CMF Question
Comments
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Annie,
Glad to see that you made it through your tx #5!!
I am also glad to hear that your onc center is very good with IVs and finding veins. Mine was NOT very good, and I just don't understand it, since that is ALL they do....
Hope you are feeling back up to speed soon!! Just relax and get some rest... I remember how the fatigue set in for me, halfway through my txs.
Hugs,
Harley
P.S. I am such a chicken, I may not do the hair color just yet. I was supposed to go and buy the distilled water and a plastic squirt bottle, like a ketchup bottle, to use as an applicator, but I was busy today, helping a friend to find supplies for her new cat. My sil is coming over on Thursday, so if I don't get the hair color done tomorrow, I may have to wait til she leaves on Sunday before I do it. She is the one who went with me for morale support when I had my head shaved, after my hair started to fall out in clumps!
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Jill....I didn't have a port either. I got along just fine without one. Sorry I can't help you there. From the posts that I have read, it's not too bad to have one removed. It seems that most people are just so glad to get rid of them. I haven't heard any horror stories about the procedure.
Annie...here's good vibes for no side effects! I'm sure they are probably just being cautious about the nodule on your lung. We want them to be cautious, but it sures scares the sh** out of us, doesn't it? Try not to worry too much.
Carol.. good luck with your treatment this week, too. You've been a real trooper through all of this!
Harley...hope your hair experiment turns out great!
Well, I need to get off here and head for bed. I'm beat!!! Catch you all tomorrow. Hang in there ladies! Every day gets you one day closer to the end of these treatments!
Rita
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Wow, what night owls we have ...
Jill, I'm not too tickled about even thinking about having my port removed. I personally will not be in any hurry to have it removed. I pretty much forget its there until I look at myself in the mirror. Did you not have one during your first go around? Hope that your energy level starts to improve, it would be nice to have some good days prior to the start of rads.
Annie, I have never taken Compazine myself, it seems that Zofran does the trick, can't remember if I mentioned it here or not but Zantac was suggested as well. Maybe if your not really nauseated but have that pit feeling some Zantac might work.
Sorry for a shorty, pooping out quickly ... I appreciate you all so much, and should have some puter time tomorrow, as I'm taking the day off for my txt at 10:00.
Night all, Carol
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Here's the "buzzed on steroids" night owl...
Carol, that is a great suggestion. What is that, is it an otc one? Or an rx!
I wll take any suggestions for this from anyone. I'm in the dark pretty much with the nausea stuff.
I never had the pit before, but I think I have it now. Kind of a weird feeling, rather than nauseous. Like an elevator stop. that zantac could really help also with the acid stomach I do get.
Good luck tomorrow, send in those little pac men to eat up everything you don't want that's even THINKING about getting cute.
Sending good vibes and prayers for you tonight.
Rita, I had my husband detail eveything the onc said today, as it seems I get so nervous that it goes right out of the head the minute it's said....after hearing the reassuring things he had to say, I am pretty optimistic, but you are sooo right. Scares the sh*** out of us.
My onc is a living doll, sooo sweet, but has a way of tossing a curve ball at you and this has had the unfortunate effect of making me have a blood pressure spike when I have to see him. I do love him, he's just a sweetie pie, but oh boy, do I get nervous. 138/88 with an entire klonopin too. I can override those suckers like nobodie's business. uh, esp. when someone comes out with "there's something we need to recheck". Rational thought just flies out the window.
Harley, try some copper "Roux" rinse to get you thru the weekend?
It doesn't last more than a few days, but personally I think you'd look awesome with white hair and those beautiful eyes. Maybe think about it. I hope your hubby is better today.
Everybody have a good Am cuz it is already!
love to all and good vibes to Carol
annie
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Hi there, I am doing CMF (just had #5 of 8) and having the WORST probs with acid reflux after chemo.
I have been reading up on the posts and yours is the only one I see about acid reflux.
My onc gave me an RX for prilosec, but am not liking those scarey side effects I read on the box...
Am trying an apple a day, slices of apple when I feel it beginnig and a hand full of so of carrots, seems to help.
I wondered if you had any tricks? It does seem to subside by day two or three and I am loathe take prilosec before the chemo for two days and then keeping on it.
Thanks!
Hope you are well
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Oh girls, the old brain isn't working too well, tough night up all night with the streroids and acid reflux. once told me to get prilosec but don't like the sounds of those side effects on the box. Also very dizzy (prob. lack of sleep!)
OY, this too shall pass.
Carol, sending good vibes for your treatment to go uneventfully for you and for you to feel well and strong. You are getting there!
