"Nose bleed"

On a recent Saturday morning I experienced two nose bleeds, (Epistaxis), which, with pressure and an ice pack we managed to stop. However in the afternoon it occurred again and despite applying the same home treatment, after twenty minutes or so it was obvious that the bleeding, aggravated by my post heart surgery warfarin medication, was not going to stop. There seemed to be a considerable amount of my blood disappearing down our kitchen sink, (a little scary), and so, holding a bowl and clutching a towel, my wife and daughter took me to the Queen Margaret Hospital Minor Injuries Department where we were seen quickly, but after more pressure and ice failed to control or stop the bleed an inflatable nose pack was pushed up my right nostril and the bleed was stopped. This was an unpleasant experience but the nurse who carried out the procedures was kind, methodical and professional throughout.  

We were then dispatched to The Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy A & E department.

My timing was poor - A & E on a Saturday evening  can be a busy place and so it proved to be and a three hour uncomfortable wait ensued before we were seen, first by a nurse, and then after another wait, by an ENT doctor. He was excellent: polite and professional with thorough and comprehensive hygiene procedures.

After blood tests etc I was admitted to the ENT ward for 48 hours. On the second day the inflatable pack was removed but some bleeding was still apparent, but after some cauterisation and the insertion of another nasal pack, (dissolvable this time), me and my very sore nose, were allowed home. 

The episode of Epistaxis was an unpleasant and sometimes painful experience which I would be reluctant to repeat but, without exception, all the staff in the ENT ward, from consultant to cleaner, were kind,  attentive and caring. Their obvious expertise and nursing skills were reassuring and comforting and my simple 'Thank you' seems inadequate. 

Oh - and the food was very good too!