Download Patch. Password broken...

I took a quick glance over your account and I'm afraid this situation is likely unrelated, Lshade. I suspect there may be some suspicious access occuring. Please read through and follow the steps provided in this information, and preferably, as swiftly as possible:

Account Hacked? Security Issue? Look Here!
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=24702231244&sid=1

Battle.net Account Security Awareness
http://us.battle.net/security/

Account and Computer Security
http://us.blizzard.com/support/article/30794

Battle.net Authenticator
http://us.blizzard.com/support/article/24986

Q u o t e:
If my account is compromised ingame, why can I still post in the forum?

If you are a frequent poster, I suspect that your log in information is cached in your browser, which is allowing you to post (as you did not need to log in again).

Q u o t e:
All I'm asking is is there any useful way to actually get my account back, rather than be frazzled for the next half hour while I try to call, endlessly try to reset my password, or deleting my account all together and losing all my hard work?

You are welcome to submit a petition to our Game Masters via e-mail at wowgm@blizzard.com if you are unable to do so via in-game submission. I strongly advise this course of action.

Q u o t e:
Edit: Why would it be unrelated if it happened directly after applying the patch?

I am suggesting that it is likely a coincidence that these two events occurred in a short period of time. Correlation versus causation, if you will.

I provided the information I gave you so that you have the option to take extra precaution, or to view some other security advice that you may not have considered before. While I will always stress that you can never be too careful, these are merely suggestions and not requirements.