3 Days of Nosebleeds!

This little adventure is not one I recommend to you.

On Saturday morning I started having nosebleeds; not particularly exciting or interesting. I did find it odd that it was always from my left nostril, not the right one.

The first two spells were only about ten minutes long. Then I could carry on. But in the evening I had one that was about 20 minutes before the bleeding let up. I'd begun to wonder what brought this on. I also wondered if I'd be wise to go to Church on Sunday morning.

But, Sunday morning I was feeling fine, so I got ready to go to church. I wasn't expecting another nosebleed.

However, I had just arrived there about 8:15 or 8:20 - when those who set up for the ESL class get to work. Then... in the washroom my left nostril started to drip blood again. Steadily!v

I stayed near the sink, snatching paper towels when I could to mop up blood splats on the counter and floor, and when I ran out of tissues I dashed into a cubicle behind me to pull gobs of toilet paper to deal with the steady drip-drip from my left nostril.

A friend saw this and went out to find a box of tissues for me. (I was grateful!) She brought it back.

I knew that the ESL class, where I am also a volunteer and should be at one of the tables, had begun, which told me that it was 9:30 am already! (Sigh!) I prayed as I kept mopping up my blood spats, but didn't know what else to do.

Finally, it slowed to an occasional drop. I kept one tissue in my hand to press firmly into my left nostril, and after a few minutes of no more splats in the sink, I decided it was time to go into class.

All went well there, and I enjoying getting to know a new student, and taking part in the lesson.

After class I went into the sanctuary and sat beside a good friend a few rows from the back. I began to breathe with relief; the nosebleed had stopped! At last!

No...by the second or third hymn I was up and headed for the washroom again! It cleared up in a few minutes, so I went back feeling cautious. (My whole rib-cage felt so tired).

Afterwards I didn't linger to chat with many friends, but headed for home. I had started eating my lunch, when I had to jump up and head to the bathroom sink once more.v

That evening I had another nosebleed that lasted at least 20-30 minutes. I began to wonder what was causing all these bleeds, and just from one nostril?

I felt better Monday, until I had more nosebleeds! I began to be concerned. This was the third day. There had to be a reason!! I was in and out the bathroom several times and lost count.

I prayed in a sort of rising panic. it occurred to me... one new thing that had happened on Saturday—the day the bleeds began, was I'd put on a Compression Sock (knee-high) that my nurse-practitioner prescribed for me and which I had picked up on Friday. Was there be a connection?

I hesitated to drive myself to a hospital, but wondered if I called 911 would they have useful tips? I decided to try it. Since I had a phone handset in the bathroom, I picked up, dialed 911 and pinched it between my ear and left shoulder. I was asked for my name and address, and what was my problem. I explained my 3rd day of nosebleeds. And...that I was having trouble getting them to stop.

I was advised that I should unlock my front door, an ambulance would be here shortly. In 3 minutes they were!

Two tall strong men came in and were very friendly and kind. They had a white plastic clamp to put over my nose, and presto the bleeding stopped!

They had me to sit down in my soft recliner while they checked my blood pressure, and asked questions.

I mentioned I'd started wearing a compression sock on my right leg on Saturday and I wondered if this might have anything to do with the bleeding.

They urged me to take it off. That was difficult as it was very tight. They urged me to keep it off for a few days and see if that cleared things up.

They said that my leg did not look at all swollen, so it did not really need that sock.

Sure enough! That's true! I'm done with the nosebleeds!

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