Nico 2/3: New Thread (see link)

Discussion in 'Prozinc / PZI' started by Emily Tuomey, Jan 30, 2021.

  1. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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    Last edited: Jan 30, 2021
  2. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

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    Just caught myself up on the thread from last night, where Nico dropped too darn low.

    For future reference, when your cat has dropped into the 40's, you want to see the numbers stay above 90 mg/dL, for at least 2 hours past the time you stopped feeding him.
    That is because the BG numbers can go back down. That is also because the food/gravy/honey or syrup can wear off and the BG levels could drop again.

    Yes, Nico sure DID earn that reduction.
    Bouncing now, but after that scary night, where you had to keep feeding and testing him, plus him getting high carb dry treats and some HC gravy food, it's no surprise that Nico is bouncing today.

    Next time, please post a new reply. When one of us is following your thread, it takes us to the last unread post. If you go back and edit a previous reply, we may not see that change and miss something important. That would have been very important last night, for us to see all the new information.
     
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  3. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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    Apologies if anything got lost— it seems it’s a fine, fine line between providing the necessary updates and resulting in too many responses to scroll through. One day I’ll find the balance. Today is okay. He seems a bit all over the place; I wish I would’ve retested at +6 because in hindsight it was a strange low. It might have been a faulty strip, but now it’s much too late to be sure, as we are nearing +9 for him. I did test twice at +8 to be sure that test was right. Middle of the road in the 200s. I can’t complain. We shall see what tonight brings! :coffee::coffee:

    AMPS: 407
    +4: 377
    +6: 52
    +8: 217
     
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  4. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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    He did eat a little bit ago, so between the +6 and +8 (nearer to the +8), so numbers may also be a little food influenced? Nothing special, just his usual. Idk.. Throwing it out there.
     
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  5. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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    @Deb & Wink @Shelley & Jess @JanetNJ Nico’s PMPS was 198. Which I normally wouldn’t fret over, but he was acting pretty lethargic — not even the sound of food brought him to lift his head — and he had that look in his eye. I thought he would be much, much higher, because those are generally how he is when he’s running 450+. He’s also a bit food avoidant tonight. A few bites, but not much. Shoot anyway? Or, wait a bit and see if he comes around more? Clearly any tests will be mildly food influenced now though. Just not sure because his number seems fine..
     
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  6. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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    Currently opened a new flavor of food which seems to be more palatable. Think it’s probably okay to shoot 2.25u as long as he eats a bit more first, and it doesn’t give him an upset tummy. :(
     
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  7. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

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    Have you done a ketone test lately?
     
  8. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

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    Nico could also be feeling not so great, because he did drop really low, to that BG of 52. His body isn't used to lows like that, and I seem to remember reading that a cat can feel a bit "drained, not well, lethargic" when they first get those low BG numbers.
     
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  9. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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    Yea he’s seemed to perk up a bit now, but also not quite his usual. I’m gonna watch him for a bit, I think. Maybe I should get a +1 or +2 in a bit. I normally don’t like to because he doesn’t typically see much movement then but I think it might be helpful tonight to kinda see where he’s at and where he may be headed. I’m not sure what to expect overnight either. Just kinda thinking aloud here..
     
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  10. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

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    Yes, keeping a watch on Nico sounds like a good idea.

    Don't think too loudly please, I'm already past my usual bedtime here on the east coast. Starting to yawn like crazy.;)
    You probably won't head off to sleep for hours and hours yet, since you are on the west coast. Lucky you.
     
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  11. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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    Lol yes, but we also got almost zero sleep last night, so it’ll be an earlier night here too. Hopefully!!!
     
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  12. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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    I think everyone has probably headed to bed by now, but Nico is sitting nicely at 173 (~+2); he’s a little more active and has eaten a bit more. I guess I’m just torn on how to test him overnight, or if he’d be okay until like a +8 so I can make up some sleep. If anyone sees this.
     
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  13. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

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    I think you may have to drop to 2u
     
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  14. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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    AMPS, 324. I gave 2.25u this morning, but could give 2.0u this evening if we think it’s still a good idea after a few more numbers today?

    ..since no one has seen this, and his +6 was 288, I’m gonna plan on 2.25u again tonight. Hope y’all are having a relaxing Sunday!
     
    Last edited: Jan 31, 2021
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  15. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

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    Hope you got some shuteye last night Em.

    I could go either way on the dosage.
    It really depends on what the PMPS is tonight, 1/31/21.
     
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  16. Shelley & Jess

    Shelley & Jess Member

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    Jess still gets lethargic in the lower tree greens and I try not to push her there. She's active and happy in mid tree green to low blue.
     
