Bloody Nose

By Tom Morrone

At one time or another most people have had a bloody nose. Some have them quite frequently and others only on rare occasions. Fortunately, I fall into the latter category. When I was in college I had a pretty severe nose bleed that started when I as in the shower while I was washing my hair. When I opened my eyes I was startled that the entire bottom of the shower was blood. Initially I had no idea where I was bleeding from and eventually figured out it was from my nose. I had bloody noses before but this time it would not stop. After about an hour, it was time to seek medical attention and I called my uncle who did not live far away and he brought me to the emergency room. For me to agree with going to the hospital you knew I was scared. Well that was about 40 years ago and never would think that would happen again……until the other day.

So let’s go back to the college nose bleed episode. I did end up in the ER that day and the staff was able to stop the bleeding but unfortunately my nose, both nostrils, had to get packed with gauze. That was not a fun experience. The packing had to stay in for a few days and I went for a follow up visit with my doctor to have the packing removed. As good as it felt to have the packing removed the actual removal was like have my brains sucked out through my nose. Let’s just say it was not a pleasant experience. I can still feel it. So all of that happened decades ago and was part of my younger days.

Recently Cathy and I were going to the Westbrook outlets to do some shopping. We stopped for lunch along the way and after lunch I asked Cathy if she would drive. That must have been some kind of premonition because I pretty much always drive. We were almost in Westbrook and we were in the middle of a conversation when all of a sudden I had a bloody nose. Luckily I was not driving, reached into the glove compartment and grabbed some tissues think this was no big deal. After all I have not had a bloody nose since college. Well this nose bleed was just as bad. We pulled off to the side of the road and just hoped it would stop bleeding, but it didn’t. A Good Samaritan stopped to give me an ice pack to help clot the bleeding, but to no avail.  I was appreciative of her assistance. Luckily there is a new medical emergency facility on the access road to the outlets in Westbrook. Guess where we ended up?

I had flashbacks to the college experience. I was scared and my nose kept bleeding and backed up into my eyes. It was gross. Fortunately, the doctor in the emergency room was able to stop the bleeding. I had to have my nose cauterized but did not need packing like in my college experience. That would have been a nightmare. The bleeding was attributed to the blood thinners I was on for my knee surgery and had to have some follow up discussions with my medical team. It sucks getting old, but at the same time I am thankful that I had a medical team available to help me.  All is well with the nose now.

The most important part of my medical team is my wife. I want to send a big thank you to Cathy for being there for me and helping to keep me calm in a stressful situation. Love that girl.

Until the next Tom’s Take…