@loribmt Thank you for the kind and honest words. I am working on my clinical Master of Social Work. I truly think that trauma plays a part in so many autoimmune diseases, I can only speak for myself. I am a recovering alcoholic/addict of over 8 years. I had turned my life around. My father, a diagnosed NPD, had remarried after almost destroying my mother. His wife called me, who I met one time, in the Fall of 2021 to tell me that he wasn't doing well. I went to visit and was told he had heart failure and dementia. So that journey led me to go on the weekends to a house that was not my own but I love(d) my dad and forgave him as he was a product of his childhood. All that to say, she was emotionally abusive to me. He went downhill quickly and I spent the last 10 days of his life with him, essentially his hospice nurse, administering morphine and just making sure he was comfortable. I was with him when he died. He died in 10/21, a day before his 80th birthday. I was also at a very stressful job that was chaotic and really ethically problematic. Please remember that I am newly sober (about 2 years) which sounds like a lot, but I got sober at 47, so learning to live sober was and is a crazy journey. Then, I had to move out of my house. My partner of 28 years, also an alcoholic, would not stop drinking. I tried and tried to help him. He was just one that could not do it. I found him dead in our house in December of 2023. So, I believe my body's immune system, cortisol, fight, flight was ever present. I think that is a big part of why I got so sick. I know it is a real virus and I do not want anyone to think I am saying otherwise. I also know that trauma, complex trauma over so many years affects not only the mind, but the body as well. AA says, learn to live life on life's terms. I am still trying to figure that out and I am pretty sure that I am not alone. I work with a therapist weekly and have for several years. I want to work with other people with substance use disorder and mental illness's. That is what I know from my own experience. I want to also say that I have reached out to the director of the Social Work department to tell them about my experience with this virus. I have yet to learn or have any class that has addressed living with an illness like this. I believe we can all be advocates. I have and will post some sites that are working with doctors and doing research on LC. I hope I did not write too much. If feels good to be able to vent. I am terrified at times, especially being so close. I have a field placement, however I feel terrible most mornings. The students with disabilities at the University has been so good to me, as well as my Professors. I have been transparent with them. Life is hard. Life is hard when one feels good. I have to try and remain in the moment because if I don't, my mind will spin into a freak out panic about "how in the hell am I going to make it..." As I said before, I am grateful for everyone on here.