Lexy, it's a bummer you got sick on this trip! You are obviously stressed out by the possibility of a major life change, so consider the state of your immune system and do whatever it takes to keep it strong, including visualizations and affirmations and whatever placebo works for you, because you don't want to catch the next virus going around. Which it is (I just came across someone today who sounded like she should have stayed home). Forewarned is forearmed, I believe.
Steve O describes a "food poisoning" incident in The Great Pain Deception which occurred during the worst of his TMS symptoms, whereas the people he ate with (his family, I think) remained perfectly healthy. He attributed this to the fact that his immune system was weak due to TMS. It could also be that it wasn't food poisoning from that restaurant meal - seeing as how the majority of virulent stomach disorders are from food-borne viruses which take 24-36 hours to incubate. Nonetheless, I agree with Steve and also with Dr. Gabor Mate that a strong immune system is perfectly capable of fighting off random bacteria and viruses, and in fact that is true for every mass case of bacterial contamination and/or food-borne virus that we hear about - there are plenty of people who do not get sick in spite of exposure.
I mentioned coming across someone today who was all congested - I'm going to go home and double up on my favorite placebo - Vitamin C. Taking a double dose gives my brain an application around which to visualize a stronger immune system - this is how the placebo effect works, and it is a powerful tool which I highly recommend taking advantage of. There's no reason it can't work even when you know exactly what's going on - in fact, I think it's more powerful when you know what you're doing. I've been doing this for years even though "they" tell us that Vitamin C (and echinacea, another favorite) have no effect. I'm pretty sure that any effect they have is due to the power of my belief that I can boost my own immune system, using these supplements to visualize that happening. So far so good. And if I eat anything that I think might be "iffy" I go home to a glass of "medicinal" sherry - LOL. And I might pop some C then as well. Again, so far so good. Knock on wood
Researchers already know that placebos work - but there's no money in learning how to make them work for us, so they reject the placebo effect as a negative, when in fact it contains all of the answers.
All you have to do is understand and accept that your brain is in charge of all of your physiological processes, and then accept that you can make it work for you. In other words - you are in charge!
I hope you continue to enjoy Portland (I'm about 3 hours north), give yourself some positive messages and continue to take care of yourself.
