PREAMBLE
Me too!
It was, indeed, a nasty scald.
I have since pondered, once in a while, why people like to show off wounds, scars, incision marks and scalds.
I finally figured it out.
IF IT HAPPENS TO YOU, IT'S INTERESTING AND, BY GOD, EVERYONE ELSE SHOULD BE INTERESTED AS WELL.
Which is why YOU, dear reader, are being subjected to the latest installment of my health issues.
synopsis
In Saigon, I acquired a new set of sandals. As with most new shoes they rubbed at my toes, and each foot got a small sore on 1 toe. The left cleared up with some help, but the right was more persistently sore and open, although I applied tea tree oil and a new bandaid to a recently washed foot every morning before starting out... well I did for about 7 days. Then I just changed the bandaid sometimes. For 17 days I walked the streets (NEVER MIND) of Saigon, Hanoi and Luang Probang, shuffled through grass, went into wet caves, and stomped through mud puddles. On the 22nd, I got up early to travel for LP to Bangkok and noticed my leg was a mess. Even I noticed! |
Lesson Learned #1
Or why a brown body of water on a street is called a "mud puddle"?
'cuz it's dirty... that's why!
ghoulies and ghosties
And long-leggedy beasties
And things that go bump in the night,
AND bacteria... lots and lots of bacteria.
thus endeth the first lesson
the hotel bangkok hospital
I went there initially when I spotted the leg infection. I wanted their expertise and technology to look after me. I stayed 4 days. It cost $8000.00.
I got out quickly and went to a local Thai doctor, who has a small nearby private hospital. I got daily antibiotic intravenous and twice daily injections of Heparin, since I also developed a Deep Vein Thrombosis (blood clot) in my infected right leg. The cost was about $30/day.
What a smashingly delightful way to spend a month (thus far, a month) of my holiday time.
Ah what the hell... no snow.
| The Bangkok Hospital is efficient and has beyond up to date technology. However, its doctors (in this case) were aloof and disinterested... at least that was my take on the whole thing. I had a generalist, a DVT specialist and an infection specialist looking after me. I had multiple x-rays, ultrasounds and one CAT scan. |
Nothing like a Mama Tiger to look after one. | On day 2 of my trip to bankruptcy the infection specialist was in and standing aloof pontificating on this that and the other thing. I wondered if was just I who thought she was far too DISinterested. Lek thought so, too. Essentially, over 5 minutes of a rapid-fire, angry and scathing Thai monologue (the doctor tried to say something at the start, then cowered down) Lek ripped a new arsehole for the doctor. And the doctor and 2 nurses stood and took it. My care improved. The doctors became humble and interested and caring. The nurses were on time with my medication. |
the infection was a lot like beauty... skin deep... cellulitis | gruesome Pix of the infection |