thread for middle age to older Christian women.
Comments
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beaglelove - welcome.... It doesn't seem likely I would have a recurrence while on Anastrozole...This is not 100% true. You may or may not. Please get a definitive answer from doctors to put your mind at ease and if you still have questions then push the doctors to get more information for you. I was on Anastrozole for 9 years then had a scan and am now IV so I stopped taking Anastrozole. Sometimes they do stop working.
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Thank you, everyone, for the kind words. I didn't want to offend anyone.
Nancy, I'm glad your three days of prednisone are over, but hope your earache goes away. Those can be miserable. DH does have a brother, but he's neither a twin nor single. I do have another funny story, though.
My husband's mother died before we were married and his dad eventually married an old friend and I think maybe a classmate from church school. Anyway, DH has an older biological sister and three younger siblings who were adopted. His youngest sister was murdered, but his two other siblings are still living.
One time when we were visiting his dad, his wife introduced my husband and his brother as "Walt's son, Marty, and his adopted son, Jeff." Yes, she actually said that. She is a wonderful, sweet, caring woman who is just a little lacking in tact. Any, Jeff immediately said, "Marty, you and Joan were accidents! Mom and dad paid good money for the rest of us!" Way to go, Jeff, I thought. There was never any difference in the way the kids were raised, but poor Marty was a bit confused as to where babies came from. I mean, his parents would just go "pick one out" when they were ready for another one.
I'm not looking forward to the transition of this site, but hopefully it will go smoothly.
Love to all,
Carol
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Carol. it sounds like Jeff's adoption did not affect his confidence any. LOL Oh my.
I will have to go back and read Teka's post on the specifics of this BCO migration. I am not sure if we will be able to post during that time. I do remember reading that any posts I believe starting now until it is over will not be saved. So if we don't get to communicate with one another know you will be in my thoughts and prayers. I wanted to post a video clip of the Goodbye Farwell song from the Sound of Music but not happening I guess.
This one will have to do.
Hope to see you on the other end.
Love,
Nancy
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Nancy, I hope I am correct but it sounds like the basic posts will be fine during the change-over. It is more a problem for pms and anything you start as new threads and new favorites. That is the hope anyways. I am an optimist!
My DH volunteered to watch the granddaughter last night and sent my DD and I out to eat. He says I need to make memories with her... Made me cry! He goes out each week with his ham operator and volunteer groups and I only go out to drs and occasional groceries so I don't get out much.
The arm still hurts so if I don't receive a call early tomorrow I will call them. It is unusual for me to have to wait.
beaglelove, welcome to this group. I agree with the others but will pray you do well for a long time.
Blessings, Chris
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Chris, speaking of making memories, I started a new book called, "The Last Lecture." I haven't finished it, but it's written by a man with end stage pancreatic cancer. He talks about making those memories. I've been in sort of a funk lately, and I think I need to start thinking about that again and not being so self-absorbed.
I'm off to see the neurosurgeon this morning for whatever is going on at C2. Worked on taxes last night until my head almost exploded. However, I know I am blessed that we have enough income to have to pay taxes. So, suck-it-up-buttercup! (That was directed at me!)
Love and prayers to all.
Carol
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Chris, praying that your arm improves and that you can get in to see someone soon if not. I hope you and your daughter had a good time going out to eat. The older I get the more I realize that connections with others are so very important and when I was teaching at school and then at home those relationships really suffered.
Carol, let us know how things went with the neurosurgeon. I wasn't sure if we would be able to log in but so far so good. Preparing for taxes is enough to make anyone a little crazy. I had my fun with that already and so glad it is done for the year. Not my favorite time either.
After church yesterday I laid down for a nap and I couldn't sleep because I had a splitting headache that just wouldn't quit. I am better today but the earache is still there. I know I need to follow up with my doctor and I am really praying it will go away on it's own.
Take care everyone.
Love,
Nancy
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Nancy, thank you for checking on me. I saw the neurosurgeon today. He wasn't sure what was going on with my C2 vertebrae, but wants an MRI of the entire spine. He also feels like if the referral to the ortho surgeon was because of C2, then I don't need to see him. If it's because of my hip/leg issues, then I should keep my appointment with him. I will check with my MO and see what she has to say.
I'm sorry you're having headaches and earaches. Do you, by chance, have allergies? I know it's early in the season, but it was just a thought. I hope it goes away on its own, or that your doc can give you something to help.
