressure to get things right, medical negligence is unheard of here, it is up to patients to arm themselves with as much knowledge as possible before during and after treatment.

misdiagnosis is not uncommon here, and there is a lack of recognised treatment protocols, the doctors can treat a complaint pretty much as they think fit and no peer would dare question that line of treatment, even if he knew it to be wrong.

for hillbillys wife, it would appear that all is well, but based on my personal experience, and the experience of two family members on my wifes side, i would research anything a thai doctor told me thoroughly before agreeing to serious treatment, especially from either a junior doctor with little experience or an older doctor who through either pride or laziness has failed to acquaint himself with some of the advances in diagnosis and treatment that have been made since he left medical school thirty years ago.

there is, as far as i know, no compulsory requirement on health professionals here to further their knowledge, keep abreast of advances etc. once they have qualified. a dedicated professional will do this as a matter of course throughout their career without having to be asked or purely to comply with annual licensing requirements.

^What's the names of the hospitals you used? For future reference?

Originally Posted by taxexile

Don't waste your time and more stress trying to get more of a translation from Thai doctors,

on the basis of an incomplete 10 line pathology report on a biopsy i had last year, a doctor told me i had an advanced cancer and wanted to perform major surgery the next morning.

i had the biopsy tissue re examined at a major hospital and was told that the cancer was not advanced, had not spread and that only minor surgery was all that was needed. their pathology report was 25 lines long and went into much more detail. i had the surgery at the second hospital.

after the surgery i sent the tissue to the uk, to an oncologist who had it re examined by a pathologist. that report was three pages long and went into much more detail, and confirmed the second thai report and concurred with the treatment i received.

had i had the operation the first doctor recommended on the basis of what turned out to be a rather sloppy and unprofessional pathology report, i would have had no lymph glands in my left armpit and be suffering from circulatory problems and constant swelling in the arm.

doctors in this country are under no pressure to get things right, medical negligence is unheard of here, it is up to patients to arm themselves with as much knowledge as possible before during and after treatment.

misdiagnosis is not uncommon here, and there is a lack of recognised treatment protocols, the doctors can treat a complaint pretty much as they think fit and no peer would dare question that line of treatment, even if he knew it to be wrong.

for hillbillys wife, it would appear that all is well, but based on my personal experience, and the experience of two family members on my wifes side, i would research anything a thai doctor told me thoroughly before agreeing to serious treatment, especially from either a junior doctor with little experience or an older doctor who through either pride or laziness has failed to acquaint himself with some of the advances in diagnosis and treatment that have been made since he left medical school thirty years ago.

there is, as far as i know, no compulsory requirement on health professionals here to further their knowledge, keep abreast of advances etc. once they have qualified. a dedicated professional will do this as a matter of course throughout their career without having to be asked or purely to comply with annual licensing requirements.

*clap*

As with all important professions here, I think most if not all expats would be very hesitant to simply believe and be satisfied with what a Thai doctor tells them, especially if it's just an off the cuff remark about how the problem was just some 'thing' that 'many' women get, and nothing to worry about.

That's great news, Hillbilly!

bangkok hospital hua hin for the biopsy and "operate tomorrow" advice,

bumrungrad for the second opinion and surgery.

bumrungrad turned out to be excellent.

further to my post, the 2 week wait for tests and reports at bumrungrad were the worst 2 weeks of my life as regards worry and uncertainty, but looking back, i certainly made the right decision in getting a second opinion.

^Thanks for that info, tax.

Big cheers to hillbilly and the missus.

Originally Posted by taxexile

bumrungrad turned out to be excellent.

I wonder if there would be any interest by the MODs to begin a Medical Topic forum?
As an ex-pat who resides in Thailand 365 days a year it would be good to be able to go to a medical specific forum for information and possible advice and solutions?

Thanks Tax.

Originally Posted by ltnt

Originally Posted by taxexile

bumrungrad turned out to be excellent.

I wonder if there would be any interest by the MODs to begin a Medical Topic forum?
As an ex-pat who resides in Thailand 365 days a year it would be good to be able to go to a medical specific forum for information and possible advice and solutions?

Thanks Tax.

The truth is that I am older than some you lot but considerably younger than others. This is an excellent idea.

Each forum would grow or not grow depending upon the responses.

Even TV does not have this....

Yes, they have smoking, fat people, drinking and even sex change threads. But nothing devoted to a certain condition...

Let TD set the standard!

Originally Posted by ltnt

I wonder if there would be any interest by the MODs to begin a Medical Topic forum?

Sort of like this one?
Health, Fitness and Hospitals in Thailand - TeakDoor.com - The Thailand Forum

Hb, did bupa decide they would pay out in the end? To me it seems that if they won't cover something like this, what will they cover. Dixons comes to mind

Originally Posted by Norton

Sort of like this one?

I am mortified! Humbled at my lack of knowledge of the possibilities to be found on Teak Door. Never saw this thread. Green coming your way due to gross negligence on my part. Thanks Norton.

Sorry, got to spread it around. Next time.

Good on you guys. Pleased for you. Give your Mrs a hug from me and mine:-)