The good news is that it wasn't a heart attack. The best guess the doctor could come with is that it's a muscle pull or bruise, though I tell you it feels a hell of a lot worse than just a strain. Further conjecture is that this is manifesting as a result of a near-perfect combination of stress, too many cigarettes, too much caffeine and "just sleeping wrong" (apparently my sleep posture is sub-optimal, or something. I just know I've been tossing and turning too much). I also found that my blood pressure is running the ragged edge of hypertension again (137/90), something I'm none too pleased to see.
I got back from the ER well before I had to go to work but I decided staying home today was probably my best bet. I'm going to quietly spend my day in the recliner and try to do some thinking in between naps. I've been thinking for a long time now that I should take an honest, more-than-a-three-day-weekend vacation (I haven't had one in over 17 months, and it's starting to show) so I guess this was my body's way of reminding me not to forget. Frankly, I would have rather it just sent those appointment reminder cards like I get from my dentist -- then I could easily ignore them and throw them out with the rest of the trash.
On and on, does anybody know what we are looking for?