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  17. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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    +10: 210.
    PMPS: 141.

    Gonna test a +2 at 9pm PST. Weird we are still dropping. Food should help that though..
     
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  18. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

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    Yes, that +2 test will be important tonight.

    If it's significantly lower, you'll want to make sure to get another test later in the cycle.
     
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  19. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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    I don’t anticipate it will be, but if we’ve dropped under 100 I’ll be testing more for sure. I’ll let you know!
     
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  20. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

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    You should drop that dose to 2. I think he's going to go low again.
     
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  21. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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    Not sure what constitutes this.. ?


    I anticipate beginning that new dose tomorrow morning, unless something weird happens overnight.
     
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  22. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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    @Deb & Wink um. I may have screwed up by giving a full dose tonight. He’s dropping pretty fast.. trying to slow with his usual wet food atm, but that didn’t really help at dinner time clearly so gravy food is at the ready and/or Temptations. Dang it!
    @JanetNJ 2.0u FOR SURE tomorrow morning! I think you called it for earlier, and I didn’t listen :blackeye:

    (pm) +2, 90. (Down from PMPS of 141)
     
  23. Shelley & Jess

    Shelley & Jess Member

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    You're doing good Em.

    Remember what Deb said: "you want to see the numbers stay above 90 mg/dL, for at least 2 hours past the time you stopped feeding him.
    That is because the BG numbers can go back down. That is also because the food/gravy/honey or syrup can wear off and the BG levels could drop again"
     
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  24. JanetNJ

    JanetNJ Well-Known Member

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    Great job getting him back up.
     
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  25. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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    I’ll let Nico’s spreadsheet speak for itself, all in all though I’d say we handled last night quite well. Will see how he does with 2.0u today!
     
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  26. Shelley & Jess

    Shelley & Jess Member

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    He might be extra sensitive to insulin after the lime green last night. Please grab early cycle tests today.
     
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  27. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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    It seems his bounce has already begun.. +2, 306. What does “insulin sensitive” mean though, like what should I anticipate if he is that way today??
     
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  28. Shelley & Jess

    Shelley & Jess Member

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    Some cats can be sensitive to insulin after they have dropped to low numbers like Nico did last night 01/31 and the other night 01/29.

    He may have a strong reaction to the insulin when this mornings shot kicks in and BG could drop quite quickly.

    This is new territory for Nico and we won't know if he's sensitive unless you test.

    Just want to keep Nico safe :)
     
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  29. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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    I’m gonna keep my eye on him for sure. Plan to test in just a little bit to see where he’s at. I’m extra nervous because I do have an appointment tonight, so will be away for a little over 2 hours. Hoping he stays high enough for me not to worry about him..
     
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  30. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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  31. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

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    Agreed.
     
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  32. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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    +8, 202. He’s got a bit of his normal lc wet food down just in case, but I think he should be fine. :) Massage therapy time!!
     
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  33. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

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    Enjoy the massage therapy. That should be nice and relaxing.

    Does Nico like massages? I do this two handed massage on the sides of my cat Dancer, and she LOVES it.
     
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  34. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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    OOH, TELL ME MORE!!
     
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  35. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

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    One hand on either side of her body, massaging with the fingers, and getting down into the fur a bit. Starting at the shoulders and going all the way back towards the tail. Repeat, from shoulders on back as often as she'll let me. Sometimes the massaging is more up towards the spine and lightly stroking with all the fingers.

    She doesn't care for her head to be touched too much, which is why I start at the shoulder area.
     
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  36. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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    Still dropping. We had to stall a bit again tonight. I’m, once again, nervous for tonight. Gonna test in about a half hour to see where he’s at. :nailbiting:
     
  37. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

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    Post the BG here once you get that retest, please.


    p.s. I'm up a bit later tonight. Was outside shoveling some heavy wet snow. Way past my bedtime now, but the winds are howling and that is going to make falling asleep a challenge.
    High winds are playing havoc with my internet connection. I've already had to reboot my computer twice, and run windows diagnostics, and reset the clock on the
    microwave 3 times. It only takes a few seconds of power loss, to set things back to square 1.

    I'm nervous for a different reason.
     
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  38. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

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    Em, I'm not going to be able to stay with you. My power keeps flickering on and off with this snow and wind storm. I need to signoff for the night.
     
