Recap from Part 1: Kiddo has croup. Team DB (Daddy Blogger) spent the morning in the ER with steroids and breathing treatments. On way home from said ER, Wifey (whiff-ee) comes down with wicked headache and nausea and by 2PM we are back at the ER with now happy kiddo and now very sick Wifey.

The short: 4 1/2 hours, one CT Scan, and one spinal tap later: meningitis — possibly passed from the kiddo and his croup, but no way to tell. The diagnosis started as the more common and less dangerous viral meningitis, but by day’s end, we were being told that it was most likely the much more dangerous bacterial meningitis.

In the end it was determined to be viral and the Wifey was in the hospital for five days with more recovery thereafter. I finally understood what it meant to be scared and how being a dad upped the ante. Worrying about someone in the hospital is a somewhat known factor — worrying about what could be around the corner for your child is simply terrifying.

We still consider ourselves to be a lucky family. While I can’t say croup and a meningitis scare are ideal, I can say that I know we could have it worse. Much worse. It only takes a few trips around the halls of a hospital — or around the blogosphere –to figure that out. I may complain about some small things and I do so knowing they are small — but I need to do a better job in pointing out the good, the worthwhile, — and the things that will simply help those around me.

As a start: Make sure to wash your hands regularly.