Fourth of July Tragedy Ends in a Miracle

In 2016, Paul and his family were celebrating the Fourth of July with fireworks at his mother Rita’s home in Kerens, Texas.   Before they finished, Paul went to his truck to grab a flashlight.  He couldn’t see where he was stepping.

“When he came back, he said, ‘Mom, a big snake bit me.’  And of course, I went into panic mode; we all did.  We sat him down in a chair and I said, ‘Where does it hurt?’ He said ‘Everywhere, Mom,’ said Rita, Paul’s mother.

A rattlesnake had bitten Paul on his left ankle.

“He started shaking.  He started making sounds like he was going to vomit.  He couldn't get up out of the chair,” said Ginger, Paul’s wife.

“And with that he was gone. He just slumped over and he was not there anymore,” said Rita.

With the property so far out in the country, they drove to the nearest highway to meet the ambulance. By then, Paul had gone into cardiac arrest.  “I was praying, I was begging. I just was saying, Please God, Please God, Please God.   I've never begged so hard.”

Paul was taken to Navarro Regional hospital in Corsicana, Texas where Doctor Gregory Meador and his team were waiting.  “When he hit the door they were doing CPR. We put him in the trauma room. I had to put a breathing tube in him. His skin was all different colors. He was having no perfusion because his heart wasn’t beating properly.”

After being treated with a vial of anti-venom, he was still in in critical condition and needed to be transported to Parkland Hospital in Dallas, an hour away.   

“The likelihood of him surviving is very small because most patients die in the field. They never make it to medical care because its such a rapid onset of anaphylactic shock and they die,” said Dr. Meador.

“I called on God because I know nothing is impossible for him.  I don't know how to explain the peace that surpasses understanding.  When I should have experienced dire feelings inside, I still had hope that he would make it through,” said Ginger.

When Paul arrived, doctors discovered he had liver damage, his kidneys stopped working, his colon shut down, and part of his small intestine had to be removed. They told the family not to expect him to live much longer.  

“My life stopped because you don't live longer than your child,” said Rita.

“As a wife, losing my husband of 22 years whom I love with all my heart; and as a mother – he's very active in our daughters' lives and he always has been. They love him.  Telling them that he's not going to be around anymore was a big fear,” said Ginger.

Paul was put into a medically induced coma, still in critical condition. By now a prayer chain had been started that spread through their friends, church members and across the country through social media.  “In everything I’ve turned to God in prayer.  In the Bible it says ‘Pray without ceasing,’ in good times and in bad," said Ginger.

The prayer vigil continued as the family watched for any sign of progress.  Then after 22 days- -Paul opened his eyes.  “I realized he saw me and he asked me what happened, what's going on, and I said, ‘Do you really want to know, Paul? I knew that he knew me and I knew he was awake. Oh, thank God! That's how I felt. Thank God, thank God,” said Rita.

“I had that big ugly smile, when you smile so big you look goofy.  For a while the smile was on my face.  I was just relieved and I was very, very happy,” said Paul’s wife.

After three months of rehab, Paul went home.  “I think Paul’s survival is a miracle. My understanding from some of my colleagues is that there’s only been less than 50 documented cases of people surviving a snake bite directly to the vein so I would say that’s definitely a miracle from God,” said Dr. Meador.

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn't. There were people basically from around the world on prayer chains and I can honestly say I would not be here if prayer didn't work.  It worked,” said Paul.

Eventually, Paul’s kidneys healed and he underwent a number of surgeries to repair nerve damage caused by the venom. In less than a year, he was back at work as a manager for the US Postal Service.  

Now , when Paul and his family gather for the Fourth of July, they have extra cause for celebration.

“Now look at him.  Yeah, don't you think that's a miracle?  I do.  Yes,” said Rita.

“I’m very thankful. In my heart I know the only reason Paul is here today is because of prayer,” said Ginger.

“God gave me the strength to live and to make it through. I know prayer works.  I don't believe, I know,” said Paul.