Do I explain heart probs to my dd or leave it?

[shrooms]

Some of you may have seen the thread in health about my 6 yr old dd who collapsed with a quite severe episode of tachycardia on sunday. She is home and still well, but now I have got over the initial shock of having a little one with a potential health problem, I am wondering how do I go about what I tell her. She will be staying off school ect this week but is already questioning this as she feels fine and full of beans so is getting bored!
Am I meant to tell her that she may have a little heart problem or do I just let her get on with it and explain if I really have to (eg if she has to go in to hosp again)?

I know it may seem obvious to those of you who are experienced in these things, but as someone who has never prepared for something like this, I just am drawing blank

Thanks x

[shrooms]

Anyone? x

[lljkk]

I would explain it to my DD (also 6, tends to be an anxious person, too). I imagine I would talk about it in a low-key way, say that her heart is a little wobbly, so might make her feel funny sometimes and that's why she had to go to hospital other day. Are there any signs that she or you can learn to watch out for? It's her health problem, she might feel less bothered by it if she felt more in control of managing it.

[minesalargeone]

TBH I would tell her and be honest and open with her....but it all depends on how 'old' she is for 6yrs because you wouldn't want to worry her or give her a reason to be upset etc. My dd went into hospital when she was 5 and I had the exact same dilema situation - do I tell her or not....in the end I decided I would because I knew she'd have follow up appts to go to and I thought it'd be easier to be open with her at the start rather than worry about each and every appt afterwards.

[shrooms]

Thanks for your replies. I think you are right - she has a right to know, and as she is quite mature, she might like to feel more included in the whole thing. Yes, she does need to tell us if she feels like she has butterflies/goes dizzy ect, so it's as much for safetly as well. Good idea to make it very casual and not heavy eg. a bit wobbly! She'll not mind that phasing, I think it was a bit scary to hear long words and medical jargon the other day, so to put it in to her own words might be nice.

Thanks again x

[Baffy]

have come to this a bit late, but fwiw I totally agree with what you've decided to do - definitely sounds like the best approach. I hope dd is ok xx