My "Lucky" Day
When Clint Miller's life was in danger, the Emergency Department at John C. Lincoln North Mountain Hospital had the antidote
When you consider the story of Clint Miller, you'd think luck is on his side. Years ago, this active, fun-loving outdoorsman somehow survived a freezing winter storm while mountain climbing. He lost his toes on both feet and the fingers on one hand—but escaped with his life. His hiking partner was not as fortunate, however.
And when a recent chain of events landed Clint at the John C. Lincoln North Mountain Hospital's emergency department, this adventurous northwest Valley resident counted his blessings all over again.
A "Dry" Bite?
At Arizona Public Service, where he’s been an employee for decades, Clint has many roles. Wildlife educator is one: He houses a Gila monster, snakes, scorpions and other desert dwellers—with a permit from the state’s Game and Fish Department, of course. This cavalcade of critters accompanies Clint to presentations at schools, businesses and clubs.
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Clint Miller and Sheila, one of his Gila monster friends, on
the campus of John C. Lincoln North Mountain Hospital. |
Last June, while moving rattlesnakes from one cage to another with snake tongs, he felt something below his knee.
Could a snake have passed too closely to his lower leg—giving it a chance to strike?
"At first I thought the snake got my Levi's!" Clint exclaimed. "Then I discovered my knee was bleeding. I washed it up and kept an eye on it. I know what the signs are for toxic venom. Since I wasn’t experiencing pain, swelling or a metallic taste, I figured that it was a dry bite and that it was my lucky day!"
A role model for positive thinking, Clint finished loading his truck and drove to an appointment.
Halfway there, however, his "luck" began to change.
Clint began experiencing classic symptoms of neurotoxin venom: blurred vision, dizziness and shaking.
Before he could pull over, he lost control of his truck. He drove through an intersection, two concrete pillars and into the wall of a technology company.
"I told the policemen who came to the scene of the accident that when you think about it, this was my lucky day. If one of the cages had broken open and one of my venomous friends had escaped, they would have pulled out a corpse!"
One Small Detail
Despite his condition, Clint initially refused to ride with the paramedics. He knew that if he left his truck with its caged occupants in the sweltering June heat for very long, they certainly would perish.
A few phone calls later, a rescue team was at the scene of the accident, ready to care for the animals until Clint could be treated. His luck held even longer.
When he arrived at JCL North Mountain, his body shaking furiously, Clint had to explain to the emergency physician that he was allergic to traditional anti-venin.
Fortunately, John C. Lincoln uses CroFab, a powerful anti-venin for rattlesnake bites, which his body would accept. After four vials of the serum and a night in the intensive care unit, Clint returned home.
Wait 'Til Mom Finds Out
Looking back on that day, ever-optimistic Clint has to laugh. He reflects upon his emergency room visit somewhat fondly.
He appreciates the attentive care he received. He also wonders what the doctors and nurses must have thought of him: A man shaking furiously from snake bite, with missing fingers and toes—and with legs sunburned from a trip to Bartlett Lake.
He remembers his APS compadres being there to support him. He also recalls his 83-year-old mother scolding him: "I told you not to play with poisonous snakes! We’ll talk about your pets later."
Back to Work—With an Unforgettable Story
Getting Clint back home quickly was a gift to the community. He is, after all, a busy man.
A former Hon Kachina Award winner and Valley Big Brother for more than 30 years, Clint also volunteers with Arizona Game and Fish, Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center and the Sierra Club. Within days of his experience, he was honoring a commitment at Camp Narnia, sharing his expertise and story-telling skills with a group of third-through-sixth graders.
"I look at that crazy day as a lucky day," Clint said with a laugh. "It was one of the most interesting days of my life. I learned a lot. Gained an even greater respect for the desert’s wildlife. And hey, it’s a great story for the kids!"