The Crimson Ghost Experience.

Thank you to those who PM’d me earlier on this.

I mentioned, albeit brief, in another thread that I had not been around for a while due to work. I got involved on a special project that snowballed out of control before I knew what was happening. I found myself in a high paced high stress environment that I had to see through to completion. The days blended together and family and friends were seldom seen. My work day was 20 plus hours 7 days a week attempting to make some rather unrealistic deadlines involving the IRS (corporate life at its best).

The entire ordeal lasted a year, but the stupid hours lasted only 5 months before I ran into trouble. Earlier days of my project (I was still somewhat active on our forum) I was working 12-18 hour days with the occasional Sunday off. When the work heated to unrealistic expectations I lasted roughly 5 months and had a heart attack. The doctors told me to stay out of work for 2 weeks put me on meds blah blah blah. Well, apparently I am as dumb as the day is long and I went back to work 2 days later and resumed my project. I had two weeks left on my project and I wanted to be there through completion – and I did it, foolish I know.

My tank suffered beyond words and is nothing more than an embarrassment for me at this point. Most corals died off and I have some cabbage leather that has over run my tank. I had to scrape the front glass with a razor blade just to see in. This was early October and I was utterly drained and paying little if any attention to what I was doing. I moved my hand directly into the path of a sea urchin. (long spine) I am diver so I knew to run it under hot water for a while and I did this. I took 3 barbs in the knuckle – within 2 weeks I could not move the finger without being in dire pain. I went on two rounds of antibiotics and now 2 months later its still swollen and I have 75% use of the finger. Urchins can do some damage – you can take even as many as 30 in your skin without issue but in a joint you *need* to see a doctor right away. Also, if you see the barb under your skin don’t try and dig it out – it may be poison and not a barb.

Anyway, I need to work on my reef – which I am planning on starting in January. I will post some pictures maybe later today. I will more than likely remove 50 pounds of live rock and replace it in order to get my reef back in shape.

I guess I can say that I certainly did learn the hard way about what is most important in life – and it’s not work. I have two children nine and eleven the thought of not being here for them because of work and my own stupidity leaves an impression with me. Thanks for listening

 

Well im glad you came through the heart attack! sorry to hear about your hand...im sure you rglad the project is over with...welcome back!

 

That sounds like one bad year to make it through. I sincerely hope the re-focus on your family and hobby brings you some peace, you obviously need it.

 

YOU HAD A WHAT?! John, John, John, I certainly hope that you're heeding your doctor's orders or Ima hafta come and smack some sense into you.

 

I know, I am seeing my cardiologist regularly and getting stress under control. Bringing my once beautiful reef back to life is the perfect thing too – as well as occupying myself on our forum. I have since scheduled 2 weeks in Hawaii (thus the tank work starts in January) – I am finished with the project at work and have resumed a normal schedule.

There was good that came from it all and I focus on that – and I will remind myself what’s important.

I have since gotten John jr. certified for scuba and we will soon be scuba diving together in Hawaii.

Urchin injury care is something I want to share with everyone, important to know what to do. I am going to draft a thread on it now.

 

Will you be able to dive what with the recent heart attack and the meds you're on?

Let's hope that you're not the type that resumes their hectic lifestyle once the memory of the heart attack becomes more distant. I know many of those types and it never ends well for them!

 

Wow, I dont know if I could say anything more than that. I do hope you can continue to put family first. In my world...lol, its God, FAMILY then everything else. thanks for the info about the urchins. I honestly didn't realize they could be that bad. So you can say that at least one person learned something from your experience. Hope the years and tanks to follow are better for ya!

 

Yes, I was cleared by my doctor – it’s been a little while now, I am just getting around to posting. I passed my nuclear stress test, there are no blockages. it was sincere lack of sleep, bad diet and stress. I can’t begin to explain it to you, it’s all a horrible memory.

 

No blockage is very good. I'm glad to hear that you have recovered well and that you don't plan on resuming your hectic work schedule!

 

You need more quality time to focus on your tank!!!!

Glad to hear you pulled through!!!!