Patient Testimonial
Kidney Transplant Patient
"I feel amazing after the surgery; I don't have to drive myself or have my child take me for dialysis anymore... it's like a new life—like being a new person!"
"I've had kidney disease for 10 years, and including dialysis, it's been 11 and a half years. I also suffer from hyperthyroidism, gout, and high blood pressure, leading to continuous pain medication use. During a routine annual check-up, my kidney function was elevated to 1.9, so I started treatment with Dr. Tanomsak Asavadilokchai at Ramkhamhaeng Hospital. I received medication, but my condition worsened over time. I resisted dialysis for a year until I couldn't anymore and decided to undergo dialysis twice a week, four hours each session. This was a major turning point that led me to consider a kidney transplant. Dr. Tanomsak informed me that Ramkhamhaeng Hospital had a kidney transplant program, registered with the Thai Red Cross. I decided to join, and in less than a year, on a Monday night, I received a call from the hospital informing me that a kidney was available. I was told to come to Ramkhamhaeng Hospital on Tuesday for surgery. I had the transplant surgery that very Tuesday night, May 24, 2022. Since I had already undergone preliminary health checks, I only needed a quick blood pressure check and an ECG. The surgery began at 10:30 PM, lasted about 5 hours, and I stayed in the hospital for half a month. The doctor schedules follow-up appointments periodically. I feel incredible after the surgery; I don't have to drive or have my child bring me for dialysis anymore... it truly feels like a new lease on life—like a brand new me!"
Pituitary Tumor Patient
After about 3-4 days of headaches
"I saw a doctor who thought it was early-stage migraines. They gave me medication and an injection, but it didn't help. The doctor then requested a scan, and the results showed nothing. The next day, I couldn't eat or do anything, so my husband rushed me back to the hospital."
"The doctor re-examined the CT scan and immediately saw something, so I was admitted. The doctor informed me late that night that it might be a tumor, specifically on my pituitary gland. I asked about treatment, and the doctor said the easiest way was endoscopic surgery to avoid opening the brain. Once removed, that was it. I'm living a normal life now. I used to get sick easily, but I haven't been sick since the surgery."
Mr. Sommai Promsathaporn shares his story.
"I had no pre-existing conditions; I enjoyed running and exercising. My annual check-up revealed high cholesterol and triglycerides, which improved after exercise. However, I never had a heart check-up. At the 19km mark of my run, I had no warning signs – no difficulty breathing, no chest pain. I suddenly blacked out and remember nothing. I was conscious during the angiogram and surgery, but still can't recall the events. When I woke up, I was still in shock, asking my wife if I finished the race, where my shirt was, and where my medal was."
"I thought it wouldn't happen to me because I'd completed 21km many times and trained regularly. I knew there were risks in competitive running, but I was willing to run and overlooked them, believing I'd be fine. This was completely unexpected."
"I'm grateful to be alive; I still have my family, my loving wife, siblings, friends, pets, and plants. Thank you to the team who helped me recover so well. I might have lived an extreme lifestyle, but I'm not afraid to live. However, recovering has made me feel good. I want to tell those who don't get health check-ups to listen to their doctors. Exercise step by step; don't jump ahead or live too extremely. Live in moderation."
Dr. Pailin Paspitsanu, a cardiologist who treated Mr. Sommai, stated:
"His electrocardiogram showed signs of a previous myocardial infarction (heart attack). When I first saw him, he was disoriented and couldn't recall anything. A brain CT scan showed no signs of stroke or bleeding. His cardiac enzyme levels were around 1,500 (normal is under 45), indicating heart muscle damage. His heart ultrasound showed poor left ventricular contraction (around 53-54%) and a slightly enlarged left heart chamber. An angiogram revealed three severe blockages, most critically over 50% in the left main coronary artery. Treatment options were bypass surgery or angioplasty with stenting, with the best choice depending on the patient's condition. Mr. Sommai and the medical team chose angioplasty with three stents, which took about two hours. He is now feeling well."
Mr. Sommai's collapse was due to acute coronary artery occlusion, leading to myocardial ischemia. Strenuous exercise caused a rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure, and a surge in adrenaline. This made the heart pump forcefully but inefficiently, leading to chest tightness and collapse. Such events during running are often heart-related, especially in runners with undiagnosed coronary artery disease. When the heart's demand for blood increases but it's obstructed by blockages, it leads to ischemia, myocardial death, and heart failure. Prompt treatment with an angiogram was crucial to identify the blockages and determine further intervention.