update on my situation:

today, near the end of work, i got a headache, became slightly lightheaded, and just generally felt ill.
came home chilled and famished (but i'd not eaten all day, so go figure.)
spoke with a guy at work who mentioned that we are getting a new building next year. i've noticed a lot of water damage in the building and i *know* there there is a lot of dust in the buiding. everything is covered with a dusting of airborne newspaper ink!
one of the reporters mentioned that she is constantly ill with respiratory problems and allergies during the winter months when the heater is running.
my allergy/respiratory history is long and dramatic.
my son and i are a having a coughing/wheezing duet tonight.
i definately feel ill (like, a good, normal kind of ill) ... my throat is sore on the other side today and my tonsils both seem to be their regular size, but scratchy. the arch that the uvula hangs from ... that is what is malformed so much today.

personally, i think this is too inflammatory to warrant any sleepless nights, but i'm going to keep an eye on it. if i don't see continuous signs of improvement or normalcy, my mother is going to help me go to my ENT (so as not to bankrupt my little family.)

Plans are underway to be an ex-smoker (as well as to have dragged my kicking and screaming husband along with me) by the time i am 24 (just a few more weeks!) i meant to have quit long ago, anyway, so i am far beyond overdue. i'm pushing 10 pack years, so that's quite enough of that, thank you.

i will definately keep everyone updated ... but i am feeling very positive today.

i doubt i would be here had i not lost two friends to cancer during the week of the last days of october and the first of november.

but then again, i wouldn't have frightened myself into taking better care of myself and in learning a few lessons in bodily awareness.


thanks again, you guys. and good luck with everything that you are dealing with. you've got great attitudes and are all very kind!