A Brisbane woman's holiday to Bali has ended in the ICU, leaving her family scrambling to cover at least $20,000 in medical expenses. Luca Loveday, 29, fainted in the reception area of a restaurant on Saturday morning, falling and hitting her head. She suffered a fractured skull, multiple brain bleeds, and swelling, and was rushed to Lira Medika Hospital in Indonesia.
Family's Ordeal
Luca's sister, Rikki, reported that Luca is experiencing short-term memory loss. 'Her head is really hurting as well as her ear,' she said. 'You can't have a conversation with her because she's very confused, she just repeats herself, doesn't know where she is.' Rikki added that doctors are still investigating the cause of the fainting but suspect humidity may have been a factor. 'Monitoring her continuously is the main focus because they said the first 72 hours were really crucial to make sure there's no changes, like more swelling or bleeding,' she explained. 'They're trying to stop the bleeding with medication, but if it doesn't work, then surgery will be needed.'
Financial Strain
The medical bills are expected to range from $20,000 to $50,000. Luca's friend, Erin Silberstein, initiated a GoFundMe campaign, which has raised $19,000 so far. 'Due to unforeseen circumstances, Luca is not covered by travel insurance,' Silberstein stated. 'We are asking for any support you can give, no matter how small, to help ease the financial burden during this unimaginable time. Even $5 will make a difference.'
Silberstein described the accident as a shock to Luca's loved ones. 'Luca is strong, kind, and deeply loved, and right now, she needs all of us behind her,' she said. Luca remains in ICU under close monitoring and is expected to be joined by her family soon.
