Being Sick as an Expat in Thailand

We have been in quarantine this week…

Yep, the people in this house have been sick, sick, sick lately. Except for me! Well, except for my appendicitis, but that was over a month ago and I am fully healed (even able to do push-ups again, woo hoo! Well, 8 push-ups, but it’s a start). I am just so thankful that I remained unscathed by the germs that have infected our little family. Thankful for many reasons, but mostly so that I could help Z and Chad rest and heal.

I know you want all the details, right?! Well, Chad picked up a nasty E.Coli strain that left him bed bound for over a week, and it may have been from one of our favorite new restaurants, which makes it doubly sad. It has reaffirmed my thoughts that we should eat clean and try to stick with fare that is grown locally. I have found that the food poisoning problems here are caused more from the imported meats and fare. Well, at least with our family that has been the case.

Chad is now on the mend and is slowly starting to live life as normal. Hooray!

Z developed a double ear infection that was so bad one of her ear drums ruptured. Seriously, I have never felt so powerless as a mother as when Z woke up screaming because her ears hurt. I can remember having ear infections as a child, but honestly cannot remember the actual pain, so I am hoping that she will forget it as well. Since that horrible sleepless night, she has been a complete trooper. In fact, she was asking to go back to school the next day. Kids are just amazing.

Z is back at school today after much begging on her part and I am hoping and praying that she is well enough (it has been almost a week). We shall see later today. (***She did great!***)

So I bet the question on everyone’s mind is, “How is it being sick while being an expat in Thailand?” Well, it is the same as when you are in the USA. Except the medical treatment is CHEAP, the doctors are happy and respected, and the care you receive is thorough and extensive. I admit that we are still newbies here in Phuket, so I do still compare the prices of EVERYTHING to the price I would pay in the States. Expats who have lived here a very long time, may not agree with fact that the care is inexpensive, but I do not think anyone could say that the care is shoddy or at all like we are living in a developing country. I can completely and utterly understand why people travel here just for medical procedures. So if you need some medical or dental care, come to Phuket! Let’s hang out!

Now onto my photos for the week! Sue from Travel Tales of Life had the awesome idea that I should focus more on my photos when I am feeling like writing is too much for me. While this week’s show nothing from that yet, I plan on doing so from now on! Thank you for the idea, Sue!