Starting Chemo in June 2005
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The DECADRON can cause major league heartburn AS WELL as the chemo. So get help!
Now I'm confused.. I thought the decadron was supposed to help the inflammation of my GI tract? I had stopped it because of insomnia, but started again yesterday to try and curb this awful dry mucous membrane trail from my mouth to my stomach! It's so bad that I was honestly concerned that I was choking last night! My throat feels so dry it has a swollen feeling.. especially if I yawn, sneeze or cough. I hate this! I was given Protonix which does seem to help.. but now I'm not sure if the decadron is helping or hurting. -
Hi again.... I'm back from Chemo #4. I feel a little WOOZEY... but other than that I am fine. I think I'll have a decent day tomorrow and then.... all bets are off!
My Oncologist reassured me about the nail thing... said he has seen it more with Taxotere than Taxol. He didn't think I'd have any problems. He said maybe my nails might discolor a small bit or get brittle... but that's oh so tolerable compared to falling off... ya know???
He said that the biggest problem with Taxol would likely be the achiness and muscle joint pain. It's usually taken care of with some Tylenol but if I need something stronger... then I'll get it. He said infusion time would be about 3 hours and they'll premedicate with Benedryl and Decadron to ward off any allergic reactions. He said that the nausea and yuckiness associated with AC won't be the same with Taxol... but the fatigue will likely continue. The AC combo is definately more POWERFUL and TOXIC.
Was it Brenda sho mentioned the Taxol being combined with the AC? There is a treatment, TAC, that does combine them. So some people do get it all at once. However, I did read that there was a clinical trial that was stopped early do to heart toxicity when Taxotere was used at the same time as AC. I have not heard of any such issues with the TAC combo where Taxol was used. My guess is that it would be one heck of a dose of meds when you combine all the side effects. I bet it's tough to get through! I am happy with them split apart... AC was hard enough alone.
OK... I have this mole on my back... I can't remember not having it... but I don't think I was born with it! So... in my "CANCER PANICKED" state of mind, It has suddenly become and issue of worry to me. So I showed it to my 2 Oncologists today and they eased my mind. It's not changed or had any of the classic warning signs so they said that yes, it should be removed and checked, but it was not likely to be cancer and was not an URGENT matter. Phew!!!!!
So I made an appointment with a dermatologist for a FULL BODY CHECK... oh yipppeee... for NOVEMBER 16! That's the soonest they could get me in! Yikes... looks like we need more dermatologists... anyone with kids going to school to become doctors... hey, that looks like an awesome way to go! Anyway... I figure with my propensity for growing ominous cells... I better just get a complete check up. Just thought I'd share.
Let's see... chemo went fine, Dr's are all happy with my progress and Im so HAPPY to be 1/2 way done!! Woo hoo!!!
I'm kickin' cancer heiny! Yeah baby! LOL!!!
Well... gotta go make my medicine chart. It seems like I forget when I've taken my pills and when I need to take them again. I get a little confused after those middle of the night pill taking sessions so I write it down and then mark it off. It helps!
Take care ladies! XOXO -
Hi ladies. I am back from #2 yesterday after being pushed out a week for low white count. I felt absolutely terrible yesterday. More nauseous than #1 but sooo much better today. Got my Neulasta shot today. I AM HALFWAY THERE! YIPPEE!!
Question- when does the bone pain kick in and how long does it last?
I know what you mean about the smell of the ac- horrible. It makes me sick just thinking about it. I put off going so I don't have to smell it. YUCK!!
Jo- my onc said no fruits or veggies unless they were cooked or peeled. I hope you are feeling better by now! -
Thanks nosurrender!! Feeling a bit better today and whole lot better than the last two days! Still have that bothersome cough but doesn't come very frequently, should I still get it checked? I am seeing my surgeon tomorrow for my 3 month checkup, should I discuss it with her???? Thanks for the advice, it means alot!
Cathi -
I'm online! Gee what a day! I have gmail and that has been broken all day and THIS site was giving me an ERROR message and wouldn't let me on either. So I clicked "who's online" and saw you were all here. I am going to speak with Towanda about this....
