Well, That Was Different - (Ozona, TX)

We planned to drive 160 miles today leaving us about 130 miles in to Kerrville on Sunday.  It should have been a leisurely trip along I-10 to the town of Ozona.

We started out under a blanket of clouds and a little drizzle.  We haven't seen clouds like this for months.  :)

But it was an uneventful trip .... for awhile.  I made a few phone calls on the long, straight first part of the trek.  Then, about 80 miles from our destination, it happened.

I was in the lead towing the rig with Linda behind me in the Jeep.  Suddenly, blood started dripping from my nose, and I didn't have any tissues or anything handy.  The drip got worse.

I had to pull over.  I put on my turn signal and slowly pulled over on the shoulder of the interstate.  You know, I've often prepared myself for what I'd do while towing if I suddenly started choking or had some other problem like that.  So I didn't panic and eased over.

Of course it seemed to be the narrowest shoulder on I-10, so I was an inch from being off the pavement and only a few inches from the right lane of traffic.

I had been steering with one hand and catching blood in my other, so I couldn't radio Linda and let her know what was going on.  She was ... uh, let's say "inquiring passionately".  :)

Once stopped, I grabbed the radio and said "I have a bloody nose".  She thought "Okay, no big deal".

I hate to be graphic, but the blood was gushing out and splattering everywhere.  It was dripping on my seatbelt and shirt, puddling on my shorts, and running down my arm.  About the time Linda got to me with a tissue, blood was pouring out of both nostrils and she quickly realized I needed at least a towel.

I've never had anything like that happen.  The truck looked like a crime scene and I looked like a gunshot victim.

Linda was cleaning me up with one end of the towel while I had the other end pressed to my nose.  She handed me some wet tissue to tuck up under my lip below my nose as that usually works.  Traffic was rather light, so I was able to get out and get on the other side of the truck.

But the blood wasn't stopping.  This was no ordinary nose bleed.  If I held my head back, the blood was running down my throat and choking me so that I had to spit it up.  We were both pretty scared at that point.

We were racking our brains trying to remember the many nurses we know or the people we know that have nurses in their families.  It turned out the two of the people I called earlier today had kids that were nurses.  And we remembered Roland, who is coming to the Rally, is also a nurse.  Linda started dialing and our RV-Dreams Family came through again.

The advice:  If the bleeding won't stop, get to an emergency room.

Of course the last thing I wanted to do was leave the rig on that narrow shoulder.  But we eventually decided that's what we had to do.

The original wet tissue under my lip was a little too large, so we replaced it with another smaller one that I could get tucked in better and that provided more pressure.  In the meantime, the blood had slowed, but it still hadn't stopped.

We got in the Jeep, and pushed the icon for "hospitals" on the GPS.  Okay.  Seventeen miles to the closest one.  Hmm.  Coincidence that we picked up this GPS a few days ago?

We took off noting the nearest mile marker on the highway.  About three miles down the road, the blood finally stopped flowing.  It just suddenly stopped and I could breathe.

Now, this whole time, I never felt bad, woozy, sick to my stomach, nothing.  I felt fine.

We made the decision to turn around, go get the rig, and drive the last eighty miles to our planned stop.  Because I had lost quite a bit of blood, we were concerned there still might be a risk of me passing out.  But I felt fine.

Just to be cautious, I took my bloody towel and got in the Jeep.  Linda would tow the rig, and I would drive in front of her so she could keep an eye on me.  I never felt like I was going to pass out, and it was a smooth, yet tense and slow, trip the rest of the way.

It had been a long time since Linda had towed and she wasn't used to feeling all that weight back there.  Also, every little bump made her think there was something wrong with our recently fixed brakes.  That coupled with worrying about me had her on edge.

But we are so glad that she had driven the rig for many miles in the past.  She knew what she was doing and there was no question or hesitation about her towing.

As we traveled, we kept in more constant contact with the walkie-talkies - she was making sure I was physically okay and I was making sure she was mentally okay.  :)

Eventually we made it to Exit 272.  Here, there is an old RV park that apparently used to be called the Circle Bar.  But it appears that the Super 8 Motel across the road has now taken over the RV park.

We pulled in.  With blood all over me, we thought it best that I not freak out the person behind the desk, so Linda went in.  It was another "Just pick a site" kind of place.  It's $18 a night if you pay cash and $20 if you use a credit card.

It's basically a bunch of side-by-side pull-through sites with full hook-ups and 50 amp electric.  But the sites are narrow and relatively short by today's standards.

