North Melbourne forward Paul Curtis is recovering from life-saving lung surgery after making an emergency dash from a post-season holiday in Bali.
Curtis boarded a 17-hour flight from London to Bali on antibiotics prescribed in the UK when he presented at a hospital with pneumonia at the end of a holiday with Kangaroos’ teammates in October.
Due to meet with his partner, Kelera, in Bali, he arrived with his face swollen and with serious concerns about his health after the antibiotics failed to address the issue.
Paul Curtis is a dangerous forwardCredit: Getty Images
Seven News reported on Sunday his face and feet were swollen, and a rash covered his body when he disembarked.
Loading
Curtis contacted North Melbourne’s club doctor Kendall Brooks who organised for him to be assessed in Bali where he was diagnosed with empyema, a condition where pus accumulates around the lungs.
Brooks immediately arranged for Curtis to be medically evacuated from Bali for urgent surgery at Hollywood Hills hospital in Perth, as the condition is life-threatening.
He was operated on in Perth the morning after he arrived, spent eight days in hospital and then had to remain in Western Australia until it was safe to fly home with Brooks ensuring Curtis and his partner had appropriate care during the recovery process.
“[This was] a serious, very serious life-threatening illness and he could have died from this,” Dr Clay Colledge told 7News.