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Comments
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Carynn, I agree with Hillary, you need to call your onc with a temp of 101!!
Karen0 -
Carynn, Please call your oncologist. That was one thing mine stresses every time I see him. If I get a fever of 101 or over to call him immediately.
Piper0 -
Guys, I am fine! Really! Fever has broken, and I'm left with plain old cold/virus symptoms. I will be calling the Onc Monday morning (sooner if fever returns). We've all been just letting this run its course, but now that its been a month and wants to get worse, I'll be calling for something to kick it. I do appreicate everyone's concern. I'm still curious tho if they give antibiotics during chemo. I know from having RA that sometimes if you're really sick, they stop all the arthritis drugs during antibiotics so I was curious if chemo tx was the same.
I'm being good. Really!0 -
When I had my sinus and portacath infections I was on two different antibiotics. Did have chemo delayed too. Glad you are feeling better. Ugh I am doing everything but cleaning the house, which is what I should be doing. The joys of being a single mother! Karen
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Good morning all!
Aside from a cough and a slight shakiness from the steroids, I'm actually feeling OK today (day 5 after AC). I think that the anti-depressants are really working and the newest one really does help with the nausea. I hope all my fellow cruisers from last week are also doing OK ... learning how to handle the side effects!
Caryn -- We will be on your case about the fever!
Marsha -- Hope you win!
Jen and Piper -- Love your wig/hair stories ...
Sammiekay -- I've had that wierd nasal stuff after AC1 and AC2, but not AC3. It hasn't been that bad, so I've ignored it.
Melanie -- Have a sip of wine for me. I love wine, but it's about the last thing I want to have right now! And no, my nose doesn't twitch. Can you do any magic with yours?
I just phoned a neighbor I didn't know very well. I had heard through the grapevine that she had bc. Turns out she's an 11 year survivor! She was diagnosed with er- (they didn't do her2 back then) and one positive node. She did mastectomy and AC treatment. Her youngest daughter was my son's age at the time. When the weather gets better, we'll try to take some walks together. Also, we might go to a "Living Beyond Breast Cancer" conference together. Talking to her has really lifted my spirits that there will be life after this!
Hope everyone enjoys the weekend ...
-- Hillary0 -
Sammy Kay -- I have incredibly congested sinuses and sometimes small amounts of blood, especially in the AM. I think I had a low-grade sinus infection before I started chemo though and it just seems to be hanging in there. No fever, like Carryn though, thankfully. I wake up some mornings and I feel like somebody is driving a spike up my nostrils...my sinuses....argh. I felt so good yesterday, went to the mall with my husband and spent some money on work clothing that I don't need. Walked out of the store and suddenly had a splitting headache and sinus ache...had to sit down for it to pass. A few tylenol later, I was back to feeling pretty good. I was so testy last night...the rambunctious teenagers were making me crazy. I climbed into bed, with a couple ativan under my belt and slept for 12 hours. Now I just feel groggy and dull. No nausea, thankfully...I really feel for those of you who have to suffer with the nausea. I read somewhere that women who were 'chronic' drinkers and/or who did not suffer from morning sickness while pregnant are less likely to suffer from the nauseating side effects of chemo...I won't say which category I fall into but let's say I could hold my own with the boys (grin). I just never knew what I was practicing for.
Hope you all have as good a weekend as can be expected. I'm looking forward to climbing slowly out of this trough and building back up toward feeling good next week. Then I'll get whacked again on the 29th.
Hugs all around.0 -
Carynn; I have been on antibiotics twice. The first time was a few days after 1st tx for a sinus infection. I knew it was an infection because of the "gunk". I was on a ZPak. I just got off of antibiotics Monday for the Phlebitis. This time was 7 days of Cephlex. I was running a fever Thurs night...100.9 and DH wanted to call the onc. I took some tylenol and it broke it quickly. I have a sore throat, but around here at this time of year I always get an allergy attack and I know the symptoms well.
Sammie; I have a little blood in my nose the day after tx, but it then subsides.
Darn...nose is twitching again...
Oh well, going into my office this morning and do a couple of hours of work.
