Today was the worst nosebleed of my entire life. I can say that scientifically, because usually they will stop after holding them a few minutes. Early on in my ITP journey, it would take longer to hold them, but they would stop for a while. I was getting ready to go to my second inclusion class of the day, at 9:45, and while using the bathroom noticed my nose was dripping a little bit. I held it for a couple of minutes and thought that would be enough. I've had a chest cold, but I didn't have any upper respiratory issues, just lower.
During the class, I tried to sit still as much as I could, since movement makes it worse. I was still sniffling a little bit. I took my second pull-out group at 10:15, still sniffling. I used some tissue to hold my nose, and since my kids were doing assessments and I've rearranged my desks as a group, we were good. They were productive and I was able to assist them as needed. But my nose still wasn't stopping. At this point, it was a little after 11 and I knew I needed to call Dr. M and get home where I could put my feet up and get my blood pressure as low as possible. Stress also makes my nosebleeds worse.
I got home and called Dr. M. He suggested I hold it for another 45 minutes and see if it stops. He called the Infusion clinic to see if space would be available should I need IVIG, and we would reconvene after 45 minutes. My dear, dear husband offered to bring me anything I needed. I lay on the couch, held my nose, and we watched "The Science of Dogs," a National Geographic 45 minute special. Perfect timing, right? My nosebleed stopped and I called Dr. M. We said, "Ok, sounds great, see you in December at our regular appointment."
Of course, 10 minutes after I hung up, it started bleeding again when Jimmy was washing out my washcloth and I had to use the bathroom. So we called back. We (Dr. M, Jimmy, and I) debated over whether Jimmy and I should come to the Duke ER (the infusion clinic was packed today and will be tomorrow) to get IVIG or if calling in a decadron (high dose steroids) would be more beneficial. In the time it would take for us to drive to Duke and get processed through the ER, I could have already taken the decadron and it begin working in my body. Dr. M called in the decadron. However, Dr. M still wants to see me in the morning, and we're going to do, "Whatever it takes to get that %*$#@^ spackled shut." Jimmy drove me by school (still bleeding) so I could set out emergency sub plans and talk to my principal. She is a bottom-line person, but that doesn't mean she doesn't care. She wants to know what's going on with her staff and help make sure we are taking care of ourselves.
Decadron doesn't come in a 40 mg tab, which is the correct dosage for me. IT COMES IN A 4 MG TAB. That means taking 10 pills at one time. But hey, I can do anything if it'll stop the bleeding. As soon as Jimmy and I got home, I took my pills. He went on to work. He and I decided we would just go to Rocky Mount (and stay with my wonderful MIL) after he got off work. I know he was worried about leaving me, but there was really nothing he could do, unless things got worse, and I'd already taken my meds. Jimmy gave me strict orders that, "If the shit hits the fan, call me, then call Lauren." I promised and got settled on the bed with a washcloth, a cup to spit in, a glass of water, and my laptop. I even took a short nap because I know steroids will mess with my sleep and make me super restless.
Right now, my nose has stopped bleeding. I can totally feel the decadron kicking in and am getting a lot of jittery energy. Heck, maybe I'll get the house cleaned before Jimmy gets home at 11:45 and we leave.
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