Hello friends --So last week it was the screwed up MRI contrast injection (review last week's 6-Pack for context). This week - we are in quarantine and my 16-year-old daughter is in isolation. She was exposed to her best friend's dad who tested positive for COVID-19. Seriously? #FU2020. We're checking our temps and our oxygen levels throughout the day and trying to stay busy and not think too much about it. Easier said than done!This weekend is Independence Day - which reminds me I wanted to tell you of a project I'm working on. It's called Patients Getting Paid and it's to share my experience and resources of finding and creating online work opportunities that accommodate my MS. I had to quit working due to my MS. My paychecks quit coming but my bills didn't. It took a long time, but I figured it out - including finding a "patient advocacy industry" I had no idea existed. I want to save people the time, energy, and money I spent trying to figure it out. I'm now making more than I did when I was employed fulltime - and I work wherever and whenever works best for me. It will be a membership community and courses. Interested? Get on the waitlist here: Patients Getting Paid Wait ListAlrighty then. Let's get to to the top 6 MS topics of the week:1.  "Based on our understanding of the biology of MS, we would not expect someone who has MS, and is otherwise healthy, to have a greater risk of becoming infected compared to the general public; MS does not weaken your immune system." COVID and MS2.  Researchers have discovered a possible way to increase levels of natural opioids in the brain. The new approach involves blocking an opioid receptor that normally inactivates these molecules. Very interesting . . . Natural Pain Aid3.  Here are updated recommendations for DMTs during the COVID-19 pandemic. MS Treatment Guidelines for COVID4.  So - DMTs don't appear to cause increased risk of severe COVID-19. Well - that's some good news! No Increased Risk5.  A new study shows that combining hypnotherapy with mindfulness training has a significant positive effect on stress levels. Have YOU ever tried it?? Mindful Hypnotherapy6.  We MS'ers are notoriously Vitamin D deficient. Are YOU taking a Vit D supplement?? How much per day?? Here is a great list of the best Vit D supplements. The 10 Best Vitamin D Supplements of 2020Between this newsletter, the FUMS Blog, the FUMS Podcast Show, and now Patients Getting Paid, I could really use some support. If you get value from any and/or all of these resources I provide and would like to show your appreciation, please check out my Patreon page to see how your monthly contribution could help me AND get you some cool rewards. Check it out here: Support for FUMSHappy 4th of July -- Kathy#FUMS

Sometimes it helps the stress, just to say "F-U-M-S"