Tui holiday turns into ‘unimaginable nightmare’ as Briton left fighting for her life
A 26-year-old woman has seen her holiday to Turkey turn into an “unimaginable nightmare”.
Ronni Douglas, from Erdington in Birmingham, was enjoying an all-inclusive Tui trip in Bodrum before suffering excruciating stomach pains and relentless vomiting just three days into arriving at the balmy holiday resort.
Douglas’ condition deteriorated, leaving her with no choice but to go to hospital.
She was diagnosed with the critical condition of perforated oesophagus.
The condition creates a hole in the passage from throat to stomach.
The Douglas family is now grappling with a £5,000 bill for her urgent care and potential surgery.
Costs could soon soar as Douglas is expected to remain in Turkey until it is safe for her to return home.
Douglas’ sister Fallon has set up a GoFundMe to help the family cover the medical fees which has so far raised £3,650.
The 26-year-old jetted off to Turkey for a week-long break with her niece, nephew, and mother, Dawn, on August 12.
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Recounting the chaotic vacation, Fallon said: “Just a few days into our holiday, my sister started getting really bad stomach pain and throwing up.
“Two days after she was discharged she was still really sick – she was throwing up constantly, wasn’t eating anything and hadn’t been to the toilet for days.
“She was taken back to a local clinic who found she had a perforated oesophagus. She’s not in a good way at the minute.”
Douglas’ mother has coughed up £1,000 in initial care costs already, including flights to get two relatives back to Britain.
The family anticipates the overall cost will hit a whopping £5,000.
Fallon revealed the family touched down in Turkey without insurance, having wrongly assumed it was covered by Tui’s package.
The family later secured coverage two days into their break.
However, the Douglases were told that the cover would not extend to encompass Ronni’s medical needs.
“The language barrier is a big problem so we don’t really know how much the final bill is going to cost. It’s a very serious condition, she needs emergency treatment”, Fallon disclosed. “She is too ill to be moved so we need to raise money for her treatment at the hospital which will add to the cost.
“Yesterday was a very stressful day and today is worse because no one is there with her at the minute.
“My niece and nephew are too young to really understand what was going on. We’d be very grateful for any help the public can give us.”
The GoFundMe page added: “What started as a family holiday in Turkey has turned into an unimaginable nightmare, and we need your help more than ever.
“Right now, Ronni needs every ounce of strength and support she can get to pull through this terrifying ordeal.
“The last thing we want her to worry about is the cost of her care. Your donations, no matter the amount, will make a tangible difference in ensuring she gets the treatment she desperately needs.
“This is the most challenging time our family has ever faced, and knowing that we have a community of people who care gives us hope and strength.”