Last night I had dinner at my brother’s house. It was my mom’s birthday and my SIL was working so we decided to hang with my brother and help him with my new niece. He is a little wary about a 2
Well as we were all eating I got out my enzymes and was proceeding to take them. James asked me if they were my pills. I obviously responded yes, to which he continued to watch me take them all.
So this got me to wondering…do children that grow up around chronically ill people, have a higher tolerance for that type of thing? James has seen me with my O2 on, watched me do my nebs and vest and sees me take my pills. He visits me in the hospital when I am in. It doesn’t bother him anymore. He used to be scared of my nebulizer and the loud noise it made. But now it fascinates him. So, do seeing this on a constant basis help him in “awkward situations”?
We all know what those are. The elderly lady in the grocery store with O2 hobbling along. The child points at her and asks, very loudly, what’s hanging from her face. (ok not a great example but you get my point, I hope)
It’s something to ponder…and ponder I just might…
I think it does. My younger sister has seen all sorts of CF related stuff and she's 10 now. She understands that not everyone is the same and some people get ill. She doesn't get phased by all the IV crap about the house either Xx
ReplyDeleteI think it does. My sister never scares away from things. Knows people can be very poorly, even when you can't really see it.
ReplyDeleteAlso the children that my mum babysits are/have been here for 2 or 3 whole days a week. They have seen me very poorly. When their friends came to play they would for instance ask me what my O2 tubing was and 'our' kids would answer them right away.
The kids also knew from very early age not to eat anything that is not theirs as they knew I had my drinks and pills and such. Even the vitamin K that was very M&M like even with chocolate in it. I let them see it and they were just facinated how medicine could even have chocolate in it. But they said themselves that it was not for them.
I think it does too. Liam has been around Will's treatments, and now O2 at home, from the beginning. So to him it's normal for some people to need O2 and some people not to. Even though he's only two and a half, he talks about "daddy's tubing" and is careful not to step on it, and about "daddy's medicians" (the nebulizer and the IV stuff) and knows not to touch it. Good luck on your upcoming move to Boston.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Definitely something to ponder about...but overall, i think yes. It does help to "grow up" around these things. I know it helped my brother being around my treatments, meds, hospitalizations, etc. He understood and it probably prepared him for similar situations.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your thoughts :)
ReplyDeleteI think it helps them become better people. Sara Lou has grown up with Shawn of course but even before he was "sick" she used to hang out with patients at the inpatient rehab where I worked and she was wonderful with them, iv lines, catheters, even artificial limbs never fazed her. I think it teaches them so many lessons, compassion, patience, appreciation, tolerance etc. So yes Ames I think it is a gift. I think your little buddies are lucky to have you!!!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is 3 yrs old and is quite comfortable with all my neb's, oxygen and even wants to give me my tablets. She has been and seen me in hospital and it doesn't phase her when she see's sick people at all. I think children can accept and take in a lot more than we give them credit for.
ReplyDeleteThat's a really good thought, Amy! I tend to try to cover my medical stuff around my nephews, but maybe that's not giving them enough credit, and not really being fair to them either... You've inspired me to give them more exposure!! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear it Kristin!!!!!!! :)
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