Thread: Cancer sucks

It's bittersweet to return to this thread and read Patsy's posts. Patsy, I hope you're in a happy place now - on a sun lounger, with a big sun hat and a glass of wine in your hand. Cheers!

Just found out this week that the sister of a good friend was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer. In one way, I'm sad for her, but in another, I'm glad that they caught it early. She's going to start chemo soon. She's in her early 40s. Accdg to my friend, she's very positive and staying strong. They have history of cancer - her mom is a colon cancer surivor for >10 years now. Cancer really sucks. I hope all goes well with her treatment.

I also know of a neighbor - the mom has Stage 4 breast cancer. Sad...

Sad yes but do not despare

I have colorectal and Prostate cancer

I have been through surgery, eleven hours on the Table, at Chulalongkorn, BKK, chemo and radiation, I am due to have more surgery in June, but am likely to say no

Today my life quality is good, despite the colostomy bag, I have three MRIs this coming June and many more consultants appointments

I wrote extensively on Thai Visa but got banned for questioning the wisdom, or more to the point lLACK of the moderators

I have a lot of knowledge on Hospitals in India, where I had Holep surgery, also Bangkok, and now KhonKaen where I am exploring palliative care

I am very willing to help others and share my knowledge, and will willingly pass on my phone number if I can assist

Incidentally I have no insurance, and know enough about the systems to save big time on medical costs, and this statement comes from a man who has seen a lot of hospitals and surgery in Thailand

Sorry to hear al. Hope things improve for you. Medicine and no insurance would make for interesting reading and would be a great thread if you are up to it at the moment. Wishing you the best of luck sounds like you haven't had much lately.

I hope Mathos gets through his current ordeal.

All the best to you, Mathos.

Originally Posted by Hugh Cow

Sorry to hear al. Hope things improve for you. Medicine and no insurance would make for interesting reading and would be a great thread if you are up to it at the moment. Wishing you the best of luck sounds like you haven't had much lately.

Agreed - would make interesting reading and I am sure many of the members would find it useful.

Sorry to hear you are exploring palliative care al007. Not sure it is well developed in Thailand, but KK is as probably up on it as anywhere here.

best wishes, al007.

Originally Posted by al007

Sad yes but do not despare

I have colorectal and Prostate cancer

I have been through surgery, eleven hours on the Table, at Chulalongkorn, BKK, chemo and radiation, I am due to have more surgery in June, but am likely to say no

Today my life quality is good, despite the colostomy bag, I have three MRIs this coming June and many more consultants appointments

I wrote extensively on Thai Visa but got banned for questioning the wisdom, or more to the point lLACK of the moderators

I have a lot of knowledge on Hospitals in India, where I had Holep surgery, also Bangkok, and now KhonKaen where I am exploring palliative care

I am very willing to help others and share my knowledge, and will willingly pass on my phone number if I can assist

Incidentally I have no insurance, and know enough about the systems to save big time on medical costs, and this statement comes from a man who has seen a lot of hospitals and surgery in Thailand

An excellent post, mate. Well done.
I myself have multiple myeloma and it's going to be interesting to see how things pan out.
I'd be most interested to see what kind of feed back you get on the possibilities of palliative care in Thailand.
Up here in the north there doesn't seem to be too much available.

Good luck to you mate.

I was a very regular poster on TV, and a search there and on AL007 will show many facts on Cancer, hospitals, and everything concerning my path to date, I appealed my suspension on the grounds what I posted added to the knowledge base helping expats, I had several run in with moderators when they were quoting and holding themselves out to be experts ,when in fact they were not, the principal moderator on the medical section, is a mere medical orderly and not a doctor, who also holds herself out to be an expert on insurance, again is not qualified there

I am a simple retired Chartered Accountant, who ran financial services businesses, including medical insurance for expats, I always said I only posted from my own experiences and professional training


I am appreciative of kind comments, I do not consider I am unlucky, and am grateful for my good life todate

I have no fear of dying, but dying in pain is unacceptable, on other forums I mentioned the word euthanasia and again was in trouble.

