Another Thai Hospital Visit

The corridor of doctors offices in the gastroenterology department of Bumrungrad International Hospital

So just as I was feeling myself a little bit and thinking I was FINALLY relaxing into the reality of basically living in Bangkok, I got punched in the face with a double whammy of woes.

I had been firming up my massage schedule, narrowing down the routes I’d take back to my apartment from the Skytrain, identifying choice street-food vendors and, thankfully, winding down a 14-day course of meds for a gastritis flareup, when my gut turned on me again and my lower back decided to join in.

OK, who among us hasn’t had occasional tummy troubles that result in mad dashes to the nearest restroom? Amirite!!??

But since my lower back or my flank or my stomach — honestly, it was all of ‘em — was aching as well, I was worried it was something more sinister than just a bad bit of street fried chicken (which, when it doesn’t almost kill you, is quite delicious).

So I called a hospital and got an appointment for exactly two hours and 45 minutes later. I have to give it to Thailand. Healthcare just seems to be structured way differently and better than in the U.S.

I was a little worried so I asked Tom to come with me and we went to Bumrungrad International Hospital.

It felt like I was checking into a hotel or going to visit my attorney. This hospital is mad nice.

After apologies from a young staffer, I got to see the doctor about 15 minutes after my scheduled time. The doctor asked me tons of questions, made copious notes and as I was preparing to for the physical exam, he dictated his notes into a recording device!

Long story short, a few tests, three hours and $417 USD later — that hurt but I’ll file a claim with my “nomad” insurance — I was on my way, with antibiotics and another drug to prop up my ravaged tummy.

Something else completely different… I have a loyalty card from a Thai grocery store. The hospital cashier asked if I had one. I presented it and I got a discount from points accumulated from peanut butter and jelly and Korean liquor purchases! #winning

It’s four days later and my stomach is almost all the way back to normal. My back was still hurting last night though; I’m thinking the back was completely unrelated, just a bad coincidence. So I — don’t judge me — took a pain pill I had gotten from a PREVIOUS hospital visit and I’ve been pain free for the last 12 hours.

Oh, also my followup visit with the gastroenterologist is on SUNDAY! Who ever heard???