Less than three weeks after Camp Pendleton paramedics saved her 6-year-old son from the effects of a severe rattlesnake bite, Peggy Rivera talked this week about how nice it was to get to meet them under happier circumstances: an Angels game.
Her bite survivor, Kaden, gleefully chimed in: "Those guys saved my life!"
The Redlands boy and his parents, Ken and Peggy, reunited Monday at Angel Stadium with the Camp Pendleton Fire Department personnel who rushed Kaden to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo on July 5 after he was bitten by a rattlesnake at the San Mateo Campground at San Onofre State Beach park.
"It's awesome," paramedic Matt Rios said. "He's running around like nothing ever happened."
Kaden's 4-foot-1, 65-pound body took such a jolt of venom that his survival was in doubt for a day and it took 42 vials of antivenin to stabilize him, according to his father. Paramedic Mario Moreno agreed.
"Life and death was something we were definitely faced with," Moreno said.
Seven days of hospitalization led to further recuperation at home. Kaden's limp has finally disappeared and his blood tests are clean.
The Angels hosted the Rivera family and four rescuers for the game, and the stadium message board flashed "Thank you" to the Camp Pendleton Fire Department in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Kaden said he doesn't remember anything about the aftermath of the bite - how he was foaming at the mouth, vomiting, unable to speak, and unable to use his arms or legs, with huge welts all over his face.
He does remember the bite itself.
"It was like a pinch," he said.
Since San Mateo Campground is part of San Onofre State Beach and Camp Pendleton, there was ample response to the 911 call - the Camp Pendleton Fire Department, a state park ranger, state park lifeguards and Orange County Fire Authority personnel from neighboring San Clemente.
Among those who attended the game was Rios' son Shaun, who became fast friends with Kaden outside the turnstiles while waiting for everyone to arrive. The boys tossed and hit an imaginary ball at each other. Then they waved a Rally Monkey doll and a foam finger during the Angels' 6-3 win over Kansas City.
"They were dancing to the music and having a good old time," Ken Rivera said.
Kaden said he wants to return to San Mateo Campground - a little more savvy now about the sign at the entrance that warns to be cautious of rattlers.