Thailand is not generally at the forefront of pain suppression, and as my current state may deteriorate it is only sensible to explore palliative care, at the moment I have a body donor card in place at Chulalongkorn in Bangkok and am setting up the same think at Srinakarin the KhonKaen teaching hospital here in thailand

In the next couple weeks I have an appointment with a Palliative Care consultant at Srinakarin to explore what is available, with specific reference to pain suppression, hopefully I may not require this for maybe quite a while ( months for certain and maybe years) but I want to be informed on options while I am fit to decide

I have a living will, do not resuscitate deed in place, that was accepted by the surgeons in Bangkok

When donating surplus medical supplies last week at our village hospital in Bangfang, I noted a sign for palliative care, this is a small 30 bed hospital with limited facilities, again I will investigate further

I will continue to post new information I obtain here on TD

Generally if one can carefully select your specialists and use government hospital costs can and are very reasonable, I no not consider living in Thailand with no medical insurance irresponsible, however available funds of 500,000, are probably the lowest safe level and upto 2.0M would cover most eventualities, if used carefully


I cut and pasted the below, can anyone give information on how to simply die this way, really rather nice thought


Don't go to sleep,

Time is tickin.

This might be an inappropriate question so please forgive me but have you investigated Dignitas?
I did, and, to be honest, whilst it sounds great if you live in Europe or at least near Switzerland for me it's not an option.
Doing the same thing oneself here in the Land of smiles, with dignity and care must be possible.
Any thoughts.
PM if you like and I'll give you my email.

all the best.

Al, have you checked out Mahavachiralongkorn Thanyaburi Cancer Center?

I think it is the only facility with palliative hospice care in Thailand.

God speed to those that openly discuss their conditions and to help others with their fight.

I wish all will recover and continue with their strength and teachings
A lesson for everyone!

I ceased posting regularly on that other forum some 3/4 mths ago, and at that stage was going to have further surgery, in June, now I am unlikely to do so

At present I am pondering whether or not to have further surgery or not, I am putting facts on paper and looking to gather input


I will shortly be 73 and can not live for ever, if I were 40 I would have the reversal


I have rectal cancer and prostate cancer


In December 2016 I was declared cancer free, but it came back, if in fact, it ever left, I had major surgery in October 2017, and my anus was sealed and I have a temporary colostomy bag


Reversal is scheduled for June this year


The original thoughts of a colostomy bag horrified me, but as time moves on one gets to accept it


After the operation I rejected more chemo, I was told it would increase the chance of cancer not returning by 5%, my thoughts another six months of hell and it still returns in six months time so I have wasted six months


My life at the moment is comfortable, contented and happy


If the cancer comes back, and I believe it may, it can resurface anywhere, I have already decided to have no more surgery


If and when a reversal is done, the anaesthetic itself is a risk, I am still overweight, although have come down 20 kilos


A lot of people experience differing levels of recovery, and in the worst instance one could remain hose bound with adult nappies


Before the surgery my bowel could occasionally explode, with the bag this does not happen


Post surgery it will at best still be the same and might be very much worse


Doctors do not know if my anal sphincter will function correctly


Some people have to stay within feet of the toilet and can not venture out


At some stage I will die, if I were incontinent it is a nightmare for those looking after me, and maybe my wife, with the bag for the carers it is comparatively easy, and one less major problem


Money is sufficient but can not just spend spend, and have unlimited nurses, medical costs could wipe me out sending me to the mercy of the UK government, unlikely but possible


Many people live good lives with colostomy bags for years


I would love to have no bag, but accept one has to compromise again easier with old age


To have the bag removed, and then it does not work and face yet more surgery and again more cost, so two lots of surgery to get back to where I am today, in my book maybe stupid, and I do not like stupidity, and stupid people I am 73 very soon


I had an appointment at the new wing of the Srinakarin a Government Teaching Hospital in KhonKaen recently with a general surgeon and we talked this through for about half an hour, the bill was 50bhat