Have a great day everyone!0 -
Carynn, so sorry to read you are under the weather. After chemo#1 I got a cold (temperature did not go over 99.6, but felt crappy all the way until chemo#2). A tip that I find helpful is to make a whole pot of thyme tea (I boil a good quart of water with 3 full teaspoons of the dried, organic, thyme you can find in health food stores, it's just the leaves. Let it stand for a while). Of course if you have fresh thyme in your garden, even better... It's supposed to be a natural lung disinfectant... The taste is not great, but you can add some honey in it. Personnally I like it and have been drinking a lot of that stuff. The onc said we could use over the counter cold medecine, but I don't like these things (bad for our kidneys) and a cold has to follow its course (8 days usually). Alium Cepa (homeopathic pellets), which is plain onion, is helpful, too (try a raw red onion, you'll see your nose clear fast... people around you too... for that matter... a nice slice of rye bred with butter and thin slices of raw onion, with a dash of salt... hm... I learnt that in the Soviet Union, when food choices were not at their best...)
Rub some vick at the base of your neck... the vapor helps breathing. Lots of rest and fluid is your best bet as you already know... and good movies help alleviate the symptoms, no kidding...
Wishing you to get better soon.
Big hugs,
CatherineH0 -
SammieKay, after chemo#2, because of the cytoxan I believe, I had 2 weeks of runny nose and sinus issues (congested, some bloody yuky stuff non-stop, sensitivity in my upper teeth when I walked), and it stopped with chemo#3... go figure... but this was no infection, no fever... I use Ocean Spray, it makes my nose more comfortable. The itchy red watery eyes are better, too, with no explanation...
Hope it will stop soon for you too... I also use a calendula+vaseline homeopathic ointment (Homeoplasmine) which is for all kinds of bobos, you put just a tiny bit in your nose and it is a good decongestant plus help with the irritation. I do not know whether it is sold here... it's dirt cheap and can't live without it.
Well, I hope the week-end will be a good healing time.
Take care,
Catherine0 -
Hi everyone,
Sign me up for Tuesday, AC#4 - 50% done - Yeah!!!.
Hillary - I was so happy to keep my eyebrows during the A/C treatments thinking that was when you would lose them. Your post said that you read that it's actually after the first Taxol tx? How disappointing. Did you happen to read what % of people?
Hope everyone has a good, restful weekend,
Linnie0 -
Mon -
Tue - SammieKay, Melanie, Jen, Linnie
Wed - Tropicmom, Karen
Thu - Carynn, Piper
Fri -0 -
Catherine; Can I just say OMG...one of my vivid memories of my grandmother was her sitting at the table, meticulously spreading butter on her bread, chopping her onions "just right"...for her favorite sandwich. No one ever ever asked her to share! I am just so surprised that someone else is familiar with the sandwich.
Twink; I am also not experiencing the nausea and hopefully I won't. I get tipsy after 2 drinks, but I never had any morning sickness...so there could be something to the theory.
Love the idea of fundraising playing hold'em. When we go to a casino, I head to the poker room!0 -
See, Melanie, that's what I would call a Proustian moment (Proust's memories of his beloved grand-mother would spring from dipping a "madeleine" -- small soft cake -- in his tea, and he wrote unforgettable pages about this that made it a figure of speech). Where was your grand-mother from? These "fine recipies" are known of people who did not live with Whole Foods next door like I do now (:))... and yet, I still like my bread and butter + onion and salt (and a peppermint gum afterwards...).
I hope this did not bring too much nostalgia in your heart.
I am glad to report that this Saturday was the best ever since first tx... still no queazyness... I added fresh mango to my diet (in yogurt)... I am just neezing again... hopefully just the sun and spring in the air...
Hugs,
Catherine0 -
Twink, Your theory may be correct. I am afraid I fall in to the category of morning sickness. Puked everyday for nine months through both pregnancies! And then I am lost after one drink!!!
Wow, I thought the sinus congestion and drainage was something weird about me and was going to ask Wed. Maybe it is a common SE. I feel as if I am drowning sometimes.
karen
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Another unmentioned SE? I have noticed this last couple of days that my hands, especially finger joints and knuckles are much more brown, a little bit like nicotine (on heavy smokers' fingers, not mine)... could this be just sun exposure? Did anybody noticed skin color changes at base of fingernails, too, after chemo#3 (AC)...
