A Perfect Day—Until It Wasn’t
It started like any other beach outing. My friends and I spread out at Siloso Beach, munching on potato chips and Vietnamese summer rolls I’d prepared, basking in the sunny weather. Soon, we decided to make the most of the day by splashing in the waves and tossing a volleyball. The sun was shining, the water was cool, and the mood was perfect—or so I thought.
A Sting in the Tale
Wading waist-deep in the water, I felt my right foot collide with something solid. The immediate pain was a strange, numbing sensation, like nothing I had ever felt before. “It’s probably just a rock,” I thought, convinced the pain would fade. But minutes later, the ache intensified. Nearby, my friend Stacy mentioned her foot was cramping, and I naively chalked up my discomfort to the same issue. But when Stacy’s cramp eased and mine didn’t, a chilling realisation hit me: something was seriously wrong.
From Shoreline to Lifeline
Hobbling to the shore, I examined my foot. No cuts, no blood—just a rapidly swelling leg and mounting pain. The lifeguards, sensing the severity of the situation, immersed my foot in warm water and suggested I seek immediate medical attention. Within the hour, I found myself in the emergency room at Singapore General Hospital, overwhelmed and anxious about what had just happened.
A Sleepless Night at the Hospital
The hospital was a blur of blood tests, IV drips, and countless injections—four in 12 hours, to be exact. As midnight passed, the doctor admitted me for overnight observation. Alone in my hospital bed, I felt a pang of despair and disbelief. How could an innocent beach day go so terribly wrong? Silent tears accompanied the overwhelming pain as I grappled with the situation.
The Shocking Truth
Even after I got discharged the day after, I still was not aware that the marine creature that stung me was a stonefish, the deadliest fish in the world. It was only during my checkup a few days later did I learn of this from the doctor. It is surreal for me to think that the condition I was in could have been multiple times worse. And for that, I am grateful for how things ironed out.
The Road to Recovery
Now, the swelling has subsided, and I’ve returned to my daily routine. Yet, the memory lingers as a stark reminder of how unpredictable life—and the ocean—can be. Would I return to the sea? Probably not anytime soon. From now on, I’m sticking to picnics in the park!
A Lesson Learned
This ordeal taught me a vital lesson about the hidden dangers of nature and the importance of being vigilant. So, if you’re planning a beach day, tread carefully—because the ocean holds more than just waves.