Love to all,
Carol
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Carol, I was hoping you would not have to have another MRI but the surgeon needs a clear view and obviously he didn't have that. I was a little confused when you had mentioned the referral to both the neurosurgeon and the ortho surgeon. Hopefully you will have more clarity soon. I had to have neck surgery in 2001 and I remember seeing all the different doctors. It was good to get different opinions from several different viewpoints and in my case they all agreed that I had to have surgery and quickly. I was blind sighted when this all happened so I can certainly understand your feeling overwhelmed. I was not a cancer patient at that time so that issue was not even on my radar. I know your situation is much different than mine and I am really sorry that you are having to go through this. I am praying for the absolute best outcome for you.
Tonight I feel like I am getting sick. I just saw my allergy doctor a few weeks ago and none of these problems had surfaced until after seeing her. This is not allergies. I have had chronic problems with my sinuses and ear issues. I have a pretty busy week and was reluctant to try to even schedule an apt with my primary. I have a new contractor coming early on Wed. I could kick myself now for making that apt. I started feeling worse after making it. Cammie has her weigh in on Friday and I really don't want to be sick for that. I am debating on whether to just start the antibiotics that the urgent care doctor gave me just in case. We'll see. I know my issues are nothing compared to yours now. I am praying for peace for you as you wait on what comes next.
Love,
Nancy
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Oh, Nancy, I'm sorry you're feeling poorly. I don't like that feeling that I'm getting sick (or sicker) especially when I feel like I have too much to do. I hope you start feeling better soon.
I am a little confused, too, about the referrals to the neurosurgeon, neurologist, and ortho surgeon (not the ortho oncologist). The appointment with the ortho surgeon is with a PA. I will message my MO today and ask for clarification. I actually don't mind MRIs any more than any other test. I'm thankful not be claustrophobic. My arm is bruised where I had bloodwork, contrast dyes and infusions that past couple of weeks. It's not sore - just very colorful.
Am trying to finish up our tax stuff to get to the accountant. We were supposed to have it in by the 6th of March. Didn't happen. Oh well. I can only do so much.
Love to all,
Carol
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Carol, it sounds like the neurosurgeon is wasting no time in figuring out what's going on with the C2 vertebrae. Hopefully the MRI will provide your team with answers. I will pray for a good outcome.
Chris, I hope you and your daughter enjoyed a wonderful dinner together. Was your doctor's office able to get you scheduled for an exam?
Nancy, how are you feeling today? How is Cammie doing?
I ended up in the ER with a blood clot. It was small and caught quickly, so I feel very fortunate. I see a hematologist this week to discuss short- and long-term treatment options.
Take care, one and all.
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Hershey, that sounds scary. How did you know you had a blood clot? I'm glad it was small and caught quickly.
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Nancy, so sorry you are feeling ill. How are you today? How is Cammie doing?
Carol, praying for your MRI and appointments. Hope they figure things out quickly and you do better.
Hershey, glad you are ok. Bloodclots can be scary too.
Still no scan call for the port, but the pain is almost gone so I probably just laid on it funny. I may call and see if she still wants a scan...
It is supposed to reach 60* here today...yippee for Spring!
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Carol, thank you for asking. I had a clot in the same place while receiving IV chemo. Symptoms were nearly identical: pain, swelling, redness, and warmth. The ultrasound technician told me that they see a lot of people with blood clots, maybe due to sitting too much.
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Hershey, I am just now seeing my emails. I am so glad you were able to recognize what was happening and took some quick action. I hope you can get into the specialist soon. That must have been very scary. Did they give you something to dissolve the clot or do you have to wait to see the hematologist. Praying for no more clots.
Carol, I am glad you don't mind the MRI's. I am claustrophobic so those are still a challenge for me even though I am getting better after having so many. I hope you can get all of this in quickly. Trying to do tax prep on top of all of this is just a lot. Hopefully your tax person will cut you some slack!!!!!
Chris, so glad to hear your arm pain is about gone. Maybe you won't have to have a scan after all.
I got a text from this contractor (who has to be on my roof) today asking if I would mind changing our 9 am apt to noon tomorrow because we are having frost now. I was dancing a happy dance with that one!!!!!! I prayed about trying some old cold medicine. I have to take high blood pressure cold meds which limits the kind of things I can take. This was for cold and flu which I doubt if I have either but I had to do something. It helped with my first dose but I just took another dose and my headache is coming back. I really need to see my ENT because I am going to ask about tubes in the ears. I was told a long time ago that I might be a good candidate for that procedure. I am not feeling as bad as I was last night so I am very grateful. I have my Zoom Bible Study tonight and I really don't want to miss it even though I discovered the same series is on YouTube so I have been working a week ahead of the class but I still don't want to miss it. Tomorrow I have a very important HOA board meeting where positions will be assigned. I can't miss that either. Thankfully these are both on zoom. Cammie has her weigh in on Friday. She seems okay and has been sitting on her little pedestal watching the birds which she hasn't done for a while. So I am really praying that the steroids daily treatments are working. I am really hoping for weight gain and definitely not more weight loss. I have had to go back to regular doses of appetite stimulant which works like a miracle and she eats a lot of food but the problem in the past is her body wasn't absorbing the nutrients even though she was eating so hence the continued weight loss.
