Just so all my Beyond Blue readers know, my story has a very happy ending.
Katherine had a severe case of croup, a viral illness or laryngotracheobronchitis (its formal term) that is common in children ages six months to three years. The symptoms of croup are caused by inflammation, swelling and the buildup of mucus in the larynx, trachea (windpipe) and bronchial tubes, and the onset can be sudden. The symptoms are worsened when the child is anxious or agitated, or freaking out like both Katherine and I were.
I can say, with confidence, that yesterday was the scariest parenting day of my life … more so even than Ash Wednesday of 2004. I probably won’t gripe about my kids for a good two or three days, as I’m feeling incredibly blessed that they’re alive.