i had a conversation with an amazing RN one night who helped me through a horrible panic attack i was having because i saw a small speck of blood after wiping.

blood has kinda been a trigger for me while going through HA. it’s winter, i blow my nose, see a little red, most people understand it’s just a dry blood vessel. hydrate it, keep it pushing. go to the bathroom 3 or 4 times in a morning after eating a whole bunch of fiber the day before? see a little speck of blood? hey, most people understand your ass just took a beating and the skin there is VERY sensitive so it’s probably a microscopic cut or a hemorrhoid (which we all have) acting up. no biggie. but my anxiety sent me into a full blown panic when i saw that daunting, tiny couple specks on blood on that TP.

if blood is a trigger for you too, keep these in mind.

Amount, how much blood is there? Frequency, how often do you see that blood there? Pain, how much does where the blood is coming hurt?

i’m echoing what the RN told me to hopefully help you the way he helped me that night. because i’m over here thinking that any blood anywhere is a horrible sign. when in reality it’s coursing through your entire body, so seeing it show up in the holes you have on your body, every once in awhile, in tiny amounts, is not something to immediately freak yourself out about. ask yourself those 3 questions. and if the answers are, 1. a small amount 2. not often 3. uncomfortable but not severe, then you’re fine.