Harley, any info on the hair thing? I know the onc flat out told me not to color it, but it was only during chemo. He said it'd fall out more as it damaged the root. Other onc seems to have no opinion on it other than not during chemo...I don't think anyone knows.
I'll be using the light mountain stuff when I can, sounds like fun and safe too.
love to all
annieacidreflux
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Ms Annieacidreflux .... sounds like you had a doozy of a night, have we decided to take a little something to rid the acid reflux? Maybe start with just a half a dose and see if you get some relief. Trust me I've never been a pill taker myself (oh except for birth control) so I understand not being into it. Try baby steps and see what happens, probably couldn't hurt and hopefully will make you feel better soon. Gotta love that steriod high huh? Looking forward to mine tonight (not).
Off in about 30 minutes to chemotiniville, sure wish they served margaritas!!!
Later all, Carol
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Rita, You are such a brave woman!! Doing SIX months of tx without a port!! Oh, my!! I hope you have been having nice weather, and maybe you got to go out and golf.
Today was the first REALLY nice day we have had in awhile.
Carol,
Hope your tx goes well! Gee, chemotiniville...that is funny! I wish they served you drinks with umbrellas while you are sitting there, waiting for the IVs to finish...
Please give us an update, when you can... sending positive thoughts and prayers your way...
Hugs,
Harley
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Annie,
I may not do the haircolor thing til Sunday... my dh said that he wants to help me to apply it, but we'll see... he's kind of busy these days. Today, he had a dr. appt of his own... it was nice to go and NOT be the patient, for a change! He has this Achille's heel problem, and he can't run without irritating it, so he went to an orthapedic guy. He was nice, and ordered an x-ray. He found nothing, so he thinks it may be 'Achille's Bursitis'. Anyone ever heard of this?? I think it means that my dh is getting old!! LOL That is what the dr. said, anyway.
Oh, BTW, my onc told me that it was ok to color my hair. When I asked him, I said... "I read that I should wait SIX months to color my hair. What do you think? Is it ok to color my hair?" I asked him this question, back in February, at my last onc appt., which was FOUR months post chemo. He said "hasn't it been SIX months?" so, either he is a total idiot, or it is ok to color after about six months. I decided to split the difference, and I got my first color in early March, at FIVE months post chemo. It seems ok, but I am just worried about all those chemicals, and the risk of maybe developing another cancer from the haircolor. I guess I am afraid...
Sorry for rambling...
I'm sorry to hear about the acid reflux. Hope the meds can help take that away, so you are feeling better soon!!
Hugs,
Harley
ps... I will let you know how the hair coloring experiment goes, but I may have to wait til Sunday, after my sister in law leaves. She has all these 'plans' for us... sounds like it will be a 'girls' weekend, just my MIL, and SIL, and me.
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Harley...a girls' weekend sounds good. As for the hair coloring, I did it all the way through the chemo and rads and had no problem. Several of the gals on the Illinois thread who had AC chemo have been coloring theirs now, too. So far, so good. The only problem they are having is finding the color that they really like and want.
Hey, you'll be a new you!!!!
Hang in there Annie and Carol. You're moving right along on this journey!
Rita
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Geez! i signed in to tell you about our golf "Rally for a Cure" today and then talked about everything except it. Just wanted you to know that the morning league collected $1,400 for bc research and the evening league will add to that total tonight. I'm still to the point where I got a little emotional off and on during the outing and had to wipe some tears away, but the golf outing was a complete success. Several of us are walking this weekend in the Rally for a Cure walk. Hopefully some scientist or doctor will stumble on the cure like Fleming stumbled on penicillin....when it's least expected. Let's hope it happens soon!
Off to teach my Wednesday night youth group. There's only one more of these left and I'm ready for a break. I enjoy the JH kids but it's a long commitment and I find myself not wanting to go on the nice evenings now.
Hope you chemo gals are doing well today! I'll check in again tomorrow!
Rita
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Rita,
Thanks for the haircolor advice!
That golf outing sounds like it was a HUGE success! I am getting kind of teary eyed, just reading about it, and thinking about how nice it would be when they find a cure for this terrible disease.Have a great evening! It is a wonderful thing, teaching kids and seeing them develop into productive adults, who help others also.
Hugs
Harley
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Rita, awesome news on your fund raising event. Golf and raising funds for a cure to this dang disease are two of my favorite things to do. Combining them was a great idea. The lady who works as the cook at our club has an event each year to raise funds as well. I hope we'll be able to participate this year.
Infusion day was good, spent time with a dear family friend. She is a woman who was my mom's best friend. I know that my mom was watching us with a smile on her face, knowing that even though she was no longer with me, her dear friend was at my side and that was a great feeling.
