My God, what a gut-wrenching ordeal. You left me absolutely choked up and teary-eyed. I'm glad things turned out well!

Oh, Toni -- I read this story once before, and it made no difference, I still get breathless and horrified and teary-eyed reading it again!

But what a GREAT picture of Jake and Elise!

It's funny -- I had written that story a long time ago on the old journal site, and last night, it all flooded back to me in such a visceral way, I wanted to get it down here -- particularly beause of the milestones we're having -- prom, and then soon, graduation.

Wow, Toni. Just...wow. My half-sister also had meningitis, but as an infant, and it did 'cross over' and it did do some pretty signficant damage, and, well, Jake was lucky to have had you. Because no matter how close and how scary, you did it. You saved him. Amazing story.

Bloody hell. Thank God you did what you did. And that Patti is such a great doctor.

We went through a similar experience with my granddaughter 3 years ago (the family doctor sent my daughter-in-law home with a flea in her ear, telling her that she was a neurotic new mother). A few hours later she too listened to her maternal instincts and took her to the emergency department where they only just saved her life. There needs to be much, much more education about meningitis and writing like yours is a big part of that.

And what a beautiful picture!

TC, that just breaks my heart that it happened to your sister. And thanks for what you've said -- it means a lot.

Daisy, you too -- thanks. Thank god your daughter-in-law listened to that instinct! And you're right, I don't think nearly as much is written about it as I think it needs.

I can't even imagine such a harrowing experience.

And that is one fabulous picture. Congratulations!

It isn't nice to make people cry when they're at work. ;-)

What an amazing story (I have thoughts about what should have happened to that nurse, mostly involving tar and feathers), and what a lovely way to end it (that is a beautiful, beautiful couple). Thanks so much for sharing it with us.