Thanks for asking about both of us.
Take care everyone. Hoping we are all ready for a fantastic spring. Chris I would love to have some 60's. Your weather seems very unpredictable more so than here.
Love,
Nancy
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Nancy, I am sorry you aren't feeling well and praying that you soon are better and your headache and ear ache disappear on their own and also for Cammie and all the other "irons in the fire". Hershey, how scary that sounds, so glad you went right to ER. Praying for your upcoming appointment also. Chris, I'm praying for your arm to be pain free and that you are able to enjoy 60 degrees! Carol, we will continue praying for your scans and a good report. My eye is much better and back to normal. I was sick last week with a sore throat and some congestion, no fever, but I did wake up one night during the week and broke out into a cold sweat when I got out of bed to use the bathroom, I thought I was going to faint, and wanted to lay down on the cold floor, but managed to get back in bed. I don't know what that was about but I did get into the clinic the next day to the on call doctor and was tested for both the virus and flu and it turned out negative. I was thankful for that and feeling better this week. Praying for each of you!
Love, Wheatfields
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it’s been a while since I’ve posted. But what is the new forum they are talking about? Where do I find it?
I pray everyone is doing well. And I do go through and pray for the ones on this thread
LoverofJesus
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Hi Wheatfields,
I'm sorry to hear you were sick last week. I'm glad you are feeling better this week. That feeling like you are going to pass out is always scary especially if you are alone. I am feeling much better. I still have been able to press on and not go back to my primary doctor like I was supposed to do. I am not completely sure my ear is back to normal but I am praying that it will heal without antibiotics. I have had a lot going on this week and no time to be sick!!
Cammie had her weigh in today. Even though she has been eating really well with the appetite stimulant I really had no idea what would happen. She is something like a little over an ounce heavier. Whew!!! I am taking that as a win. No weight loss or stable weight would have been a win in my mind so I am taking this as good news. I only got to talk to the tech as I think the vet was probably gone for the day. So I continue on a new batch of steroids with Cammie and will have another weigh in in a month. I think she is doing well so I am pleased.
Shannon, it has been a long time. How are you doing? How is your Mom doing? It is good to hear from you. The whole BCO site is going through another big change and they are working on it starting March 12 through close to the end of the month. I don't recall the exact date. Anything posted now will be gone but anything posted prior to March 12 should reappear once the new forum is up and running. That is pretty much all we know. If you received a PM during this migration period and you want to save it you will have to copy it and save it for yourself. Same as anything posted during this period as well. Hope that helps. Good to hear from you.
Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone.
Love,
Nancy
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Hi Nancy. I’m doing ok. Physically I had my last surgery in December for reconstruction. Mentally I am struggling with PTSD of all I have been through. Every person I hear that has cancer sends me into panic attacks and depression. It’s horrible. I try to shake it. But it’s been hard.
My mother went today and had a CT scan. They found. “A non calcified nodule “ on her lung the size of a grain of rice. They now want a PET scan. I’m nervous for her and know that she is 82 and would likely choose to do much of nothing. So all of this sent me back into anxiety.
I’m praying for everyone still. I just don’t post much.
Shannon
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Teka, yes I am continuing on with the steroids knowing how important they are to Cammie now. I would like to see some weight gain but stable is fine for now.
Shannon, I will certainly be praying for you and your Mom. My cancer clinic was fortunate enough to offer free social work to cancer patients. I took advantage of that when I thought my cancer had returned. It sounds like you have been dealing with this for a long time remembering back to last year. Maybe it is time to reach out for some help. There is no shame in that. My social worker was a Christian and that made me more comfortable with the whole thing.
I'll be praying.
Love,
Nancy
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teka, that's a good one!
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Teka. LOL
Happy Spring everyone. I was so happy to make it through another winter!!!
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Hi everyone.
I hope you are doing well. I have been really busy. I have a handyman here working today. So glad to have this guy even though he will be going back to Florida at the end of the summer.
I have been quite busy with HOA board responsibilities. It is taking up quite a lot of time already.