First about the decadron and heartburn- yes it causes heartburn and yes it calms down your stomach. Confused? Don't shoot me- I didn't write the music!
Decadron calms down the digestive tract because that is one area where you have rapidly dividing cells, your hair and blood are the other two- all three get knocked for a loop with chemo because chemo attacks the rapidly growing cells of cancer.
If you don't take the decadron it can make it harder for the anti-nausea drugs to work because your digestive tract is all inflammed. BUT if you take the decadron on AN EMPTY STOMACH it can give you heartburn.
You have to eat a full meal with it or it will irritate the upper GI before it has a chance to do its calming and anti-inflammatory thing.
Heartburn is an upper GI occurence and decadron works from your mouth to your butt.If you take it on an empty stomach the acids will build up. Plus you will be getting a high acid content in your stomach now from the cumulative efect of the A/C- the decadron doesn't address the acid component but can add to it. That is why a good medicine like zantac or the prevacid mentioned are good choices.
I am really sorry if I was confusing you!
The ABCs of Chemo... A/C you all know is Adriamycin and Cytoxan. Cytoxan blocks the DNA from copying and reproducing. It acts in almost the same way that radiation does - freezes and then kills the cells. The Adriamycin is an anti-tumor anti- biotic. It prevents the cancer from duplicating by killing its building blocks that make it live.
The Taxanes- Taxol and Taxotere are what is called- are you ready?- Antimicrotubule agents. ( I bet you just can't wait to start taking it now!) Let's go back to the easier one and just say it comes from the bark of a yew tree ok?
Moving right along- somewhere between some nut who looked at a Yew tree and thought - Hey! I think that would make a good medicine! to its first clinical trials- the taxanes were put on the fast tract because it improved the overall survival rates and good quality of life of women who had node positive BC. So they made a cocktail for it known as
A/C+T. Which is what a lot of you are getting- start with the A/C and then go to the Taxanes.
How doctors tell them apart is A/C T means TAXOL and TAC means TAXOTERE.
And Dana you win the gold star today because YES- the study that was giving all three at the same time- A/C and T and TAC was turning out to be too toxic for women. In fact, a couple died.
The secret is in the dosing. You Dose Dense girls are getting a benefit of not having your cells be able to recover before your next treatment. The girls on longer schedules have nothing to worry about because it is the Gold Standard of care. Some doctors even believe that rather than rush through 4 at a higher dose it is better to take 8 at a lower dose. The bottom line is as long as you are actively killing cancer cells you have nothing to worry about.
But the question about who is minding the store in between the infusions is easily explained in that cells have a life span. They have to get to a certain point before all these agents can get in and destroy them. So that is why there is a lag time. You aren't in any danger- think of it as a cat waiting for its prey- he will wait until it is nice and close and ready before he anihilates it. (Unless you are MY cat and while waiting you fall asleep and wake up to find mouse grafitti spray painted all over you....)
'Roids... two words: WITCH HAZEL! Prep H can actually make them worse! This I learned the hard way...but my mother's colorectal surgeon just told her that the fish oils in Prep H can be more irritating than soothing.
But a cotton pad soaked in Witch Hazel is the most soothing thing you can do. Also, after each time you go take a little sitz bath in your tub. That eases the pain and inflammation. And finally, ask your onc for a real medicine- something with cortisone in it like Analpram. They have a funky thing called procto-foam but it is really bizaar. Picture shaking a can of whipped cream and then squirting it in your butt. I would pass on the procto-foam!
Are we all clear on the NAILS now? You girls crack me up- you lost boobs or part of them, all your hair and maybe some eyebrows and you were complete troopers but you completely dissolve at the thought of a peeling nail. Do you think Patton worried about peeling nails? I don't think so!
White coating on mouth means get difulcan. Increase yogurt intake and ask if you can take acidophilus supplements.
Heartburn- get prevacid, nexium, zantac. Also- the natural concentrate form of Pinapple called Bromelain taken on an empty stomach with heartburn raging clears it up. I found this out personally yesterday. But ask the onc first!
Individual Mouth sores- remember my secret recipe? A q-tip with Milk of Magnesia dabbed on each sore like it was a bug bite and you were using calimine lotion? It works.
