When did it start?
Several times I have been asked variations of the question.
“When did it start?”, “When did you first notice the problem?”, “What were the first symptoms?”
I gave the same reply to all of them – I don’t know.
I suppose the first indication of something was back somewhere at the beginning of the year. I was doing a bit of chimney cleaning up my nostrils with a cotton bud. It’s a good way of removing any accumulated dried snot or whatever. I noticed that there was a spot on the septum [the gristly thing that separates the nostrils] was very tender. Just a spot. nothing to worry about. I ignored it.
Back at the beginning of March I was down with Doc doing a regular service and I happened to mention this spot. It had grown a bit and now my nose was somewhat tender. He examined it and agreed it was a spot. He prescribed antibiotics. Neither of us was worried. Septic spots occur at various times in various places and generally go of their own accord anyway.
By the end of April I was getting a little concerned. The nose was now very tender. The spot was still there and had grown a bit. Also the other nostril was joining in the fun. Doc prescribed a double dose of antibiotics and wrote a referral letter to a local hospital. This led to a lot of confusion and sitting around and eventually I was referred on to another hospital.
The rest is history.
There is no doubt that there is something wrong at this stage. It is plain for everyone to see. My nose has swollen up and is now large, red and covered in little sores. The nostrils have expanded downwards in a disgusting heap towards my upper lip. It scares the shite out of me and makes me feel a bit sick every time I pass a mirror. I now avoid mirrors.
The pain is now relentless. Pains behind the eyes, headaches, a feeling that someone has shoved some brambles up my nose, occasionally that lovely feeling that I have been whipped in the face with a bunch of nettles. To add to the fun and games, my neck glands now make moving my head painful. I’m on the strongest pain killers that can be taken without prescription. In short, I am a barrel of laughs.
At least I have an appointment with Doc to get something a little more suitable.
It’s not a question of when did it start.
It a question of when will it end.
My prayers for you for a speedy recovery. Stay strong as you always have been through the years. May God’s loving arms surround you and protect you. John
Thank you, John.
So sorry. Hope it gets sorted. Your troubles haven’t come singly this year, surely the run must come to an end soon.
It has been an absolutely crap couple of months. But crap can’t last forever? I think things may be on the turn, slightly……
I hope the PET scan and treatment can be started soon. The pain alone sounds horrible.
The pain is bearable most of the time. It’s the relentless aspect that gets to me.
A new hooter won’t be a bad plan, as long as you can get over getting rid of the troublesome one!
It will probably come down to a balance of days, when you eventually tell yourself, ‘Oh sod this for a game of soldiers, I’ve had enough’!
After that, the future is positive!
Getting over getting rid? You must be joking? If you could see the thoughtful glances I throw in the direction of the electric carving knife you wouldn’t say that. If it weren’t for the mess……
Glad you’ve got over the getting over bit then!
My first thought after reading your new post was “Is it possible to live without a nose ?”
A ridiculous thought which had me googling the subject. My first hit was this web site. Here is a link : –
https://www.newsweek.com/i-have-no-nose-people-call-me-beautiful-1771923
Take a look in case it might be of interest. There must be many more articles on this subject.
JohnC
Thanks, JohnC. That is a very interesting link. It is the first personal account I have read from someone with the same problem and our experiences seem somewhat similar to my own [so far at least]. I must look for more …..