A last hope for saving dad's life

In October last year my dad started noticing a swelling in his left foot which was extremely sore. This quickly became a chronic wound and he was diagnosed with sugar diabetes. By November the chronic wound had developed into gangrene, with the pain severely affecting his mobility and desire to eat. By January 2025, doctors had further diagnosed him with Addison’s disease, but the extent to which this had already impacted him was not investigated further. With regard the foot, doctors agreed the best cause of action was to debride the gangrene from his foot. This left my dad’s foot looking like something from the scene of a horror movie, exposing his tendons, some bone and what remained of the flesh.

By January, he had already lost around half of his bodyweight, looking severely malnourished and constantly on a drip in hospital. The list of problems he began to encounter only continued as he started talking about seeing people in the garden who wasn’t there and telling us he had to go to work on the weekend, yet had already been retired for nearly eight months. It quickly became apparent that dementia was also another issue he was struggling with. What was once his desire to retire in Thailand and see all of the nature he once watched on TV and the ability to see more of the world in his old age had faded into what can now only be described as an unattainable, distant dream.

Fast forward to today, the stress this has brought on to both my mother and I is unimaginable, to see someone walking, able to communicate and making decisions independently one moment, yet in such a short space of time, unable to walk or stand, unable to communicate and transitioning from someone fit and well to what is essentially a skeleton with skin holding them together. To this very date and time, my dad barely consumes enough fluids or food in a day and we are constantly worried as his health continues to deteriorate. It appears that Addison’s disease has now become a life threatening matter running congruent with the gangrene as he has lost all appetite to eat and clearly struggling with internal health issues.

I personally spoon feed my dad liquids and deal with his wound cleaning myself, not because others don’t want to or simply because I have a higher tolerance for such things, but because of my unconditional love for my dad. I do it for the fact I want to help him and to continue having him in my future. I want him to be able to see his grandchildren one day. Sadly, growing up, my dad was never around for me. He was always out working (gone before I woke up and arriving home after I had gone to bed) and this deeply weakened the relationship I had with him as a child and thereafter, throughout life. These last few months have brought us closer together as father and son and we still have a chance to help him before the problem develops into sepsis or the gangrene moves further beyond his knee.

Our intention is find him advanced medical care to address a number of the aforementioned problems and bring his weight up enough for us to be able to repatriate him back to the UK. Sadly, the cost of nursing, medication, hospital treatments and food that goes unconsumed has run up significant bills that we are unable to continue with matters in our own hands anymore. My mother’s anxiety levels are high and she is constantly losing weight through worries and stress, leaving me with two elderly parents to care for, with all of my dad’s issues being down to myself to deal with, I am tired and constantly under stress with it all. My only motivation in continuing is the fact my parents gave me an upbringing I am truly grateful for, they were always there to pick up the pieces in life when something went wrong. This in itself is something for which I will do everything I can to support them.

We have spoken with the embassy and sadly there is little that they have done to help with this situation, even with the urgency. As a result we have privately contacted air ambulance companies for quotations. We have been advised that medical repatriation should cost around £35,000 - £55,000. As a result of this significant amount, together with the cost of a tomography and physical/mental health examinations, seeing a specialist for Addison’s disease and hospital daily admission fees of around 8,000 THB (£183), we are seeking the help of others. Sadly, so much of our time now revolves around caring for my dad, from trying to feed him and ensuring he is drinking, to washing him, getting him ready for hospital appointments and taking care of his wound. Therefore we would be entirely grateful for any help for which you may be able to contribute.