In honor of Valentine’s Day, here’s what two of my young patients shared about what their hearts had to say this past week.
3 year-old:
During one 3 year-old well child check, I was listening to the patient’s chest with my stethoscope. I told her to take big breaths while I listened to her lungs. After listening to her lungs, I told her I was going to listen to her heart. She promptly informed me, “My heart doesn’t know what you’re saying.”
And why would it? It doesn’t have ears after all.
4 year-old:
After listening to the heart of one 4 year-old, he asked if he could listen. I helped him put on my stethoscope and directed him to where to listen. When he finished listening, I asked, “What does it sound like?” (I usually get answers like, “beep, beep” or “thump, thump.”) He answered, “My heart is farting.”
It was a proud moment for mom.
Happy Valentine’s Day. May your day be filled with love and laughter, it’s good for the heart.