For those of you whose bowels are flip flopping on what to do today- the big D ( and I don't mean Dallas) or the constipation followed by charming Hemmeroids- one word- METAMUCIL COOKIES ( Ok two words) Get yourself regular. If you have D it bulks up the stool and absorbs the excess fluid in your gut. If you have C it adds fibre and bulk so your intestines will gently and naturally work on pushing it through the system. And the cookies- two after dinner - are quite delightful.
Watermelon - if you must! But don't be surprised at the gas pains you might get! your husband wants grapes?! He can come here! I have a huge grape arbor that is driving me nuts. It attracts every racoon and bee in the tri-state area. I actually cut them off and throw them away there are so many. If I had a vat I would do a Lucy and try to stomp some ... but these are not those kind of grapes!
What did I forget?
Let me know!
Junesterettes rule! -
YES! Check everything! Ask your surgeon to have a listen to your lungs. I am very glad you are better!
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Man, I just had a very nice post and it went "poof" in cyberspace!
Anywho, Nosurrender, I wanted to thank you for all your help. I feel like a new kid in grade school and you are the "designated" kid to show us around!
I have a question? Who is Towanda??? I don't have a clue!
I get my PET scan results back today and I had to take 2 Ativan (not at the same time) to get through the night...waiting is just the worst!
I feel much better after going off Paxil...so much that I might have to go out and cut some flowers before the 100 degree temps hit!
Here's a link to my alubms where I keep pictures of my flowers....warning....I take lots of pics and I have lots of flowers!
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/shoeforyou...m/ph//my_photos MY FLOWERS -
I have a question. You ladies keep talking about all the meds you are taking by mouth - did the onc just prescribe them as a preventative, or did you have a problem and then get meds? I don't take anything except compazine the night of chemo and one the next morning. He didn't mention anything else that I might need, just said I could take more Compazine if I needed it. I've only ever needed it once more after the second day. I do take tylenol for aches after Neulasta shot, though it doesn't do nearly as good as Advil, so I usually end up taking some of that too. Oh, but I already had a script for occasional use of Trazadone for sleeping, and I have taken one every night since diagnosis. Just don't want to deal with the sleeplessness. So what else do most of you take?
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Brenda, I have only taken compazine. I was wondering about all the other things people have been taking.
Dana...Glad to hear number 4 is over. Hope today you feel at least O.K.
Scout...the pet scan will be fine. I just know it. I understand the waiting is the worst part.
Glad you are doing O.K. as the paxil leaves your system
Thankyou to all of you who looked at my pcitures. It gives me incentive to create more.
Today I will be getting rid of all fresh produce from the fridge. I don't even want to be tempted.
My stomach really let me know who is boss yesterday.
Brenda F. I wanted to say I think your agent orange analogy is a good one.
Thanks to all for the suggestions on what to do for hemorroids. I haven't had them in years and forgot how miserable they can make a person.
No surrender ...as always you are the best coach ever. Really keeping me in "the game" .
I read your posts more than once so that it really sinks in. -
About Meds... my Oncologist prescribed Zofran, Dexamethasone & Compazine. I take the Zofran & Dex every 8 hours for the first 3 days (9 pills) and can add in a Compazine anywhere in the mix every 6 hours as needed. I found that the Dex was really making my insomnia worse so I only take it during the day... not at bedtime and I really haven't had a problem with nausea. But I do try to stick as closely as possible to the every 8 hour dose of Zofran... I'm up every 2 hours at night anyway to go to the bathroom so it's not too tough. LOL!
Anyway... this is Day 2. I feel fine. I go get my Neulasta shot at 1:00. Tomorrow I will start to go downhill. I never have any pain from the shot though. I just start getting really "hungover" and tired, restless, etc. Oh well.... from all I've learned the worst is soon to be over. NO MORE AC EVER AGAIN! YIPPEEEE!!!!!
I'm thinkin of you all and hoping you're having a good day!
HUGS! -
Scout - go rent "Fried Green Tomatoes" and you will discover Towanda! It is a great movie, made from the wonderful novel "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe" by Fannie Flagg (I think I got that right). If you like to read, you may want to get the book first, and then see the movie. FUN! And I like your photos, I thought I was the only one who took pics of my flowers!
