Illinois ladies facing bc
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Hi girls -
Just checking in. Haven't had a chance to read back all the posts over the weekend. Our internet in MI wasn't working so I couldn't check up on you guys.
We had an awesome time this weekend. The weather was beautiful. Could have been a little warmer Sat/Sun but it was clear blue skies the WHOLE weekend - I heard you guys got some storms. One great thing was our first ride on our boat. I can't explain how awesome it was to ride along with the wind blowing through my hair. All last summer I was either holding my wig on or holding my hat (which was over my wig) on.
Wendy - sorry to hear about your pain. I agree with everyone else - nothing to worry about - just hope you can find some relief.
Susan - my kids have field day on Friday. It sure is a fun day. I will be there volunteering. I agree - today was a horrible day to have it. It was way too cold out there.
Looking forward to seeing everyone at Maggiano's!
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- Hi Girlz...I just can't seem to catch up...but I wanted to pop in and say HI and I am really looking forward to seeing you TOMORROW NIGHT! I am so exhausted...work, race car, gardens...etc.cripe...I really need to rethink my life...
Hope you are all well...luv ya all...
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Just a quick note to tell you all Hello! I'll see several of you tomorrow night! Just can't wait!
Everyone stay warm this evening. BRR....it's just darn cold here!
Rita
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"Enjoy life. This is not a dress rehearsal."
- Author Unknown0 -
Ok, I found the above quote and thought it was neat....so I dumped it on here.
Hope you all do have a wonderful time tomorrow.....hmmm, and that all of you will FEEL good too.
It's going to be chilly here as well. I'm doing two loads of laundry before I turn in...par for the course. I'm always behind these days and waited for Denny to get home to start anything as it would have all come out backward otherwise.
Have a great rest of the evening.
Jackie
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Morning! Sun is shining, looks so beautiful out but it was 39 at 6am. And planting flowers in earmuffs the last week in May is just so wrong.The reason they said no eye makeup is because so many eyeshadows these days (and some mascaras and pencils) contain metallic elements that I guess this can cause problems during an MRI. Heck, I can't even wear my sleep-in contacts and I know they don't have any metal in them! Whatever.......
Thanks for all your calls and e-mails and best wishes....I really think that once I added up all I did this past month....starting to use a hula-hoop at the gym everyday, lifting heavy grass bags out of the mower and then lifting said bag one-armed to dump it, carrying up 6 chairs for the deck, lifting all those hanging baskets and other flowers plus all the myriad stuff we women do everyday without doing some set routines of back exercises was what happened. I do have the usual sciatic pain this am, but no where near as bad as it was.
Pat....I always ask for a copy of whatever order they fax to the hospital in case the computer is screwed up and yep, this time the MRI will be with and without contrast so that is good. Will take longer and having the MRI at 10pm I know I will walk out in the waiting room to find Tom sound asleep. Hope he doesn't snore or drool.....
Connie...sounds like you had a wonderful weekend! Hmmmm.....I think we should all invite ourselves for a girl's weekend, right after we spend the weekend at Blackjack's. Works for me....
Karin...any planting done by your neighbors last night? All was quiet for us.
Jackie....I say that quote to myself all the time. Life is so not a dress rehearsal so go out there are have some fun!
Looking forward to seeing everybody tonight...JulieR...hope you are able to make it.
Love to all.....
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Good Morning ladies........
I'm back from Las Vegas..just got home..wanted to pop in and say hi to all. It looks like you all have been very busy..to many post to read.. It looks like there is about 14 coming today..is that right.
Remember girls to wear your party dresses lol. Off to work..will check back later. Missed you all..see you tonoc.
Blackjack
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Wendy - OMG - an MRI at 10! I have never heard of anything like that! Wow...I think they need to get more equipment! Hope you're feeling better soon. Chronic problems are SUCH A PITA (pain-in-the-as*)! I re-injured my foot this weekend! Damn...just when I thought it was healed...thinking about just having it amputated! LOL
blackjack is back! Hopefully richer!
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Hope you are all having a great day!
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Good afternoon everyone,
Just wanted to drop a quick line - I am about 50/50 on making it Maggiano's later. The tooth extraction pain isn't so bad, but the pain medication made me really sick to my stomach. Ha - that's the one thing I didn't think of!! I took it at 5am on an empty tummy (duh to me) and have been sickly ever since.
Looks like I've got about 2.5 hours to feel better if I want to make it.
If I dont' make it, I'm really sorry - and I hope it's a great evening!
Oh, my MRI results are in - Surgeon is having me come in tomorrow for another biopsy (or two). Guess I've got some other things going on in my left breast for sure, and something very small in the right. Lumpectomy is looking further & further away. Oh well... guess that news didn't help with my tummy trouble either.
