As a young adult, I thought I had it all under control. I was energetic, adventurous, and ready to tackle anything life presented me with. But I never foresaw what was coming – the diagnosis of pleurisy.
At first, I didn’t take the pain quite seriously. I thought it was just a little chest discomfort, probably nothing to worry about. Then came the incessant coughing and the persistent pain when I tried to take a deep breath. It was only then that I set out to get a proper diagnosis.
I was immediately met with a barrage of tests to rule out the possibility of other diseases. But the bottom line was clear – I had pleurisy, an infection of the chest wall and lungs.
The symptoms were unmistakable. I had a constant stabbing pain in my chest when I breathed. I was soon coughing up a great deal of yellowish-greenish mucus. There was also a dull, constant pain on my back as I moved around.
I was prescribed with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medication, and instructions for completing breathing exercises at home. I followed the instructions diligently, although the pain was unbearable at times.
The journey was incredibly challenging and the days were filled with pain and discomfort. But I have to say, I never gave up hope. No matter how dark my days felt, I kept thinking of the future and what I would be able to do once I got better.
It took a few weeks before I began to feel better. Slowly but surely, the pain began to subside. With every small progress, I felt a little bit stronger. After months of great effort, I was finally back on the path to a healthy life.
It’s been a few years since my diagnosis of pleurisy, and I am grateful to be on the other side. I look back on this journey with awe – how I was able to push through the pain and discomfort and come out on the other side. I am living proof that resilience pays off, even in the face of tough challenges.