Oh man, had a very similar thing happen to my little boy a week ago. We were catfishing and had a really little cat take the bait so he was all excited to reel it in without my help (I usually have to hold the rod while he reels). When the fish got close he yanked up on the rod and the small channel cat came flying out of the water right at him. He blocked it with his hand and the damn thing stuck him right in between the fingers and the stinger stuck in there just like it did in this gal's leg. I probably shouldn't have done it, but I just counted to 3 and yanked the sucker out! Poor little guy cried all the way back to the dock but we got it cleaned up and it healed fine. Scary moment for sure. I've been stuck several times -- especially when I was younger -- but it never stuck in there like that.