Summary
Last week we were in the Peruvian Amazon taking a cruise with International Expeditions. It was supposed to be a relaxing time but then Dave broke his back.
Dave’s Broken Back and a Little Healing Time
We’ve cycled from Cairo to Cape Town in Africa, driven a beat-up car from England to Mongolia, and survived climbing mountains, white water kayaking, epic wilderness treks, and countless other adventures around the world.
Getting hurt on a cruise designed for birdwatching, village visits, and daily boat rides to explore the calm tributaries of the Amazon River wasn’t an event we anticipated.
This cruise was characterized by comfort, fine food, and nightly entertainment.
It was four days into our voyage when we decided to take a jungle walk.
Dave chose to run back to the skiff, a small river craft used for exploring tributaries the cruise ship couldn’t reach, to fetch his camera flash.
In hindsight, we sensed something could go wrong.
We had deliberated on whether he should leave his camera on the boat or not. Typically, Dave brings it everywhere he goes. The hike was brief, and did he truly need all his gear?
I stood waiting for him to sprint the 30 meters back to the skiff. Within seconds of his departure, I heard alarming screams.
I had never heard Dave scream in such agony.
To my dismay, he had taken a disastrous fall as his feet slipped, causing him to crash down on the steel steps, landing directly on his back. He didn’t have time to brace himself, and his spine bore the brunt of the fall.
Seriously Injured but How Bad?
Fortunately, a nurse was onboard and swiftly organized the guides, boat drivers, and kitchen staff to carefully move Dave to a safer area on one of the padded benches.
(We had extra staff with us that morning due to a picnic on the river, allowing two kitchen members to assist.)
Every movement sent him into intense agony, even while lying on his side with two individuals holding him steady.
I used cold towels, originally meant to cool the passengers’ necks, on his back, but nothing alleviated his suffering.
It took nearly an hour to navigate back to the main cruise ship. Upon arrival, an overwhelming situation awaited us.
How could we transport Dave from the skiff to the boat?
The staff ultimately devised a makeshift stretcher to carry him through his balcony window from the boat to rest on a bed in air-conditioning before deciding the next steps.
Importance of Medical Insurance
We were fortunate to have full medical insurance, making medevac the only feasible option.
While we were unaware of the extent of Dave’s injuries, I know my husband well; he seldom cries out in pain.
Without medical insurance, we might have hesitated to act swiftly, perhaps opting to wait a few hours to see if the pain would lessen. It’s a daunting thought to be burdened with the possibility of an expensive flight.
Our comprehensive medical and travel insurance through American Express Canada covered transportation and medical expenses.
We reached out to inform them of our situation, and they reassured us that we were in safe hands.
The Very Long and Painful Day
It took another four agonizing hours for the float plane to arrive.
We were deep in the Amazon, four days out from the already remote town of Iquitos.
The only means of entry or exit is by boat or flight.
Broken Back in the Amazon
The expansive Amazon rainforest enveloped us on all sides.
As bad weather approached, securing a plane was challenging.
At one point, they considered calling the army! Finally, a plane appeared at 2 pm, and the crew along with guides coordinated to carry Dave out through the balcony door onto the skiff for loading onto the tiny float plane.
I was fearful he might fall into the water and began to panic. Retired nurse Joyce, who took command of the situation, reassured me that everything would be alright.
Strangely, even though Dave was in excruciating pain, he saw the humor in the chaos and yelled for me to capture some photos.
Once we boarded the plane, we expected a smooth journey, but it took another six hours before he found comfort in the hospital.
What unfolded next was an 11-hour saga of events, and I have documented it here.
Ultimately, we landed in a village by the river, catching a tuk-tuk and then an ambulance to the hospital.
This emotional roller coaster left us longing to go home.
At the Hospital
In Iquitos, they could only administer painkillers and keep him lying flat.
I stayed in the adjacent bed in our private room, supported by Jaime and Pam from Explorama, International Expeditions’ team in Iquitos.
Their assistance was invaluable during this ordeal.
They helped with translation, paperwork, and communication between Peru and our Canadian insurance provider.
We returned home recently via air ambulance and checked Dave into a hospital in our hometown of Woodstock.
It’s comforting to have him near home and family, allowing me to visit often.
In Canada – Recovery from Injury
Dave has sustained fractures in his L1 and L2 vertebrae and has been informed of a long recovery ahead.
Doctors indicated he might spend several weeks in the hospital.
Moreover, he would require three additional months of physiotherapy to regain full mobility.
However, the good news is that he will eventually recover.
He was cautioned that the process will be painful, yet he is determined to persevere. If there’s a vertebra to break in the spine, this is the least damaging one.
There is no threat of paralysis, just a significant amount of pain.
After being taken off the strong narcotics administered in Peru, he now feels the full force of his injury, resulting in increased pain and discomfort.
Seeing him struggle at the hospital brings me to tears as he cries out in agony.
I returned home last night hoping for a restful sleep to support Dave today at the hospital. Instead, I was plagued by guilt for not being there to help him endure the night’s misery.
He messaged me this morning saying he had a restless night and would attempt more sleep; therefore, I should visit in a couple of hours.
I had witnessed one of his painful episodes around 8:00 pm, and if his night mirrored that distress, it must have been unbearable. I wished I could have been by his side to offer comfort.
Nevertheless, I will be present today when the doctors begin delivering news and providing support as he processes this new chapter.
He’s resilient, and I trust he will navigate this journey. Although it may prove challenging, he is surrounded by supportive friends and family.
Throughout the week, I have shared updates on my Facebook page, and the overwhelming responses of love have truly touched our hearts.
I read every message to Dave while he’s in the hospital, bringing him joy and smiles amidst the pain.
Things could have taken a much worse turn, and while this presents a setback, it’s one we can manage together.
The road to recovery will be a wild yet enriching adventure, and we promise to keep everyone informed every step of the way.
Note: Many are inquiring about Dave’s location. He is at Woodstock General Hospital in Ontario, Canada, Room 2522, Dave Bouskill.
A huge thank you to International Expeditions and the Explorama Team for their outstanding care and consistent check-ins, especially Jaime, who managed numerous early morning calls regarding Dave’s medical state. Their professionalism shone through.
To note, we are American Express Ambassadors, yet our endorsement of the insurance company stems from their diligent efforts to secure our return from Peru and cover our medical expenses. Insurance is often something we take for granted, but it is indispensable when the need arises.
Lastly, I want to express gratitude to Joyce and Ryan for assisting Dave on the boat. Your guidance and expertise were invaluable to me.
