Fact: All roads don't end at Mayo; affordable international alternatives
Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 9:33 pm
Without being as negative as I'm tempted to be, I just want to post something for all those injured who 'certain supposed saints' wouldn't touch with a ten foot pole due to finances and insurance, or lack thereof.
I'm American by blood and birth, though despise our medical-health care industry-system.
I've been irritated to read so much praises about certain docs/teams there who simply are doing there job and getting hefty salaries at that to do it.
Everytime anyone asks for advice for surgery, there is the universal response of where and who to go to and I think it can be misleading a bit as far as 'the world's best' as we all know most of the outcome of any such operation is up to the patient's, granted the surgeon is competent.
When I first had my injury, I was disheartened on these boards to think that Mayo, Dr.Nath and the likes were my only hope but being uninsured and on meager living means overseas, could only dream of being treated in my native land.
I'm sure they are competent at their jobs, but clearly they aren't saints, are they?
And then I realized something. A lot of Americans / Europeans were travelling to my second / curerent home country Thailand to get medical treatment for everything from bypass surgeries to sex operations.
The more research and inquiry I did, I realized, my best hope was here in Asia where motobike accidents are much more common per capita and overall. I found that there are plenty of specialists here that have dealt with this injury frequently over the last several decades.
While there are still the clueless general neurologists here telling you to eat vitamins and wait like elsewhere, there are competent specialists who know exactly what they're doing, though won't rape your capital to treat you.
I'm not saying Thailand and Asia is the best option for everyone. It was/is for me. It may be an option for those struggling with finances. Thailand is a regional hub I can vouch for medical treatment for this injury among others (though ofcourse you have to seek out the specialists like everywhere else), and there is also India, China, that I've read some but can't personally vouch for.
Hopefully, others can post their own experiences, opinions here to keep things balanced and resourceful for everyone, no matter their socio-economic status.
If you are curious about my treatment path,I have a thread here and my blog has kept detailed account of all the ups and downs I have endured/am enduring.
I'm American by blood and birth, though despise our medical-health care industry-system.
I've been irritated to read so much praises about certain docs/teams there who simply are doing there job and getting hefty salaries at that to do it.
Everytime anyone asks for advice for surgery, there is the universal response of where and who to go to and I think it can be misleading a bit as far as 'the world's best' as we all know most of the outcome of any such operation is up to the patient's, granted the surgeon is competent.
When I first had my injury, I was disheartened on these boards to think that Mayo, Dr.Nath and the likes were my only hope but being uninsured and on meager living means overseas, could only dream of being treated in my native land.
I'm sure they are competent at their jobs, but clearly they aren't saints, are they?
And then I realized something. A lot of Americans / Europeans were travelling to my second / curerent home country Thailand to get medical treatment for everything from bypass surgeries to sex operations.
The more research and inquiry I did, I realized, my best hope was here in Asia where motobike accidents are much more common per capita and overall. I found that there are plenty of specialists here that have dealt with this injury frequently over the last several decades.
While there are still the clueless general neurologists here telling you to eat vitamins and wait like elsewhere, there are competent specialists who know exactly what they're doing, though won't rape your capital to treat you.
I'm not saying Thailand and Asia is the best option for everyone. It was/is for me. It may be an option for those struggling with finances. Thailand is a regional hub I can vouch for medical treatment for this injury among others (though ofcourse you have to seek out the specialists like everywhere else), and there is also India, China, that I've read some but can't personally vouch for.
Hopefully, others can post their own experiences, opinions here to keep things balanced and resourceful for everyone, no matter their socio-economic status.
If you are curious about my treatment path,I have a thread here and my blog has kept detailed account of all the ups and downs I have endured/am enduring.