I am in the last stages of preparing for my window replacement. We are playing phone tag for setting the date for installation. After my dental apt yesterday which is quite a bit out of town I went a little farther and visited the animal hospital that will be boarding Cammie for a night while the window installation happens. They require more things than my own vet which means another test to allow her to board there. I am continuing to purge my whole house which once I think I am almost done and then I'm not.
I have my mammogram tomorrow. At the end of next week I will finally get my new computer set up over a two day period. I could have bought another computer for the cost of the Geek Squad coming to set it up. Just a word of advice. If you use the Geek Squad for these type of services if you don't buy the computer and equipment from them even though you have a membership with them you pay WAY more. I found this out the hard way.
Our Beth Moore Bible study each week has continued to be such a blessing in understanding so much of how the Old Testament foreshadows the New Testament. I have taken part in many Bible Studies but this one has been such an eye opener to understanding concepts at a much deeper level.
If you at anytime think you might want to do this study the whole series is on YouTube and you can buy the workbook from Amazon. You really need the workbook to get the meat out of the series. It is called A Woman's Heart, God's Dwelling Place. I have never worked so hard on a Bible Study before but the rewards have been life changing. Unfortunately this post will not migrate to the new forum so you may want to write this information down if you think you would ever want to study this on your own.
I know some of you are waiting on more tests and apts. Let us know how things are going.
Love,
Nancy
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Nancy and Teka, yes, I love that Spring is here and I survived through it. Princess loves her winter sweater and wants me to put it on her every morning but soon she won't need it.
Nancy, you sound real busy but that is a good thing. I know you are going to love your new windows. Thank you for the Beth Moore study information. I want to look into it feeling I need it right now and have been thinking I need a Bible Study. I am finally going to get my port evaluated on April 3rd...it took a long time to get in. It doesn't hurt much now but I still want it checked.
Have a lovely day everyone.
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Nancy, I hope the window install goes well. I didn't know that about Geek Squad. I use them but I also bought my equipment from them.
I'm in the process of signing up for Medicare. YIKES. My head hurts with all the information I have to process. I know, at least, that I'll be going with Original Medicare A&B and then getting Parts D and G. The kicker is that my Ibrance drug is going to cost me somewhere in the neighborhood of $800 a month. I think I will be staying on my husband's insurance until he retires. Apparently, I have that option of NOT using Medicare if I have another insurance. It's all confusing and I'm trying to not get stressed over it. I don't want Medicare Advantage because of all the restrictions on where I can go, referrals, etc. I have a good agent who is helping me sort out everything.
Off to the dentist today. I start PT next week for my hip.
Love to all,
Carol
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Carol, I am not a Medicare expert at all but I have learned a few things. You might check into adding MediGap to your Medicare. I think it is free. Mine covers all my copays, etc., so I am not sure what you are told. Also, Ibrance has a C0-Pay card. They will reimburse you for your co-pay. I did not have to qualify but of course this was seven years ago... You can try this link and the information looks the same... link: https://www.ibrance.com/financial-support-resources?src_code=IBRW10028851&gclid=fd683e6c6d6816ce62a15a70cbe7193a&gclsrc=3p.ds
pm me if you need to and I will try to help.
Chris
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Chris, Princess is just adorable in her sweater. One of my friends told me that when she put the sweater on her dog she said the dog acted embarrassed. That really struck me so funny. She said when the neighbor dog would see him he just acted like he didn't want to be seen in his sweater. I am glad Princess likes it. Maybe she is a fashion diva. LOL
I am sorry you have to wait so long to get into your doctor. That is the same day I see my dermatologist I have been waiting for a very long time. By the time I see her my issue may be gone but my oncologist several years ago wanted me to get checked as she was concerned about some "things" on my skin. So I will keep that apt no matter what.
I hope your port will be an easy fix if it is still an issue when you have your apt.
Regarding the Beth Moore study I will have to admit initially when I heard we were going to be studying the Tabernacle I was not thrilled and thought that sounds boring. Well was I fooled. There are some revelations that just knocked my socks off!!!! Beth is a really gifted teacher and hits home major points over and over again which as teachers we know how crucial that is. I really do think you can get a lot out of it doing it on your own. Hopefully it will stay on YouTube. You can fast forward the video and bypass the discussion part which I didn't really need as I already had that with my own group. I stay one week ahead of my class by watching the video before we watch it as a class. I get more out of it that way.
