A neurosurgeon has warned it would be difficult to fly home an Australian woman injured in a motorbike crash in Bali because of fluid build-up near her brain.
Her family now faces a terrible choice: risk her life by flying her home early, or allow her to continue expensive treatment abroad.
Former Seaworld employee Rebecca Ode, 36, was rushed to Ngoerah General Hospital after the accident on a road in Nusa Lembongan at around 1am on Tuesday.
Ms Ode, from Newcastle, north of Sydney, suffered broken bones to her face, head and collarbone and is likely to lose her right eye.
She underwent a 14-hour operation on Tuesday evening, but has since regained consciousness on the Indonesian holiday island.
“She woke up and said, ‘What has happened to me?’” neurosurgeon Professor Tjokorda Gde Bagus Mahadewa told Daily Mail Australia.
Dr Mahadewa said her family wanted her to come home but flying would be difficult for her due to the delicate nature of her injuries.
“If the family wants to evacuate her now, she will have to be transported by trauma helicopter because there may be fluid trapped in the skull,” he told the ABC.
Former Seaworld employee Rebecca Ode, 36, (right, with her family) was rushed to Ngoerah General Hospital after the accident around 1 a.m. Tuesday morning in Nusa Lembongan
“If she can wait here longer, she can fly business class in two weeks, so that’s up to the family and the insurance company,” he said.
A private ambulance from Bali to Australia could cost more than $100,000. Ms Ode’s family has previously said her medical bills have already exceeded $60,000.
‘Of [an] “She can be back in Australia in three to four hours by air ambulance, but if she waits two weeks we will rescan her skull to make sure the fluid that is left in her skull has gone and she can travel comfortably lying down,” Dr Mahadewa said.
Mrs Ode first underwent a CT scan before being referred to a neurosurgeon, a plastic surgeon, an ophthalmologist and an orthopaedic specialist.
“We did several things, including correcting her skull bones. She also had a leak in her brain,” Professor Mahadewa told Daily Mail Australia.
‘Then we corrected her face and nose, because everything is broken. An ophthalmologist was also involved to treat her right eye, while an orthopedic specialist operated on her bones.
The ophthalmologist said that her eye probably cannot be saved.
“She also suffers from amnesia. She can’t remember the accident at all.”
Nusa Penida police chief Ida Bagus Putra Sumerta confirmed that Ms Ode was involved in a motorcycle accident and that an investigation had been launched.
The police chief said the road she was traveling on was in good condition.
According to the police report, her Yamaha scooter collided with a parked motorcycle.
She underwent a 14-hour operation on Tuesday evening, but has since regained consciousness
Mrs Ode was enjoying a holiday on the small island southeast of Bali when she was injured.
Her family previously said they did not know what had happened to her.
“We have no idea how the injury occurred… there was no alcohol… and the extent of her injuries is quite traumatic,” said her brother-in-law Jesse Wilton. news.com.au.
Mrs. Ode has structural damage to her face which will leave her disfigured for the rest of her life.
“She will lose one eye, if not two, and she has titanium plates in her collarbones,” he said.
Mr Wilton said in a GoFundMe organized for Mrs. Ode for being a ‘strong and caring daughter, aunt and friend’ [who] needs urgent medical evacuation from Bali to home for further treatment.
Mrs Ode will likely lose her right eye, which was severely damaged in the crash (pictured is her CT scan)
“Bec needs the best possible health care as soon as possible and that means returning home,” Wilton wrote, adding that her hospital bills have already exceeded $60,000.
Ms Ode’s mother Shari and her sister Jordyn are “by her side in Bali and while her recovery is unknown, we know Bec will continue to do her very best with her strong will and determination,” he said.
Jordyn wrote on Facebook: ‘It’s a terrifying thought that it’s almost certain she has lost her sight in one eye.
‘The blow completely ripped her eye out of her head and the damage was so severe that they weren’t sure if they could save the eye.
“Her nose was split in two and the cartilage was shattered. They had to rebuild her face and I’m desperate to get her home and get professional help.
“The orthopedic surgeons repaired her collarbone and shoulder, which were also affected. She now has a metal plate to hold her collarbone together.”
Jordyn said Rebecca went to Bali “looking for peace after the two extremely painful years following our father’s passing.”
In addition to the initial medical bills, huge costs are also expected to get Ms Ode back to Australia.
Once she is cleared to board the plane, a medical flight to Sydney and a transfer to Newcastle are expected, costing more than $120,000.
“Once Bec is home he will likely have a long rehabilitation journey. We estimate it will cost close to $250,000 to get back to Australia,” Mr Wilton said.
It is not known what insurance Ms. Ode has, but an investigation is underway.
As of Friday evening, more than $168,000 had been raised for Ms. Ode.
Mrs Ode suffered broken bones in her face and collarbone in the accident
