Post-decann: how do you know the stoma is closed?

[tammy88]

Susan was decannulated just over two weeks ago and her stoma looks closed to us. In fact, there were no secretions coming out of it within 24 hours of the tube coming out, and she has been coughing a lot for a week or so after the decann. We wanted her ENT doc to confirm it (so we can bring her to a pool, etc.) but we could only make a late August appointment. The nurse told us to go to Susan's primary if we want to get the stoma checked but we feel that the ENT doc probably knows better. So I'm hoping for some help here.

I read on previous threads that sometimes kids had a pinhole opening even though the stoma looked closed and required surgical closure. My question is, how do you know there is still a pinhole? Would you still see secretions, or hear sounds? Is it safe to go to the pool or bathe in the tub if there is a pinhole opening?

Thanks!