I think we must all have bathroom phobias.  Mine was having to walk to the out house at my Grandmother's.  They had snakes and I was afraid of meeting a rattlesnake in the evening.  I thought they might reach through the hole and bite my butt.  Not likely but for a child of 8-12, I had a good imagination.
We love your blogs.  This is one of the greatest.  John will love it, it will make him feel better after catching your parent's cold at Thanksgiving.