Well, probably not the worst part of all this... won't lose sleep over it, you shouldn't either...
Wishing you all well deserved sleep...
Big hugs,
CatherineH0 -
Linnie, I have finished 5 doses of Taxol. I still have eyelashes, eyebrows and pb hair. Hair on legs has slowed down but still have stubble after shaving about one week ago. I did lose alot of the hair on my head, however, I had it buzzed about a quarter of an inch and it is still there, sparse and gray, but some hair. Go figure. I don't know if it is an individual thing. I figure when I start a/c in May, that will be the end of all hair. Just don't know because some of you a/c girls still have lashes and brows. Sammie Kay
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Catherine, You reminded me....the lady at the nursery mentioned she had lost a child to brain cancer and that while he was on chemo they cautioned her about sensitivity to the sun. No one has mentioned that at the oncologist office and I had forgotten. Many antibiotics have photosensitivity as a SE.
Oh Lord, I had such bad morning sickness. Yikes! Not a good sign for me with four doses of a/c to go after the Taxol. Just realized this week will be halfway through the 12 doses of Taxol.
Caryn, hope you are feelig better. Take care of yourself.
Marsha, have fun playing poker. Hope you win.
Hope everyone is having a good weekend. The Tarheels have just beaten Michigan State. Go UNC. I have been watching NCAA basketball. Also, watched the movie Madame Curie this afternoon. Classic black and white with Greer Garson. I was real interested. We can thank her for radiation therapy. What a woman and what a story. We really enjoyed it.
Hugs to all. Love you all, Sammie Kay0 -
SammieKay, regarding Marie Curie: I learnt last Fall (as my dad was visiting from France and I took him to mining towns around Denver) that she came in person to Colorado to pick the radium she needed... pretty gutsy for a woman in those days...
Sleep well, hope the nausea goes away...
CatherineH0 -
Hey all . Been a pretty rough week here .started getting a fever on tues and it finally hit 101 and I called the doc .another trip to the med shop for antiboitics. Along with the fever was the terrible headache. I had my appointment for #2 ac on Friday, but the dang little white blood cells were under age and they kicked me out of the bar. Had a G shot followed up by one this morning and one tomorrow morning (another 2 trips to the hospital Monday I go back to the bar to have #2 hopefully that is if those juvenile delinquent wcbs have grown up to be responsible hard working adults!!! Then Neulasta on tues.
Since receiving the shots I feel really good. The nurse told me the best way to keep the pain down is to walk for a while right after the shot. Oh goodie ..that must mean a little shopping. We walked around the mall checking out all the spring things. I picked up a couple pastel shirts as I am so tired of my winter colors.
My hair is falling out like crazy .Tomorrow is buzz day, as one side is almost gone and the other is all there.
For those who are still facing the hair loss ..when the old bean starts to hurt and feel prickly,,,,dont use shampoo just cream rinse. This works amazing and takes away the sting. I rub it in and let it sit for a couple of minutes
Hillary- try drinking the capri sun or hi-c drinks over lots of ice. Some days they are too sweet so I mix with equal amount of water. Also I mix 1/3 can frozen strawberry daquiri mix(non alcoholic) found in the frozen juice case with a can of frozen lemonade and 5 cans of water. I always use dasani water because it doesnt have city water taste.
Netflix is really a life saver we have a distribution center in our town so turn around is like one day most of the time.
Hugs to all this week and have a sunshine day!
Patti (Maisy)0 -
Good morning all! Thought I better check in and let you know that the fever seems to be gone. It's been so frustrating! I would be sailing thru if not trying to fight off this damn virus for the last month. And yes, Onc is aware; just thinks its taking longer to run its course due to the drugs. It's an ok trade off tho, I want to stay on track with the chemo, so on we go.
Hillary - isnt it amazing the conversations we have and the people we meet, that never would have happend but for our dx?! I had an hour long talk with my neighbor two houses down when she heard of my dx. She had a lumpectomy and chemo/rads 2 years ago. I had no idea and waved at her frequently when she walked by. She wore a wig on her walks and I didnt have a clue!
