Bumrungraduate

The other day I was reading to Sebastian. He was sitting on my lap, my legs were stretched out in front of me. About halfway through GREEN EGGS AND HAM, Sebastian got up to pull sela off the toyshelf, which she is learning to climb. Then he had to yank off carys, none too gently I might add. Safety restored to the playroom, the triumphant self-appointed sheriff headed back to my lap but before he settled down again, he looked at my legs and said, “not like that mummy!” my legs were crossed now, and he explained that he wanted my “legs out like this!” and he pulled them into a straight position.

We were on our fourth book, and my knees needed a break from the straight out position. I explained this to Sebastian then inquired as to why he didn’t want my legs crossed. His response? To point to two stray hairs on my I kid you not freshly shaven legs and exclaim, “I don’t want the scratchy bit touching me!”

I do not like them when we read
I do not like them after I’ve weed
I do not like those hairs so funny
I do not like them, oh my mummy!

Magnificent and I are in Bangkok this weekend, a combination of hassle and pleasure. We flew out late Thursday evening. We spent the first night at the Bumrungrad hospital’s BH Suites and the next morning, following 12 hours of fasting, headed to the outpatient clinic for the comprehensive health check ups. We had our eyes checked, every single blood level checked, “poopers and wee wee” analysis, charles had a stress test, I had an biopsy on my arm, an EKG, a mammogram and smear and ovarian ultrasound…we were worked over. At first, we were lulled into a false sense of security…dentist complimenting me on my cavity and filling free teeth, my eyesight. But around the time of the mammogram and ultrasound of my internal organs I got concerned. The tech was taking too long on one area. Way too long. When she called in the doctor, I knew something was wrong. Okay, but was it ABNORMAL or was it BAD? By the time the mammogram was finished and the doctor insisted the tech re-take some of the images so she could better “see past this dense mass” I was panicking. I had finished my book, and that was not a good thing because my mind could dwell on what might have been found.

I got as far as planning how my friends could help make the deceased me “real” for my children (having gone through where we would go if I needed treatment, who I didn’t want coming to my memorial and musing as to what sort of people would get my organs, and if there really is evidence of people with organ transplants taking on some of the characteristics of the donors…) and it was time to meet with the doctor to discuss the results.

I won’t make you wait as long as I did…I have an abnormally enlarged spleen (BAD), but there is no apparent reason for it. Ie: no mass. (GOOD). But I need to keep an eye on that. The mammogram came back as negative, and I need to be very diligent. (I have accepted magcharles’ offer to help with the BSE’s). and interestingly enough, I have no resistance to hepatitis b. I have been vaccinated for hepb before, but need to do that again.

Last but not least, I tripled the scale on the thyroid test. I have always sort of known that I have a thyroid problem…being constantly cold was the big tip off. Even in Bangkok streets in the heat of day, I wear a jumper. For years I didn’t do anything about it for the relatively weak reason that I didn’t want any other health things on my plate. Epilepsy was enough, thank you very much. Doctors, MORE medications? Thanks but no thanks. I could handle the weight gain and coldness, tyvm.

I might do something about my thyroid now. Now that I’ve had the official test and it’s a proven fact it seems that I ought to. Or maybe I am ready to be smarter now. playing the waiting game yesterday while waiting for our results made me promise I was going to be better to my body. Money where your mouth is, and all that.

After leaving the hospital, I immediately forgot to be grateful to be alive and healthy, and was cursing at our cab driver as he ignored our instructions. Anyway, we are now at the Peninsula, enjoying two days of decadence before heading back tomorrow evening. This is a gracious hotel (www.peninsula.com) , and we love it here. MC loves their spring rolls and pool, while I love the televisions in the bathtub. Last night I watched just about the entire movie “love actually” while soaking, despite having to keep the area of my arm that had been biopsied dry. It was divine. And right now we are sitting poolside with only the last spring roll on the plate daring to come between us.

Back to the thyroid….the dr said that a common side effect is hair loss. Well according to my son, there is too much hair on my legs. SO there we go, a faux diagnosis and one less medication/set of appointments for me, or at least a reason to procrastinate making the appointment.

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Ah Tessie darling! You are soooo consistent re. your doctor- procrastinations! And I should know!
Glad you and Magchar are having such a glorious time. You are amazing to have written a blog while poolside :-)
Hugs, M xox

Posted by: Maureen Lyons | October 23, 2005 at 02:15 PM