On January 7th I was awakened by the police at my door telling me that my 19 year old son, Justin was in the hospital in Idaho and was in serious condition. I called the hospital and the doctor told me that his heart stopped and that he was dead for five minutes before they were able to resuscitate him. He went on to tell me that he was on life support and that he was in critical condition. I think I lost my mind for a few minutes there and immediately started praying to God to keep my baby alive. I felt so helpless and terrified and all I could do was talk to God and beg him to give Justin his life. The doctor said they were transferring him to a larger hospital with an ICU in Coeur d’alene and that my brother was with him right now. My parents, my youngest son and I got in the car and started the drive to Coeur d’alene, Idaho…longest 6 hours of my life!
When I got to the hospital Justin was in ICU and had a breathing tube breathing for him and he was semi-conscious. He had tears dripping out of his eyes and he was combative so they had to restrain him because he kept trying to pull the tube out of his throat. He was shaking his head no no no and was trying so hard to talk but he couldn’t figure out what was happening. He had no idea where he was or what had happened. I stayed with him all night praying and asking my friends and online friends for prayers for Justin. His heart was not doing very well, he had a sinus rhythm (not sure what that means) and he went into v-tach frequently. All I could do was pray. I wasn’t allowed to touch him because they were trying to keep him sedated and calm so I just sat there in the chair staring at him and willing him to live. The next couple of days are kind of a blur of tears and prayers. They didn’t know much other than the fact that he had a “bad lung infection” and that they found opiates in his blood. They couldn’t tell me more because he is over 18 and said he would have to tell me when he could.
They kept putting tubes down into his lungs to suck out the “gunk” which was disgusting and Justin HATED it..(thank God he doesn’t remember any of it now!). The day they took the tube out he was trying so hard to breathe and cough but his lungs were just not strong and it sounded HORRIBLE. Things were up and down and up and down for 24-48 hours and then finally yesterday they said he was stable enough to be moved out of ICU and into a regular room.
By this time I found out more about what happened…Justin moved in with a “friend” of his that he had met in Kellogg where he was living with my brother and the first night he was out on his own he apparently took an accidental overdose of morphine and between that and the pneumonia sent him into septic shock which caused his heart to stop. The mother of the “friend” found him in the morning and called 911 and by the time ambulance got there he was non-responsive. They did CPR, gave him a shot in his heart and I’m not sure what else to get him going again but thank God they did. Justin does not remember anything from the time he went to sleep at his friends house until yesterday so he can’t tell me how much morphine he took, (or won’t), but he does know everything that happened, I’ve told him over and over (he keeps forgetting) but today he really seems to be with it and seems to understand the severity of the situation as he posted on his facebook earlier today something about how drugs did all of this.
Justin has pneumonia and the left side of his face is numb and he isn’t able to talk normally or swallow right now. He can’t eat or drink and feels like he’s been to the dentist where they numb your face and you have no control or feeling over your mouth. (left side). The doctors are hoping that it’s temporary nerve damage from the breathing tube but only time will tell. He is talking better everyday and his voice is starting to come back a little so I hope that it is temporary, I pray that it is temporary. If it is brain or neurological damage, the recovery will be much worse, especially since we have no insurance and there is no medicaid for anyone over 19 in WA state where we live. Had he had insurance he would have gone to the doctor before this turned into pneumonia but don’t get me started on medical insurance issues!!!
It is a miracle and proof that prayer works that Justin is alive and doing as well as he is. All of my family, friends and online friends on facebook and youtube have been praying for him and words cannot express how very grateful I am for every prayer and for every positive thought. I had no idea so many people whom I have never met could be so thoughtful and caring! I want to say thank you to everyone and here is a picture of Justin today so you can see how much better he is doing 
If your child ever does drugs or even thinks about it, share this first picture of my 19 year old with them and tell them that pills (or any drugs) can do this to you in a heartbeat! I’m sharing this picture in hopes that it will help someone realize how serious and how dangerous addiction is and to also show you the miracle that God is working in our lives. There is only a three day time period between pictures, now THAT is a miracle!
Thank you all again for your well wishes and mostly for your prayers. It means the world to me and to Justin.
Kat, as you know this could have easily been me getting that call.My heart broke for you when I saw your first post. I had already been praying for Justin but stepped it up through this.Thank you for trying to spread the word on how frightening and deadly drug use is. Hugs to you and your family.
Hi Kat,
So happy to hear that Justin is doing better. Just take it one day at a time sweetie, that is all you can do.
I will continue to pray for him and your family
Hugs, Stacy
I am so happy to hear that Justin is on the road to recovery! He has a long road ahead of him but with your support and our continuous prayers I wish him well.
Kat I’m so sorry you have to go through this with your family. I’m so glad he is doing better. I will continue to pray and my family is praying too i have a son in college in pa and I live in fl. My son likes to drink, still a drug. hopefully he learns from this. thanks for sharing such a personal story and hope and prayer does work. we love you Kat never forget that. We are here for you. God Bless you and your family. cheryl
I am so praying for you and Justin. Thanking the lord he is doing some better.he has a long road ahead of him. I have been threw four treatments with a friend of mine and it took alot of years and when he was ready then he quite not when I was ready. remember God is good all the time. and will work in him. HUGS Nettie
Hello Kat! So glad he is doing so much better now. I asked some of my online friends to keep him in prayer. I am a new online youtube subscriber. Anyway, I let people know about your son that aren’t even subscribed to you. Continued prayer for his full recovery.
Such a difficult thing to go thorough and I wish you and your family peace and recovery for Justin.Sending you all love and hugs!
