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Friday 8 February 2013

EDDIE SPRINGS A LEAK

You may be thinking, "This sounds nasty!!"

Well, you are absolutely correct - it was, and very scary too.

This story continues from the events contained in my post last week where I gave you a preview of coming attractions, or otherwise, and where I got the shock of my life in the shower.

No, I did not see myself starkers in the mirror either, although I did wonder at one stage whether I was experiencing a reenactment of Alfred Hitchcock's famous film, Psycho, without the screeching violins.

The night before Mrs Bluelights' discharge from hospital I indeed had nasty shock. I was taking a shower quite late at night. I had visited Mrs Bluelights at the hospital everyday for a week and by the time I had dealt with all the telephone calls from anxious relatives I was, as we say here, 'dead bushed' and ready to turn in, but before doing so I had my customary shower which I always enjoy.

All week the weather had been very cold outside, having snowed heavily for a few days, and was now well and truly iced up. The shower was nice and warm and I had just washed my hair when I noticed some blood in the bath - you see we have a shower which drains into the bath and not a separate unit. I was somewhat puzzled as to from where this was coming and I could not see properly because my glasses were parked across the room.

There was more blood - soon much more, and I began to get really concerned. I thought it may be from a leg but I didn't know from which one, so I quickly shut off the shower, hopped out of the bath and got my glasses. By now I was getting cold, I was very wet and a lot of me was covered in blood. I then looked down and saw a fine jet of blood squirting from my leg, projecting 3 feet at least. It might just as well have been an artery and to make matters worse only a few days before I had donated my 97th unit of blood so I was a little low before this started.

Put it this way, a Company Man on an oil rig would describe me as a real gusher - thank God I managed to cap it eventually. I was horrified.

I noticed also that I had squirted over the top of the bath all over the carpet which was no longer brown but in many places blood red. I judged I must have lost over half a pint of blood.

I began to get really concerned and knew I must stop the bleeding and fast and at all costs. I knew I must have caught a vein in my leg somehow, maybe by rubbing too hard with a rough towel or even by scratching it. The big problem was there was no-one else in the house who could help me and the phone might as well have been on another planet. For all I knew by the time I got to it, dialed for Emergency Services and waited for them to come I might have bled to death.

As an ex ambulanceman I knew it is possible to die from blood loss through leg veins or hemorrhoids - thank God it was not the latter. I knew had to stop the bleeding quickly and fortunately there were three white towels to hand. I got my injured leg as dry as I could and tied the towel, now blood red, as tightly as I dared round it. I drained the bath and by now there were blood clots all over the place - strong stuff is Eddie's blood.

I then got my foot dry and stood on another white towel outside the bath, but the rest of me was still soaking wet and I was shivering by now with the cold. I then carefully unwrapped the towel from my leg and was very relieved to see the bleeding had stopped - I must have quite a lot of the clotting agent Fibrinogen in my system. So I used the third towel, clean, as a tourniquet and used the towel I was standing on to get the rest of me dry.

Then I managed to carefully put on my pyjamas and a sweater and carefully walked downstairs and would you believe it made myself a cup of coffee. You see I always get my priorities right. I kept checking to see if there was any more bleeding and was very relieved to see the pin hole in my vein was completely repaired - quite amazing.

I then phoned Emergency Services and said I wanted some advice not necessarily an ambulance but they insisted on sending one and withing five minutes I heard a knock on the door and two lovely lady paramedics attended to me saying I had indeed nicked a vein and they recommended I went with them to Accident and Emergency. I said I could not because my wife was already in hospital and the next day I was scheduled to take her to an Oncology appointment. They stayed for a while and we talked about the ambulance service, having told them I used to belong to a private ambulance company which they knew. They were more relaxed about me not going to Accident and Emergency and then bandaged my leg properly and left me with some barrier sheets.

By now it was 4am and I was nervous about actually going to bed in case I sprung another leak but eventually I did and managed to get some shut-eye at about 5am for 3 hours and awoke, much to my relief without any more mishaps.

Mrs Bluelights was amazed to hear my news the next day and we did manage to keep our appointment with the Oncologist. Fortunately she was discharged that day so it was nice not to have to travel to the hospital again for a while and believe me, I was very careful showering that next evening - and since.

My GP said it is just one of those things - it just happens now and then and there is no need for alarm. She gave me some moisturizing cream to massage gently in, since the winter weather sometimes dries the skin too much.