Twink - had to smile at your post. Once I was dx with RA, the drugs I have to take are very toxic to the liver, so I'm limited as to how much I can drink. I too held my own with the boys for many years and yes, thankfully all that practice paid off! Hope your sinus infection is better today.
Catherine - Thanks so much for the tips. You listed many that I will definately try. But as for the onion sandwich, lets just say I stuck with banana bread, tea, and lots of liquids yesterday!
Linnie - I've been reading so much about Taxol, I'm not sure what to believe! I've read several times that many people start to regain their hair on Taxol, only to have it all, including eyelashes and eyebrows fall out when tx is completed. I hear that many people lose thier finger and or toenails as well. On the plus side, I continually hear that its easier tolerated than A/C and with virtually no nausea. I firmly believe anything that slays the beast is a good thing, but man, what indignities!
Melanie - another poker player! Do you play online at all? With the new legislation we only play freerolls and do not make deposits or withdrawls, but still enjoy the game. DH is a member of the Elks Lodge here. They also have a Texas Hold em tourney each month. It's just for prizes and bragging rights. It's a tough game as there's lots and lots of beginers (a great place to learn), sprinkled in with a few pretty darn good players. It's a fun night.
Sammie - I still have eyelashes (they have thinned) and eyebrows. Being a blond and very fair, I look tired without mascara. It's gonna be weird when they go. I wear contacts and I dont think I'll mess with the false eyelashes. Have worn them at Halloween and it's tough enough to keep the glue out of your eyes even when sticking them to your own eyelashes. Sigh... I do hear that eyebrows and eyelashes come back really fast tho. And Catherine, I agree with Sammie - almost all my meds say to limit your sun exposure. I had the same issue with my RA drugs. You need to use a really good sunscreen all the time.
Patti - Let us know how "buzz day" goes. I had DH do mine and we actually had fun. Wasnt traumatic at all, pretty anti-climatic in fact. I've found that while I do wear my wigs to work, and scarves to the store, around the house, its au naturel. I've had 3 different friends come by unexpectedly, and I surprised myself by not running for a scarf.
I will bump up the bar list for next week. If I've missed anyone, please let me know. Race day for us, (go Robby!) but enjoy your Sunday all. 0 -
I have had so much energy this weekend. Hopefully that means my blood counts are going to be up on thursday so i can visit the bar. Hubby is concerned that I am overdoing it but I keep telling him when I get tired I will rest. While I don't like the idea of having lost my hair I am making the most of it. I had a bad hair day today, sorry I took so long I had to wash my hair. They just look and don't know if it requires a comment or not. Actually I am having fun with this.
Piper0 -
Good Morning friends,
It has been a long week for me. Tired and queasy all the time...I also think the morning sickness theory is correct. This is how I felt the entire nine months...all four times. So I guess I can do it one more time.
SammieKay...I thought I was crazy. After my 1st treatment my nose bled especially in the morning. Like bloody mucous. Supsided in about a week and a half. Then started again after the next treatment. My DH bought an air purifier and a humidifier. Since we heat with a woodburner he thought the air was too dry. But it hasn't helped. Because I am on carboplatin and taxotere and not AC, I just thought it was me....must be the chemo though.
My hair is getting much thinner...no bald spots yet though. If I hadn't had such really thick hair I would be wearing the wig by now. So far I haven't buzzed yet. But lots of hair in the drain daily. Just taking the wait & see stance.
Carynn and Piper...sorry I won't be at the Bar again this week with you. Leaving Friday for my daughter's dance competition about 2 hours away. So will enjoy the weekend with her, my mom and the other dance moms. We always have a good time. So I will be DD on the opposite Thursday starting the 29th....but will still hold your hands this Thursday and think about you....hope all goes well.
We got that Noreaster here....about 10 inches of snow at our house in the mountains...but it is sunny & beautiful, but windy today. The sunshine makes me feel better.
Need to get something to eat...then I will be queasy...so I try to get some things started while my tummy is empty. That is when I feel good.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday....hugs to all.0 -
Piper; So funny...can I borrow your "hair" comments? My friends would get a good laugh.
