"Ross Richardson" wrote:

Dan, my wife also stepped on a stingray this summer on the Gulf side of
Galveston. She is a pretty strong person and she was reduced to a baby and
she is a nurse. She said that was the worse pain she has ever had.

Agree completely. Kind of like having your foot hit with a hammer and then
set on fire. Unbelievably excruciating.

The only thing that eased the pain was keeping her foot in hot water. Drugs
did not do it.

Very hot water brings instant, blessed relief--breaks down the venom protein,
I believe.

Unfortunately, it took an hour or so to get me to the guide's house where I
could apply the cure. That was a long hour.

We had to have her foot X-rayed to be sure no barb was left in. It was a
very deep and nasty cut.

Fortunately, the beasty was not able to embed the barb in me, although it
certainly tried. That was Aug. 11, and the wound is just now looking like
it's healing well.

I've enjoyed wade fishing in the bays and surf since I was a little kid. No
more.

--
Dan
C-172RG at BFM