Sorry about all the blood and gore for those with a delicate disposition but this was truly amazing because on the one hand the hospital medics could not access Mrs Bluelights' veins yet here I was squirting blood here, there and everywhere. Since all this Mrs Bluelights has had all her IV treatment and is well on the mend but remains very tired. Our main concern is that Oncology say that all the available oral hormone therapy drugs are now ineffective and there remains just one IV type plus other chemotherapy. So we are very concerned that she is running out of options.

You may be wondering, "What about the carpet?"  Well that is amazing in itself.  The carpet was fitted recently and we fully expected to have to replace it prematurely.  We had a peasant surprise because after a week the bright red turned to a bark brown as the liquid had dried and turned to powder.  It must not have penetrated too far into the carpet because I gave it a right royal vacuum and I  was amazed that ALL the stain was completely removed and as good as new.  The three towels were soaked in cold water and they too were fully restored . . . . . . along with Eddie of course.

60 comments:

  1. Eddie Bluelights to the rescue! Thank goodness you had a knowledgeable man about in order to tend to your blood gushing experience: YOU!
    I'm so glad that you took care of the bleeding; it was commendable that the emergency services sent someone to your home to see about you.
    Take care of you....and that sweet Maria, too.
    Hugs and smiles,
    Jackie

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    Replies
    1. Yes, glad I had the First Aid + training - otherwise it might have been a bit tricky! LOL

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  2. i am glad all is well for you...that was a little bit of excitement for you....and prayers for your wife man....

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  3. Love you, Eddie



    Sending YOU Aloha
    from Honolulu,
    Comfort Spiral
    ~ > < } } ( ° >

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  4. That is just quite a story! Truth is indeed more amazing than fiction, don't you think? I've never heard of such a thing! Now you keep yourself moisturized, Eddie...and your nails trimmed. haha. I'm so glad everything was ok...even the clean up went better than expected!

    praying for your wife, too! xo

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    Replies
    1. Yes, it was quite an adventure!! My nails are short after that through biting them!! LOL I jest of course

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  5. I think without your training you may well have panicked more Eddie. You did at least know how to do all the right things. Very scary though and I'm glad you recovered. My thoughts are with your wife, and hoping things will improve very soon. Love to you both xx

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Ayak - we are both OK for now and plodding along in this very awful and cold weather! Brrrr!

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  6. Oh whew!! It is so disconcerting. I had sprung a leak before and know how distressing that can be. As well as frightful!! Glad your bleeding stopped.
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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    1. Thanks SueAnn. Obviously, glad your leak stopped too.

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  7. That sounds just terrifying. I'm glad you had the training needed to stop the bleeding. You and your wife are in my best thoughts.

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  8. awww Eddie, l;m so sorry, having been wrapped up in family goings on this last year, I have only popped and lurked very occasionally..and have missed so much..
    please know that my family and I send you love and hugs...and virtually support you as you supported us..
    i will be around more now, as the fog has lifted some..
    love
    saz xxx

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    Replies
    1. That's OK Saz - sorry I have been absent from your blog too. Hope life is kinder to you now.

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  9. Eddie, I was nearly panicking on your behalf reading this! see, i'm no good with blood, even though I have first Aid! I don't honestly know what I'd have done, but I doubt I'd be as calm as you were.
    Glad all ended well, will you be careful in the shower from now on? Hope Mrs. B's health will improve with the treatment. You're going through a rough time.

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    Replies
    1. Yes I am much more careful in the shower now. Thanks Mimi

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  10. Oh my goodness! I am SO GLAD you managed to take care of this situation, Eddie, and thank God you had previous experience dealing with such things! Good thing you also had some wonderful attendants who patched you up and made sure you would be okay on your own. I'm not sure I would have had the nerves to deal with such a mishap and it's rather frightening that one can just spontaneously "spring a leak" like that. Please DO keep your skin moisturized, legs, arms, tummy and all, since you might spring a leak from any dry skin area*!! We none of us want to lose our dear funny Eddie =-) Glad to hear Mrs. Bluelights is doing better these days too!

    * I highly recommend trying to keep from showering in VERY HOT water, though you are in cold weather now; the combo of hot water and dry air usually equals DRY SKIN =-\

    PS: you may want to consider keeping a cell phone nearby when using your bathroom in case of ANY emergency! You just never know... =-\

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  11. If only we could be revived as easily as the carpet and towels, with a good vacuuming or a soaking in cold water! We could spruce ourselves up!
    If I hadn't have heard about this from you on the phone...... I would have been very concerned.
    I must say, since this happened to you, I dry myself quite cautiously now! Those net thingummies that are used to wash with, can be quite abrasive, I think. Maybe our skin gets a bit frail as we age!
    Glad you are both getting over all the setbacks! Keep slapping on the moisturiser!
    Maggie x

    Nuts in May

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  12. Eddie! Please don't do this again!! I read this feeling quite breathless (even though I knew you'd survived or you wouldn't be writing it... pretty sure ghosts can't write!)

