An English teacher in Bangkok – The Gareth Davies eMails

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Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2012 03:58:07 -0800
To: [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: New message from Gareth Davies

Hi Xxxxxxxx
I haven’t been communicating with people as I didn’t want to say everything is fine when it wasn’t
I have not been good the last few months. I haven’t said much as I hadn’t told my family or freinds (sic) in UK. I have been depressed(Lonliness (sic), boredom) stuck out here in Romklao rd on my own. I have continued to lose weight and have had heart and kidney malfunction (CREST) My insurance at my uni is not good and this week I was rushed to hospital (Breathlessness) Heart and build up of fluid in lungs. Wouild (sic) have cost me 35.000 baht for one night IC in Serriruk (sic) (minburi) (sic) so had to be moved to Nopparat (sic) (gov) on Ram intra Rd. Will b egoing (sic) home UK end of semester. How are you

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Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:18:29 +0700
Subject: What is wrong with me?
From: [email protected]
To: many recipients (Ed)

Hello all.

I hope you are all well.

Most of you will be aware that since the sudden death of my mother last year, I decided to come back to live and work in Thailand.
For the last 7 months I have been teaching English Language at a Thai university on the outskirts of Bangkok.

For over 10 years or so I have been very fortunate in that I finally found a job that I genuinely enjoy. Meeting and helping people from all over the world and with different cultures has been eye opening, a pleasure and a ‘learning’ experience for me too. I could now wax lyrically about how the world would be a better and safer place if we could all meet each other face to face on equal terms. Despite skin colour, race and religion we all do share the same needs, hopes and dreams…… .Sorry.I digress.

It is with a heavy heart that I have to inform you that I am not sure how long I can continue in my present situation. About a year ago I was diagnosed with a rare condition known as Sclederodema (Systemic Sclerosis) or CREST. (I hadn’t heard of it either) It is an auto immune system problem that effects many organs of the body.

I have lived with many of the symptoms for years. as they are quite trivial and effect many people so I never put them all together and neither did GP’s in England: (Chronic heartburn and acidity, very numb fingers and toes during cold snaps and being a skinny bastard.)

It was just prior to coming to Thailand again that I developed the unsightly red blotches on my hands and face that again my GP couldn’t identify. I now know that they are all related to my condition.

I could live with these problems however my heart, kidney, and lungs are also being affected. This culminated in me being rushed into hospital on Monday morning (23rd) as I couldn’t breathe.
Thankfully, I have made a remarkable recovery since then and have been in my Bangkok apartment this week even able to socialize and go shopping. All being well, I am returning to work next week, (My choice) If health allows I would like to finish my contract here in Bangkok, mark final exams and tie up any loose ends. (March)

After consultation with my brother and manager here I have decided to return to the UK after that. There are a number of factors involved. I can assure you that the quality of the health care and some of the facilities here in Bangkok are better than anything in the UK that I have seen. Unfortunately, I don’t have good insurance and an overnight stay in a private hospital would have cost me over a months salary. If the worst comes to the worst I would have to rely on friends helping me out financially and I don’t want to be in that situation. My follow ups at a government hospital cost less than a 10th that but involve waiting around all day even if you do have a timed appointment.

If I am unable to work here there is no benefit system so I won’t have an income, so I am going to be living with my brother’s family near Plymouth, Hopefully I can enjoy the benefits of the NHS and see a specialist and get myself back on my feet and secure a job. That is a worry though, as I’m not sure anybody would employ me in my current state. I’m down to a 28 inch waist (52 Kg) and In my old shirts and trousers I look like a pipe cleaner in a sleeping bag.

Well that’s all my good news for now. :)

I know I am not the best at keeping in touch with people but thought this email was important to send. Please pass on my news to anybody who I know, have forgotten or don’t use their email.

If you are interested in my condition: links below : Depressing reading really as no cure. Only drugs to combat some symptoms:

Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma)

Scleroderma

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you and goodbye to all my former and current students,friends bosses and collegues all over Thailand. I won’t see you all before leaving. All being well, I would love to return to Thailand and see you, even if it is just for a holiday.
To my English contacts I look forward to seeing you in March

Please don’t feel the need to reply and take care.
All the best

Garf (Gareth)

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