Cheers to everyone - Julie
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Julie....try and come tonight, OK? If you ever needed a support group, right now is it! And sorry, so sorry, that they need to look at more areas.
I guarantee you will leave Maggiano's not cured, but with a positive outlook...wait til you meet a few of the girls...you will know that whatever you need to do, YOU CAN DO IT!!!
Hugs, honey!
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Thanks Wendy, I promise I will try my best!! I'll take a nice warm shower, maybe that will make me feel better
By the way, very interesting about the eye shadow/MRI! They didn't warn me about that... hmmm. Guess I know for the future, thanks to you.
Hugs back - julier
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Just doing a quick check-in. Sorry to get your news Julie R. Got fingers, eyes, toes, and anything else crossed and sending love and heavy duty good vibes your way.
Also of course, to Laura and Wendy....going to miss you all tonight.
Met my Rads doc. What a sweetie. He looked at me and said what a pretty wig.....I admit...it's not bad for a wig.
Looks like I will get done around the 21st of July if nothing upsets the apple cart...I wanted to be done sooner.
Right back to Carbondale on Friday to get the tattoos and a CT scan. Oh---then sometime or other we will be on the way. I'm starting to be irritated....but it's all about my patience level. You are all right...seems like I've been dealing with this stuff so long now that I want to be done NOW---now in 6 and a half long weeks.
Well, I've got to run do some other things darn it. I'll be popping in later when most of you are filling your pretty faces---hmmmm, one of these days it's gonna' be me.
Jackie
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No love, no friendship, can cross the path of our destiny without leaving some mark on it forever. - Francois Mauriac
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Ok, I'm back for a little fill in.....I assume that I will find out more on Friday as to exactly when we start though to get done around the 21st. of July would mean....very, very soon.
I guess they will fill me in on the rest of the good things ( boy did they give me a huge folder of materials to read through ) as to how I get the voucher for the Airport Inn and also how I get hooked into the ride to rads and the cafeteria. Oh details and more details. I'm not thrilled that it's all last minute sort of information. I like it well in advance so that I have it all down to the last t and know what I'm facing and about how it will all work.
No one seemed excited over all this---guess not..the cancer center is the last place I'd expect anyone to go " Oh wow ! " but then I'm looking at it all as sort of intimidating and just a little scary. I put on a brave face most of the time but inside I quake from time to time.
Well, maybe between the folder and Friday I will have lots more questions than I did today. Had to go in a lounge area and watch an 8 minute movie all about the machine and how it works etc. Interesting, but it did not stir much for questions in my mind.
The Dr. did tell me to go to Wal-Marts and get aloe vera gel and when I started the rads use it three times a day. I can do that.
Well, I need to go get something to eat so I'll check back in later.
Jackie
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Jackie:
I have never seen you so I do not know your skin tone. I burn and am so fair and I burned in rads. The aloe did nothing for me. I used other stuff and can get the names of them if you need them. If you are darker-skinned you may do just fine on aloe or less.
Wendy, yes the mri is quite late for you. It sounds like you have a husband as dear as mine as he will accompany you to your late date with the mri. I just know that this is nerve pain (disk) and not bone pain. I wish you well, sweet lady.
Buster, good thoughts as you travel to see your doctor. As you say, the lumpectomy seems further away. It sounds like you have things to talk about....and then the teeth! Like skin issues with rads, I have trouble with pain meds. I am seeing the endondist tomorrow at 2. I have vicoden (sp) ready if the tooth goes beserk before then. I do not feel well on pain meds, so I am hoping!
Good night ladies!
Susan
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Morning All! Well...our party was a great! There were 14 of us and if I do say....we are all gorgeous! We certainly do dress up the place.First off....Jackie...what can I say...another 6.5 weeks and you can't even sleep in your own bed. True...it will go fast BUT...it seems that you have been dealing with this for years, rather than months. I know a part of the problem is the VA and of course we are all lucky to have ANY insurance these days....but....well, I don't even know what I am trying to say! I just wish for you to be DONE...and get to your new normal. Gee...that doesn't make any sense! OK...I think you get it anyway.
Susan...hope you get some relief re: your tooth soon! I figured you were all done by now. Sure missed meeting you last night.
Now about last night....first thing....I am switching seats during the next get-together. Some of you I didn't really get to talk to at all!
Now to the group....
Rita, our leader....looked fantastic as always and thanks for driving all the way!
Blackjack....got home from Vegas at 3AM, went to work and still managed to look fantastic for our dinner.