Carol, I am not going to throw a monkey wrench in your Medicare plans but you can get Medicare Advantage PPO where you can go to any doctor you choose whether in network or not. I have had that for quite a few years. I only ran into one problem with my gastroenterologist and their group did not accept our plan at all but in all the specialists I have that was the only instance. The thing that once you are on Medicare you have the choice once a year to change to other plans as you feel the need to do so. It is not one and one kind of thing. I remember my sister and I trying to keep up with my Mom's part D plan which can be ever changing on what drugs they cover and how much they will cover so that is the downside on that. With your cancer drug being so expensive hopefully you can take Chris's advice and find ways of getting around that huge price tag. Also I do think my sister stayed on her school insurance when she turned 65. She worked in the schools until she was 70 I think.
I hope your PT goes well. Let us know how those things are going.
I finally was able to schedule my windows installation today. It is not going to be until April 27 so in a way I am glad about that because it has been pretty hectic lately. I would have preferred a bit earlier but hopefully it will work out. Cammie being boarded the night before is going to all revolve around the weather so that part may be a bit tricky. I have been working towards this installation since the beginning of the year so I will be thrilled and relieved when it is over. There will be a crew of five guys and it will take one very long day more than likely. They told me 8-10 hrs.
I finally found a terrific handyman and he did a great job on rebuilding my gable vent. Maybe I can talk him into staying in Illinois. I invited him to my church and he seemed genuinely excited about that. He is a Christian and his Mom is on the HOA board with me and I figured she was. They are looking for a church. He is going to help with some upgrades in my bathroom after my windows project is finished. Maybe he could totally rebuild my house by the end of the summer. LOL
Have a good night everyone.
Love,
Nancy
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Good morning all, I have been quiet but reading posts. Things have been incredibly stressful with work. It's a physically hazardous environment at this point, with further deteriorated plumbing conditions and lots of sewer water this week. It's being remediated, but I hate being there. I'm pretty germaphobic and construction stuff like dry wall dust makes me feel sick. I'm trying to advocate for myself to improve my surroundings while keeping my position, so we'll see what happens.
:-(
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Good morning, ladies!
Chris, thank you for your comment. I have decided to stay on DH's insurance and go ahead and get the Medicare Part A. I'll see if I can get Part B if I still have his insurance. I will eventually get Part D and Part G (which I think is what they used to call MediGap). If necessary, I will call Pfizer and see what they say.
Nancy, thank you, too, for your input. If I choose traditional Medicare with the supplements, I should not need referrals to see doctors, etc. I've heard that Part D can keep you guessing with what they will cover each year. I'm just thankful that we HAVE insurance right now, even with our deductible.
I'm glad you have your window installation scheduled.
Teka, there are days when I'm happy to leave the decisions to DH! Fortunately, I can trust his judgement. (My smiley-face was supposed to go here, but it didn't copy and paste. LOL)
Gb, I'm sorry you're going through such a stressful time at work.
I hope everyone has a good weekend. It's on the chilly side here with more rain predicted for later this week.
Love to all,
Carol
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GB, I'm sorry to hear about your current situation. I have been praying for you but not specifically for that issue. I will add that to my prayers for you. I have had some experience dealing with issues like that when I was teaching and it sometimes was just dismissed and then sometimes it was an easy fix. I hope you can find a way to advocate for yourself to achieve the results you need.
Hershey, how are you doing? Have you found anything out as to the cause of your blood clot? Praying you will have no more of them.
Teka, you don't have to tell me how hard it is to find a good handyman. I could write a book. LOL It would start with the chapter where the handyman I asked to come for an estimate and claimed to be CEO of this company for two years was only 15yrs. old. That means he was CEO of this company when he was 13. He might grow up to be president.
Have a great weekend everyone.
Love,
Nancy
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GB, I am so sorry to read about the major plumbing problems at your place of work. I hope the building owner soon locates and corrects the source of the problems once and for all.
Carol, I signed up for Medicare Part A when I turned 65 and was still on my employer's medical and drug plans. When it came time to enroll in Part B one year later, a creditable coverage verification form had to be completed by my HR department and returned to me for submission to CMS. HR was slow to return the completed form to me, and that delayed the processing of my Part B and Medicare Advantage applications. Looking back, I would have been better off applying for both Part A and Part B at the same time and closer to my retirement from the company.
Nancy, your home improvement projects sound like they are running right on schedule. Yes, the story of the 15-year-old CEO certainly deserves its own chapter in your book! I have finished my anticoagulant loading dose and started my 3-month course of treatment on Friday. I see my doctor in May to discuss next steps. So far, my labs look good and my leg feels much better. Thank you for your prayers.
Wishing everyone a blessed Sunday.
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