Went for a short walk downtown to the post office tonight, about 2 miles, I also bought myself a new pair of tenni-rippers, they felt great!
I'm fairing pretty well tonight, just a little pit going on, but I'm almost ready for my Lorazepam and the big bed, hope these darn steriod don't keep me up all night. I don't want to pull an Annie and be up typing in the middle of the night!!! Hey Annie, how's the tummy doing tonight, have you tried anything yet. I'm almost tempted to take a 1/2 Zantac before bed, will see in a few minutes!!!
Sweet dreams all, Carol
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O.K. Annie, where are you at? I hope you've been sleeping and getting caught up on your rest instead of feeling the side effects of those active pac-men! Check in and let me know how you are doing, please.
Carol, I hope that today goes well for you. Go away "pit!!!" Just take it easy if that "pit" feeling stays and be thankful that you're getting to the end of all this. Remember back in January? I think we were discussing your diagnosis, etc. during the SuperBowl Game??? Could that have been right or do I have things confused here???? How far you have come and how well you have done!
It pretty early but it looks overcast and there are puddles on my deck so I'm probably going to find inside things to do today. Heavens knows there is no lack of work to do around here! :-)
Hi Harley and Jill..........have a good day, gals!
Rita
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hello ladies:
Carol, it sounds like it went well for you yesterday..that is lovely that your mom's friend was with you; there are no coincidences in this life and I am sure your mom was with you too.
You sound like you are doing great!
rita your golf and fund raising outing sounds just wonderful...you have managed to combine two things close to your heart and do good with them. That is just lovely.
Thanks for asking how I am; this is a low battery day, but the acid reflux seems to have passed off a bit. I don't see the point of the prilosec, you have to take it 1 or 2 days before you even have chemo and it can take up to four days to work? That didn't seem to be the right combo there to me. I had some luck with apple slices and tums, may or may not try to do the prilosec next time.
The nausea usually comes for me tomorrow, I am going with the 1/2 zofran if so. Maybe it won't hit, it was quite mild last time, so here's hoping! The onc said don't take anything if you don't need it, I get aloxi in the drip and that has worked like a charm for me so far, any nausea was only last time and really mild.
I am going to take a walk today and see if i can't ward some of this stuff off.
My girl comes home from college today, so I want to get her room ready on this rainy day. Can't wait! College seems such a short year, my head is still in the getoutschool June timeframe. It's weird and wonderful to be the mom of a college kid. You have a grown up in the house with you, but still your child...very odd, yet sweet in its way as well.
Stay well all.
annie
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Annie, did you send your steriod buzz to the west, was up at 3:30, started a load of wash at 4:00am, went back to bed and layed there til 5:00 for my work wakeup ... planning on hitting that brick wall this afternoon. My dh is going to accompany me to me doc appt with the gyn surgeon this afternoon, probably a good thing since I'll more than likely in a daze.
How bout trying that 1/2 Zofran first thing tomorrow morning before any onset of nausea? And good for you to get your feet moving, I really think that last week was so much easier on me because of my activity level. Little exercise and a ton of water!
Rita, you have it so right, it was superbowl time when I had all my questions about this txt so eloquently answered by you and my CMF friends, this ride would not have been what is has without you all, a sincere thanks. As I see it I have a little over 35 days before my wine glass can have something in it other than a cranberry juice!!!
Off to get something done at work .... Carol
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Carol,
WOW! You sure have been busy!!, doing laundry at 4AM!!
I hope your dr. appt. went well... hope you will post to update us, if you're feeling up to it.
I must confess, I drank sometimes, during my tx. I had one drink at home, at night, after my 1st tx... hey, you have to celebrate! Also, I had a drink occasionally, and I had a glass of champagne to celebrate, at dinner, after my last tx!
Hugs,
Harley
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Annie,
I hope you are feeling ok. It's great that your dd is back from college! So, she'll be home for the summer? That is wonderful!I have to tell you something about that haircolor. My dh read the instructions, and it mentions that you need to do a 'strand test', and then another test before using it. Then you need to boil the water, and mix up the hair color, then let it sit for an hour. He was going to do it for me, but he said that it would take too long... so I am not sure if I will ever be able to do it.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Harley
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I was on CMF but IV at the time. I picked CMF because I wouldn't lose my hair. My choice was between CMF or AC. I was on CMF for God only remembers how many months, every three weeks I believe. I didnt choose AC which was half the time and I would have lost all my hair. Hope that info was useful.
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Howdy girls:
Carol, yikes! You do sound like me. I am wondering if the oncs mix up a bit more steroid to help you thru the later stages. That makes some sense to me, or it the steroid thing is cumulative.
