The World's Most Frustrating Cough

I am currently in week 4 of battling The World's Most Frustrating Cough. This cough has progressed through several stages:

Stage 1 (December 8th-ish): My throat was sore and swollen, with a throat-centered cough that hurt pretty badly. (Twilight reference avoided, point to Deb).

Stage 2 (December 16th): The cough has become a deep, rattling boom in my chest that doesn't produce anything but sounds like a croupy water buffalo. Don't ask how I know that.

Stage 3: The holidays: Feelin' fine. The cough was still there, but less painful, and therefore easy to ignore when I could easily go to the doctor

Stage 4: Back to work: Pneumonia. At least, I'm pretty sure it's pneumonia, I've had it before. I can't take a deep breath without coughing, I can't sleep at night (for that reason), nothing is coming up, I'm having hot flashes, and I think I lost a toe. Not good.

So, I'm off to the doctor. I might be back later today, or next week, depending...

Have a good weekend, everyone, and make sure you give your pink, healthy lungs a hug of appreciation.