Patients’ Stories

Patients’ Stories

K’Kanarin Thawornsa’s favorite soccer player recovery journey from a soccer match

K’Kanarin: On October 2, 2021 there was a Football Thai League match between Port United F.C. vs Muangthong United F.C. One moment in the competition, I was doing header with Muangthong United F.C. player. The player’s head came in contacted with my nose. Afterwards, I fell down onto the ground and experienced heavy bleeding . At that time I didn't feel a lot of pain, just a slight numbness. The only thing that I can comprehend was there was a lot of blood streaming down until the point that I couldn’t see properly. After a while, I started to develop sharp pain in the area of contact.The doctor was astonished since the injury was more severe than expected. It didn’t worry me much since I was quite aware of my condition. My only concern were that eye and brain areas will be effected. Fortunately, the doctor diagnosed that my nose was injured and that there was wound extending to the forehead. The doctor explained that the surgery was successful and there was nothing to be concerned. I wanted to share to individuals who encounter the similar experience to not worry and have faith in medical sector. Believe in the medical staff, especially those who are specialist. I was fortunate to be treated at Vibhavadi Hospital. The medical staff were experienced and the treatment process done smoothly. I felt content with doctor’s before and after treatment consultation. These procedures made me feel more relaxed and assured in treatment process. The doctor’s stitches were impeccable and the team was very considerate and thoughtful throughout the recovering phase in Vibhavadi Hospital. Thank you.

“My mother had shingles on her face and I’m here to share the story”

My mother had shingles on the B1 zone (top left) of her face. It was an experience that we, as children, felt very bad. On the evening of February 15th, my older sister called to say that our mother had red eye. I asked her to send me a photo, in which I forwarded to her cardiologist asking if she needed to stop her usual anticoagulant medication to prevent further bleeding in the eye. Her cardiologist said no, but I have decided to ask my sister to take her to an ophthalmologist the next day. During the call, my mother mentioned that she also had a headache; I told her to take a painkiller, but she did not do it. On February 16th, my mother’s red eye got worse. My sister brought her to Vibhavadi Hospital and she was diagnosed with severe blepharitis, with multiple scratches on her corneas. I felt sorry for the pain she must be feeling but I was also relieved that she was getting treatment. However, the ophthalmologist had some concerns when my mother complained about the lingering headache. The next day, the ophthalmologist appointed a follow up for her eye condition to diagnose the specific pathogen that is causing her discomfort. After the checkup, her condition did not get better so the doctor started to suspect that there was an underlying condition, such as herpes—however no other sores were found on the left side of her face. Meanwhile, her headache was still present. On the 18th, my sister sent me a photo of our mom, who was now developing fluid-filled sores and red patches on the left side of her face. My heart dropped. My hands started shaking as I started doing research on herpes in the eyes, and it turned out that the leading symptom was a headache. Unfortunately, it can also damage the corneas and destroy one’s vision if left untreated. This time, I made 3 appointments with a dermatologist, an ophthalmologist, and a neurologist; and took my mother to the dermatologist right away. The dermatologist confirmed that she had shingles, because the sores were showing up along the cranial nerves line in the B1 (top left) zone of the face. My mother was in so much pain, I could hardly believe it. I almost cried thinking about all the times my mother was telling us about her excruciating headache, the ones we thought was just a normal headache or from blepharitis. My mother was admitted to the hospital and was taken care of by Dr. Phagarnart Eiumtrakul, ophthalmologist. The best option for the successful treatment of shingles in the elderly is to administer medication through the IV. Neurologist Dr. Pongsakorn Tanayapong also came to see my mother and after a thorough examination, he confirmed that her headaches were directly linked to the outbreak, and not by issues related to the vascular system. After knowing the truth about my mother’s ailments, every one of us siblings were feeling so guilty for not believing her when she told us something was wrong. Mom was in the hospital from February 18th to 22nd, and every day she got better from the medication she was administered. However, her corneas were damaged from the outbreak, but showed signs of improving. Every single doctor that took care of her were amazing and kind, with special thanks to Dr. Kitti Trakulrattanawong, thanks to all the doctors who were patient and understanding with answering questions from our family. Thanks to the nurses in Ward 8 V, who were constantly in and out of the room checking on my mother and giving her medication, as well as being emotionally supportive throughout her stay at the hospital. Even though my mother was getting better, but the medication she took had many side effects and the main one was fatigue and sleepiness, sometimes she forgot where she was, sometimes she dreamt she was here and there, sometimes she would pray to herself, and she would have conversations with us then forget about it. The side effects lingered when she returned home to my sister’s house, causing her to be excessively sleepy and forgetful. These got better when her medication was adjusted, and even though she constantly had a headache (normal in elderly patients with shingles), but most of the time she is alert and able to do things on her own, like talking on the phone and scolding at the family dog.   My sister kept a close eye on our mother’s medication and constantly took her to checkups for her eyes which are healing, but her left eye was so damaged that her vision was affected. Two weeks later, we still felt guilty for allowing mom to suffer for 3 days without doing anything about it. At the age of 89, we should have taken her to a doctor as soon as she told us something was wrong. Things that I have learned from this experience: 1. The first signs and symptoms of shingles may not be red rashes or fluid-filled blisters. If an older family member repeatedly inform you of their discomforts, please do not ignore their call for help. Take them to see a medical professional as soon as possible. 2. Vaccination for shingles are necessary for people over 60, because it is better and safer to prepare their immune system for the virus. Even though it does not protect them 100%, but it can help make the symptoms during an outbreak less severe. 3. Don’t leave your elderly family members alone if they are dealing with an illness and are not mentally alert. Talk to them consistently to encourage their cognition to be active, but focus on positive and lighthearted topics.                                                                                                                                                   Written by Pu-Phad (pseudonym)

