Michael ex Dragon Bar

[BobHelm]

For anyone that knows Michael...
He has (this morning) had a rather nasty accident on his motorbike, Nong Khai way.
Nong Khai hospital cannot/will not treat him (he has no health insurance ) & he is currently on his way back to Udon Thani to be treated.
He certainly did not look in a good way, but I was told none of his injuries are life threatening. They do appear to include, both bones broken in his right leg, one (at least) bone broken in his right hand & his jaw broken. He was wearing his helmet, which undoubtedly saved his life. However I am not exactly sure what tests he actually underwent in NK. He was not capable of talking to me & the hospital certainly did not seem to have made any effort to treat him (apart from a drip & something for the pain).
I did manage to contact his Father in Wales & convey the bad news & will contact him again later today once I have anything that I can reliably tell him about the situation...
As & when I know more (like hospital/ward/condition etc.) I will post here...

[lee]

I'm very sorry to hear that and good to know the injuries aren't too serious. I hope the hospital in Udon will be more accommodating.

[The Farmer]

Very sad to hear too.Saw him two days before and he told me to rreopen his Bar soon.
Looked very happy.So all the best for you Michael,hope everything comes good.
Nobi

[mally]

Any update on Michael ?

I had many a late night drink with him on my way back to the Clock in the early hours, and hope he's as allright as can be in the circumstances.

[BobHelm]

Sorry mally I am transportless at the minute so I do not have any first hand facts, only telephone conversations.
As far as I can gather he is in the Government hospital in Udon. I do not believe they have done anything about setting any of his broken bones but are keeping him comfortable with meds etc.
I am really unsure as to why no treatment (a language issue on my part) & I don't want to start rumors that maybe totally untrue.
I will try & find out more today & post as soon as I am certain of my facts....

[laphanphon]

do not believe they have done anything about setting any of his broken bones

ouch, that's going to hurt when get some baht to continue. hope he didn't hurt back or hips, the rest easy enough to reset, though would think i about the same to reset, than keep there for a while, though not much, that has to add up........................and will be held kidnapped if no baht comes his way

nobody expects to have and accident, but everyone should plan on it, as sh*t happens. don't know him, but hope it all gets straightened out, and lots of drugs when they do.

[martynsnowman]

sorry to hear about michael and his accident , but does,nt your 1st class motorbike insurance cover the cost of having to stay in hospital in the case of getting knocked off ??
i only want to know for future reference .

[laphanphon]

depends if you have 1st class motorbike insurance, i myself, only carry 3rd party, probably a mistake if something happens, but they are so inexpensive to fix, and since i don't have accidents on motorbike, hope i didn't jinx myself, i take the gamble, i'll be a head if i ever do wipe out, as i don't drive on highway much and you really can't go fast around town.

only 3rd party insurance is required by gov't. less than 1000 baht for car, not sure about motorbike. car i need, well except last year, just renewed, and for 1st time, got my 'no claim discount'.

[mally]

Thanks for the update BH, doesn't sound satisfactory to be sat there without the bones being reset.

The lack of medical cover is one thing that worries me about settling in LOS, I have Gold Travel Insurance when I'm visiting, but being over 60 I havn't found anyone who will give me cover when (if) I move over there full time. My UK cover will only cover me for 30 days maximum per trip.

I know a couple of expats living around UT who havn't taken out cover, false economy in my opinion.
Never mind the "I'll be careful" driving bit, I was hospitalised with multiple fractures, in Monaco some years back, riding my motorcycle carefully (following a French Traffic Cop), when a pissed up Froggie lost control of his car and ploughed into me. You're not in control of other drivers/idiots on the road.

Anyway, back to Michael. I hope things work out for him, if anyone visits him give him my best wishes for his recovery.

[laphanphon]

You're not in control of other drivers/idiots on the road

scary and true..................especially here.

[LoveDaBlues]

Thanks for the update BH, doesn't sound satisfactory to be sat there without the bones being reset.

The lack of medical cover is one thing that worries me about settling in LOS, I have Gold Travel Insurance when I'm visiting, but being over 60 I havn't found anyone who will give me cover when (if) I move over there full time. My UK cover will only cover me for 30 days maximum per trip.

I know a couple of expats living around UT who havn't taken out cover, false economy in my opinion.
Never mind the "I'll be careful" driving bit, I was hospitalised with multiple fractures, in Monaco some years back, riding my motorcycle carefully (following a French Traffic Cop), when a pissed up Froggie lost control of his car and ploughed into me. You're not in control of other drivers/idiots on the road.

