I said I would!
In a recent post, I said I would re-invigorate this website. Not only is it worth it, but there is a genuine reason to post about my ageing journey – in Kensington!! Sharing knowledge can always help others.
I have just had a scary week. It started wonderfully with a friend who took me to Tosca at the Royal Opera House (the second largest in the world I discovered!). On Tuesday morning I woke up with a massive noseblood – that didn’t seem to want to leave me. I had to cancel my appointment that was scheduled at the Royal Brompton. My wonderful respiratory consultant, Professor Durham, actually called me because he was concerned. He talked me through some things to do. He called me back. It hadn’t worked and as it was around three plus hours, he recommended I should go to the Charing Cross Hospital – and with the help of a colleague had the on-call team on standby.
My wonderful neighbour John had been prepared to take me, but I felt that wasn’t fair as I was a bit shaky!! We called an ambulance and two of my heroes in the medical profession, those green-garbed paramedics took me to the hospital. The nosebleed lasted around five hours – and there were some other concerns, lengthening my stay by a few more hours than I would have liked But hey, they fixed me!!
We are so lucky to have so many world-class hospitals in Kensington and ones we can access from the Royal Borough.
My other heroes of the day, apart from the medical team at Charing Cross, were my neighbours. Step up to take a bow, John, Barbara, June, Rivers and Dean. They took care of Dolly! They gave me an essential peace of mind.
Good neighbours should always be appreciated and supported in return. That is why I quietly run the Good Neighbours Association. No great fuss and a simple Constitution – and not cluttered by lots of rules. That is what a strong community means. No grandstanding or toxicity at public meetings!!!
Advice on nosebleeds – lean forward and pinch the soft part of the nose at the base and do that for at least ten minutes. Repeat at least twice more. If that has not worked, and the bleed has been more than 30 minutes then A & E beckons, especially important for the elderly. The Charing Cross Hospital has a particular expertise in ENT
Afterwards, avoid hot drinks and hot food and keep hydrated. I’ll learn more I am sure after my return appointment in a couple of weeks – maybe even why it might have started, because I don’t know!!