Dana, I found out I have a couple of dark spots on my scalp - good thing my hair fell out so I could discover them!! So I need for a dermatologist to check them. They are flat, but darker than freckles. And, I think I need to get a colonoscopy soon, too. I have had some bleeding, and don't know if it is from the hemmoroids or something ELSE. I relate to the paranoia that comes from our ability to grow those &*^%@ grade 3 tumor cells!!
Thanks NoSurrender for your great information, and I liked what you said about Patton!! I promise to stop thinking about my fingernails (even though they are still tender). *sigh*
I also only take Compazine the first 48 hours or so and then they gave me Ativan as a backup for nausea (but I take a half tab now and then to help me sleep). Other than that, just Tylenol for the aches. So I am also curious if anyone is taking other stuff. Someone asked about the pain from Neulasta - the next day my whole back and neck were TENDER and it hurt to lay on my back! Now and then I would get a shooting pain in my hips, but it only lasted a couple of seconds. By the 3rd day it all felt normal.
I am looking forward to less nausea from Taxol, and my onc said the fatigue was less, too. I HOPE!! I guess the aches will be worse, though. Damn those evil scientists....LOL
I hope everyone has a good day today! Love to all! -
Meds: For the day of chemo, and two days afterwards, I take Emend and Decadron. I have Ativin also, and I take it nightly-- call me a Junkie-- it helps with the insomnia. The Onc also gave me Compazine in case the above doesn't work for nausea. I've never taken it.
I love the flower pics! I live in NYC and would love to have a garden-- one day... -
Thank you Nosurrender.
It's Thursday-starting to feel like I starting to sink down the ocean. I am resting between chores.
Scout you have to read and watch Fried Green Tomatoes-I loved it even though I was only thirty something when I read it.
Dana I am jealous I wish I were closer to the end.
Got to go. Must use last of brain power to pick up 15 year old. -
I take Emmend (just one pill for 3 days straight) and Compazine....which I find I have to take for about 3 days too.
I also take Decadron for 3 days after chemo. I don't feel sick, most of the time, but sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night nausous and then I take the Compazine and maybe an ativan. I take Ambien and Ativan (I guess I'm a junky too!) to sleep at night. I was getting 3 to 4 hours per night and the dr was really worried that I wasn't getting the rest I needed. I'm sooo worried about the PET scan that I had to take two Ativan last night...ouch!
I watched the movie Fried Green T.....I guess my memory is shot!
Thanks for the compliments on my flowers....it's what keeps me going and I actually was able to go out this morning a take a lot more pics! LOL! -
Gosh! You go away for a week and you come back to 80 posts!! Whew! I'm exhausted just from all the reading (and of course I can hardly remember what I read).
Okay. Back to Towanda. I saw the movie. Twice. A long time ago. Will no one tell us what it is? Do I truly have to go rent it again?? I will if I have to, but if one of you ladies in the know would like to quietly whisper it in my ear...
I had #3 A/C last Wednesday and then left on Thursday for a two day drive to Pennsylvania. My dad drove while I slept most of the way there. Not sure what the kids did, but I know they were with us because they showed up in Penn when we got out of the van. We had a great visit with my husband and then left on Tuesday to come home. I did most of the driving home and felt really good the whole time we were gone. Had my CBC this morning and everything was pretty low. I think I overdid it. But I don't even care because it was soooo worth it. Now the kids have seen where we're going to end up living after the first of the year.
While we were in Pennsylvania we went to Philly for the day. You have to go through what looks like airport security just to see the Liberty Bell. That's fine. No problem. But when I got up there with my little pink breast cancer awareness ball cap and my not quite bald head underneath, the security guy made me take off the hat. I thought my husband was going to commit an act of violence. Was it really necessary for me to take off that hat? But I did quietly without causing a scene and the humiliation only lasted for a couple of minutes. Has that ever happened to any of you?
Anyway, it's good to be home and it's great to read what everyone is doing. Congrats to all of you who are finished with A/C and good luck to the rest of you who are still working your way through!
