Funny you should mention the British Embassy it was their representative who told me he has quite a few similar people, who went back to have to wait at least 6 months to see a doctor, as the new rules say if you have been out of the Country more than 3 months you have to pay, as they have had enough or people abusing the system.

Mac Millian only help with filling in financial forms, can not help with money and thats only when I get to the Uk.

Yes I have look at most Avenues. The British Embassy is one of the only ones, who do not get involved with personal problems Germany and other yes.

Thank you for your kind Imput.

Teacher Jon

Jon,
Can you go back to GB and get treated ASAP if you agree to pay what you can when you can?

If so that might be your best option and I believe not a lot different than what happens with many uninsured and under-insured here in the States.

I don't know what my treatment cost, since it has been paid by my medical insurance, but I have heard amounts on these forums of upwards of $150K. They might bill less for an uninsured person and/or in the UK.

Looking at your options, I would think incurring the debt is worth it and if you look at it from another perspective, over a ~35 year career, in present day dollars, I have spent nearly $200K for medical insurance!

I few year back, remember how I was always bitching about the medical insurance costing more than the lease on my BMW!

Hi guys sorry I brought up the fact I did not have to money to continue here, as I feel it has blurred the wonderful help, you are so good at.

But the latest news is I have my best friend here who investigated other options and he found a Government Teaching university Cancer Hospital in Bangkok, that can give me similar treatment with out all the extras,

I went to be interviewed by the team there, after saying my lymph node has got as large as they feel safe 6 cm and there are signs of the other Node now starting to be affected I must have treatment now.

The down side is they want around $10000US but I can pay this over 7 weeks lol I may be able to find 2/3rds of this money my self but still a 1/3 short I had to agree to start treatment on the 7th November with Chemo in Hospital for 4 days from 14th November this is so urgent now I have no option to go back to UK will take weeks to sort out.

I did grill all the team of doctors as they looked like talented 30 year old Thai/chinese Star Students , but when I asked about all the latest studies TAX 323/4 they knew all about it, they will be using Cisplantin and then may be Docetaxel, saying may be ill loose my hair which i was told at the other hospital would not happen did any one else loose there hair with back of tongue chemo Rad treatment..

Well John it looks like there is some light at the end of the tunnel at last,and a definate start date which is great.Iwould worry less about what might happen,and prepare yourself for what is definately going to happen.For every question about side effects that you post here you will get half a dozen different answeres its not one size fits all treatment.

Ask your doctors all the questions you need answering before you go into treatment,and then just get your mind set for the ride.

good luck my friend and keep in touch.

love Liz.

Thanks so much Cookey, getting over the shock of it a bit now, problem here is I dont have the back up you just cant get Carnation VHC here so dont know how im going to swallow food or any of the Biotene products with seems to be the minimum I will need they say the give PEG through the Nose or it will cost to much money for me but I cant work like that.

What can I expect after a few weeks chemo/Radiation does the sickness pass or does the medicine work to stop it.

did you have to have a few days in hospital they say at this hospital they dont give you all the Chemo at once as they do at the other Hospital the stage it. dont know if its better or what.

Jon, I don't think it would be posible anywhere to get all of the chemo at once. You are going to have to make up your mind about the treatments and get started and soon. This is like using the smal blocks you played with as a kid. Put too many or too few and whatever you are building will collapse. It's time for you to ,make a decision and let the Drs get started.

Yes thanks guys,

I have to try to get all the money together before I start, but I have been booked in to start on 7th November wish me luck lol

What do you think will happen to start with sickness wize and any pain of not be able to eat.

Jon,

I just finished the radiation last week. I did not get the PEG but was able to maintain my weight. This takes some work and will power. You can find dietary supplements that are not the carnation VHC; you just have to take more. The key is total calories and protein intake. Your doctor or hospital nutritionist can get you those numbers based on your personal needs. You can check with some of the local body builders in you area, as they always know where to get supplements.

Eating will become work. You will want to plan things out and them sit down and make sure you get those calories in. You will not have problems eating for a while into treatment. First you will loser your taste then you will have to work through the pain and taste issues.

I did not have chemo but one of the others at my CCC did both the Chemo and Radiation. She did OK without the PEG. She had to work at it though. She and I found combinations of soft foods and supplements we liked mixed with whole milk, protein powders and the like (she liked mashed potatoes for a while and I was doing mac and cheese). Make sure you check with the other patients at the hospital. They will give you local options we can�t give you here.

Best of luck.

Kelly

Jon, just get started, you're making me nervous. Figure out the rest of the finances later, tell them the check is in the mail. if you can't afford the carnation VHC, just figure out how to make high calorie smoothies, lots of milk,ice cream, yogurt and use a protein powder which is cheaper. Kelly had a great suggestion of checking in with the sports/athletic types for food ideas

Hi Jon,
Glad you will be starting treatmemt soon. Try to put on a few pounds now because you will lose it later. I too made it through with no peg, but I didn't have chemo. It takes a lot of will power. None of this 'I don't like the taste of this' or 'it hurts to swallow'. Just do it. The hospital should be able to tell you what nutrition drinks are available in Thailand. If none, make smoothies. I did check with my cousin's wife who works for GSK and Biotene products are only available in US, Canada, and Europe. Ask hosptial what they recommend.

Take care,
Eileen