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Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 06/19/2007 05:45 PM
Updated by: Kim_Hamilton on 06/23/2007 12:15 AM
Expires: 01/01/2012 12:00 AM
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Rattlesnakes a Current Danger...Nine year old bitten in Murphys on Father's Day~From Ken Jones(Updated 6/22/07)
Ken Jones has sent us another letter regarding his son's progress today..."Cameron was headline news today on many of the area newspapers this week. He is doing much better today. Although he uses his hand for light things, he still doesn't want that arm touched! And who can blame him. The...
swelling is nearly gone, but his skin still looks "green". I took him to visit his summer school classmates this morning where he got a warm reception and many hugs. I think he lost weight this week- he's looking skinny- so he has been treated recently to a chocolate donut and an ice cream cone. Ah, sometimes life is good after all. Thank you everyone, for your concern and good wishes."
We spoke about this tragedy in our Nightly News on Monday Night. We received this letter from Ken Jones. "I want to remind everyone that rattlesnake bite is a serious danger made more threatening by the hot weather. Children are especially susceptible. Staff at the Mark Twain St. Joseph's Hospital informed me that they have seen four rattlesnake bite cases in recent weeks- more than usual, and want to remind the public of the danger. Hot weather increases the danger because the...
cold-blooded reptiles are hyperactive in the heat and are more prone to striking. Baby rattlers show even less control, are hypersensitive in very warm weather and are prone to strike without warning. Their venom is every bit as toxic as adults.
Father's Day turned tragic for my family in Murphys yesterday when at 4:00 PM my nine year old son, Cameron Jones, was bitten by a rattlesnake. It occurred in the back yard of our home. Cameron was only out of sight for a few minutes when I heard him behind me crying that his hand hurt. He said a snake had bit him and I could see only one small spot that might be a fang puncture at the base of his thumb. However, his thumb was already swollen and his hand seemed to swell right before my eyes. I assumed a rattlesnake bite was likely and wasted no time calling the Mark Twain Hospital Emergency Room to anticipate our arrival- then we left for the hospital.
His aunt Sherry drove as I sat in the back seat to hold and try to comfort Cameron. He complained of the pain in his hand and was very worried. I tried to reassure him that the doctors at the hospital were going to make it better. He cried a bit and fussed. He then grew tired and cold and rested his head in my lap. It was very frustrating negotiating the two-lane highways the 45 minutes to the hospital. Weekend traffic was heavy but was moving at the speed limit. We debated as to wether an ambulance might have done better. Aunt Sherry did as well as anyone could have under the circumstances better.
Within an hour Cameron was receiving treatment, and because the swelling was traveling up his arm, treatment included anti-venom. Most alarmingly for me, his hand, wrist, then arm was turning black. About 5:30 he was transfered by medical helicopter to UC Davis Medical Center Pediatrics Intensive Care Unit. As he was being readied for the flight, we all acknowledged that his face was beginning to swell. His mother, Lisa Boulton, had arrived at the hospital and made the trip by helicopter with Cameron.
I received a call around 8 o'clock that evening that Cameron was in his new hospital room receiving his next dose of anti-venom. He was made more comfortable by being administrated a pain reliever as well. His mother kept him company through the first night.
Today, Monday, Cameron is described as stable. Color in his arm has improved but there has been no noticeable reduction in swelling yet. Cameron's favorite past-time while in the hospital has been making his bed go up and down.
I wish to thank everyone in the emergency room of Mark Twain St. Joseph's Hospital, and the helicopter crew. All were kind and expedient."
For more information, contact:
Ken Jones (father)
209-728-2128
personaldocumentaries@earthlink.net
(FYI..John and Sarah also spoke about this tragedy in Monday Nights Newscast) Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Jone's Family.
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