The amazing story of the quintuplets

          From an interview in a previous online newsletter on vibhavadi.com, we interviewed the Siribunchawan family; who successfully conceived quintuplets (2 boys and 3 girls) via IVF at Vibhavadi Hospital Fertility Center. The babies are now almost 4 months old and very adorable. Mr. and Mrs. Siribunchawan told us that the quintuplets are very healthy with easy temperaments. Since Mother’s Day was in August, we took the opportunity to interview new mom Mrs. Siribunchawan on raising quintuplets, and share photos of the adorable 5; Avie, Ally, Andrew, Edward, and Emma. How are the quintuplets? “They are almost 4 months now, everyone is healthy and strong. Our 3 nannies, grandma, and I all help take care of the babies.” When do the babies cry, usually? “They usually cry at the same time when they are hungry or have stomach pains. Their daddy always say that when they cry, it sounds like the melody in a song.” How do you plan to raise them? “From what I’ve been thinking, when they are a little older we may have to renovate the house. They will probably go to school near our house. I will do my best to raise them the way my mother raised me. Dad already bought us a new van to make transportation easier.” Has dad been involved in taking care of the babies? “Usually he is at work, but he does help when he’s home. He helps as much as he can.” What do you have planned for their future? “I haven’t thought about it. Whatever they want to do, study, or be, they can. I don’t want to force them. I just want them to be good people who contribute to society.” Do you want more kids? “I talked to my husband and we do want 1 or 2 more, so the quintuplets can have younger siblings. Maybe 4-5 years from now when they are a bit older.” Since you are a new, young mom, how does it feel to raise 5 babies? “I feel exhausted! But the happiest kind of exhaustion. Seeing them grow everyday makes me so happy, but I am lucky to have the nannies and grandma to help me. Every time we have to go somewhere, we really need to plan the trip thoroughly because it can be a bit tricky. For example, coming to see the doctor at Vibhavadi Hospital, we have to alternate the babies for different appointments on different days. Overall, we are extremely happy.” Truly a miracle, to witness the birth of the quintuplets. A miracle that brings happiness. Vibhavadi Hospital Fertility Center is happy and proud to be a part of the joy in the Siribunchawan family.

