“Say Yes to the Mess” is something I put on a t-shirt years ago.
I chose to wear that t-shirt yesterday, partly because we’re all imperfectly messy human beings, trying to deal with the mess we’ve made — climate change, racism, pandemics, wars, etc. etc.
Little did I know that I would be wearing that same t-shirt to the Emergency Room this morning because of the first nosebleed I’ve ever gotten in my life, which started last night at 2 AM and is showing no signs of abating as I’m writing this.
What a mess!
I’ve had no choice but to say yes to many messes in my life. Saying “yes” doesn’t mean I like the messes; saying “yes” means I accept the reality of them and do my best to deal with them while staying positive. It also means accepting the intrinsic messiness of being alive while figuring out the next achievable step to move forward.
Let’s say yes to the mess in today’s images as I wait for a doctor to show up to stop my current mess.
A doctor just came in and we’re figuring out a way to say yes to this mess and to get me home soon!
Say yes to a mess of gratitude from me to you!
The Year(s) of Living Non-Judgmentally 
I’m relieved to see at the end that a doctor has come in to start the process of figuring this out with you, Ann. Onward to relief of this mess you go. May the nose go back to air-in only very soon.
Thanks, Mark!
Please give us an update.
Still in the ER but I am definitely going to live!
Latest update — we now have a suspect for what caused this nosebleed, which still has not resolved. It’s Joan the kitty, who woke me up at 2 AM. It’s a good thing she’s so cute or I might be annoyed.
That’s very scary, having a nosebleed that won’t stop when you aren’t prone to them. I hope you are okay!
When I was younger I used to get terrible nose bleeds frequently. Every now and then the doctor would cauterize them in the office. Eventually, they would start up again. I guess it was a blood vessel close to the surface. Haven’t had a significant problem for many, many years though.
I hope that the ER isn’t too crowded.
It was very crowded but I did get out of there around 2 PM. They tried cauterizing — didn’t work. I’m hoping their solution does, but I’ll find out later this week when they removed the compression balloon.
I read today’s post before coming back and reading this one from yesterday. You have a balloon in your nose for a week?! That’s all really horrible thing to have for a vacation! Oh yuck! I am sorry
Not all week — getting it out Wednesday or Thursday, but I’m worried that might not have solved the problem. (They warned me about that possibility in the Emergency Room.). But thanks for acknowledging how yucky this is!
Hope you are bloodless in the nasal area very soon, apart from a sufficient supply to keep the nose happy. I have had oodles of nose bleeds throughout my life so they have not been scary after the first couple. You’ll be back home very soon, I just nose you will!
I am home, Peter, and thank you for your hopes!
Oh so sorry to hear about your nosebleed! I have never had a nosebleed either, but I spend a lot of time talking about nosebleeds in my clinic. Have you been using Flonase lately -or any kind of nasal steroid. Are they going to pack your nose? Are you ok? Have you left the ER yet? And why have the kitties tubes moved? What happened?
They tried everything which didn’t stop the bleeding (caused by an unfortunate collision of new kitty claw and my being on anticoagulants), until they used a compression balloon. They’re not sure this is going to solve things, but I’ll find out later this week. Joan the new kitty is the culprit both in the nosebleed and moving that kitty tunnel around!
Ahhh – I did wonder about the new position of the kitty tunnel. That kitty!!!
Take care! Good luck!
Thank you!
Oh, Ann, I’m so sorry- you need that like a hole in the head. Did you have it cauterized? Feel better ❤
It does feel like a hole in the head! Cauterization didn’t work. They tried a compression balloon and we’ll see later this week of that solved the problem. Thanks for your care and concern.
I never heard of that. I hope it works, Ann . No need to thank me ❤
I’m very concerned about your nosebleed. They seem to be a frequent problem in childhood but rare among adults. I hope you’ve been able to leave the ER.
I did leave the ER, Chris. Thanks for your concern. They tried lots of different procedures and did the last recourse — a balloon packing that is uncomfortable and very weird looking. Nothing else worked. The problem was a combination of little Joan putting her claw in my nose as way to wake me up and my being on anti-coagulant meds. Quite an ordeal but I’m home and trying to not see Joan as a Weapon of Mass Destruction. We’ll get through this.
Oh Ann! I’m so sorry! Not how anyone wants to spend a Sunday, but I’m sure you were greatly concerned about what was at the root of the problem. I do hope this was just a strange anomaly. I think you need a few extra days off work…your weekend was abruptly shortened. ❤
Thanks, Debra. Joan’s kitty claw and my anticoagulants were the roots. I am off this week but it looks like I’ll be spending a major part of it dealing with this. It’s never what you expect!
Beautiful black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta), sunflower close-up, and gull close-up. Hope you feel better soon.
Thanks, Maria.
You have stated a good philosophy. I hope the nosebleed will be your last
It should be, once we resolve this one!
I read this late and I’m glad you made it through- how scary!
Thanks, beth!