Before I start I'll apologise up front for all the spelling mistakes, I'm sure I'll make! .........back to the edge of the road in Taro (which is where i came of the bike). I was half laying and half sitting, my leg/ankle was elevated and being supported by a nurse from NZ; (i'm sorry I didn't get your name but thank God you we're on the same trip as i was, thankyou so much for your help in that half an hour we were sitting there!) The tour guide was sitting behind me with his knees supporting my back and a branch of a tree over my head to shade me. Now if this wasn't already a strange sight for the locals, the school that we had just passed clossed for the morning and all the young kids came past and stayed with us; if I had to gues I'd say there were about 25-30 smiling children kneeling down looking at me, this was obviously an exciting change to their usual day, looking back on it I now laugh but at the time i was in that much pain and probably a bit of shock that i was almost passing out. Eventualy the tour bus came to pick me up and take me to a doctor, they wanted to take me to have it massaged (i guess they know how we all love a massage)until the nurse from NZ told them that she had heard it snap and was sure it was broken and to take me straight to a medical centre. After reading many posts and lots of help lists on the BTF all i had in my mind was the B.I.M.C. so i asked to be taken there. Getting back to Kuta with my leg elevated and ankle being supported by one of the guys from Bali Adventure tours is not a trip i ever want to do again as i'm sure neither would the guys from BAT. I must of really frightened them, i remember passing out once but they told me twice! I'm sure they were more than relived to hand me over to the medical staff at the B.I.M.C.
* B.I.M.C - I can't say enough about the efficiancy, care, and service of this place (more so than any emergancy ward I've been to in Australia). Within 20 minuites of arriving I had been x-rayed and given very strong pain killers intraveiniously and had someone with me at all time. Within 30 minuites I had a Dr. explain to me that I'd not only broken my ankle in 2 places but had badly dislocated it as well; they were worried about the dislocation pressing on nerves so called the orthopedic surgeon to come and have a look. The surgeon had to come from the hospital but he was still there within 45 minuites, he took more x-rays then came to tell me i had 2 options have an operation here and now to put in a plate and screws to hold everything together or he could put on a tempory plaster to hold it until i could get home for the operation. As much as I love Bali and it's people I opted for option 2! The surgeon put on the plaster and tried to manipulate the dislocation a little (!@#%?!) he then had more x-rays taken; he'd managed to lessen the gap of the dislocation a little, which they were all very happy about. I've got to say the few hours i spent at the B.I.M.C. I had people with me at all times explaing what was happening, and offering lots of support, these people include the medical staff , Wayan the assistant manager of the RBBC (where i was staying) and Yona the PR and marketing manager for BAT. A great big thankyou guys!
* RBBC - back at the resort, Wayan stayed with me the whole time and bought me back here. I was totaly spoilt by the staff who kept coming by to see if there was anything I wanted or anything that they could do. Rosemary, Bill, Estelle & Lance were also an amazing support.
* Bali Adventure Tours (BAT) - I have only good things to say about this company in the way I was treated throughout my 'adventure Tour' with them. They made sure I had someone with me at all times and paid all the medical expensess, even though the B.I.M.C. wasn't the prefered medical centre covered by their insurance.
Wed 9th Feb - Qantas was diligent in getting me on a flight home the next day, as my leg had to be elevated I had to purchase 2 tickets; which I had no problem with i know i needed to keep my leg up; however once on the flight i saw that it was was more than half empty and that everyone had 2 or more seats - i guess there a business and it's the bottom line that counts! Having got that of my chest I have to say that the service from Denpasar to Adelaide was exemplary; I was looked after all the way especially at Denpasar Airport as soon as they saw my crutches they came running from everywhere with wheel chairs; they did everything for me and were so efficient.
Thur 10th Feb - Arrived home 11.30am and went straight to the dr. who sent me to the emergancy department where after 6 hours I was given a bed on a ward (nothing like the B.I.M.C). I was addmitted, but they couldn't operate until the swelling had gone done a little, this took 3 more days.
Mon 14th Feb - I finaly had the operation 6 days after the accident, I now weigh more due to a 3" plate and 6 screws holding the outside of my ankle in place.
Thurs 17th Feb - After a week in hospital i'm home (ironically on the day i was due home from Bali). I have a half cast along the back of my leg up to my knee and bandaged around to help support the ankle until the wound has healed enough for a plaster to be put on; which will remain on for 4 weeks.
** I have already booked to go to Bali over Christmas for 4 weeks with my 15yr old son, but am hoping i can save enogh to go back and finish my holiday sometime in June!
Lastly I'd like to thank the BTF for all the info that helped me on this trip and to all the formites who kept in contact along the way, you really made me feel I was never on my own for one minute, especially to Bopgirl (Jill) Colleen and Helen.
Sorry if I've gone on a bit but I hope that if ever anyone ever needs the services of the B.I.M.C you will feel no trpidation at all.
I have answered questions from my first JBR under that post.
Happy Holidays :)