It really does seem like nothing is safe anymore, does it? Restaurants, cruise ships, produce and so forth.....I cannot imagine what's next!

But we have to remember that just because we hear about all this is does not happen everywhere and doesn't happen all the time. As far as cruises go, we are less likely to become ill on a cruise than on land, but the media never tells us that. Olive Garden was just one restaurant in one area, not everywhere. It may seem like alot of people getting ill to us, but in reality it's just a fraction of the people that ate there or went on that cruise and so on. We are just way more aware of these things than other people, and because v*ing is so frightening for us it all seems much worse than it really and truly is.

I completely understand what you are saying, and trust me, I'm sure even non-emets are becoming a bit wary of where they go and what they eat. I'll admit that I'm a bit paranoid about eating at Taco Bell again right this moment, but I know I will eventually. We're right on when we say we can't let this phobia ruin everything and stop us from living, but the hardest part is getting there.

I think back to my early twenties when I wasn't this phobic and wonder why I can't be like that again. I went out to clubs, out to dinner, shopping with friends and didn't really worry about getting ill, and I actually never did get s*ck (besides a cold here and there). I'd give anything to be that person again, and I'm getting there. [img]smileys/smilies_02.gif[/img]

Anyways, this post is really long and rambling---sorry!! I hope it at least makes a little sense!