OK, last night I paid close attention, and it was not too hard to figure out. I've got fluid in my lungs.
I have been coughing a bit at night, just to clear my throat, but no cold, no sniffles, no fever. This makes sense as to why it even hurt if I laid on my back and just drew one leg up a bit - it made all the fluid rush to one side, and I'd start having trouble getting a good breath.
Are we always more vulnerable to respiratory-type problems once the lung has been deflated in TOS surgery? I know my stupid smoking DOESN'T help matters, believe me! I do plan to quit, but won't even try till my case is totally settled and I have the cash in hand. Just need that whole thing overwith and out of my life first before I go through withdrawal.
So guess I should get this chest thing checked out, huh?