Bubba's Binge-Last Entry

Papa joins me at the hospital and together we watch the monitor. Not much is said. We just communicate with worried looks as his heart rate and respiration change in seconds.

His heart rate climbs as his breathing becomes shallow and fast. Faster. Higher. I can't believe what I am seeing. He must be having a heart attack! I trip over Papa's legs and run for the nurse. She's on the telephone, but not talking, so I feel I can interupt. "My son's breathing very fast and his heart rate is sky high!"

She rushes over and shakes him. She tells him to wake up and breathe right. He's in a stupor and doesn't know what he's saying. I am amazed that the simple act of waking him and telling him to breathe correctly causes his respiration and heart rate to begin to return to safer levels. This experienced nurse assures us that he's fine.

The lab results come back and the Doctor spends about 10 minutes talking to our teenage drug addict about the dangers of drug use, and asks what he's going to do to change his life.  Bubba only responds with non committal type answers.

The Doctor then discharges him for home, with the instructions...."Contact Kaiser for drug rehabilitation program."
This time, it's going to be a long term rehab program. 30 days was not enough.