Hearing Test Competition

Huh? I didn't hear you. It's too noisy. Getting old has it's perks of course, but the failing senses are definitely not one of them. Alan and I have been bickering for months over which one of us has the most hearing loss. Of course he loses either way, if his hearing loss is greater then he loses the competition.  If  his hearing is better than mine them he just wasn't listening I win I win!
Our first appointment at Bumrungrad was for his and hers audiograms.  The test results in a moment. 

Bumrungrad is really so easy to navigate.  All of the signs are in multiple languages, English, Arabic, Japanese, and Thai.  The majority of the staff speaks both English and Thai. Today I saw people from Africa, multiple Arab countries, China, Korea, Japan, and India.  For those who need additional help there are interpreters to be called who will sit in the appointments with the patient. Our day was planned and we had a consolidated schedule printed out at the reception desk when we stopped at the hospital yesterday to get the lay of the land.  
After the audiologist, I was off to the dentist. She was a woman about my age, who spoke wonderful English, I had my cleaning, x-rays and had a crowned removed for replacement. 

The hospital makes life very easy.  There is a lovely food court on the second floor. To pay you buy a charge card and it is debited as you go from place to place ordering your dishes.  The food ranges from Chinese, Italian, Vegetarian, Indian, and of course Thai.  I chose roast duck, Chinese broccoli and a Diet Coke ( I am after all an American).

But the reason we came to Bumrungrad was for my feet, those ugly feet.  After my delicious lunch I was off to the Orthopedic surgeon. He took a look at my feet, had me go to X-ray and then we talked about the options.  He was very knowledgable, answered all my questions and put me quite at ease.  Because doctors know you are visiting, they are able to schedule follow on appointments right away.  He arranged his schedule so I can have my surgery tomorrow at 9pm.  I'll spend one night in the hospital with three follow on appointments before I leave in two weeks.  
After the appointments were done for the day, it was time to settle the bill.  Our insurance company has direct billing for medical procedures with the hospital. Some do not. I recommend that you check that out ahead of time. If yours doesn't you will be required to pay ahead and submit your receipts to your insurance company. That could be a significant outlay of cash depending on what you're having done.  It may also help to have your insurance company send an authorization letter to the hospital in advance.  



Now for the results of the hearing competition: 
I win! I win! I win!!!!!!!!!!!
My hearing is completely normal. Alan's is not. 


Tomorrow I'll have my executive physical. Stay tuned.

Smut and Smells vs. Food and Fabrics

We came to Thailand to fix my "ugly feet". And while medical tourism is a growing sector of the economy sex tourism is a much bigger sector. In some areas of town prostitution is very prevalent and public. We walked down Soi Cowboy last night on the way to dinner. Girls stand on the street with numbers to be ordered as if on a menu. Very disturbing. Let me just get this out there, my husband is cheap as a result he has a fondness for dirty smelling countries. Bangkok is both dirty and smelly. If you don't mind that then you may enjoy the rest of what it has to offer.
Fresh Thai specialties are available everywhere from small table where cooks prepare your meal on the sidewalk to fancy sit down restaurants of every cuisine, there is no shortage of food choices.
Another thing that draws people to the Land of Smiles is custom tailored clothes. This afternoon Vinay, a meticulous Indian man who has been in Thailand for 40 years, interviewed, annotated, and measured me for suits, slacks, and blouses for work. First fitting is tomorrow after a full day of medical appointments. Stay tuned.

Goodbye Painful Ugly Feet !

         Bumrungrad International Hospital made planning for this trip a breeze. They are online and we submitted an inquiry via their website.
http://www.bumrungrad.com/thailandhospital
       Within a couple of days they gave us a general estimate on the cost. They also set up all of our appointments via email. In addition to the bunion surgery, we'll be seeing the dentist and having a complete physical. While our insurance company will be covering the costs of the procedures, we've known many people who have gone to Bumrungrad for elective procedures not covered by insurance. You know, tummy tucks, boob jobs, face lifts, and even gastric by-pass surgery.  The hospital's website describes those services.
        My always competitive husband never to be outdone is blogging about our medical tourism trip as well. Check out his perspective. http://unconventionalretirement.blogspot.com/
        We're heading out early in the morning via Qatar Airways Kuwait – Doha, Qatar – Bangkok.  But before we get on the plane, I want to show you the BEFORE pictures. Warning! These photos may be disturbing. 

       Yes, the bones in those feet are meant to be straight. If all goes well, in a week or so they will be.   
        See ya soon.

Ugly Feet

I am the girl with ugly feet, that's what I've always thought.  Even when I was wearing those rubber capped keds, I was the girl with ugly feet.  It was a congenital thing I'd inherited from my mom, lucky me.

No hot shoes, no walking in pumps, no dancing till dawn. Well, maybe not dancing had more to do with being a dork than anything else.  

During my ten year career as a reporter my feet hurt everyday. 

Back in 2005 I went to Japan with my 80 year old mom, my twin sister, and my wonderful daughter Amanda.  We were trudging up a hill and my formerly bunion baring mom and sister were striding up like it was nothing, while I was walking like a crippled old woman. They had both had their bunions removed and feet repaired. They all have black shoes and I, I'm the one with the sneakers, BIG FAIL.

So finally after 50 years of hiding my feet, wearing boring shoes, and fighting my aching feet I am doing it. Sunday we're  heading to Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand for a bi-lateral bunion removal. Yay!  I first heard about the hospital and medical tourism on 60 Minutes...take a look.

So stick with me as I chronicle our adventure in medical tourism.