Sorry about your foot andtoe, but LOl. I also have a home improvement store in both arms. One in my left elbow and one in my right wrist. I'm what my Mom would call a clumsy ox. I can't blame the alcohol on both.
I used to think there were 17 reasons not to go skinny dipping in the ocean at night. I now realize there are actually 18 reasons. P.S. Could you please post a picture of your curious toe?
From one Kay to another, what a story! You had me gripped. That sounds so painful, and the scar is there to tell the tale, and, thankfully, so are you!
You’re a Kay W.? Me too!! I am glad you enjoyed the story. I love sharing it because it’s just too wild to be true, yet it is. And I subscribed to your substack , sisterhood of the Kay Ws.
I got stung by a stingray in Florida on my instep in 2014 and 5 minutes later my foot and leg up to me knee felt worse than labor pains for 6 hrs, I was told not to go to the ER just soak it in hot water! Took Advil and wine and 5 days later I had a raging infection, saw a doctor and he had to drain the wound and give me antibiotics! Scared every time I go in the gulf, I just do the stingray shuffle
Wow! You were bit by a barracuda! That is unreal. Haha just another reason why I’m now terrified of swimming in the ocean (besides fear of sharks, of course). Glad you’re OK.
Wow, what a great write up - thank you. We have a home in Baja and I swim frequently out front. Such good info about that ponga! Never thought of that. I no longer dive, but my son does. There are a few items we now need to discuss. Thank you!!! Now following :-)
He travels worldwide to dive - ponga boats are always around, I'm sure. Don't need to worry about the jewelry and I forbid him to cave dive... lol. Thanks for the links to your previous write-ups. Looking forward to reading.
You got bad advice. You probably would have benefitted from a bony fusion of that toe, or failing that, a simple amputation. Would have saved you a lifetime of trouble. Great story though.
Ah well the advice was based on related information and no images, etc. in my recent visit to the dr he did mention sewing my two toes together. As for amputation that I would not do. I love all my piggies and it would have made my less than sexy foot even less sexy. LOL
I didn’t live there, but I visited Baja annually for almost 20 years. Once I actually fished in a Panga and ended up in a full-blown hurricane. I obviously survived and I’ll have to write that story at some point!
Not doing justice but, we went out with two boats, seeing the front way off in the distance. It was “safe” right up to when it circled around behind us. We took off for land, it caught up with us. One of the boat’s motors died. We towed it. Newbie crying and praying. Bailing with paper cups. Finally see land. Boats almost capsize, prepare to swim. Met by another 3/4 submerged panga full of locals dressed for church, casually bailing with cups as they rowed to shore. Somehow get in, town destroyed, furniture everywhere. Ride it out in hotel bar. We somehow made it.
Wow, that readers digest version has given me even more questions. It definitely sounds like a scary experience. I have a hurricane I prayed through too. It will be a story sometime soon.
Glad you made it. The powers that be, were on your side that day.
Thank you for reading Frank. Cave diving for me was great. All rocks and no fish. Me and marine life just do t get along. I was teaching one day just off the beach. I kneeled down on a lesser electric ray, it looks like the sand and I did not see it. 37 volts to the knee. It was a new student so I had to pretend I was fine but yowza!
That’s crazy! I’m a tad claustrophobic so wasn’t digging be in a cave but night diving was even worse for that. You’d think being in the water would feel endless and open, but clicking my light on suddenly made me feel like I was in a barrel. Plus seeing all these creatures SO close to me in the light, sort of freaked me out.
Yeah Frank, I understand, claustrophobia can make any type of diving a bit of a challenge. I was fortunate, and love enclosed places. I explored a lot of underwater caves in Mexico and actually preferred smaller caves than big massive tunnels. Please subscribe I will be writing about some of those adventures along with others.
My aunt smashed her pinky toe form dropping a clothes iron it. She dealt with it for years, seeing several specialists due to the pain and fact it kept catching on things. It got infected a few times. Then another doctor said why don't you just have it removed and then no more problems. So she did and all was well after that.
Yeah I get it - who wants to remove body parts? To me it's always been an allegory to knowing when to let go or knowing enough to change the way you look at things.
Ouch ! I was always am weary of them when diving. Well written !
Thanks Peter. Yes they are worthy of respect thats for sure.
Seems , like me , you are a water baby
That's wild!
Hey Thanks Ed. If you want more wild stories, please subscribe. Cheers!
Ain’t nothin’ better than tales of lived experience, however gruesome or painful. Thanks for this one.
Hey thank you for reading! There’s more. Stay tuned.
I don’t doubt it in the least bit. I’d buy the book.
I will hold you too that! 😉
Outstanding story!
Now you tell me not to wear shinny things in the ocean. I never take off my jewelry when diving or snorkeling.
And for not telling you sooner, I apologize. I did not realize not everyone knew.
Oh plenty of “Loco Gringos” told me after the fact, so I already knew.
Sorry about your foot andtoe, but LOl. I also have a home improvement store in both arms. One in my left elbow and one in my right wrist. I'm what my Mom would call a clumsy ox. I can't blame the alcohol on both.
