The story of Linda
I had never been to Bali before and as someone who has a passion for photography in particular nature settings,I was so looking forward to it!
I definitely made my preferences known if I was to travel to Bali,as unfortunately I am one of those who all her life has struggled with food intolerances and IBS!
I wanted to make sure I was going to have endless supplies of bottled water and a cuisine selection that would suit my special dietary requirements we chose to stay at The Ritz Carlton in Nusa Dua .
21/01:23 Sat – Let’s go everything was perfect for our flight out of Sydney,we were both looking forward to our 11 day holiday,even considering extending if we wanted to !
Half way during the flight,I felt amazing other than one time as I looked out the window and panned back in I noticed a dizziness that was a little weird but I just thought it was an altitude thing,other than that I was feeling great .
We touched down and started making our way through customs,as I was walking I noticed I started to get a headache in the centre of my nape / neck area and a slight pressure sensation,I mentioned it to Steve and he felt exactly the way I did possibly a little tension due to all the people and commotion in the airport
Once we found our ride and we’re heading out to our destination,I decided this headache was not going anywhere soon so I took 2 x paracetamol and the weird thing was it did nothing and generally for me any headache I may have which isn’t a usual thing anyways does generally subside ( this one wasn’t it was persisting )
NOTE : Other than headache I was feeling great.
SUNDAY : First day waking up in Bali,no words can explain the Sunrise I got to photograph BUT headache still persists !
Thinking this seems to be a tension headache which won’t budge,I booked in a massage at the Day Spa and it certainly relieved it ( so I booked in another massage for Tuesday 24th )
Sunday and Monday were perfect we contacted our friend and tour guide and enjoyed many sights Bali has to offer it was perfect.
TUESDAY 24/01/23 – Masssge day then night would take us to Jimbaran Bay for Sunset captures and Seafood
Unremarkable day extremely relaxing,now heading onto Jimbaran feeling amazing !
Arrive and what I see in front of me was amazing,the Sunset was everything and more,we were fortunate enough our friend / guide Wayan managed to get poll position seats .
Boys now seated ordering drinks,so for me obviously started making my way down to the shoreline and capturing the most gorgeous vision that was in front of me, again feeling great.
I started making my way back to our table as our drinks had arrived ( mine a Blue Curaçao,which I got to only have 1 sip off )
My world changes literally – As I go to sit down between the two boys,I feel a little weird, kind of like a slight floating sensation and as I look down towards the shoreline where J was previously standing,it’s literally turned upside down and spinning at a pace that was out of this world,I grabbed both of their arms,and honestly I don’t know how I managed this but I got them to cheers to our amazing time in Bali and captured what would be my last photo in Bali taken by me anyways.
My body was not being controlled by me anymore,and as the boys tried to get me up as I mentioned to them I needed to get to a bathroom as soon as possible as I was feeling quite ill at this point,my legs collapsed from under me I had lost the ability to walk independently I was feeling a terrible numbing sensation throughout my body,stuttering speech began along with severe dizziness and confusion!
Wayan made the decision to rush me straight to BIMC Nusa Dua hospital and I thank god every day he made that decision,that drive seemed endless .
On arrival carried straight through,and cared for unbelievably,but my world as I had known it changed.
I spent two weeks in critical care under the most amazing Neurologist Dr Garcia who diagnosed a Carvenoma Peduncle after findings of a MRI.
Plan moving forward from then was to hopefully stabilize me enough with treatment in the hope to get mecmedically evacuated out of Bali and back into a Sydney hospital for further review.
During that two weeks my Brother and sister in law flew to Bali to help and offer support where needed they are so very much appreciated ( it was scary being in a foreign country,and not truly knowing what the outcome was going to be )
Two critical care nurses were flown in from Brisbane to accompany me on the flight home back to Sydney,where once we landed an ambulance would be waiting on the tarmac to transport me straight to a Sydney Hospital.
It’s been 36 days and I am now in rehabilitation and continuing to make progress it’s slow it’s tiring and it’s hard but I am strong determined and very loved by many and I am so grateful I was taken care of both in Bali and back home here in Sydney.
Every day is a true blessing as I navigate my new journey into the unknown,I am one of the fortunate ones,I have a journey to share 🙏🏻