Re: preemie-l From Gaelle: pain (fwd)
Helen1144@aol.com
Tue, 11 Jun 1996 23:22:49 -0400
Dear Gaelle,
I tried to send you a message last night but it didn't get through. Let's
see if this one makes it. About pain, many children who have been through a
lot of pain as neonates seem to have reduced sensitivity to physical pain as
young children. On the other hand, the psychic trauma (in our experience)
can be horrible! Our son is now 21 years old. He can walk barefoot over
sharp objects with no reaction. We never know when he is sick, because he
won't complain unless it is really extreme. On the other hand, we have never
been able to take him to the pediatrician's office because he is terrified
of doctors. He goes beserk and frightens the other children. Luckly our
pediatrician makes house calls. Our son is also frightened of butchers (the
whilte jackets) and barbers (he has had a lot of brain surgery). The sound
of tape being torn terrifies him (and if you could see the scars on his
stomach from moniotor lead removals, you'd understand why). For years he
would go wild if I tried to cut his toe nails or do anything with his feet. I
would be interested in hearing from other parents about the long-term
memories their children may have about NICU pain, tactile defensiveness, etc.
Helen Harrison