An Australian woman asked “what happened to me?” after waking up in a Bali hospital with life-changing injuries following a motorcycle accident.
Rebecca Ode, 36, a Seaworld worker, was rushed to Ngoerah General Hospital following the accident at about 1 a.m. Tuesday on a road in Nusa Lembongan.
Ms Ode, from Newcastle, north of Sydney, suffered serious injuries in the crash, including broken bones to her face, head and collarbone, and is now at risk of losing her right eye.
The woman underwent a 10-hour surgery on Tuesday night but has since regained consciousness.
“She woke up and said, ‘What happened to me?'” neurosurgeon Professor Tjokorda Gde Bagus Mahadewa told the Daily Mail Australia on Friday.
Ms Ode was found on the street after crashing her motorbike into a parked motorcycle, police confirmed following a report into the incident.
She initially underwent a CT scan before being referred to a neurosurgeon, a plastic surgery specialist, an ophthalmologist and an orthopedic specialist.
“We did several things, including correcting the bones in his head. He had also suffered a brain leak,” said Professor Mahadewa.
Seaworld worker Rebecca Ode, 36 (pictured right with her family) was rushed to Ngoerah General Hospital following the accident at around 1am on Tuesday on a road in Nusa Lembongan.
‘We then did some correction on her face and nose because it was all broken. An ophthalmologist also intervened to treat her right eye, while an orthopedic specialist performed surgery on her bones.
‘The ophthalmologist has said that it is possible that his eye cannot be saved.
“She also suffers from amnesia. She has no memory of the accident at all.”
Nusa Penida Police Chief Ida Bagus Putra Sumerta confirmed that Ms Ode had been involved in a motorbike accident and that an investigation will be launched.
The police chief said the road he was traveling on was in good condition.
Ms Ode was enjoying a break on the small island south-east of Bali when she was injured.
His family previously said they did not know what had happened to him.
He underwent a 10-hour surgery on Tuesday night but has since regained consciousness.
“We have no idea how the injury occurred… there was no alcohol… and the extent of his injuries is quite traumatic,” said his brother-in-law Jesse Wilton. news.com.au.
Ms Ode suffered structural damage to her face that will leave her disfigured for the rest of her life.
“He’ll lose an eye or two, and he has titanium plates in his collarbones,” he said.
Mr. Wilton said in a GoFundMe organised for Ms Ode who is a “strong and loving daughter, aunt and friend (who) urgently needs to be medically evacuated home from Bali for continued treatment”.
“Bec needs the best medical care possible as soon as possible, which means getting her home,” Wilton wrote, adding that her hospital bills have already surpassed $60,000.
Ms Ode’s mother Shari and sister Jordyn “are by her side in Bali and while her recovery process is unknown, we know that Bec will continue to fight her best battle with her strong will and determination,” she said.
Jordyn wrote on Facebook: ‘It’s scary to think that it’s all but confirmed that he has lost vision in one eye.
‘The impact completely removed his eye from his head and the damage was so severe that they were not sure they could save his eye.
Ms Ode is likely to lose her right eye, which was severely damaged in the accident (her X-ray is pictured).
“Her nose was split in half and the cartilage was destroyed. Her face had to be reconstructed and I am desperate to get her home to get professional help.
“Orthopedic surgeons repaired his collarbone and shoulder, which were also damaged. He now has a metal plate to hold his collarbone together.”
Jordyn said Rebecca went to Bali “in search of peace after two extremely painful years following the passing of our father.”
In addition to the initial medical expenses, the cost of bringing Ms Ode back to Australia is expected to be enormous.
Once she is cleared to board a plane, a medical flight to Sydney and transfers to Newcastle are expected to cost more than $120,000.
“Once she returns home, Bec will likely have to go on a long rehabilitation journey. We estimate it will cost in the region of $250,000 just to get back to Australia,” Wilton said.
Ms. Ode’s insurance coverage is unknown but is being investigated.
As of Friday evening, more than $168,000 had been raised for Ms. Ode.
Ms Ode suffered fractures to her face and collarbone in the accident.
