By By Lisa Tindell
news editor
One rattlesnake bite can lead to a serious situation, but a Brewton area man is living through the ordeal of having been bitten eight times.
Johnny Lavon Odom’s family is thankful for his life. Odom’s wife, Nancy, said he has spent more than three weeks in intensive care as a result of the incident, which took place in the Little River community in western Escambia County.
Nancy said Odom is now able to sit up for a period of time but will remain in ICU until a ventilator is no longer needed.
Nancy said the medical bills are continuing to mount with no planned release from the hospital in the near future.
The log truck driver does not have any medical insurance, Nancy said.
A rattlesnake bite can be debilitating or even deadly. Jackie Word, director of Turtle Point Science Center in Flomaton, said the age of the snake could have a great bearing on the amount of venom injected into a victim.
Although Odom was reportedly bitten eight times, Word said chances are that venom wasn’t injected on every bite.
Nancy said she is not sure just what happened to her husband in the woods of the Little River community — and he does not remember.
Physical therapists are working with Odom on a regular basis, Nancy said. His physicians have not determined a possible date for discharge, she said.