New Petchburi Pete Posted August 17, 2004 Report Share Posted August 17, 2004 In the wee hours of my birthday last month, I got up to take a leak around 2:30am. I blacked out and smashed my head on a little step-up from the bathroom to the bedroom. My wife brought me to the E.R. at Bangkok-Pattaya Hospital, where my cardiologist practices. I forget how long I was in the hospital. I sustained a large, disfiguring scar, not to mention that I sufferd a fractured skull, a severe concussion, and a brutal whiplash-like injury to my neck. I will probably wear a hat from now on since the scar will be visible. My hair is thinning so it can't be hidden, plus the scar extends into the forehead a little bit. I had a buzz cut in Jomtien before I left The Kingdom ... tried to match the area that was shaved in the E.R. They had a plastic surgeon 'butter up' the stitching. He didn't charge me; and, the hospital cut the bill in half because I did a tv commercial with my son (for free) for the international marketing department months before my 'accident.' I was misdiagnosed by my heart doctor at Bangkok- Pattaya Hospital, and the two representatives from Medtronic, the company that manufactured the pacemaker I have ... they said my syncopal episode was due to pacemaker failure. When I returned to Boston (MA in U.S.A.), it was tested and was still working fine! The problem is that the damn thing is over 20 yrs. old ... most cardiologists (even pacemaker specialists here in Boston) don't know how to analyze the old unit. My doctor now realizes that the old, non-addressable pacer is a hazard. So, it's going to be replaced for this reason and, also, apparantly, in a small set of patients there is a pacemaker which tends to help (but does not completely ameliorate) the new disorder I've now been diagnosed with here in Boston: cardiogenic, vasovagal syncope. My pacemaker specialist is booked solid, so I must wait until September 3 for the surgery ... my level of anxiety is quite high. The new 'device' will be a combined pacemaker and defibrilllator. My neck is not responding to physical therapy; and, the headaches from the head injury are intense ... not to mention that I'm also suffering from significant memory loss. I miss my wife and son, our new home (we bought a nice house in East Pattaya), and Thailand. I realize that I'm pretty depressed about this. For quite a while I didn't feel like airing this out on the forum; but, have now decided to do so as a form of therapy, and perhaps to receive a little moral support from the members of the board. I've told my wife that when I return, I want to stay in Bangkok for a while. I want to go to Gulliver's on a friday night to say "hello." ... also, I want the guys to see my son and wife too. I don't need sympathy ... I've had to deal with many tough, medical situations in my life. This will be my 34th surgical procedure. I've had almost 300 hospitalizations since I turned 21 ... spent my 21st birthday in the hospital, and many others as well. My cardiac problems prevented me from attending medical school. I wanted to be a cardiologist myself. Emotional support ... yeah, I could use some; and, for those who believe in a supreme, higher being, I would welcome prayers as well. Of course, I know I'll feel like a new man once I get back into my wife's arms; and see my son ... and get a bowl of Tom Yam (like em all) under my belt. I can't wait to return to LOS! Hey, if anyone wants to send me some photos (my wife is doing this for me now) of Thailand, I'd really appreciate that. I consider myself lucky to be alive. This was a reminder that life is short ... so enjoy it while you can ... LOS is very amenable for this! ... can't wait to touch down again at Don Muang! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
limbo Posted August 17, 2004 Report Share Posted August 17, 2004 Hi Pete, Sorry to hear about your mishap. Good luck with the OP and hope you'll be back in the LOS soon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
check_bin_krap Posted August 17, 2004 Report Share Posted August 17, 2004 Bad things tend to come around in periods of life. I hope you get some good times now Pete. But, you have your wife and your son! I wish you all 3 the best during your stay now! They need you also, so don't overdo the visits to Gulliver!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mongatu Posted August 17, 2004 Report Share Posted August 17, 2004 Sorry to hear of your health problems. Hope all goes well and that you get back to where you want to be (physically as well as psychically) soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Petchburi Pete Posted August 17, 2004 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2004 I want them to come to Gullivers' too ... but, we shall see. The wife just wants to take me back directly to Pattaya to rest. ... East Pattaya can be quite relaxing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrX Posted August 17, 2004 Report Share Posted August 17, 2004 Hi New Thanks for your post It always strikes me what a sanitised place this board is most of the time. Bold Members forever riding out on the Sanuk charge! Yet of course, behind all the bravado our substance is being continually eroded by the entropy of the world! I was sorry to hear of your mishap sure you will, hang on in there! Romp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaronTT Posted August 17, 2004 Report Share Posted August 17, 2004 Best of luck. It seems that you're handling this very very well. Probably much better than most of us here would be able to. I've also had a severe mis-diagnosis at Bangkok-Pataya hospital. Luckily, went to Bumrungrad on returning to BKK and they diagnosed what should have been very obvious. In any event, I've always thought that Boston has some of the best cardio hospitals in the world, so I'm sure you're in good hands. Best of luck. I'm sure you, with your family's support, will do great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiery Jack Posted August 17, 2004 Report Share Posted August 17, 2004 Jeez, Pete, I've had some bad birthdays myself, but... I think the fact that you've shared your fears with us here already shows you to be a brave, sensitive and strong man, which augers well for your future in terms of self and family. With a bit of luck (and I really hope you get a lot of luck) you'll look back on your post in a few years' time and smile, wondering what all the fuss was about. I sincerely hope so, mate. Apart from the obvious 'hang in there' stuff, I can only offer 2 bits of advice/encouragement. 1) You're still here. It could be a lot worse. Rejoice at what you've got i.e. your life, your family, your friends, your mind. I read somewhere that 80% of things people worry about never happen. Remember that, and be glad. (I read somewhere else that 86% of 'statistics' are made up on the spot but you don't want to be fretting about that... : 2) Re. the 'disfiguring scar' sketch and the proposed velvet deerstalker/trilby hat: two words ? fuck that. The scar is more inside your head than outside. Honestly, regard it as a trophy and a talking point and not as something ugly. Bloody hell, there's a geezer hanging round NEP at the moment with tattoos all over his boat-race: he'd probably give his left bollock for a war-wound like yours. Unless your current career involves anti-ageing cream or hair conditioner promo photo-shoots in Barbados and modelling eye-shadow/Clairol hint-of-a-tint coloured rinse on giant billboards, I would suspect that the scar on your coupon will affect your future life very little indeed. (In fact, I speak from a kind of experience here: won't say any more in public but you can PM me if you like. ) I curently go for rehabilitation sessions (chronic back disk complaint ) at a local hospital here in Japan. The wee nurses there are all crackers :hubba: but all I get is a big fucking would-be Sumo wrestler brick-shithouse of a bloke who stands on me and cracks my bones for half an hour till I submit. There's a sign by the door though that says 'Patients who are fitted with a pacemaker must undergo a physical examination by the nurse before entering rehabilitation area'. I'd say you're a lucky bastard, chief. :: jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Petchburi Pete Posted August 17, 2004 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2004 Thanks F. Jack for the lift, Practically the first thing my wife said about the scar was that it would never bother her. Plus, I'm getting used to the buzz cut ... I think I'll only go with the hat until it heals enough so that the sun can't inflame it. Great advice ... good luck with your back ... just keep the gals on top & let them do the work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Petchburi Pete Posted August 17, 2004 Author Report Share Posted August 17, 2004 You know, the more I think about it, I believe 90% of the depression is related to being separated from my family and LOS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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