Oh Kat….I am so happy to read Justin is doing better. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with both of you. Hugs, Elizabeth
Kat, I’m so relieved to hear things are better with him. You’re still in my thoughts and I’m wishing him all the best. Thank you for the update – please keep us in the loop. I can’t even imagine how terrible and hard this has been for you! Wish I was there to give my friend a hug
Kat, so very happy for you that our prayers worked. I for one will continue with my prayers. Be safe!
Hiya Kat! God is good! What a miracle. Justin will use this to teach others about drugs. Good will come from it. Just trust God completely and keep praying. :))
I am so happy to hear the good news. Thank God! Justin, be strong and I hope for a speedy recovery.
Kat, I am thinking of you and thank you for giving us all an update. God Bless you and your family,,BTW your son is so HANDSOME!
Wow Kat, I am sorry your family went through this. I’m glad your son is doing better now. I do hope lots of people think twice before doing any drugs.
Oh Kat! All I can do is thank Jesus! I’ve been where you have been with my husband when he sustained a massive brain injury twelve years ago. He lived through it by the grace, mercy and power of God! I’m sending you a huge hug! Thanks be to God!
Hi Kat, I’m very happy to hear that your son is doing much better. I can only imagine what you guys went through but God always finds a way! Never lose faith! Always keep believing!
Steffany (mamiturtle)
Kat, I know this must be so hard for you. You are such a brave woman and Justin is lucky to have you.
So glad that Justin is improving each day!! Thank goodness! I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers…I am so sorry you are going through this..
Kat I’m so glad to hear your son is doing better. I’ve been thinking about you and your son these past few days. I will pray for a full and speedy recovery. Think of the big squishy hug image I sent you on your card as I send you big hugs!
Kat, I am so happy to hear that Justin is doing better and progressing – You both have been in my thoughts and prayers. I wish you both continued strength. God bless you and your family.
Kat, I am so relieved to hear that Justin is on the road to recovery. I will keep you all in my prayers, thinking of you and hugz, Kim
Kat,
God does answer prayers and your son Justin is prove of that. I am so happy that he is doing better. You and your family are still in my prayers. Take care of you and him. God bless and sending hugs your way!
My heart breaks for you…this is every mothers fear..I will keep praying for you both…and thank God he is recovering..
Hugs..Michele
Kat,
God is so good. I hope you son realizes the power of a praying mom and love you have for him. Tell him we will all continue to pray for him. I am so happy you got your little boy back.
My heart goes out to you and your family. I know what addiction is, my ex-husband and now my oldest are both addicts. Though they are no longer using they will be addicts for life. My oldest even used drugs when hospitalized after surgery for Crohn’s disease. She almost died, but Thank GOD, our savior was with her and put HIs hand on her. I hope everything works out for your son and he recovers quickly with any problems.
Thanks for sharing your story. I am sure your story will help atleast one person.
Oh Kat – thank God. I realllllly believe in prayers too Kat. I always have. I am so glad to hear your baby is getting better every minute. So so glad. Now..how are YOU? I know stress will trigger fibro like crazy and I mean little stresses – so I can’t imagine this type of worry and upset. I said prayers for your fibro, as I know how it is personally … you have your parents and his brother and it sounds like other family members there that can sit with Justin – I hope now you will take just a little time to go and rest up yourself. Not long just enough to recoup. I know what you mean about medical insurances…that is sad Kat. A friend of mine is self employed, 58 and just can’t afford insurance for herself but she did find a clinic that offers sliding scale fees. Is there anything like that in WA? You know – I can’t figure out, why in the world state laws are so different when we are all living in the United States…never have quite understood that. Okay honey – listen, please please take care of yourself too. I just know you have forgotten about that … cause I know, I would have too! Sounds like he is out of the woods and now you have to keep strong to continue to help him heal. Love to you and your family Kat. Loads of love and prayers…Vicki
Kat… whew…. God is good, will continue to keep you and Justin in my prayers. Sending healing thoughts as I type this. Mary Farrington Oh2bnor@aol.com
PRAISE AND GLORY TO GOD!!!!! IM AM SO THANKFUL THAT YOU STILL HAVE YOUR CHILD. TODAY COULD HAVE BEEN SUCH A DIFFERENT DAY AND ITS NOT….ITS A GLORIOUS AND WONDERFUL DAY. I HAVE AN 18 YR OLD SON. WE ALL WANT TO THINK THAT THEY KNOW BETTER BUT TRUTHFULLY ALL WE CAN DO IS PUT THEM IN GOD’S HANDS JUST LIKE YOU DID. I AM MOVED TO TEARS AND SO EXCITED FOR YOU. YOU ARE IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. MARCY
OMG! Thank you God! I prayed for your son so much as I also have a 21 yr old and God forbid something like this would happen. As I read your story I cried. I thought of my son and how I would’nt have even known what to with myself. Your story should be shared with the world. I’m so happy for Justin. God bless him and may God keep healing him. I know all will be well and I pray that God continues to give you the undying strength go get you all through all of this with him. God bless your family!
Darlene
Oh Kat, you are so strong and So glad that Justin is doing better!!My heart goes out to you and all you have been through. I will continue to pray and keep you and your whole family in my thought’s and Prayers!! God Bless♥
Prayers and good wishes to you your son and the rest of your family!
Hello!!!I am so happy to hear things are looking up for Justin.I hope both of you keep strong through these times.Know that you and your family are in my prayers.Sarah
OH WOW! I am sorry that you had to go thru this, but am glad that he’s on the road to recovery. What a frightening experience for you