Jen -
Hey June Bugs,
Wow, lots of posts.
Jenster, sorry you had to doff your cap for the Liberty Bell. I guess it's just the times we live in now. I'm to the point where I'm almost ready to go outside bald. (okay, easier said than done, but it has crossed my mind)
I really like my wig though and really don't find it uncomfy.
I just had my 2nc AC! About one hour ago. Yes, I"m way behind the curve for this group, but plugging away the best I can. So far so good.
They put Kytril in my IV, then I take Zofran 'as needed' which to me means every 8 hours for a couple of days. It worked last time, so I'm repeating!
Towanda: Even though I think you ladies should read the book or at least watch the movie, because it IS great; from what I remember, Towanda is almost like an alter ego they come up with to handle the rough stuff. Towanda can kick some butt! And so can we! -
This board has been busy! Back from # 3. They put Ativan in my infusion then I have Zofran and compazine. The Zofran I take before bed (supposed to take in morning and dinner time for two days) then I take it again in the AM, dinner time and the following AM. I take the compazine at lunch and bedtime. I was told to take the Zofran and compazine whether or not I am nauseous for the two days after chemo and compazine as needed. So far this has worked well for me. I have been taking a Xanax and two Tylenol PM at bedtime...and it seems to work for sleeping. The Xanax was originally prescribed for anxiety, but I stopped needing it. When I was having trouble sleeping, decided to try it and it worked. Doc said that is okay. I take Tylenol for the aches...and if that doesn't work I take Advil...all this with the doctor's okay. Today they had trouble finding my port, but other than that it was uneventful. For some reason I was really anxious about going today. Whenever I am under stress I get very emotional. Had problems with computer programs at work that are causing big delays. Ended up in the bathroom crying. Once I got to chemo place I felt better. The Ativan makes me sleepy and I tend to doze off from time to time while there...of course then the binging starts when it's time for them to change the infusion and that wakes me up!
I think if I were running a chemo clinic I would offer a pedicure and manicure service while there....would sure help the time go by!
Liz -
Haven't been on in awhile. My second chemo knocked me on my butt. My onc raised the amount of chemo given because he felt that I tolerated the first one rather well with little side effects therefore we needed to up the amount so we could make sure all those nasty little cancer cells would be given a run for their money. It must have worked as I am now have more nausea, fatigue and my wbc started dropping steadily and I had to go in for booster shots all week. Seem to be extra tired this week but am now feeling a little more human. Another trip tomorrow to check wbc before weekend.
On meds....I went home from first chemo with 4 prescriptions. Kytril, Decadron,Compazine and Promethazine.I have used the Kytril and Decadron for first three days after chemo and the Compazine a couple of times to fill in during the day. I find that eating saltines and eatig several small meals has help stay some of the nausea.
Hair stubble sucks. I thought that perhaps by now the rest would be gone. Also getting up every two hours to go potty but as my daughter says,,,,we have to do our part ...go Towanda -
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You see, that's the thing with this disease. You start out all raw and your feelings are on the surface and you feel like you can't ever do another thing again. AFTER the surgeries, chemo and radiation???? WATCH OUT WORLD! This new chick emerges! She is strong, brave, tough and does not take sh!t from ANYONE. I like the ME now so much better than that wimpering sap I was before. I had NO IDEA this other woman was inside of me. She is great.
Remember the movie "Fried Green Tomatoes" and the amazon/warrior/take no prisoners woman they made up when they needed to be strong? Her name was Townanda? Well BC brings out the Towanda in all of us.
Your priorities change so much. What you thought was important once is not now. And you learn to see the beauty in each day. And if some idiot is causing you stress or anger out pops Towanda to let them know that you do not mess with a woman who has had BC and been through chemo- because little nonsense is no match to the victory you will have just earned!
Just remember- Towanda is waiting inside and she is ready to come out and kick some ass if necessary!
OK- I just quoted MYSELF to help with the Towanda issue. It was waaaaay back at the begining... you Junesterettes- I just realized- we are at the end of July! No wonder this thread is so deep! But I have to saw this thread IS AWESOME!
