Well, the nose is doing better, for the moment at least. After it got packed, there were a few small bleeds for the first few days, but then nothing for three days–I thought I was going to be able to fly back as scheduled. But, as it turned out, there were three rather profuse bleeds on that fourth day, two days before the airplane trip–which should have been today. So I had to cancel that flight and we made an appointment to see the doctor again today (Monday).

However, the bleeds stopped after those profuse ones, and things seemed fairly well by the time of unpacking this morning. And indeed, when the doctor pulled out the loads and loads of gauze (which hurt a bit, but the stiff, over-sized multi-inch sponge up the other nostril really hurt the most when taken out)–but without causing a rebleed, to everyone’s surprise. So I can be without packing–for a day at least–and get irrigation and air, and then, tomorrow, the doctor goes in with an endoscope to see if cauterization is still a possibility–that could potentially put an end to the whole affair. So we’ll see how it goes.

In the meantime, we wait, and I remain as inactive as I can. If possible, I will get back before New Years’ and this whole thing will be over. But I’ve learned all too well not to take anything for granted here.