Odin, benalyn makes a sugar free cough syrop - I know, I lived on it for a week in Cuba You can find it in most pharmacies. Also, behind the counter (in canada at least) you can get a no name sugar free syrop with codeine that works wonders. Not sure if that's the case in Chicago.

I have found that LCing actually increased my immunity to the colds and flus running rampant this year - My theory is that a virus thrives on sugar and it's not getting any from me! I've had a cold and the flu - normally I'd have had 3 or 4 colds by now. This is just my exeprience, however.

The idea that losing weight might effect your immune system is something I'd not thought about - but it makes sense. I am sure Doreen will be better able to comment.

In the meantime, stay hydrated and eat when and what you can. And tell me, how did your first business trip out of town go??

Nat