I have another appointment with a colorectal surgeon in three weeks time to discuss the same topic


I need to start exploring options on palliative care, and pain suppression, and use the money not spent on operation to pay for that


I believe Srinakarin for Thailand specializes in anesthesia and pain suppression, in its teaching hospital, right on our doorstep


Dying I accept and know will happen what scares me is the thought of pain, I again believe with thought and planing this can be avoided, and personally at the right time euthanasia please but illegal in Thailand




I also worry these days I am slowly loosing my mind and brain, my coordination can be bad, I can be driving and forget turn, not once but several different times, because as I say my mind is elsewhere


I went through a hour of hell trying to set up an internet account with security checking via my cell phone, the man was so patient but I was only just able to cope, and all at 11.00 am, I was so close to loosing it, I thought I was just a little computer literate, I am definitely loosing it, and past my sell buy date, even wine goes off if not drunk


So why take the unnecessary risks attached with reversal surgery


Today - a random list


I have a loving wife
I have support from ex-wife and family
My daughter is very supportive
We have four loving Alsatians
Where we live is so beautiful and paid for
We have a nice car
We owe no money
I am on no medication
My 30 yrs younger wife is healthy
We are Ok financially, so long as we stay cautious
I can walk around albeit slowly
I am still driving
I can still go out alone
We have help in the house and gardens
We have nice and beautiful clothes everything we need we have
Most of what we want we have
Some of my wife’s family have problems, but this does not impact them


SO !


Seems to me to rock the boat and have additional surgery rather stupid, without which all the above stays in place, PLUS and a very big plus if I become terminally ill I am easier to look after rather than s **T everywhere


Bonus precious money and time saved

Originally Posted by al007

My life at the moment is comfortable, contented and happy

That one quote made me happy.

Look seriously at dietary options, possibly Chinese herbs and teas and remaining mentally strong and positive.

My best wishes are with you Mr. Strong Man!

Originally Posted by nidhogg

Al, have you checked out Mahavachiralongkorn Thanyaburi Cancer Center?

I think it is the only facility with palliative hospice care in Thailand.

Not checked this out yet but want somewhere near our house


I am coming to the conclusion that palliative care in Thailand maybe not difficult to find as expats believe

My requirements are a clean pleasant room with plenty of sedation, the younger doctors in Bangkok say this is not difficult to achieve, and maybe Srinakarin might fit the bill the room rates are around 3/4000 bhat a day so subject to painkillers that could be for me ok

the thing is to not leave it it until the last min and sending wife off to find what she does not understand

I also sort of have a plan to die at home and we employ temporary nurses, the catch here is maybe pain supression, but maybe a few bhatt can oil the wheels, a good supply of pot would do the job, we have many many police friends, and when we talk about this they say do not worry we will oblidge, one of the advantages of living in the sticks

Originally Posted by al007

Not checked this out yet but want somewhere near our house


I am coming to the conclusion that palliative care in Thailand maybe not difficult to find as expats believe

My requirements are a clean pleasant room with plenty of sedation, the younger doctors in Bangkok say this is not difficult to achieve, and maybe Srinakarin might fit the bill the room rates are around 3/4000 bhat a day so subject to painkillers that could be for me ok

the thing is to not leave it it until the last min and sending wife off to find what she does not understand

I also sort of have a plan to die at home and we employ temporary nurses, the catch here is maybe pain supression, but maybe a few bhatt can oil the wheels, a good supply of pot would do the job, we have many many police friends, and when we talk about this they say do not worry we will oblidge, one of the advantages of living in the sticks

Absolutely agree as to your requirements.
Mine too.
My wife and I have discussed this over the last little while and whilst the local clinic is happy to provide as much morphine as we want I'm not too happy about it.
Morphine is not my drug of choice purely and simply because of the side effects over time.
We are lucky to have friends nearby who are happy to help come the end but, in my heart of hearts I would like to preempt the demise before things become overly messy.
It certainly doesn't need to be an expensive affair and we've found the local clinic and hospital to be extremely helpful and considerate.
My situation is no where near as dire as yours and whilst it will be come so I can only feel for you and your family.
It is a bit of a bastard isn't it.

pip pip

Originally Posted by al007

also sort of have a plan to die at home and we employ temporary nurses,

Is it really that bad mate?