Carynn; I used to play freeroll online...built up a big account, but I haven't played in months. We are 3 hours from Tunica and go there a couple of times a year and we went to Vegas the weekend before my mastectomy where I played hold'em. I wanted to have one last "hoorah" with the boobies. I normally never wore low cut blouses, but I bought some for Vegas...and I have the pictures to prove it! I just have to ask how you became a Robby Gordon fan. We are having a debate over my going to the Texas race in April. I may ask to put #4 off a week, as much as I hate to, so that I will feel up to the race. We have owned a condo at the speedway...always have a high, front row view... since its inception and entertain as many as 30 people during the race weekends. So, I feel like I need to be there. I know my DH could handle it, but I want to be there!
Catherine; My grandmother was Irish, grandfather 1/2 Cherokee Indian. There was such an interesting mix of "looks" in my family. They had 10 children and there were those that were black haired with strong noses and jawlines and then there were the blondes with delicate features. The nostalgia was very welcomed as I loved her so much. I lived with them many times through the years and they are in my thoughts often. She was raised in Illinois and moved here to Arkansas when she married my grandfather.0 -
I had #3 AC on 3/15/07, had to get a shot of neulasta beforehand cuz white count only 2.0 (first time low). They gave me the choice to hold the tx for 1 week or take the shot and go ahead with it, so I opted for the shot since I was mentally ready to get chemo. As usual the infusions went uneventful. The next day I feel really well with very little side effects. Yesterday -Saturday- started out pretty good and I started doing a little puttering around the yard. As the day wore on, I started to feel really headachy, nauseated, TIRED, and just blah. And this is with taking the nausea meds on schedule. This morning I still have a headache, nausea and fatigue. No fever, no aches or pain, just feel like heck. I took the kytril and tylenol but it looks like today will be a bust. Ugh.
Pat0 -
Melanie - if I tell you my Robby story can I come to TX with you?? (Just kidding) We are season ticket holders here in Phoenix and go to both races every year. There are 10+ couples with 5th wheels or rvs and we camp the whole week. The race here is April 21st, and we just sold our tickets last weekend.
I'm soooo bummed. We werent sure if I'd feel up to it and the Onc kind scared DH about me sitting in bleachers with 100,000 people and no immune system. So, I'm already waiting for November.
Ok - the infamous Robby story - I should have probably PM'd this to you, so girls, if you're not race fans, just skip this post!
DH is a retired Police Officer. PO's are often hired by private groups to provide security. Many, many years ago he was hired by Ford Motor Company for an event they were doing here. They liked him so much, they continued to hire him each time they came to town. About 15 years ago (or more) one of the Board of Directors at Ford decided he wanted to become a race car driver. He came to Phoenix to go to Bondurant (famous race school) and to put a team together. He hired DH as a bit of jack of all trades cuz he needed someone who knew the area. While putting together the race team, he also hired a then off road driver named Robby Gordon. He got a hold of DH and said Robby needed an FAA physical and the results faxed to race officials in less than 48 hours in order to be able to drive the race. Well, that alone is next to impossible, but I work for an airline. I put DH in touch with our Chief Pilot and between the two of them they found a place that could accomodate the request. So, DH goes to the track to pick up Robby and his first words to DH were "can I drive?" It cracked us up and we became instant fans. Shortly thereafter, Robby went to IndyCar and we've been following him ever since. In fact, I was a race snob and only watched open wheel racing until Robby made the switch. Now DH and I are both hooked.
We've kept in touch over the years and while if you asked him if he knew us by name, I'm sure he'd say no, but we see him twice a year and he knows who we are. If you dont already know, he is the nicest most down to earth, most generous with his time of any driver I have ever met.
So there you have it. Now, please tell me you're not a 24 fan!!
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Pat; I am so sorry that you feel so horrible. I wish I had some answers. I know you have read all the hints here about nausea and I hope you find something that at least helps a little. The Neulasta shot has worked really well for me. I feel bad for about 5 days after tx and then most days I feel great, so hopefully the shot will help you to cope better!