The fifth wheel barely fits, so we had to unhitch.  It seems the other dozen or so RVs in the park just use the site next to them for their tow vehicles and toads.  So we followed suit.

Linda offered to do all the outside set-up so I wouldn't have to bend down.  But I was fine.  She just kept an eye on me.

We got set up and quickly turned on the water heater so I could get a shower.  We took pictures of what I looked like, but we decided not to include them here.  We're not going after shock value on this website.  :)

From what we read on the internet and heard from our nurse friends, I need to get my blood pressure checked and probably a blood test.  We had actually checked our blood pressures in Pahrump, and we were both well within the normal range.

There is speculation that the whole brakes/tire/wheel thing and preparing for the Rally has me a bit stressed out.  I don't feel stressed out - Linda is the worrier - but maybe there is something to that.  Linda says I "blew a gasket".  :)

So, we will get to Kerrville tomorrow and we'll get things checked out on Monday.  Hopefully, this was just a flukey thing, but it was serious enough to do some follow up.

As for Linda, well, she was the most relaxed she has ever been traveling when we left northern California.  But in the span of about two weeks, enough has happened that her travel anxiety is back in a big way.  And it looks like our last 130 miles to Kerrville will be in the rain - that won't help.  :)

With football games on in the background, we went through all of our Rally seminars and timed them out.  Whew.  There is a lot of information packed into each hour, so we will have to hustle through them and perhaps modify the schedules a bit.

But we are ready to go and looking forward to it - if we can just get to Kerrville.  Sheesh.  :)

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Comments

[Emery Nash]

Stress can quickly deplete vitamin C levels and C is the main thing that keeps cell walls intact. Spontaneous nose bleeds are one common sign of a vit C deficiency, particularly when one does not have an ongoing history of them.

Stress certainly does not have to be felt before it can affect vit C levels and C is short lived as well so its not a stretch to consider bumping one's intake of C when unusual stresses are afoot.

Be well, as any engineer can tell you, its the last 5% of a project that takes 90% of the project's work to complete.

Enjoy.

[Kathy Salsbury]

Wow! We hope the drive goes better today. I want to say "Take it Easy", but that's easier said than done, considering the busy schedule you have for next week. We wish you both the best! Kathy and Bruce

[Darby Corwin]

How & Linda, you certainly have had your share of problems getting to the Rally. I feel as you do, need to get checked out as soon as possible. It must have scared the crap out of both of you. stuck along the side of the road and all that blood. Lets hope it is all behid you and you have a wonderful Rally. I will include you both in my prayers.
Darby

[Judy the other]

A pretty common occurrence in the general population but it's pretty scary when it happens to you. Most ERs even have a special nose cauterization kit. Doesn't that sound like fun?
Don't blow your nose!

[Michael Flowers]

Whoa! I hope you are feeling better!
I mentioned this episode to a physician friend who without reading the article asked, "Did he have a change in humidity?"
I said, "Yes" it was raining.
My friend mentioned that some people react with violent bloody noses when coming into a very humid area.
Have a great rally!

[Judy the other]

Y'all just went from a relatively moist env't to the dry desert. That could be your culprit. Some saline nose spray might be helpful but not for a week, so as not to disrupt the clot.

[Bill Joyce]

Can't help with the nose bleed, but hydrogen peroxide is your friend on blood stains. If that doesn't do it, get some "pet stain remover" at Wal-Mart or a pet store, it has the enzymes to remove organic stains. We know many without pets who keep it on hand for blood, berry stains and the yucky stuff.

[Jerry and Suzy LeRoy]

Yes, friend, you blew a gasket! Linda's right about that (wives usually are right, in my experience!). Had we been around, we'd have suggested an ice park (Ziploc bag with ice cubes) on the back of the neck. Usually works for us.

Be safe, have fun at your rally - if you aren't having fun, it's the wrong place and time!

[Ed & Marilyn]

Hello Dear Friends, We are so glad that things turned out well. We wish we were there in Kerrville with you. I'm sure we could have shot some hoops and that would have you stress free in no time. LOL
Hugs to both of you.
Ed & Marilyn

[Guy Ethier]

Howard,

Stressed out? Well, let's see...you worked 4 months full time at a paid workamping gig because you had to due to the economic depression (sorry, recession). Then you had to whisk away quickly to Texas for a Rally which you and Linda organized and where you are giving lengthy seminars (lots of preparation work here). Then you had major problems dealing with a somewhat shoddy RV service dealer who misdiagnosed your problems (no fewer than twice). Then UPS gave you the shaft with their erroneous "missing address label" crap at which point you had to drive over hell's half acre to accomodate them. Then, still leary of the impending Rally and the tight timeline, you venture off driving hundreds of miles into who knows "what will come next" state of mind.