On one hand you say you are content, comfortable and happy and in my eyes you are on the road to recovery.

I just watched, during the last few months, my father die from a similar condition and the doctors tore him apart with knives, and other I believe now, inappropriate surgery.

Stay Strong,,,,,,,,,,,Live everyday to the fullest and share with your loved ones.

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

Is it really that bad mate?

On one hand you say you are content, comfortable and happy and in my eyes you are on the road to recovery.

That is possibly the most fatuous comment I have ever seen.
You have no idea, mate.

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

God speed to those that openly discuss their conditions and to help others with their fight.

I wish all will recover and continue with their strength and teachings

A welcome change from you taking the piss out of CJ for his condition, LT.

Perhaps there is hope for you yet.

CJ...we know he's an idiot. Just be thankful that for once he's not being a cvnt.

Originally Posted by cyrille

A welcome change from you taking the piss out of CJ for his condition, LT.

Perhaps there is hope for you yet.

To be fair cyrille, LT hasn't ever taken the piss out of me for my condition. His best mate Teary has but who cares what Teary says.
My criticism of LTs last post is simply that when confronted with the inevitable, as al007 is and I will be sooner or later such platitudes are unnecessary and misinformed.

When LT says "in my eyes you are on the road to recovery" it's a bit of a piss take really, and more than a tad absurd.

Still, I'm sure his heart is in the right place and consoling pies will be forthcoming.

If not a bouncy castle.

Originally Posted by crackerjack101

That is possibly the most fatuous comment I have ever seen.

He posted it mate. You want to take that away from him?

Originally Posted by cyrille

A welcome change from you taking the piss out of CJ for his condition, LT.

I have only ever supported JJ and during his fight.

You in turn show your true colours.

LT, with respect you wrote "in my eyes you are on the road to recovery. "

This is just a bit silly.

End of.

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

Is it really that bad mate?

On one hand you say you are content, comfortable and happy and in my eyes you are on the road to recovery.

I just watched, during the last few months, my father die from a similar condition and the doctors tore him apart with knives, and other I believe now, inappropriate surgery.

Stay Strong,,,,,,,,,,,Live everyday to the fullest and share with your loved ones.

LT, first, do you know what "palliative care" means?

It means, to be blunt, no road to recovery. At best it means a road to acceptance of what will come to pass.

Originally Posted by nidhogg

It means, to be blunt, no road to recovery. At best it means a road to acceptance of what will come to pass.

Sorry, and I am no expert on medicine nor agree with another human being one that gives last rights to people based upon their own medical opinion.

I have met and discussed enough with so-called experts over the last 12 months. At the end of the day they are not gods and probably know as much about cancer then the rest of us do.

In turn I have met people that have been suggested palliative treatment but through different alternative treatments and mental strength have responded fantastically and are now leading healthy lives. Not surviving against the odds but against the opinions of novices with their palliative care suggestions. One's mental strength can beat the big C.

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

One's mental strength can beat the big C.

Then why does anybody die? Who does not want to live?

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

Sorry, and I am no expert on medicine nor agree with another human being one that gives last rights to people based upon their own medical opinion.

I have met and discussed enough with so-called experts over the last 12 months. At the end of the day they are not gods and probably know as much about cancer then the rest of us do.

In turn I have met people that have been suggested palliative treatment but through different alternative treatments and mental strength have responded fantastically and are now leading healthy lives. Not surviving against the odds but against the opinions of novices with their palliative care suggestions. One's mental strength can beat the big C.

LT, re read what you've written.
You're talking shite.
It's also a bit offensive to folk that are in the midst of such events.
a little decorum might be appropriate.
what do you think?