JanClare...I still remember...Benchmark Atlantic, Kathy Boll...and thanks for insisting I try that Cosmo! Good thing I took 3 hours to drink it or I would still be in the parking lot, sleeping it off!
Leesa....I didn't think it was possible for you to look any cuter but you sure did last night! This girl is gorgeous! So funny...she kept lifting her wig up during the hot flashes and none of us batted an eye (well, except Julie R, but then she was the new kid on the block)
JulieR.....okay...we like you! You are so positive and funny and sweet and nice! I thought you might need us but heck, your attitude is fantastic and your upbeat personality is going to rub off on all of us! You do know that you are now stuck with us for life!
Kater....your hair is adorable! And I forgot to ask you about your car.
MaryJane, Joanne, Mich101...I finally get to meet you and I didn't really get a chance to talk to you guys in any length or detail.
Sharon..was so great to see you (I told Julie R that you flew in from Israel just to see us all...she was suitable impressed!)
Laura, JanClare...great to see you guys again...you two are quite the pair! And Laura, take care of that foot!
Pat...I still think you should wrap up those beers and give them to your daughter!
Connie....your hair is cute! And so soft! And you still have those GREAT eyebrows...you lucky girl!
OK...I think that is everybody! I got trapped last night on the way home by the train from hell on W. Bartlett Road! Didn't get home until almost 10:45! Ridiculous! DH says it happens there all the time.
Off to shower and then try and go to exercise a bit....not too much pain at all this am and I am very surprised. Figures. By the time I get the MRI, get the films to the neuro....all the pain will be gone.
Have a great day, ladies. And please post pics soonest....can't wait to see them! Tops down, fists up!
AND.....Julie R....let us know re: your bx's today...sending prayers and good vibes to you. And tell Arnold that his time on this earth is limited....VERY limited!!!! And nobody will miss him!
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Morning
Limited this a.m. and don't know if I'll get much time on the computer at work. The party/dinner sounds like it was so much fun. Arnold---Julie, who is Arnold.
Susan--I'm pretty fair so maybe I should have something else ready...or maybe ask more questions this Friday about a back-up plan. I see no point in getting fried if I don't have too.
I talked to my daughter Kate last night.....she will get the ticket for after 21st. so I'll be on my way to California shortly after I'm done. Can't wait for that.
Laura...are you back in that boot----before you could even get therapy for the mis-alignment it has already caused.
Starting to hope that I don't have one thing after the other now I'm so close and Wendy---I do know what you were trying to say. Just helping with my impatience.....I'm so close. And I keep forgetting, it is a good time to take advantage of a little exercise and rest. At home....it's still work, work, work, and then be exhausted. I can change that cycle for awhile. But....I may do Barb on Saturdays while I am home. We'll see....what I have strength for.
Well, it's short and I may be able to get back on at work ???? but glad you all had such a good time.
My top is down ( no wig ) and my fists will be up soon.
Jackie
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Good Morning Ladies....
Did we have a good time last noc..cosmo's flowing..good food..good freinds..and lots of laughter. Yup we did. Our little group continues to grow and pretty soon we need that private room.
I think I am still on Vegas time...I can't believe that I am still going on so little sleep..maybe this weekend I will catch up on it.
All the girls looked sooo hot in their party clothes....
Wendy..you should wear you party pj to your MRI...since it is at noc why not be comfy. lol
Laura..I do hope that foot gets better..how can you walk the strip in that boot of yours. lol I love the palm shirt..It looks good with my tan.. Thanks.
Rita...you good gorgeous as ever. Shopping was good for you. Did you get breakfast in bed today at the hotel. It was great to see you again.
Leesa...what can I say..you do look good girl. Thank god you didn't take your wig off ...Just flippin it is ok. lol
Pat...remodeling..dust and more dust...just think of the great bathrooms when it is all done. You may never want to leave them. lol
Janclare..you sure do love your chocolate cake..I hope you got to take some home. Do you think we had enough food and dessert. lol
Connie, Mich 101, Joanne, Maryjane, Sharon... I hope you had fun last noc..are you stuffed yet.
Kater..the new do looks so cute and spiky on you
Julie R...welcome to our chatty group. We are here for you when needed. good luck today on your tests and wishing you good results.
Hope you are enjoying those gnooches.
Well for me I am off to the shower and up north to check on the boat. If the weather stays nice out for a boat ride. yeah !!
Boating season has finally arrived...
I hope you all have a great day...will ck back later...
Remember be healthy... be happy
Blackjack
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Morning girls -
It was great to see all of you last night! What a great group!
Wow - Wendy, I even got home by 9:45. That stinks. You probably saw your neighbors just waking up!
