Landed on a tropical island: Thailand, here I come!!!
Els van Wijlen has been living for more than 30 years with her husband 'de Kuuk' in a small village in Brabant. In 2006 they visited Thailand for the first time. Their favorite island is Koh Phangan, which feels like coming home.
It's that time again, in a few days we'll be on the plane again to Bangkok. We're going scootering in the North. The anticipation is unfortunately a bit overshadowed by a number of less pleasant things. And I'm not talking about being in Thailand, but about coming to Thailand.
Luckily I don't have a fear of flying, and thanks to the great sleeping pills I only make the ten-hour journey up to and including the start….. After that I spend the remaining hours in the plane completely disconnected from the world.
No, it is the precautions to be taken in connection with my physical condition. Unfortunately I am no longer the sporty, supple, slender doe that I may never have been, but wanted to be. In recent years, some kilos and some ailments have been added. Nothing shocking, but still…
A person goes through something in his life, pfff…
My daily beer in combination with brisk walks ensure thin and fast-flowing blood, but have not been able to prevent a clot. The result was a thrombosis leg. And I just think that's for old women, or is it?
Anyway, I'm not the most stubborn and after a sermon from the doctor about my health, or rather the lack of it, I took the advice to heart and started taking pills obediently. I inject a blood thinner before I fly and had myself fitted with very ugly but life-saving support stockings. A person goes through something in his life, pffff…
But we're not there yet, because I've recently had radicular complaints, also quite difficult. Pinched nerves make bending over painful, making it almost impossible to put on my support stockings.
At the airport I will take the necessary measures in the disabled toilet. Here is the space that I need to put on the stockings and set the syringe with my limitations. Resigned, I wait for my turn, casually holding the bag with syringe and compression stockings.
Hoppa, put on that stocking….
Inconspicuously I enter the toilet. I sit flat on the floor and take a deep breath. Breathe in, breathe out, concentrate, know what you are doing it for. With my mind at zero, I begin the laborious and painful job.
The support stockings are unfolded and with a quick glance the right stocking is placed on the right leg. Yes, the experienced support stocking user knows that the right stocking belongs on the right leg. I once sat on an airplane with terribly squeezing support stockings. Eventually the pain was unbearable and I took off the squeezing stocking on my left leg. (Try taking off a compression stocking on the plane while sitting in your seat…)
Exhausted and red-faced, I inspect the stocking for irregularities that could be causing the pain. I see to my surprise that a label was sewn on the inside of the stocking. And what does that label say? R. Oh, well… Exactly, R was on my left leg. But that was a beginner's mistake, so I'll never fall for that again. I'm ready, hoppa, put on that stocking….
Aaaahhrrrrrgggggggg, the job is done
As if it wasn't bad enough already, I feel there's another problem coming up. Oh my god, not now.
I can't have that. But I already know what's going to happen. A scorching hot flash is coming. Sweat breaks out, blood rushes to my head. My body becomes clammy, it is now almost impossible to get the stocking in place.
Keep going, think of the beautiful route through the mountains, feel the coolness and that wonderful breeze, think about that! My back hurts, the leg is burning, I get cramps, keep working, I'm almost there.
Oh oh, what bullshit, I don't want this. Aaaahhhh, yes. The first stocking is done.
Just get up, calm things down again and then the second stocking will come. Aaaahhrrrrrgggggggg. Finally the job is done, the stockings are on.
Sweat is wiped from my brow, I look in the mirror and see myself. is this me? A head like a tomato and completely worn out, with a desperate look in the eyes.
Fortunately, the pain quickly disappears
The tingling in the legs slowly disappears. I straighten my back, the hot flash goes away, I return to normal. Now put the syringe. I take the syringe out of the packaging, luckily I don't have to bend over very far to grab a suitable roll of fat. I take a deep breath, hold my breath and plunge the syringe in with conviction.
Calmly I inject the blood thinner into my bacon layer, which starts to hurt almost immediately. I stand up in pain. I tidy up my clothes, splash water on my face and wrists. Fortunately, the pain quickly disappears as the drug works its way through the body. With my head held high and a broad smile, I step out of the disabled toilet and walk to the gate.
Thailand, here I come!!!
– Reposted message –
Beautiful from A to Z… Wonderful reading 🙂
get well soon
What a task!
Which sleeping pills do you actually use, the ones we had last time through the family doctor gave only half an hour of sleep.
Yes, what do you say when you read such a story. Mind over body. There is certainly respect and enjoyment in Thailand. The writing is gripping and leaves nothing to the imagination. That's how I see it.
And that the beer (alcohol) every day is not too good for the blood vessels, of course you already knew that. Have a good time Els and family.
it might be an idea to put those stockings on at home instead of fiddling at the airport
Hello Els,
That was a rough start to the Thailand trip. I hope your journey goes smoother. Have fun.
I also had problems with varicose veins and was sentenced to lifelong blood thinners and 1 compression stocking. What a hassle to get them on. Had to keep them on the beach, yes better not even sun at all. Of course I didn't follow this advice. A few months later ended up with a good professor, vein removed, two weeks of sick leave and no problem for more than ten years. Know from my environment that it doesn't end that easily for everyone
Are you traveling alone Els?
I always put on the support stockings for my wife.
Piece of cake, faster than home care could do it.
The trick is not to sit opposite the 'patient', because then you push the leg away from you with all the consequences.
You have to sit next to the 'patient', for example together on the couch, then you pull the stocking towards you.
If you then put on rubber gloves as a caregiver (available/buy in the same store where the compression stockings were purchased), putting on the stockings is really very easy.
If you have to do it yourself (no caregiver with you), then purchasing those rubber gloves might also be a good idea.
Rolling up well and using talcum powder also helps. I don't need them medically but always use them on long car rides and on the plane. Gives a relaxed feeling and often with that aircon in the plane it is nice and warm
Sleeping pills bought in Thailand, Xanax or Alprazolam. 4 hours per pill under sail. Direct flight, 2 pills. Use entirely at your own risk 🙂
What kind of sleeping pills did you use I'm going to Thailand in Jan 2018 I'd like to hear it thanks in advance
There are also aids to put on the stockings, perhaps an idea.
You can find these items at a home care store.
There are also shops in Thailand that sell tools maybe you can find it there I know there is one in Pattaya past the temple near the local market.
Dormirax 25 is a possibility.
Beautifully written, I enjoyed the story