Back from the dead (almost)

About two weeks ago, I started to develop a pain on the left side of my rib cage. I figured it was caused by a heavy bout of coughing the night before, and that I possibly pulled a muscle. It actually started as a dull ache while at work, but by that night the pain was so bad I couldn't lay on my left side. I figured that I might have cracked a rib, since there seemed to be a central spot on my left ribs that hurt when prodded. I endured the pain all week. Some days the pain was worse than others. I was taking 600-800 milligrams of Ibuprofen at a time. Then 9th rolled around, and I left work early because I was starting to hurt. This time, Ibuprofen wasn't helping as I sat on my couch. The pain began to radiate up into my shoulder and around the front to where I felt pain when my heart beat. I went to an urgent care facility, and the doc tells me that I have pneumonia in my lower left lobe! He gives me two shots, one for pain and the other an antibiotic. Well, my wife was working, so my mother wants me and my son to stay overnight with her, so I agree. As the night progressed, the pain on my left side got worse, and I realized that I was having some difficulty breathing. Early Saturday afternoon, my wife arrives to pick us up. I get up off the couch to take a leak and I collapse in the bathroom because I can't breathe. It was the most frightening experience of my life, and it made me very aware of my own mortality. I was taken to the hospital by ambulance and admitted for four days. I had developed double pneumonia, and I had fluid building up in my left lung. I was scared!!!

I am currently recovering at home. Each day I get a little better. I've had a whole shitload of antibiotics pumped through my body. I was prescribed a schedule II pain medication and a schedule II cough syrup. Woohoo! Take both of them and you are in La-La Land for hours.

What I remember the most about the experience was the fear I saw in my wife. She was definitely worried, and I have no doubts about the limits of my wife's love. That first night, she wouldn't leave my side. I had to make her leave the next day to clean up and get some rest. I don't know how I got lucky enough to get such a caring wife, but I hope everybody who reads this knows how much I love her.

Anyway, I can't wait to go back to work. I'll probably be out for at least another week. Fortunately, I have over 900 hours of sick time saved up.