A life changing second

General ML Kitimas Suksawat was 67 years old when he received a coronary bypass surgery by Dr. Cheerasak Arunthari and Dr. Semchai Boonpoh, cardiologists at Vibhavadi Hospital. One morning, we received a call to go up to ward 12A, where a patient would like to share some grateful words with us. The only thing we knew was that the patient had a bypass surgery. When we arrived the room, we were surprised to see the bright smile of the patient who looked nothing like someone who just went through surgery. We wanted to know more about his story. “It was a decision made within seconds,” said Gen. ML Kitimas Suksawat, recalling the experience. “I was negligent. I didn’t think it would happen to me because I thought that I was healthy as an Aviation Officer and got health checkups every 6 months. The only issue I had was high blood pressure, so I completely ignored my cardiovascular health. Until that day…the day my family and I were face to face with a life changing situation. It was 9 AM, I was with my wife, and we were doing some gardening. We were trying to cut a big tree and I was exerting a lot of force, thinking that I was strong. I sweat a lot as the weather was hot, and as soon as I took a shower and sat down to rest, I started to feel chest tightness and numbness in my arm down to my fingers. When I realized what was happening, I was reminded of the forwarded Line messages my friends usually sent, about the symptoms of atherosclerosis.” He added, “I told my wife and son right away, and we were on our way to our usual hospital. My son was driving and we realized how far the trip was, especially with the traffic. At that point, I was already curled up in pain and we made the decision to go to Vibhavadi Hospital. My son was already a patient he so he knew that there was a Heart Center here and up to date medical equipment. I was first and foremost impressed with how quick the hospital provided medical help.” “The doctors and nurses at the ER were quick to react. They treated me right away and didn’t waste time asking about my personal data, and I was very impressed with that. The doctor said that I had coronary artery disease, which required an angiogram and catheterization. I must admit that I was terrified at that moment but when I thought about my wife and children and their lives without me, I had to know more about the procedure. Eventually, the doctor was very kind and supportive, and my worried faded away. When we got to the catheterization room, Dr. Semchai, cardiologist, said that it would only hurt like getting an injection. His warm and composed demeanor really helped ease my mind. During the procedure I could see the medical team do their work with smiles on their faces and constant comforting words. I looked outside of the glass window and saw my wife and children there close by.” Gen. ML Kitimas wanted to share his story with us as a cautionary tale for anyone who took their cardiovascular health for granted. He ended by saying, “I understand now what it means to be in the critical moment. The right decision really matters. I took my cardiovascular health for granted, and it was the most important organ that needs care but often did not get. I urge everyone to get their heart checked up every year and eat healthy food. Health is the most important thing…no amount of money can buy you good health, you have to nurture it.”   

Unfortunate circumstances, unfortunate conditions

      Dr. Methee Wongsirisuwan, neurosurgeon, talked about hitting the jackpot. For the rest of us, hearing the word ‘jackpot’ always come with an exciting and positive connotation, however for Mr. Prapan Pongvachirintra; the jackpot he received was far from confetti and cash prizes. Mr. Prapan experiences excruciating pain from a condition called ‘trigeminal neuralgia’. Vibhavadi Hospital had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Prapan about his experience with trigeminal neuralgia. “What I got it,” he said, “I had stabbing pains on my face and even my eye socket. Every time I chewed my food, brushed my teeth, and even experiencing wind blowing on my face caused extreme pain. It was so painful that it got in the way of my daily life. My life changed drastically and I couldn’t even do my job like before.” When asked about the treatment, he said, “I went to so many doctors. The first doctor gave me medication that I took for 4 years but it didn’t help at all.” “I was already a patient at Vibhavadi Hospital but never thought to get treatment for this condition. Since I have been to so many doctors already, I decided to consult Vibhavadi about my pain. I met with Dr. Kanlaya Damrongsak, a neurologist at Vibhavadi Hospital, who suggested that I undergo surgery with Dr. Methee Wongsirisuwan, the neurosurgeon. I had a friend who was operated by Dr. Methee and had a very good experience because of his expertise. I had some concerns because I had heart disease so the risk was quite great, it took me 6 months to make up my mind.” So what made him change his mind? Mr. Prapan said, “because the pain was so horrible. It was unbearable. Actually Dr. Methee was already ready to operate on me, he was just waiting for me to decide and stop taking my anticoagulant medication. My friend who was satisfied with his experience was supporting me to undergo the surgery, so I did it.” “After the surgery, the pain was gone. I felt so  