Very tired today - had trouble getting to sleep after such a fun night.
Best of luck to you today Julie with your biopsy!
Gotta get back to work!
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Good morning ladies - Just have a few minutes before I hop in the shower & then it's off for my biopsy (or biopsies??)
Here's hoping that Arnold will be dying alone!! (For anyone who didn't hear my silly story last night - my tumor is named Arnold... has to do with the movie Kindergarten Cop... okay, I'll stop now, haha)
When I got home last night, my BF said "I can tell that you had a good time".
I told him that it was so inspiring to be with you ladies!! What a great bunch - so vibrant & alive. Anyone who thinks BC knocks a woman down hasn't met you guys. You are freakin' warriors.
And to be so warm & welcoming to someone that you don't know - it really made me feel good inside.
I admit I felt pretty awkward, maybe even a little intimidated - but you guys made me feel right at home.
I've really felt alone since my dx, but now I feel a lot less alone.
Thanks for letting me ask all of my questions, giving me straight answers, and making me feel very comfortable while doing so.
And thanks for letting me into your little family. You have done me more good than I can express (never been one to really wear my heart on my sleeve, I guess. I usually have my armor on.)
OK - must shup up now. Big giant hugs & thanks for letting me take home the gnocci!!! YUM. Love - JulieR
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Oh Julie....that's what it's all about. Not being alone and being with someone who totally understands the highs and lows of this disease.
And how quick those can come and go.
Just so glad you made it.
Jackie
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Sounds like you all hav a WONDERFUL time!!!! Sure wish I could have been there!
Julie, didn't I tell you "you may enter the room a stranger but you leave a member of the family!!" And you are NEVER alone with this group, best of all we've all "been there done that"!!
Illinois
are the BEST!!!Blackjack did you win in LV? I'm still liking the idea of a LV get together!
Laura I thought by now your foot would be better!
Wendy strange a relaxing dinner w/ "family" and your back is already on the road to recovery!! LOL (oh no now the enquirer will say you gals are miracle healers.......But they'd be RIGHT!!!LOL
Jackie a few hints from a fair skinned rad grad... I wore my sports bra inside out (no seams softer)Now I can't remember if you had a mast or lump....The rad tech said I burnt more because of the mast. DH's tee shirts under my bra & work tops. LOTS of lotion esp right after treatment and right after shower and drink lots of fluids !! If they offer hydro-gel pads TAKE THEM!! ( or I can mail you some)
Every one have a wonderful day
Here's to arnolds fast lonely demise!
PS Vampires moved bedroom furniture out to front lawn sometime over night atleast no one sleeping out there!
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Hi Ladies,
It's been a little while since I posted on this thread. Had my 1st tx yesterday. Am on AC4x then Taxotere4x, one tx every 2 weeks. Also get a Neulasta shot each time I go. It went better than I thought, only took about 90min. It was more mentally hard for me.
Feeling not bad, headaches, little tired. They told me with the 1st tx I may not have many se, will see. Will get another PET and CT scan after 4tx to see if the chemo is effecting the 2 hotspots that showed in my L chest wall on PET couple weeks ago(after surgery was done).
So far so good, hoping se stay at a minimum. Dreading the soon hair loss, hope I cope with it better than I think I will. Well 1 down and 7 tx to go.
Will try to check back in soon. Hope all of you great ladies are doing well with what is happening. This is a great site for help, support and encouragement. Have a good day!
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Becky, glad to hear from you again! Yes the first tx is the hardest, mostly the fear of the unknown.. My hair was falling out about 2 weeks after 1st tx. But some friends gave me a hat party....got some useful hats and some I wouldn't even wear in private!!LOL
But hairless in summer isn't bad, just don't get sun burnt!!!
Good luck
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Hi Becky,
Your treatments sound very much like mine....I had a/c X 4 and then Taxotere X 4. The first couple txs are not too bad....like T
dbear said, fear of the un-known seems to cause more problems than anything else. I had 3 weeks between my txs, and as well did not get Nuelasta. I had Nupogen shots---five of them, starting the day after every tx which I gave to myself.Un-fortunately the hair does go, but mine started coming back in before I was all done with my Taxotere txs and I have about an inch and half already I think...hard to tell because I still see plenty of scalp.
You can see if your local hospital or cancer center schedules Look Good-Feel Better seminars, and if so get signed up for one. They will teach you how to use make-up for your condition ( you will lose other body hair on Taxotere--like eyebrows ) and this is a very good class. So helpful, and they give you a free make-up kit ( about $200.00 worth of make up in each one---as well, they have wigs which you can try one and if you find one you like, keep it for free. That's where I got my wig. It's a Raquel Welch wig and just yesterday ( cancer center where I am to get my rads txs ) the new rads Dr. out of the clear blue just said "that is sure a pretty wig you have on ". I'm mainly saying that just because they are free, there is quality there and you could find something ( oh, lucky me ) that is really you.
