This post was accidentally deleted by Jen!

Basically I was writing about the Coral Bleaching, and for more info read www.ecokohtao.com or join the facebook page “EcoKohTao”.

Ta

SD

I woke around 9.30 to find Si working on his laptop.  He’d been up since around 7am

I was feeling much better, the swelling had almost gone and I found walking semi comfortable.

So after a shower we went out for breakfast to ‘Cafe Corner’ in Sairee for poached eggs on toast and a smoothy.   The ride down wasnt too bad as I supported most of my weight on the footpegs and right hand on the back of the bike to take most of the impact from bumps & holes in road.

Back at home, I finished off all the Reef Check slates for Nathan that needed re-marking as they’d become pretty faint over time and an hour or so into doing that I turned around and Si was snoozing on the bed.

It’s pretty boring when you’re not diving and can’t go swimmng so I think Im going to find the next week a real struggle.  I think I might see if I can sit on some academics, equipment specs or see if there’s anything on the Eco side that I can help out with.  I dont think I can stand another lazy day watching tv…

In the evening, we decided to pop down to Crystal to catch up with people and watch a couple of Open Water movies.  I’m so glad we did as it was great to see everyone and so many people asked how I was feeling which I really appreciated.  I know we’ve only been away for 48hrs but it felt much longer.  When Carsten & Nathans movies came on I felt guilty as we were supposed to be team teaching and starring in them.  Oh well, I’m sure there be lots of other opportunities.

On the way home we got a takeaway and then watched the Survivor finale.

Today we were up early and I was supposed to be starting team teaching with Nathan and Si was finishing off academics and then confined water but instead of that I ended up going to the clinic.

As a few weeks ago I had either been bitten or had a spot that got infected in my lower region which obviously being me, I had picked and picked and had resisted in the last few days as it had become very swollen and uncomfortable.  When I woke this morning it had doubled in size, the tenderness had spread up into my groin region and walking was painful, so before heading to Crystal, we popped into the clinic to have it checked out.

After being examined, which really hurt, the Dr said I’d had to go to Samui to have it cut/cleaned etc as it was badly infected and they couldn’t deal with it.   Si was adamant that we’d go to Samui straight away and thinking about it now, I’m glad we did.

We shot home to collect insurance docs & passports, rode to Crystal to let Nathan & Carsten know before catching the  9.30am boat to Samui. 

Once in Samui a couple of hours later, we caught a taxi bus to Bangkok Hospital where we checked in and I was seen pretty much immediately.  First my blood pressure & temperature were taken and then I was taken through to see the Dr. who assessed my lump, saying ‘Oh, absess, very very bad, lots of pus, will have to open”  My immediate reaction was to ask ‘will it hurt?’   she replied “In beginning only” she then promptly asked if I wanted a anaesthetic, which I said “YES!!!!!”

Boy, when that needle went in, my eyes just streamed  ..then again  …ARGH!!   but after a few seconds I could hardly feel anything thankfully.   After she made her incision and squeezed a little , she says ‘lot and lot of pus’  and then show me a blood/pus soaked gause  ..Hmm, how lovely!!
1/2 hr and 4 stitches later, she had finished.    Thank goodness for that.   I dressed, met Si in the waiting room, arranged another appointment and then then collected my prescription.   Standing and walking felt fine until the anaesthetic wore off and then I looked like a little old lady hobbling along at a snails pace.

As we’d missed the last boat back to Koh Tao, we caught a taxi to a hotel next to the ferry port.  I spent most of the time laid down as I was very sore whilst Si went out to get provisions. We laid in the hotel room all afternoon trying to keep cool, and slept very well at night..