The 1/2 zofran sounds like a good idea. I felt so much better yesterday, I think the combo of exercise and my kid coming home really did a lot for me.
On the plus side, we do get alot done that night of steroids but oh that brick wall. Usually I sleep thru it and then I'm OK, but today will tell if any nausea hits. I'm going to make myself a science experiment here.
Harley, I like the non carcinogenic quality of that hc, but that does sound like a lot of work.
My god, my front hallway looks like sherman's army marched thru but I am soooooooo happy to have my girl home. We share the sense of humor in a big way and laughed ourselves silly.
Everybody stay well, Carol, feel better and get some rest hon.
love to all
annie
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Hi ladies:
I forgot to put this out there...anybody get the "dizzies" on this regime? Could have been the lack of sleep as well, but have not heard of this one so thought I'd ask.
Carol hope you are sleeping! Good luck today with all those dr. appts. (or did I space out and it was yesterday?) I'd be glad to hear how those went for you, partic. the ooph question.
love
a
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Rita, do you do your own haircolor, or do you go to a salon? Which kind of color do you get? I am having problems trying to decide which kind will be the least harmful. Maybe I should just do it and try not to think about it.
Annie, I had dizziness, but only on tx day, because of all those nice pre-meds, which prevented the nausea and other stuff... When I got out of the chair, I was kind of dizzy, and I walked like I was drunk. My dh laughed and told all our friends about it.
Carol, how did your dr. appts. go yesterday?? I know it is too early, so you might still be asleep.
Hugs to all,
Harley
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Welcome, msvirgo to the CMF thread. Thanks for your info. I assume you are finished with your treatments, too? How long has it been since your last one? I had the same routine....IV infusion every 3 weeks and you're right. It seemed to go on forever, but I made it!
Please hop back on and tell us a little more about yourself. Are you currently taking Arimidex or any other hormonal pill?
Harley....as for the haircoloring, my beautician did it (and still continues to do so). I think she uses Redken products. I kept using the nioxin products at home and she cut, styled and colored it every 6 weeks, just like usual.
Well, good to see that everyone is "hyper" and doing well! I'm sure that means that those pac-men are especially active right now! LOL
Gotta run........the sun is peeking out and I need to escape to the golf course this afternoon if the weather holds. Oh Carol, I do have a hybrid club that I use as a "get out of touble club." I love it! I got if off of e-bay for $15 and got a real bargain. I was amazed when I won the auction for it at that price and wouldn't sell it for 5 times that much!!!!
Happy Mother's Day to all of you!
Rita
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Rita,
Thanks for the info... I guess you have semi-permanent haircolor, or do you use permanent? I am thinking that semi permanent is less harmful.Have fun on the golf course!
Enjoy!
Harley
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Gosh Harley, I think mine is permanent. I've never asked and just let my beautician take care of that, but I'm almost sure it is permanent. I go again on Monday and I will ask for sure!
Have a good weekend!
Rita
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Rita,
Thanks! I am probably just worrying myself too much about everything! I was talking to my sister in law, and she has irritable bowel syndrome, and diverticulitis, and she was saying that it is so hard to know what to eat, because everything seems to 'irritate' her condition. Boy, she should have to wonder about everything that you not only eat, but even the air that we breathe!
Hope you have a great weekend!!
HugsHarley
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Hey gals,
Checking in from Portland Or, down here for my ds skate meet this weekend. Gotta loves a laptop!!!
Whew, what a week I had, I've been thoroughly filled with alot of info during my two appt. Saw the gyn surgeon, discussed a lapo surgery removing ovaries, (I guess its like a 15 min surgery), I asked why I would want to keep the uterus, (no need for it) and other than a more invasive surgery, (takes about 2 hours) having it removed lapo as well and recovery time is closer to 4 to 6 weeks vice about 2 to 3 weeks with just the ovary removal. Went to the appt thinking it was just a "consult", thank god in the back of my mind I thought I should be prepared just in case she wanted to do an exam. My lucky day as it was hop in those stirrups times (YIKES)! Just what I needed with a tummy that was not quite up to snuff on Thurs. Nothing worse than her saying "oh my your bowels feel very full" (No Sh*t)!!!! I am going to get one more opinion at Seattle Cancer Care with a surgeon on board there, just want to question if they would suggest removal of the uterus as well.
Yesterday saw the rad doc. I was totally impressed with the facility, from front desk to a great detailed discussion with the doc. I had heard word of mouth that the doc is very thorough but not necessarily very personable. I found her to be both. I won't be starting my rad until I'm through with chemo, looking at June 23 for a simulation and hopefully starting the week after that. I need to get those appts done well before the 3 day in Sept.
