05 Dec, 2011 06:59 AM
IT took Newcastle nurse Jamie Johnston six weeks to learn how to speak again after she drank a potentially deadly cocktail laced with methanol in Indonesia.Recovering from brain damage and kidney failure, the 25-year-old is using the voice she thought she’d lost to warn other Australians about the dangers of travelling to the popular island destination.
Ms Johnston was celebrating the end of the ‘‘best holiday ever’’ with her mother, Lyn, when she ordered a jug containing Balinese rice wine, known as arak, melon liqueur and fruit juice at the Happy Cafe restaurant in Lombok on September 20. The dangerous concoction, which is popular with tourists because of its strong alcohol content, almost proved fatal.
She vomited repeatedly, momentarily lost her sight, suffered brain damage and kidney failure and spent
the next three weeks in intensive care in hospitals in Bali and Darwin.
‘‘I thought I was done for,’’ she said.
‘‘I remember just before I passed out [in hospital] the nurses were screaming ‘What do I do? What do I do?’
‘‘I thought to myself ‘What a way to go’.’’
The young nurse was without oxygen for 40 minutes and as a result suffered a hypoxic brain injury, the symptoms of which are similar to those of a Parkinson’s sufferer.
Ms Johnston has had to learn how to speak again, has a tremor in her right hand and has lost all use of the muscles in her face.
Parts of Indonesia have a laid-back lifestyle, picturesque beaches and healthy exchange rate that make them popular holiday locations for thousands of Novocastrians each year.
But on the eve of the return of the 14-year-old boy from Morisset Park convicted of drug possession in Bali, Ms Johnston had a stern warning for anyone planning to travel to the Indonesian islands.
‘‘Please be careful and
be safe,’’ she said.
‘‘People need to realise that they have to stay away from drugs over there and remember they’re in Indonesia not Australia.
‘‘Don’t drink anything that doesn’t come in a bottle or have a lid on it.
Ms Johnston was celebrating the end of the ‘‘best holiday ever’’ with her mother, Lyn, when she ordered a jug containing Balinese rice wine, known as arak, melon liqueur and fruit juice at the Happy Cafe restaurant in Lombok on September 20. The dangerous concoction, which is popular with tourists because of its strong alcohol content, almost proved fatal.
She vomited repeatedly, momentarily lost her sight, suffered brain damage and kidney failure and spent
the next three weeks in intensive care in hospitals in Bali and Darwin.
‘‘I thought I was done for,’’ she said.
‘‘I remember just before I passed out [in hospital] the nurses were screaming ‘What do I do? What do I do?’
‘‘I thought to myself ‘What a way to go’.’’
The young nurse was without oxygen for 40 minutes and as a result suffered a hypoxic brain injury, the symptoms of which are similar to those of a Parkinson’s sufferer.
Ms Johnston has had to learn how to speak again, has a tremor in her right hand and has lost all use of the muscles in her face.
Parts of Indonesia have a laid-back lifestyle, picturesque beaches and healthy exchange rate that make them popular holiday locations for thousands of Novocastrians each year.
But on the eve of the return of the 14-year-old boy from Morisset Park convicted of drug possession in Bali, Ms Johnston had a stern warning for anyone planning to travel to the Indonesian islands.
‘‘Please be careful and
be safe,’’ she said.
‘‘People need to realise that they have to stay away from drugs over there and remember they’re in Indonesia not Australia.
‘‘Don’t drink anything that doesn’t come in a bottle or have a lid on it.
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14 Oct 11:
Hunter nurse flown home for careYes Bali isnt like when I went there. Just like everyone else money speaks. Drugs they offer on the streets.Jid a jigs with sisters etc. Trouble is we all go there to have a good time but it is dangerous in many places of the island. The customs should be well remembered and never forgotten. money means alot to them as they dont get that much for the work they do in accomodations.I have seen how their famous wine can attack people. Things are not the cleanest,cooked right,You have to keep in mind you went there because it was cheap so cheap isnt the best all the time.Get on top Jamie
Best of luck Jamie for your future recovery. I have a son in bali at the moment and just hope he returns safely
Lombok ain't Bali.. Nuff said.. Submitted via iPhone App
Stay away from anything that doesn't have a lid or bottle?? Guess having a draught beer outta the question. Dont have a fresh orange juice?? Bah, stop Bagging on Bali. Same stuff can happen here. Drinks spiked and laced here in Newcastle!! Omg, noooo it can't be it's in Australia. Submitted via iPhone App
Wishing you all the best in your recovery Jamie. This should be another wakeup call to Australians who call that place an ideal holiday destination.
I'd just straight out boycott Bali, it's nothing but problems to so many Ausies. Thailand (not perfect, but still) is the same cost and minus so many of the hassles, not to mention there is more to do there!
Firstly Lombok is NOT Bali. Their religion and especially customs are so different. It does make sense to eat and drink in places that look reasonably clean and tidy. The number of patrons present can give an indication of the quality of the food and service, especially if they are frequented by people of 'mature' years. As for beer, nothing beats a cold Bintang stubbie and if you want to drink spirits stick to your duty free in your hotel room. Food, well if it arrives hot at your table then I have found it to be safe. This also applies to most other countries around the world.
Lombok is that close to Bali and trips to there are often offered at times included in your travel.The wine is well known as a drink in BALI and LOMBOK.
I hope this lady recovers. However, this can anywhere - not just Bali. It happens here too.
I have been to both Bali and Thailand....my advice give Bali a miss and go to somewhere like Phuket. There is so much more to do, the people are way nicer and believe it or not Thailand has far less loud drunken idiot Aussies... I think Bali is horribly over rated it does come close to being as good as a resort island like Phuket
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