We are not kidding anyone much....a wig, is a wig, is a wig. And I'm always aware when I have it on, but you can look and THEREFORE FEEL very presentable to the world at large. You can go on the Internet and get names of companies that sell them, and you may live close to a sales outlet where you can just go into the shop.
I ended up with a wig that matched my hair color fairly close and was short like my hair. Also, there is a difference in how much hair is in a wig....the one I have does not have so much hair and is cooler to wear.....and seems more like my hair as I had thin, fine hair.
The good news is most people say their hair tends to come in thick most of the time and often curly...so we have something to look forward too. So far, mine is neither, but it's way too soon to tell.
Just hang in there Becky.
We are all here to help if we can and offer encouragement.Karin...hmmm-guess I need to get a sports bra. Do they close in front or back--pull-over or what. I'm game. Thought about those cami-tops I heard someone mentioned but not sure I'd look too good and it may be really cool. Can't tell what the drat weather is going to do lately. Forgot..I had the lumpectomy so maybe I won't get too toasty. I'll try and remember to ask if they have gel packs just in case. I'll be writing questions down tonight to take with me. Going to be early in the a.m. No time for breakfast--only coffee, feed the animals and then high-tail it. Have to be there at 9 a.m. Good thing though--they gave me a card for the dash of my car that allows me a parking space ( somewhat limited lot ) by the front door.
BTW...love your women graphics.
Talk to ya'll later.
Jackie
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Jackie I tried cami-top but seams & lace ect bothered my rad area. That's why I turn tops inside out!
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Jackie...go to Bergners, Macy's, Von Maur or any other big department store in your area and buy a CuddleDuds camisole or undershirt-like top. They are so soft. I lived in mine during rads. In fact I washed it so much that I couldn't read the brand name and had to ask one of my bc friends what brand I had so I could purchase one for WAM. They are under $20 depending on the style and it was the best money that I ever spent.
We're back....had a wonderful time last night. I'll see if I can get some pictures posted here soon. What a wonderful group of gals!
I wish I would have been able to talk to more of you.
Welcome back, Becky! Post often and let us know how these treatments go. I'm sending good vibes your way for few or NO side effects.
Rita
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Hello again everyone (now you will never get rid of me
)Back from doc, she decided against another biopsy. Apparently "Arnold" is a bigger tumor than we thought, per the MRI (3cm) so just a lump/rads is out. I've got a couple of options (chemo then lumpectomy/rads, or mast then chemo/rads, or possible double mast w/chemo/rads, they want to check for the gene... etc) - not sure which road to take, I'm overwhelmed confused.
I'd love to hear your opinions, if you'd like to share them.
Has anyone here refused certain types of treatments ?
2nd opinion lined up for Tues, so we'll see what happens.
Wendy - good luck with the MRI tonight. Don't forget your teddy bear & jammies.And Connie - I'm going to nickname you Danica Patrick. How did you get home so quickly? Zooooooom... lol
Time to go warm up that leftover gnocci. Hugs, Julie
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What a wonderful time we had last night! Just think, without bc I never would have met you all, and I'd be missing something really unbelievable. That is the bonding and sharing that goes on among this fantastic group!
Thank you so much Blackjack, for organizing the evening for us. There were so many it was diifficult to talk to everyone, but I'm sure everyone had fun.
Julie...I'm sorry that you have so much to think about regarding your tx. It is such a personal decision sometimes, and it can be daunting. You are very good at getting down to the important facts, and I'm sure you will come to the right decision for you. Maybe others who have had the same options will come on and share their experiences with you. I was so glad to meet you, and I know you'll enjoy the gnocci tonight!
Wendy...I'll be thinking about you tonight. Can't get the image of your sleeping, drooling hubby out of my mind. Sheesh...I would have slept through my MRI if they had done it at 10PM. They sure are getting their money's worth out of that machine!
Laura...Sorry your foot problems are still with you. You aren't letting it get you down though. Still doing everything as always, just with the boot on. You rock!
Rita...Your bathroom materials are just beautiful. You are going to have one elegant bath soon. Do you have an onc visit coming up soon? I thought you did, but it could just be my poor brain.
I'll come back later, I hear some one yelling for me. Or should I say bellowing for me? Good grief!
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Hi Smerf
Thanks for your kind words. (didn't I say I was getting off the PC? this place is addicting).
-JulieR
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