I think each and every one of you is fantastic. Here you are- scared and feeling like crap and each day you reach out to one another and offer a shoulder, a laugh, a pretty painting of a flower or a real life photo of one...I am so proud to know you! -
Quote:
I think if I were running a chemo clinic I would offer a pedicure and manicure service while there....would sure help the time go by!
Liz
Now THIS is a woman with a plan! -
NS...Well, it could be part of the Look Good Feel Better Plan...but I guess it would get awfully busy in there and the additional smells of polish and remover, etc. wouldn't add to the ambience!
Guess my sleep medication plan doesn't work real well on the first night of chemo...woke up at 3 and only able to go back to sleep until 4. Glad it's Friday!
Hugs,
Liz -
I too had AC#4 last week and it was the worst! I thought it might be just the heat, but it took me longer to feel better.
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Hi!
Wondering if anyone else is having really vivid dreams? I'm having nightmares-- someone stole by purse, my step-mother is visiting, former co-workers are being their nasty selves... strange stuff.
Also-- did any of your Oncs say anything about water weight gain and chemo? I seem to get it briefly-- one day a skirt fits, the next it doesn't kinda thing. It makes me a little nervous because my PT said that those who retain water on chemo tend to the types that develop the dreaded L word (lymphadema).
Good luck everyone! Soon we'll all be in the home stretch-- I had A/C #3 a week ago-- strange, I had the least side-effects so far. That said, I'm ready to be DONE DONE DONE!!! Know the feeling? -
Couldn't they just buff our nails? Where I go is pretty busy though and crowded-still dreaming of remaking it. Read somewhere there were TV's and Dvd's where they go. We have gray walls and counters with meds
It is Friday and I almost feel human
I am seeing a pattern here-does this mean next Friday I will hiding under my sea rock again-hope not
Best wishes my sisters
Bev -
I have also had very vivid dreams - always in color and very, very detailed. They seem long, too. Almost like a whole soap opera! It seems they always involve people I know or things I've been thinking of lately. I'm glad I'm not the only one having this experience, it was starting to worry me.
I am one of those people who tend to get puffy ankles, so I worry about the water weight gain, too. When I went to the lymphedema therapist, she had me doing deep abdominal breathing to keep the lymph fluid moving. I also have to put my hand under my armpit and gently scoop up and in toward the middle of my chest, then gently let go (don't do a circular movement, just like a "C") to get the lymph moving back to the middle...not pooling in the arm. Do this softly, the lymph is in the skin so you don't need to push on this area. Do the non-surgery side more often, she said this will teach the lymph to find new pathways where there were no nodes removed...kind of like getting onto a larger highway where the cars are more spread out, and not using the side streets that have lanes closed from construction! Also, keep the arm on the surgery side straight as much as possible to keep the lymph from being blocked. In other words, don't lay on it while it's bent, etc.
Well, I get to have another week before AC #4 and I'll tell ya, I am so happy to have the break! I am going to California to see my son and won't be back until Aug. 1. I hope everyone has smooth sailing next week! -
The dream I hate the most is the one where I am helping my husband pick out a new wife. I have had it after every chemo treatment.
Yuck!
On a funny note. ....
The hemorroids continue. I sent my mother to the pharmacy this morning and she came back with at least eight different things to try. Creams, suppositories, and pads.
My husband said "Gee, you only have one butt."
I thought that was a good one.
It is early in the day and I have already had one nap.I don't feel up to doing much. As usual I am already starting to dread next Weds.
I know, I know ...No surrender is going to tell me to stop doing this and she is right. -
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As usual I am already starting to dread next Weds.
I know, I know ...No surrender is going to tell me to stop doing this and she is right.
WHO ME? -
Regarding the Water Weight Gain- You can thank good old DECADRON!
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I usually don't have bad dreams but I had a doozy last night...actually two in a row and woke up sitting up in bed..yikes!
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I'm glad to know the rest of you are having vivid dreams. Jo, that one about your husband is awful!! I dreamed the other night that I was in a sacred Indian circle of some sort, and on it I had painted (mind you, this was about 100' in diameter) "My soul I had left here, but then I refound it." This whole circle was like dry-erase board, and I had colored the whole thing in with ornate and intricate designs. What does this mean?
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