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What was meant to be a first cruise vacation turned into a medical emergency for a Louisiana woman who suffered a severe genital injury during a rope swing excursion in Honduras, according to her family and boyfriend.
Kirsten Lindsey was injured on the third day of a Carnival cruise after a retrieval line, or tag, on a rope swing appeared to be improperly connected, causing it to tighten between her legs just before she dropped, her boyfriend, Blake Ford, alleged in a Facebook post on July 15.
As Lindsey swung, Ford alleged the line attached to the bottom of the rope suddenly tightened between her legs just before she splashed into the water, causing the affected area to eventually swell up to "roughly the size of a baseball."
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The injury ultimately required emergency surgery, a medical air evacuation back to the United States that the couple said cost about $50,000, and ongoing treatment as Lindsey continues her recovery.
In the comment section of Ford's post, Lindsey said the incident occurred at Little French Key in Roatan, Honduras, and she also thanked "everyone for the prayers."
"Please keep them coming for the days of recovery to come. Thank yall all so much," her comment continued.
USA TODAY contacted Carnival Cruise Line on July 21 for additional comment about the incident.
Woman initially believed injury was minor
Ford wrote in his July 15 Facebook post that Lindsey initially believed she had only suffered a scratch and returned to the dock "laughing off the pain."
But within hours, her condition deteriorated as swelling and pain intensified. Lindsey would subsequently spend more than 12 hours receiving treatment in the cruise ship's medical center, according to Ford.
As the swelling worsened, Ford said Lindsey eventually needed a wheelchair to return to the couple's cabin.
Couple faced difficult decision after injury
Ford said he called 911 from the ship before Lindsey was taken to the vessel's medical center. Before leaving the ship, the couple paid about $4,000 out of pocket for onboard medical care, he said.
As Lindsey's condition continued to worsen, Ford said they were presented with three options: remain in the ship's medical facility for the rest of the voyage, seek treatment at a hospital in Mexico and arrange their own trip home, or pay for an emergency medical evacuation to the United States.
"We chose the air evacuation because we believed it was the best way to get Kirsten the care she needed," Ford said.
According to Ford, Costa Maya, Mexico, was the closest port with airport access, making it the best location for an evacuation.
Medical evacuation and recovery
Lindsey was transported by ambulance to an airport, where a private medical jet flew her to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Ford said.
She was taken to HCA Florida Aventura Hospital, where she underwent her first surgery, reported local TV station KTAL. After returning to Louisiana, Lindsey continued treatment at CHRISTUS Highland Medical Center in Shreveport and is undergoing a second surgery as she recovers from her injuries, according to a July 19 Facebook post by Ford.
"Everyone that’s seen the injury has never seen anything like it but (CHRISTUS Highland Medical Center) are doing everything they can to prevent permanent damage to her… grapefruit sized lady bits," Ford wrote.
Ford said the emergency evacuation cost about $20,000 from Costa Maya and another $30,000 to return to the United States.
The couple also said they are facing mounting medical bills, travel expenses and lost income as Lindsey continues her recovery. A GoFundMe, which as of July 21 has raised more than $13,500, was set up to help Lindsey and her family as they navigate the challenges of her recovery.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at [email protected] or on X @athompsonUSAT
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Carnival cruise guest hospitalized after rope swinging excursion in Honduras