    Glad you are ok and the got everything cleaned up so easily too

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    1. Thanks Rae - will try not to do it again - sorry for the shock! LOL

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  13. Dear Eddie, I am so impressed that you kept your head though all of this. I'm afraid the sight of that much blood would have sent me into a tizzy! So glad it wasn't more serious and you're A-okay. And no stained carpet or towels is amazing!

    Take good care of yourself and Mrs. Bluelight.

    xo jj

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Joanna, although for a few moments it was a little difficult to actually keep my head.

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  14. So glad that this story had a happy ending and you were able to keep your wits about you and cap the gusher. LOL! If it had been me, I would have surely fainted and probably bled to death. Was also happy to hear that Mrs. Bluelights is feeling much better and I am keeping both of you in my prayers. Hugs, Marguerite

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Marguerite - after all this I think I deserve one of your sinfully delicious recipes LOL

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  15. Good grief - that sounds really scary!

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  16. hi eddie, i here from my pal secret agent's blog and i say good tried! too. that would have scared the bejesus out of me. you are a brave man!!!

    best wishes
    kj

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    Replies
    1. Thanks kj - will visit you soon I promise. Always nice to 'see' a new friend.

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  17. oh jeez, my first visit here and look at all those errors. i blame spellcheck. i mean good grief! not good tried (and what does that even mean?!

    okay. thanks. :^)

    kj

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  18. Oh my, Eddie. So glad you lived to write about it. And even get Mrs. B to her oncologist appointment the next day. You are Superman.

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  19. Eddie, that was a horrendous story. And the GP said it was "just one of those things". WHAT?! Glad you are Ok now. Thank goodness Mrs Bluelights is back home with you again otherwise goodness knows what you will be getting up to next.

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    Replies
    1. Yes I was rather surprised when the doctor said that. Great to see you here again, Anne. Big hugs x

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  20. Replies
    1. Thanks for the visit - I'll pop over and say 'hi' soon

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  21. What a great idea! I love it. Simple and lovely article.

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  22. Hi, Eddie:

    I just finished watching "The Lavender Hill Mob" (for about the tenth time, I think) and I thought of you. Hope all is well.

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    1. Thanks Jim - I had never seen the film before but did so when I found a YouTube online. Its a typical old Brit film! We don't speak like that anymore or at least most don't. I wonder which character reminds you of me. No doubt the bank robber LOL

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  23. Eddie, that is terrifying I am so glad you are better! Yikes!

    Hope Mrs. Bluelights is doing better as well.

    Sending you both all my love across the miles...

    XO,

    Sheila (Mrs. Magpie)

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    1. Thank you Sheila. I will pop over to your place soon.
      Sending our love to you across the pond. Hugs x

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  24. Eddie, you've been on my mind lately! Hope all is well with you and Mrs. Give us an update soon if you can! xo

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    1. Thanks for your concern Betsy, just sent you an email.

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  25. eddie that was bit of a scare, well a lot of a scare for me, please do take care of yourself and mrs. bluelights. xoxo sassy

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    1. Thank you Sassy and it is great to have you visit again. We will do our best to take care of ourselves but regrettable Mrs Bluelights is not at all well.

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  26. What an ordeal. I'd have been worried about springing another leak while asleep, too. All's well that ends well.

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  27. Sending love and prayers to you and your family, my friend....
    Love,
    Jackie

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  28. Eddie, I just read Maggie's post about your wife and just wanted to express my condolences. I am so very sorry for your loss and am holding you in my heart.

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  29. Eddie, I'm so very sorry for your deep loss. My heart aches for you and yours. Wishing you the strength to get through this very difficult time. hugs to you.

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  30. Dear Eddie, I am so sorry to read (on Maggie's blog) of Gloria's passing. I don't know what to say, but you will be in my thoughts, and I send love and light to you. Take care and know that blogger friends are always here for you. mimi xx

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  31. Dear Eddie, I am so sorry for your loss. Words can never ease the pain, but know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of so many of us. Rose

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  32. hey brother...i just wanted to let you know i am sending prayers up for you...i am so sorry for your loss...will keep you in my thoughts...

    hugs.

    b

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  33. Oh Eddie, I am so sorry for your loss. All I can say to you is prayers are going up for you right now.
    Hugging you gently
    SueAnn

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  34. Hope things are ok. Its been a long time and it would be good to see you get back to blogging at some point in the not too distant future!
    Maggie x

    Nuts in May

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