Stressed out Howard? You gotta be kidding.

After this Rally is over, go somewhere and hide for awhile...write no posts and just take a big breath and "RELAX". The world will get along just fine for a few days...

Having said this, I do enjoy your posts and they really make my day...good or bad posts make no difference: you are like the Mark Twain (or something like that) of today's RVers.

Still lurking in the shadows up here in Surrey, BC, Canada.

Guy

[Gary and Peg Powers]

There is an excellent clinic in Kerrville called the Franklin Clinic. It's at 723 C Hill Country Drive. No appointment necessary. Sorry to hear about your problem. If there's anything else we can do to help, we are in Kerrville right now, give us a call. You have our phone number in your records.

Gary and Peg

[Tricia]

Howard!!! Check...and monitor your Blood Pressure!!! Really!!! I know a bloody nose can mean many things, but with me (years ago it was a "warning" sign I didn't know back then)...I was only in my 40's, but had (apparently) uncontrolled high blook pressure and went on to have a heart attack in 1991 and multiple strokes (which I was unaware they were "silent strokes" ....until in 2001 a big stroke hit...and all the tests revealed all the multiple previous strokes, etc. High blood pressure is a silent killer...see a doctor! PLEASE!!!

[Tricia - HomeSweetHome on the Road]

Howard...checking back in!! DO NOT TAKE THIS LIGHTLY!! Stop and be checked at an Emergency Room or medical care facility now!! It may save your life!! I felt fine way back when I had the full blow bloody nose too!! and I got it to stop ...BUT...please, please have it check out now!

[Martha Federle]

Howard & Linda, sorry to hear this. I hope you get it checked out thoroughly, and please don't take it lightly.

Gypsy

[Cindy T]

Howard,
So sorry to hear about your sudden bloddy nose! No fun at all when you're driving down the road! I hope it is nothing serious & never happens again. Sending many positive vibes your way...

[Marci Gimmarro]

On the lighter side, that RV park looks like the one in "RV" where Robin Willaims had his first experience with the dump station -- is there a big blinking cactus??

Take care of yourselves!!

Marci & Tom

[Dr. Joe]

My wife is a devoted follower of this blog. She shared the nose bleed story. I am a board certified family physician for about 30 years and a professor at two medical schools. I have practiced emergency medicine and am in pratice now. I am writing to tell you about epistaxis: nose bleeding.

Over 90% of nose bleeds are anterior and 10% are posterior. The anterior bleeds are mostly from the front part of the nasal septum where there is a high concentration of blood vessels, Kiesselbach's Plexus.

Here are the steps to take when you have a nose bleed:

(1) Blow your nose to clean out any clots
(2) Lean FORWARD, open you mouth and breath through your mouth.
(3) Grasp your nose from the bone to the nostril, pressing each side together against the center, as if the entire soft part of the nose is being compressed in a vise. If this is properly, all anterior bleeding will stop. If blood is leaking around your fingers, your grip is wrong. If, while you are grasping properly, blood is going down the back into your mouth or throat, then it is a POSTERIOR BLEED and you should seek IMMEDIATE medical attention.
(4) Hold firmly for five full minutes without letting go for even a moment.
(5) let go: most anterior bleeds are now stopped.
(6) If there is any bleeding, grasp for TEN minutes as in step 3.
(7) If after 10 continuiyus minutes of direct pressure there is still bleeding when you let go, see a doctor promptly.
(8) If the bleeding stops but later recurs, repeat the protocol, but see a doctor son to see what the problem is. Cautery of the bleeding vessel may be required to prevent recurrence.
Note: do not put anything up the nose, do not tilt the head back, do not pinch the bridge of the nose, do not bother with ice packs in the front or back of the neck: these are all proven to be useless.

Hope this corrects misconceptions and helps in the future.

Dr. Joe

[Janeen Ryan]

Linda and Howard, I've enjoyed your journal for a while now and I feel I've gotten to 'know' you both a bit. The Rally is going to be great, everything will fall into place, if the schedule has to be tweeked and the seminars go overtime well fine. I'm positive on one will mind and we will have a super time. Relax, get your BP checked and I am bringing our BP monitor and blood sugar monitor with us so we can check it periodically at the Rally if you like. Larry gets nose bleeds EVERY time we come through the high desert, a few times so have I. Still, check it out. Relax, breathe, think good thoughts! C U @ the Rally!