My history with enemas traverses at least 75 of my 80 years and probably a few more. During WWII, I spent large blocks of time with my maternal grandparents in Bremerton, WA. Gram was what would today probably be known as a Licensed Practical Nurse. I know that every morning, she had a regular route from nursing home to nursing home as well as to Harrison Hospital where she gave enemas to patients facing surgery. There was a small house next to my grandparents in which two great uncles lived. . . Uncle Al and Uncle Charlie.
Regular bowel movements were key to survival when with my grandmother. Regular meant daily, It went like this:
Gram: "Have you had your bowel movement yet today?"
Me: "No, Gram." (always the answer whether true or not)
Gram: "We'll wait a bit. If nothing happens, I'll give you a tablespoon of Fletchers'
Castoria. If that doesn't work, I'll have to give you an enema."
Me: "Yes, Gram."
Whether I'd used the toilet or not, the story was always the same. I was working my way to being over Gram's lap. The red hot water bottle filled with very warm Ivory Soap water was hung from the shower curtain rod.
"Click" went the metal stop cock and the rushing fluid began filling my waiting rectum.
If I moaned a bit, she would stop the flow, and let me catch my breath.
An observation: There was quite a distance from the shower curtain bar to Gram's lap, positioned as I was which meant that the enema emptied into me very quickly and forcibly.
I later realized there was a pattern. Enemas happened every Wednesday and every Saturday night. Gram did not want me going to her Baptist Sunday School unless my colon was properly clean. There were other enemas on other days. There must have been 3 - 4 a week for my childhood and adolescent years. I think they stopped when I was 12 or 13.
They resumed whenever I had any abdominal discomfort - which happened more and more frequently.
I hasten to state that I loved the enemas. LOVED Them. I loved my Grandmother and I was sure that she had my best interests at heart.
She found it important to educate me. "You need to have regular bowel habits. If you don't, you'll have to have daily enemas like Uncle Al and Uncle Charlie."
It wasn't long before I decided that I would LOVE daily enemas.
I was observant. I started noticing Grandma heading off somewhere with a creme-colored cardboard box, approximately 20 inches by 8 inches, with a cellophane viewing window inside of which was the red bag and all the accessories. In addition there was always a jar of Vaseline Petroleum Jelly in the travelling kit.
There was a similar box on the top shelf of the hallway closet in my parents' home. It did not get much use or so I thought. After I graduated college and graduate school and was married, I had a conversation with my father. My parents were selling their home and moving to a retirement facility. Dad showed me a stack of Penthouse Variations from a few years back when the topic of "Enemas" came up in every issue.
I don't believe this to be true, but this is what he said. "I make love to your mother nearly every night and I always have an enema before we go to bed."
Mine is a fascinating history on this topic. New chapters continue to be written.
When I do enemas, it is always a series. At least three. More often four or five. The old mantra still holds.
"Until clear."
There is also a distinct and consistent physiological response. Whenever I decide to do a series of enemas, as I approach the cupboard under the bathroom sink where the equipment is stored, my heart starts pounding and my breathing changes dramatically. It's always been so.