Thought it was just a golf injury

Sport injuries can happen anytime, like in the case of Mr. Jack, or Mr. Pawat Varamethpasuk; a 46-year old business man with a love for golf but also suffered from what he thought was a golf-induced back pain. Eventually Mr. Jack underwent surgery at Vibhavadi Hospital, let’s find out what happened to him and why he needed surgery. When asked about his symptoms prior to the hospital visit, Mr. Jack said, “I’ve been dealing with back pain for a year now, and I usually enjoy golfing…almost every week, so I thought the back pain was from a golf-induced injury. Until one day, I tripped on the stairs and started to experience numbness from the waist down to my feet and suddenly I was no longer able to walk, so I came to Vibhavadi Hospital right away.” Were you a patient at Vibhavadi Hospital before this? “I used the services provided at the Vibhavadi Golf Performance Center, so I did some research and found many cases similar to mine and underwent surgery with Dr. Methee Wongsirisuwan, neurosurgeon at Vibhavadi Hospital. So I made an appointment with Dr. Methee and came to see him.” What was the diagnosis? Mr. Jack recalled, “Dr. Methee had me get an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging: a very powerful diagnostic scanning tool), and the results showed that I had a herniated spinal disc, putting pressure on my nerves. Dr. Methee suggested 2 treatment options; medication and surgery. After a thorough conversation with him, I chose surgery.” Mr. Jack also added, “After the surgery, the numbness has decreased a lot. I still have occasional pain at the wound site, but Dr. Methee said it will get better with time. However, the wound was very small and I felt that I have recovered very quickly, maybe because I was athletic (helping with healing time). Dr. Methee allowed me to go home but I had to refrain from playing gold for a bit, and have consistent post-op check ups.” In response to what he would share with others who may be experiencing back pain, Mr. Jack said “Back pain can be caused by many things, sometimes you think it’s not serious so you neglect your health…like me, who ignored my back pain for years until I started experiencing numbness and then I couldn’t walk. I was so scared that I would not be able to enjoy golf anymore. Also, these days, surgery is not as scary as before, because of technological advances and doctor’s expertise, it can be a less stressful procedure.” Vibhavadi Hospital would like to send encouragement to Mr. Jack for his speedy recovery. If you are experiencing back pain, please do not hesitate to visit a doctor to find out the true cause of the pain and receive the correct treatment. We are ready to take care of you.  

