PHOENIX — A Valley boy was seriously injured after being bitten by a rattlesnake in Yavapai County.
Michelle Bahme told 12News they were packing up their truck at the end of a successful camping trip and getting ready to drive back home to the Valley when her 9-year-old son came running up to her.
“Lennon just kind of came running and he said, 'Owie, owie,'" Bahme said. "I immediately looked for where he was holding his hand. I saw the two puncture wounds on his ring finger with the two drops of blood.”
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Bahme said they didn't look to see what kind of snake bit her son. They got him in the truck and drove until they reached enough cellular service to call 911.
An ambulance met them halfway and rushed Lennon to Yavapai Regional Medical Center.
“I was afraid of losing a child. That’s what was going through my head," Bahme said.
By the time they arrived at the hospital, Lennon's hand was swollen and his finger was turning purple.
“The progression was fast and furious," Bahme said.
Doctors determined the symptoms to be a result of a rattlesnake bite and started him on antivenom.
Lennon was airlifted to Phoenix Children's Hospital where he is still undergoing treatment as of Tuesday.
"I believe it was something like 40 vials of antivenom," Bahme said. "It stops progression, but it won't reverse damage."
Lennon's finger about 36 hours after the bite was nearly black.
Bahme said doctors told her the tissue damage is severe and her son could lose part of his finger.
“We’re playing the waiting game now," Bahme said.
Bahme said Lennon's been tough through it all.
“For being a rattlesnake bite victim, he’s done really well," Bahme said. “He was telling us in his little groggy state, ‘No more snakes. No more snakes.’"
A neighbor later found the rattlesnake that likely bit Lennon.
“It's unfortunate that it happened to Lennon because he’s only nine and he was just curious, but truthfully, anyone could have walked by that snake and gotten bit per where it was, how it looked. It was just so camouflaged," Bahme said.
At this point, it's unclear if Lennon will lose his finger or when he will get to go home, but Bahme said they have a long road to recovery ahead.
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