I am currently plumbed up with a PICC line, and a few days ago my six year old granddaughter asked about the dressings on my arm. I'd previously decided to be as honest with the kids as I thought they could cope with and understand, and so set off with an explanation. "Remember granddad had a poorly tummy? Well, I have to take some medicine that would make my mouth sore, so the doctor's put me a tiny little pipe in my arm and I put the medicine in there". Expecting a request for further information, all I got was "does it hurt?". When I said no, play promptly resumed and it's not been mentioned since.
I had a similar reaction when trying to explain my ileostomy to slightly older grandsons. I described the stoma as best as I could and showed them a stoma pouch (a clean one, I hasten to add!). They thought all this was hilarious, and laugh out loud if they hear my little portable loo gurgling. The lads now only ever mention it if they come to sit on my knee, saying "I know, the other side".
I did toy with the idea of sending one of them to school with a stoma pouch for "show and tell", but I can't be sure their teacher shares our sense of humour!
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