When the orthopedic doctor became paralyzed

 Dr.Werayudth Chaopricha, an orthopedic at the Bone & Joint Center, Vibhavadi Hospital would like to share his own personal experience as a precaution tale for those at risk of a stroke and support for paralysis patients and their families. He wrote, “on the morning of the 27th January 2015, I got out of bed and felt dizzy. I could not walk straight and felt that my arms and legs were weak. I had to use the wall for support as I walked to the bathroom to shower and brush my teeth, and had some suspicion that I might be having a stroke. I quickly got dressed and asked my wife to take me to the hospital. When we got to the ER, the nurse took my vitals and found that both my blood pressure and body temperature were very high. The ER doctor ordered a brain MRI and contacted a neurologist right away as I was taken to the ICU and received urgent care, hoping that I would feel better in a few days because I was still able to move my arms. The next day, I started to feel pain and numbness in my right arms and legs; the pain felt like I constantly had something on top of my limbs. The weakness in my right foot increased and I was no longer able to move it…paralysis has happened. I had so many questions running through my mind. Why did a stroke happen to me? How can I use my knowledge to treat myself to help the doctors who are treating me so that I can return to my job as a microsurgeon? And most importantly, will I be able to return to my favorite hobby, golf?” “3 years since the day of my condition, the biggest problem in my life became a life-changing lesson, a priceless test. I was fortunate to be able to return to my role as a hand microsurgeon. I was able to rejoin gold tournaments, and join a 3-5 km fun-run not only once, but 5 times! I want to take this opportunity to share with you what happened to me, as a precaution for those at risk of a stroke. 1. Non-modifiable risks: being older than 45 years old, genetics, and a history of heart disease and heart valve surgery. 2. Modifiable risks:       2.1 obesity (high BMI)      2.2 food: I used to enjoy sweet, greasy, and salty foods but now I do not consume fried food or sweet, greasy, salty foods. I eat mostly vegetables, fish, and fruits—my dinner substitution.      2.3 exercise: before I got sick I used to play golf once or twice a week, but now I do cardio exercises for 20-30 minutes, 3-5 times a week. The first year after the event, it was still hard for me to walk and balance, so I did hydrotherapy for 1 hour, for 360 days. When I was able to walk and swim again, I walked on the treadmills for 20 minutes, and swam 20 laps (about 400 meters). I had to learn to write in Thai, English, and Japanese again everyday for 3 months until I could write the way I used to be able to. My wife was especially fond of my efforts in learning how to do chores around the house again.”     

Facial pain: the thief of joy

          We all strive to work and make money, for a comfortable life without struggle…but the reality is good health is worth more than money. This is an interview with Mr. Amphol Wannee, a 56 years old sufferer of facial pain for 7 years. This condition has taken away his day-to-day happiness and got in the way of his life. The symptoms come and go, some months it didn’t bother him, allowing him to enjoy golfing at the driving range. However, it got in the way of his plans to travel because the pain was so unpredictable.           Mr. Amphol was from Cholburi, and has his own real estate business. For the past 7 years, he continuously sought medical help and received medication which caused his dizziness and confusion, but didn’t help relieve the pain at all. During an intense painful episode, even the wind blowing on his face can cause excruciating pain like being electrocuted on the right side of his forehead. It would hurt so much that tears would flow automatically, his eye socket would be in pain—forcing his eye shut, and even his lips would be in so much pain that he could not eat or drink anything. It got in the way of his daily life so his children tried to find ways to help him, to which they found Dr. Methee Wongsirisuwan, a neurosurgeon at Vibhavadi Hospital; who has had many successes treating similar cases. Mr. Amphol’s children booked an appointment for their dad with Dr. Methee and they received the following diagnosis: Mr. Amphol had trigeminal neuralgia, a disorder related to the 5th cranial nerve, or the trigeminal nerve. The condition itself is not life threatening, but it causes a lot of discomfort and jolting pain for those suffering from it. There are no medication to treat the condition, but surgery is a widely used treatment. Mr. Amphol made a decision right away, even after being informed that it may not be 100% healed as the pain can remain slightly but it can get better with time. Before the surgery, we asked if Mr. Amphol was scared about the procedure and he said ‘not at all’ as he has been suffering with pain for so long and wanted to feel better as soon as possible. Furthermore, Dr. Methee’s expertise reassured him. And just like a miracle, as soon as he came out of surgery, Mr. Amphol told us that his pain completely disappeared. Before the surgery, he gave a 10 on the pain score, and after the procedure it was at a 0, except for very tiny jolts when he chewed or turned his head.        Lastly, he would like to share that these days, medicine has advanced and doctors are experts, so if anyone is suffering from the same condition…please seek medical help right away. Surgery as a treatment option for neuralgia can be life changing in the best possible way.