Anyway, back to Michael. I hope things work out for him, if anyone visits him give him my best wishes for his recovery.

Join before age 61 and renewal is guaranteed for life. Over 61 they will accept new members up to age 66 and allow renew until age 70.

http://www.bupa.co.th/bupa_cms/en/home.aspx

[rick]

There are certainly plenty of holiday insurance policies available from UK which will cover those over 60 and for long periods (up to 1 year). Perhaps time for a new thread, will have a go tomorrow.

[mally]

There are certainly plenty of holiday insurance policies available from UK which will cover those over 60 and for long periods (up to 1 year). Perhaps time for a new thread, will have a go tomorrow.

Thanks for this info, another problem problem out of the way for my retirement, what a helpful bunch you are Now maybe someone can help with the last hurdle, 'more money ?,

Any update on Michael ?

[rick]

Mally, have put a thread on health forum. I think the possibility of such events as have happened to Michael means we should all make some effort to have some cover. Is the limit of free emergency cover in Thailand such that they will give you a bed in hospital but not set your broken bones until you can pay? Not a nice thought.

[wazza]

There could be a few clinical reasons why they havent done anything yet, but as time goes on so does the complications of not setting the fractures etc Fat Embolisim being a major one.

The Gas man might have said no way, his bloods need to settle down, before they will stick him under.

The other issue is, abilty to pay for the procedures, if he says he has no money, then sadly this may affect his abilty to get responses.

Has anyone contacted the Embassy for him ??

[BobHelm]

Update on Michael...
Conditional on 1. I am not a medical person 2. At least some of the conversations were done in pigeon English or pathetic attempts at Thai.
He is still in the Government Hospital (by Nong Prajak) and will be for (optimistic estimate) another week - I think longer.
His broken bones have been repaired. His right leg is still pretty swollen & bruised & shows obvious signs of surgery. No caste though, which I would have thought would have - maybe Wazza can comment!!
Little finger of right hand broken - so not too bad & can pretty freely move his jaw, but can't really apply any pressure to chew, for example.
Doctor says that without wearing a crash hat he was a certain dead one.. However the impact has caused some (short term) damage. Brain is bruised from the battering it took on his skull & is swollen. The doctor says no bleeding or anything like that (have NO idea how he established that as not sure if MRA or anything like that was done). Doc says it will get better with rest & that is all that will cure it.
Michael himself was sort of 'vague' (anyone who knows him well might say - well what is new ). For example he immediately recognized me, knew my name & recounted some thoughts on places we have both visited in the past. But he also said some things that had me completely perplexed & (to me) made no sense & were about things that had happened long before we met - but like I was there as well . His short term memory is pretty shot at the moment as well, or maybe it is more accurate to say his retention of things told him is not as it should be.
Doc. is happy it will improve as the brain shrinks back to its normal size & thinks that is not a long term issue.
He is on one of the general wards in the hospital so I would not even try & give directions - it is quiet a walk from the main entrance though. The staff (security & nursing) were all very helpful in assisting me on my way.
If anyone does pay him a visit i will say that the parking is a complete nightmare for the hospital. Very lucky indeed if you manage to park within half a mile of the entrance...

[BobHelm]

He does have a return ticket back to UK in early November. I think that the current plan is that as long as he is fit to travel he will do so & have some convalescence in Wales with his parents....

[mally]

Thanks for the update Bob, I know Jack S**t about things medical, but anything to do with brain injury freakes me out, especially if you're not in a hospital that's upto scratch.
Hope things work out for him, if possible could I trouble you to keep us posted on any further developments (hopefully good ones).

[wazza]

Classic Cerebral Contusion, 1 step up from concusion and definately needs a CT Scan or even better an MRI ( only done at Kiprjak ) or the private radiology clinic both would also req an ambulance transfer and medical escort to accompany him etc.

Its also 1 step down from a sub dural haemorrage, and thats a major issue.

There are no neuro consultants in Udon, closest is KK - Sirakarin University Hospital, and he should really be assessed there for long term rehab.

The leg, got no idea, seems strange to me

The next hurdle for him, will be to be cleared for a flight home, he wouldnt be let on a plane with his leg on crutches etc, let alone any slurred speech , or loss of short term memory, like, umm where did i put that passport

Is there any international insurance coverage here at all, as he needs to be back in the UK ASAP.

Bob sent u a PM

[Robtaff]

Only met, Michael very briefly when he had the bar next to the Irish Clock.

Knowing that I was also from Wales (Bob told him) he asked if I had any Caerphilly Cheese.

Anyway, I hope he makes a full recover.

Iechydd dda, Michael.