Annie, enjoy your time with college dd home. We should start to see more of our dd's as well with college winding down.
No dizziness here, hoping that a little Zofran did the trick for you. No time for nausea!!!
Rita, gotta love those good buys ... I have bought a couple of clubs on Callaway pre-owned website, I've ordered clubs in "good" and "fair" condition when you can pick from "new", "like new","good" and "fair", twice the club came with the factory stickers, looking like it had never bit hit!!! I always figure I'm going to bang in up so I don't need a brand new one and what a surprise to get it and have it sparkling new!!! The dh just got new/used clubs on e-bay, saved about half of what Pro Golf Discount wanted!
Jill, hoping that your feeling a little better emotionally as well as physically being a few days out of your last txt. I'm assuming your moving forward with your rads, and did you get your port removed?
Harley, we'll be looking forward to a pic with the "do" colored. I've debated a bit on the subject, I think right now I'll just be happy that I still have some hair on my head!
Need to shower and get to the skate rink, thankfully the ds caught a ride at 4:45am, thought I would be able to sleep in, layed there and my mind was spinning so here I am ...
Have a great weekend, and a great mom's day tomorrow, probably won't be back until late Sunday.
Love you gals ... Carol
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Carol,
Oh, boy, nothing like having what you think will be just a consult, and fining out... you have to hop on the table... oh, I hate those exams!
Harley
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Hi ladies!
It sounds like everyone is busy and feeling well and keeping active!
This is day four, no third day nausea, so I'm thinking they did up the steroids. I'm a fan even if I also was up all night, it's better than yakking.
Carol, it sounds like you are getting everything yanked? I'm with you, who needs it!! Let us know what you end up deciding. As far as the stirrups go, I have never had a consult with a gyno/ob yet without them taking a peek. Sometimes I feel like I should just bring vaginal films of ultrasounds (for ovarian cysts, another reason to yank 'em) with me, and show them off beforehand. Good for you for following thru with all this, it's time to take control I say! It's our bodies, and our decisions, not the drs.
Hope you feel well and are back up to Carol Hyper speed!
Harley I have used this vegetable based supposed-to-be supersafe stuff that is semi permanent that has no hydrogen peroxide or amonia that I get at the health food store. It's beautiful color but it does fade rather quickly, about three weeks. On the plus side, it's a breeze to put on, takes 20 minutes. I know what you mean about that henna stuff, tho, wow. Daunting. I still think I might go there tho, having come from being a redhead, it'd be nice to quit fighting the red. Used to dye it Priscilla Presley black, back in the day, until my FIL "outed" me one day at the pool and said "young lady, that hair of yours is red, you should leave it alone." Whoops! In fairness to him, my wedding photos are bizarre, jet black hair with auburn eyebrows. My god, what was I thinking.
As to safety: both my oncs said, stay away from dark dye (ho ho, now they tell me, after 15 years of dark dye) but do whatever you want after 6 months. One of them said a phrase I love, and that I repeat to myself when I get too neurotic (which I can and do, worrying about every little thing) "Be vigilant, but don't go crazy". Words to live by. Harley, I watched everything, ate organically, exercised, and still got it again. But I had the satisfaction of thinking it wasn't anything I did, anyway. This time I am inclined to say "oh hell, I am not getting nuts about this" and taking it that way.
Rita, I get emotional as well, when I participate in events for ACS...I went around a track in a relay and sobbed all thru it. Since I like to do that in private, I have not done it again. Too emotional for me at the moment. Good for you doing this, it is wonderful that you are helping others get thru this.
I like to think this site is our way of doing that too, and the healing continues from woman to woman, passing it on....it's a wonderful thing and I am so grateful to have you gals to bounce things off, encourage, support me...
All of you, mothers or not, have a beautiful mother's day. We are all women, sisters, and whether we bring life into this world, or support life, I feel it is the same thing. Nurturing is the essence of mothering and we mother and nurture one another and others.
Happy Mom's day all!
love
annie
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Yea Annie!
Let's hope that you've completely missed the three-day attack! That would certainly be a plus and make the next one a little easier!
I walked today in the Susan G. Komen Rally for a Cure in Peoria, Illinois. You can not believe the mass of pink shirts that made that walk. It was completely overwhelming to see that many survivors in one place at one time. I will try to post a few pics this week when things mellow out around here.
In the meantime, Happy Mother's Day to all of you!!!! My family isn't coming in until next weekend so we're going to have a pretty quiet day. I think we may even work a little more on the bathroom re-do! It's about done except for the last minute things. Everyone enjoy your day!
Rita
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