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  39. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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    Oh gosh, try to stay warm and safe! Don’t worry about us. I got caught up trying to get my parents appointments for their first COVID vaccine dose (to which I eventually did have success; the state has a terribly unorganized system at the moment, it’s absolutely maddening.) and forgot to post here. Nico’s +2 was 153. We are still dropping but not as quick as last night, thankfully. I definitely will test at least once more overnight, just to make sure I don’t miss anything major a bit closer to his nadir. Maybe a +6.. that way you’ll have some solid numbers for the morning. Hoping to stay at 2.0u for a few more cycles though— Goodnight!
     
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  40. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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    (am) +7, 87. :cat:
     
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  41. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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    Just rolling right along. I want to try to keep Nico at 2.0u for awhile longer.. So far today we should be able to do so at least through tonight: AMPS, 190. +4: 223.

    Been thinking of you, @Deb & Wink. Did you make it through the night okay? Hope you’re enjoying all the beauty of snow from inside a nice, warm home with power!
     
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  42. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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    +8, 117.
     
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  43. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

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    Nico is looking good with this 2U dose! Nice 117 at +8 too!

    Yes, the power did stay on. Only 7-8 inches of very heavy wet snow. Plow guy clears most of the driveway, I do everything else. My muscles are SORE!

    p.s. I read that you should not take anti-inflammatory medications, like Tylenol or acetaminophen or advil 48 hours or so before you get the vaccine shot. Supposed to give you a better immune response. It's ok to take something after the shot, to deal with the aches and pains.

    Yeah on getting your parents vaccine appointments!
     
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  44. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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    Happy your power stayed, horrible to not have power in a snowstorm (says the chronically cold girl lol)! I like epsom salt baths for sore muscles, so nice. And again, warm ;)

    Nico had a bit of a high PMPS. Guess it is what it is. 297. Tonight we sang, “we do the pokey-pokey. We do the pokey-pokeyyyy..” while giving his injection. Always makes me giggle. So fitting.
     
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  45. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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    @Deb & Wink @Shelley & Jess @JanetNJ Think I may have missed a low nadir overnight, but at +3 he was pretty high so I felt confident he would be alright overnight. His AMPS told me otherwise.. we did an hour of stalling and he still wasn’t above 150, with no change (and dropping) between +12.5 & +13 :nailbiting: He was pretty close, so I did give just under 2.0u, hope I don’t regret that decision later on today. I’ll keep a close eye..

    AMPS: 116/142/140
     
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  46. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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  47. Shelley & Jess

    Shelley & Jess Member

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    Yep, change it to the +2 column. Any tests should always be recorded as the actual amount of time after the insulin was shot - like when you stall an hour it becomes a +13.

    Right now you're at 2 hours after the insulin was shot, the usual onset for Prozinc...makes a difference how you look at the big picture - depending on the drop, it might be okay for a +3 but a little quick for a +2 - not saying it's too quick in this instance, (I'd still keep an eye on it though and get another test or two before nadir) but can you see how it makes a difference when interpreting the cycle?
     
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  48. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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    Fixed.

    I’m planning on getting another test in a little over an hour. So +5 technically. Want to keep an eye on that nadir for sure. Am hoping he will be a-ok!
     
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  49. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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    @Shelley & Jess I took it a little early as he was up and moving around. Still looking pretty good. +4.5, 98.
     
  50. Shelley & Jess

    Shelley & Jess Member

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    Looking AWESOME!!!
     
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  51. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

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    Nico old boy may be keeping you on your toes with those wild swings in the BG levels and the low AMPS numbers.
    But he really is looking much better than he as a couple of months ago.

    You are doing a fantastic job Em!

    Ok, so you given Nico his insulin shot with a pre-shot of 140. So how about making that your decision point BG number from now on, instead of the 150?
     
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  52. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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    Whoa, forgot to update this a long time ago — haha! We are in good shape to have a full 2.0u at 7pm PST. +6.5, 116. +9.5, 142. Yay!!


    Thank you! It’s a little mentally taxing to be honest, but I just keep taking it one day (sometimes more like one reading) at a time.

    Sure. I may try it 1-2x more just to see how he responds but if it goes okay then yes. Is that normal, to change the decision point?? What have been people's experiences with making that lower than 150? Maybe there’s a sticky I should read....?
     
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  53. Deb & Wink

    Deb & Wink Well-Known Member

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    Yes, you kind of edge down that decision point pre-shot number, based on how your cat does on the dose, and how low they go on a particular dose.

    The prozinc dosing methods sticky at the top of this ISG has some information that you may find worthwhile.

    New thread please? Link this old one in at the top. In the AM is fine.
     
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  54. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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    I was just thinking that myself, thank you!
     
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  55. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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  56. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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    The bounce has begun... stay tuned. (pm)+3, 329.
     
  57. Emily Tuomey

    Emily Tuomey Member

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