Day #174 - What?? Pleurisy?

So, I had to leave work yesterday and go to the Doctor because my back hurt so bad I couldn't event extend my arm by the time noon hit. I would be on the phone and get such a stabbing pain that I couldn't talk and once even forgot who I was talking to. Not very effective use of time. I started almost crying like 5 times - the awesome mouth deformation and whimper thing (so embarrassing) - and could barely make it to my car.

I was able (barely) to provide a urine sample at the Dr.'s office and it came out clean - this was the worst news I think I have ever received. I was banking on a Kidney Infection so I could expect almost immediate treatment and a promise of relief and I could not believe this pain was just a normal muscle tweak. Well, after conversation and probing, it turns out I have Pleurisy - when the lining around the lungs gets inflamed. My Doctor told me she thinks it was brought on by the Bronchitis I just got over as that is when she usually sees it come up for patients. The bad news is the only thing I can really do about it is take a mega anti-inflammatory. I got a shot yesterday and a prescription for some extra strength pills to take over the next few weeks. That's all I can do - oh, and lay around on a heating pad all day.

I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS!!! And I don't have a choice. I am sitting here typing and it is very uncomfortable, although a thousand times better then yesterday, the only position that doesn't hurt is laying flat. I have a zillion things to do at work and I can't believe this is happening.  I want to go in for a while, but I don't know that it would be worth it. I keep telling myself if I just take ONE day, tomorrow I can be more effective. I think that is what I have to do.

Once again I am reminded not to take a healthy body for granted. I am reminded to have compassion for those with pain I don't understand. I think of my Dad and how frustrating his hip pain is for him. I think of Travis and those many months he had lower back pain and how it was necessary for me to bite my tongue when I wanted to tell him to get over it. I think of my own lower back pain that shows up now and then and how grateful I am that it is not worse then a slight discomfort. I think of the people that have debilitating back pain and cannot sit, or type, or move and I get it now. I hope this inflammation gets to a manageable pain threshold today and I hope I remember how great it feels to be healthy when I am healthy again.

I Am Grateful,
HB

Diva Quote: "Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it." William Arthur Ward