Pleurisy...

...is swelling (inflammation) of the thin layers of tissue (pleura) covering the lungs and the chest wall. The outer layer of the pleura lines the inside of the chest wall, and the inner layer covers the lungs. The tiny space between the two layers is called the pleural cavity. This cavity normally contains a small amount of lubricating fluid that allows the two layers to slide over each other when you breathe. When the pleura becomes inflamed, the layers rub together, causing chest pain. This is known as pleuritic pain.

So, after an afternoon of chest x-ray, bloodwork, and physical exam, they think I have pleurisy. The x-ray showed no gigantic growths in the lungs (thank goodness, more info after the CT scan on Thurs), I've had no fever, and my symptoms pretty much link up with the diagnosis.

Treatment? Time and pain-killing drugs. Percocet--the good stuff. Also, my blood is a little on the thin side, so we're reducing my dosage of coumadin. So, unless I start coughing up blood or getting out of breath, I just need to go easy, and take my pain drug when I can afford to be loopy. Though as things go, I feel more loopy all the time thanks to chemo brain.

I'm looking forward to the celebration on Wed of my 30 years at Ball. Hopefully the pleurisy will not get any worse. I can live with it as it is for now. Just get me through the next two weeks.