I have not heard the term “clumsy ox” since I was a kid.
I used to think there were 17 reasons not to go skinny dipping in the ocean at night. I now realize there are actually 18 reasons. P.S. Could you please post a picture of your curious toe?
Mark it won’t let me upload a pic! I had to send a dm.
Me no goin in me can’t see da floor!! advice I’ve always taken it from my Jamaican friends
Good advice mon. 🇯🇲
From one Kay to another, what a story! You had me gripped. That sounds so painful, and the scar is there to tell the tale, and, thankfully, so are you!
You’re a Kay W.? Me too!! I am glad you enjoyed the story. I love sharing it because it’s just too wild to be true, yet it is. And I subscribed to your substack , sisterhood of the Kay Ws.
Love that sisterhood! At least when we go through something like that it can become a wild story later!
I got stung by a stingray in Florida on my instep in 2014 and 5 minutes later my foot and leg up to me knee felt worse than labor pains for 6 hrs, I was told not to go to the ER just soak it in hot water! Took Advil and wine and 5 days later I had a raging infection, saw a doctor and he had to drain the wound and give me antibiotics! Scared every time I go in the gulf, I just do the stingray shuffle
Ouch!! I can only imagine the pain of the infection. I’d be doing the shuffle too!
Wow! You were bit by a barracuda! That is unreal. Haha just another reason why I’m now terrified of swimming in the ocean (besides fear of sharks, of course). Glad you’re OK.
It really was freak, not the norm.
Wow, what a great write up - thank you. We have a home in Baja and I swim frequently out front. Such good info about that ponga! Never thought of that. I no longer dive, but my son does. There are a few items we now need to discuss. Thank you!!! Now following :-)
Hola! Yes tell your son! We just need to use common sense and respect the sea life.
He travels worldwide to dive - ponga boats are always around, I'm sure. Don't need to worry about the jewelry and I forbid him to cave dive... lol. Thanks for the links to your previous write-ups. Looking forward to reading.
You got bad advice. You probably would have benefitted from a bony fusion of that toe, or failing that, a simple amputation. Would have saved you a lifetime of trouble. Great story though.
Ah well the advice was based on related information and no images, etc. in my recent visit to the dr he did mention sewing my two toes together. As for amputation that I would not do. I love all my piggies and it would have made my less than sexy foot even less sexy. LOL
As someone with similar Mexico experience, all I can say is Holy Fucking Shit! What a story!
I didn’t live there, but I visited Baja annually for almost 20 years. Once I actually fished in a Panga and ended up in a full-blown hurricane. I obviously survived and I’ll have to write that story at some point!
Oh that is a story I want to read! I have been through my share of hurricanes but in a panga?! Can you tell me a bit more? Now I’m curious.
Not doing justice but, we went out with two boats, seeing the front way off in the distance. It was “safe” right up to when it circled around behind us. We took off for land, it caught up with us. One of the boat’s motors died. We towed it. Newbie crying and praying. Bailing with paper cups. Finally see land. Boats almost capsize, prepare to swim. Met by another 3/4 submerged panga full of locals dressed for church, casually bailing with cups as they rowed to shore. Somehow get in, town destroyed, furniture everywhere. Ride it out in hotel bar. We somehow made it.
Wow, that readers digest version has given me even more questions. It definitely sounds like a scary experience. I have a hurricane I prayed through too. It will be a story sometime soon.
Glad you made it. The powers that be, were on your side that day.
Steve it was quite an experience that’s for sure. Where in Mexico did you live?
Not sure which is scarier, night diving or cave diving. I guess I’m fortunate that those days are behind me now. Cute story!
Thank you for reading Frank. Cave diving for me was great. All rocks and no fish. Me and marine life just do t get along. I was teaching one day just off the beach. I kneeled down on a lesser electric ray, it looks like the sand and I did not see it. 37 volts to the knee. It was a new student so I had to pretend I was fine but yowza!
That’s crazy! I’m a tad claustrophobic so wasn’t digging be in a cave but night diving was even worse for that. You’d think being in the water would feel endless and open, but clicking my light on suddenly made me feel like I was in a barrel. Plus seeing all these creatures SO close to me in the light, sort of freaked me out.
Yeah Frank, I understand, claustrophobia can make any type of diving a bit of a challenge. I was fortunate, and love enclosed places. I explored a lot of underwater caves in Mexico and actually preferred smaller caves than big massive tunnels. Please subscribe I will be writing about some of those adventures along with others.
My aunt smashed her pinky toe form dropping a clothes iron it. She dealt with it for years, seeing several specialists due to the pain and fact it kept catching on things. It got infected a few times. Then another doctor said why don't you just have it removed and then no more problems. So she did and all was well after that.
Removed?! Yikes. I want to keep my piggies intact. The doctor recently said we could try fixing the ligament. Too late at this point.
Yeah I get it - who wants to remove body parts? To me it's always been an allegory to knowing when to let go or knowing enough to change the way you look at things.
We just need to change the way we see things!