An experience with arterial plaque

            Mr. Piyawat Kasemsuwan, a 58-year old middle manager in a stock exchange company, underwent a heart by pass surgery in the beginning of 2018. He’s a working man who always took care of his health; he had a balanced diet, loved to eat vegetables, and have been getting 2 health checkups every year. In those checkups, no abnormalities were ever found regarding blood cholesterol and sugar levels, even his blood pressure was normal. What were the risks?           He said, “I got married later in life. When I was single, I used to party, drink, and smoke a lot. I was not living a healthy lifestyle. I started drinking at 18, started smoking at 15…I smoked 10 cigarettes a day and on nights I went out, I smoked up to 20 cigarettes. My lifestyle changed when I got married at 50 and I decreased these unhealthy habits.”           He continued, “in August of 2017, I started to get stabbing pains in the inside part of my left arm. The pain was annoying and continuous, so I rubbed my arm and it would go away. Three to 4 hours later, it would return again. This happened for about 2 months and I started getting muscle fasciculation around my left rib area, to which I tried to solve the issue by rubbing the skin on that area. I began to have suspicions that things are not normal so I consulted a cardiologist at Vibhavadi Hospital. He asked me about me previous symptoms and whether or not I was suffering from chest pains and tightness, if I was suddenly out of breath from doing normal things, like walking up the stairs. I got an electrocardiogram (EKG), the results were normal, but when I went through the Exercise Stress Test (EST) my calves began to experience numbness after walking on the treadmill and I could not finish the designated program. The doctor explained that our arteries resemble a tube, and if plaques like fat or calcium deposited inside the vessels, it would also block off access for blood to travel through. My artery was not completely blocked off, but for some people it could manifest in a sudden way like a heart attack…and could result in death if not helped in time. Because my results were not too bad, I was able to resume normal life and came back again for a 128-Slices CT Scan 2 months later. The results were shocking, 3 of my arteries had calcium plaques inside and I was immediately referred to a cardiologist.              I was shocked as I was told by the cardiologist that my condition was a ticking time bomb; meaning things could go wrong at any time. I made the decision to go see Dr. Semchai Pohboon, cardiologist at Vibhavadi Hospital. When we saw my CT Scan image, he made an appointment for me to receive a cardiac angiogram and insert a balloon to increase room in the blocked arteries. However, during the procedure we encountered an issue—there was too much calcium deposits inside that it was impossible to insert a catheter. It would not have been an issue if they were fat deposits, but calcium deposits were another story. We could push through it, but it would require 4-5 sessions every 2-3 weeks and a very high risk of kidney failure from the IV contrast dye used…and may result in me having to undergo dialysis for the rest of my life. The doctor told me that there was another option: a coronary bypass surgery. It will help redirect blood through a graft and finally supply the heart with sufficient oxygen. I made my decision, and 4 days later Dr. Semchai Pohboon with Dr. Chaiwut Yottasurodom, the cardiac surgeon, and their team led me into the bypass surgery. The artery from my right leg was used to build the graft. I spent about 4-5 hours in the surgery room, and then I was under observation in the CCU (cardiac care unit) before transferring to a room in the ward, where I spent the rest of my 13 days in the hospital. The doctor told me that my 3 arteries were 75%, 85%, and 95% blocked respectively. He also took the opportunity to change the 4th artery for me too, to prevent problems down the line. I asked him what were the causes of the blockages, and he told me that there were 2 possible scenarios: 1, being diabetic and receiving insulin regularly causing calcium deposits, and 2, long term regular smoking. I have been smoking since I was 15, 10-20 cigarettes per day. The doctor was sure that my smoking habits were the cause of the calcium deposits blocking my cardiac arteries. From that day, I decided to quit smoking. It’s been 9 months post surgery now, and my life has returned to normal. I exercise lightly everyday by walking for 5 km around my neighborhood.” After the near death experience, Mr. Piyawat mentioned that besides risks like smoking, taking one’s health for granted can also be a risk factor. He urges everyone to get yearly health checkups even if they are healthy and feel fine. Do not push your luck, he added, in his case, he was fortunate enough to get the correct treatment for 3 clogged arteries in time…

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