Carynn; I love the story. NO WAY...I am not a 24 fan! Anyone that is, usually has a pretty rough go of it at our place. I have not ever met Robby, but most of these guys are just like you and me. Last spring's race, our friends were in the infield (I get 10 pit passes, but I am the usually the only one that has a "garage" pass) and they made friends with a young lady whose brother was a pit crew member of Robby's. She came up to the condo to watch Saturday and Sunday's race. I felt bad for her when Schrader (he almost always comes to the condo to watch Sat. race) was introduced to her, and when told her brother was a crew member for Gordon, he says "I'm sorry". I hit him! Mark comes up and hangs out with us when he has the chance...not often. My husband raced dirt late models, so he got to know Schrader through that. Mark is really good friends with another friend of ours and that is how we got acquainted with him. They are both very down to earth. It would be fun if some of us here could get together at our condo eventually. Dallas obviously has some great restaurants and shopping. Something to think about...0 -
Pat, had #3 on Wednesday and by Friday I felt just like you. Saturday still a little "under the weather" feel and today doing fine. Very weird to wake up almost back to normal. So hang in there, tommorrow you should be good to go.
Piper, my my you are a funny girl. I'm an actor so never ask if I can borrow material. Thanks for the new laugh lines!
Melanie and Carynn, even I know not to root for Jeff Gordon! My friend Greg played Darrell Waltrip in the ESPN Movie "3", working with Barry Pepper as Dale Earnhardt (sp?). He had a blast on the set with all the cars/tracks etc.
Terry, you will be on schedule with me, I'll go on Mar 28 and put your bar order in for you. WOW all that snow and cold. Florida today is 75 sunny, not a cloud in the sky , slight breeze. Sunshine makes me feel better too.
Twink, handling the naseau like the old pro that I am, if you know what I mean.
Terri, any excuse to shop girlfriend! Now you know to go out and treat yourself after each treatment cause it is GOOD for you. LOL
Sammie Kay, can't hardly stand to come online and miss the games. Kentucky is on next (go wildcats) and Florida is on now (boo gators).
Gonna run watch the games....be back before bed (wow 4 b words) Marsha
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OK -- How did I manage to get Caryn's cold when she's in Arizona and I'm in Philly. Seriously, the coughing has gotten bad, but I've got no serious fever and not a lot of yellow gunk (sorry for graphics)! I'm just hanging on, driving poor dh crazy with my hacking.
On the matter of nausea, morning sickness, and alcohol -- I'm a split decision, like Melanie. I had very little morning sickness, but can't hold my alcohol, and have been having nausea that is only controllable with mega-drugs and careful eating.
The one thing that has become obvious with this group is that I'll never drink and play cards at any get together. You ladies would have me under the table (yes, you Twink and Marsha) with all of my money!
Melanie -- I'm waiting to hear what magic your twitching nose produces!
Catherine -- I, too, will pass on the onion sandwiches!
VAGirl -- good to hear from you. All I know is what I've read -- eyebrows and eyelashes seem to come out at the end of taxol, but grow back quickly.
Sammiekay -- you're right about sun-sensitivity. We should all be very careful in the sun after chemo. Those of us following on with rads, even more so.
Maisy -- Sorry to hear about your fever. I've tried drinking diluted juice, but even that gets too me. Also, too much sugar!
Piper -- Wish I had half your energy!
Pat -- I know how you feel!
Terry -- Looks like you'll be joining my week at the bar. Enjoy your dd dance competition!
-- Hillary0 -
Ok, felt like carp all day until 5pm when the headache is pounding in my temples. I've taken tylenol ES and no help. So I take Excedrin Migraine x2 tabs and in 1 hour I'm off the sofa feeling not 100 but say 90% normal. I don't know if it was the excedrin or just that it was time for this to go away. But I'll take it again if I have to!
And Catherine, about the skin color....my hands are alot darker that what they usually are and it was a friend who pointed it out. Also, at the base of both thumbnails and big toenails, it is black. My nurse said it's very common and nails may or may not lift/fall off. Isn't it something what our bodies are going thru??
Pat0 -
Laughing at Hillary...imagining Marsha and I and Carryn drinking you under the table. That might be something to look forward to Hillary. We could have a party in the Poconos....
Catherine, I read about skin darkening as a SE of chemo. I haven't experienced it (yet) myself.
Appears the morning sickness theory may be holding up to the test here. I had a pretty good day overall, a little house cleaning, a little lounging about...
Best to all of you who are up to the bar this week.0
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