[Andrea Barnett Budin]

Oh, Krista,

A cold is minor yet you feel truly horrible. I have noted that Pinkie seems to get frequent really debilitating colds/flus -- the sore throat thing and the chills and all that you describe. The cough is concerning and seems to last way too long. I worry. Like a Mom.

And yes, of course, a pain in my arm *COULD* mean I am having a heart attack, or lymphedema is threatening and my mind goes in all those dark places (as a bc patient). Even 13 yrs out...

I have one good vein in my good arm. It is at my wrist. They accessed it for my last CT scans (in June). I have a giant egg bulging from it. He went in and was successful in only one try! Yea! I felt absolutely no pain. Double yea!! BUT -- apparently the needles went beyond the vein and created a hematoma. It will take some time to dissipate, i was told my onc. It is slightly less bulging. My mind wonders did contrast escape into my body? Have we created a new major issue? Blah, blah...

I hear you, Krista, is my point. We all hear you.

What I do daily is -- first, wash my hands thoroughly numerous x during the day. Hot water. Lots of soap. It is the first thing I do when returning home. Every single x.

I also, daily -- take multiple vitamins. As you know. Those that I believe help ward off colds and such are: Vit C -- 1,000, Co-Enzyme Q10 -- 150X2, Echinacea w/golden seal -- 100X2 (1 week on this and then stagger w/1 wk on Thymulus 750 w/Astragalus 250X2). Plus I take Grapeseed Extract -- 150, Green Teax3, N-Acetyl Cysteine (rids body of toxins), Omega 3 Mega EFA -- 800 and DHA -- 400 x 2, RM-10 Immune System Proten-zyme Mushroom Blend -- 1165 w/Selium -- 200 X 2-3 a day(on empty stomach), Zinc -- 30.

I drink 10 8-oz glasses of bottled water a day -- to flush out any toxins. It makes your skin moist too.

Zicam is very beneficial w/colds/flu!



There are a number of mushroom blends that are great. If, God forbid, I was midst a crisis I would be on one of those. ie. Shitake and/or Ave w/an accent over the e -- 1 packet every other day. Super powered! Also nut onc has suggested Grifon Pro Maitake-D Fraction drops, Lycopom and Neuromins (DHA) 100 -- 3 X 2. I don't feel the need to add these. Lycopom disagrees w/my belly, but has the super strength of 40 pomegranates which is supposed to be excellent! Also Peakimmune -- 250 X 2 and Glutamine -- 500 (this last of which I do take daily).

These were all recommended by nut onc, who has helped keep me and my immune system working well since '98.

Hope all this helps. I think once you've had ca, you must be super alert to contacting a range of stuff.

I hug, but don't shake hands. I kiss keppis (heads). I exchange loving energy. I move away from coughing people. I get the flu shot every yr and I just got my ev 5 yr pneumonia vaccine. My husband does this too, for many good reasons.

Sending you HEALTHY ENERGY, my Sisters all...