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Could be the length of time for "total sedation". May take awhile to get completely out of her system. Be patient.

prayers,
Lynn


My Music at Soundclick
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~call it a blessing or call it a curse, but I see all of life in verse~

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Hey, Alan. Goodness, what a rough couple of weeks you guys have had. I hope the confusion and combativeness will pass after a day or so. After not being sedated, she's wide awake. Being in a hospital ICU is not restfull. A patient generally has more stimulation than they can stand. After they sedate her again and she gets some decent rest she may pull out of it. Knowing how strong Helen's spirit is, it wouldn't surprise me any for her to do just that.

Again, know that your "other family" is praying and keeping close tabs on you. I haven't been on the computer that much over the past week because I've been working like a fool.

Hang in there and you get yourself some rest, too. Ok?


"Grits is one of those country-boy words that is both singular and plural-like deer, elk and sheep. I think the singular is appropriate when there's a modifier that makes it clear one is talking about something specific. Like, 'Grits are good for you, but these here grits is tasty.'"~~Joe Wrabek
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Hi Alan,

Listen to Tricia. She's a smart cookie. I mean nurse. smile
(((((((((((((((((((((((((((Alan and Helen))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Vanessa

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Dear Alan,

I am so glad that things have improved to the point that they have, hang in there with the other stuff, being in ICU wide awake is very difficult, as Tricia said. Everybody reacts differently to those types of medications.

Still sending those prayers North for you both.

God Bless,

Rachel


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Alan,
I just went through a similar ordeal with someone who was sedated for three weeks in the hospital. One thing that helps with her symptoms (believe it or not) is a heavy vitamin therapy. Hospitals usually won't get vitamins prescribed because they don't make very much money off of them. However, there is a particular dosage of certain vitamins when done together that can help to not only kick the drug haze and withdrawals, but will also get rid of the hallucinations.

They give this particular mixture to drug addicts when they are coming off of 20 year heroine addictions. That's how well it works. I'll give it to you now and maybe you can show it to your physician to see if he can implement a vitamin regime. I've seen it save lives. I hope you'll check into it.

Here it is:
5,000 IU Vit A
4,000 IU Vit D
800 IU Vit E
2,000 Mg Vit C
500 Mg Magnesium Carbonate (to make the Vit C more effective)
25 Mg B-6
200 Mg B-Complex
300 Mg B-1
100 Mg Pantothenic Acid

This formula is known for helping people that have been given high doses of drugs in the hospital. It should be given four times per day, roughly every six hours. Helen should show a difference after the first day.

Really, Al, as weird as this may seem, I've seen it handle people first hand. I just had someone coming off of Meth who used this every day to great success. I've also used it myself after hospital stays where drugs were employed. Hallucinations can be smoothed away and the effects of the drugs minimized greatly. I am praying for you both.

Heidi


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Thanks everyone. Heidi, thank you for the recipe. However, Helen can take nothing at all orally. She is being fed by tube, and only what the Dr, prescribes. She cannot swallow properly. Everything goes straight to her lungs rather than her stomach. She gets moist sponges to wet her tongue and the inside of her mouth. The are about the size of a kid's sucker.

Tricia, I appreciate your professional input. It has been extremely informative and helpful. But, that's how you are. The nurses are very concerned because Helen has been off of sedation for afull week and is very, very hostile, combative and willfully recalcitrant. And, without going into detail, it gets MUCH worse than that. She perpetually pulls out her feeding tubes, her IV's. As I said, that is just the very tip of it. It gets far worse than that. Helen has had no food intake, other than the tube feedings, for almost a month.

Bill, I'll let ya give me that hug the next time I see ya. I could use it right now!

And to everyone else who has stopped in...thank you so much for all your support. It is truly amazing and so helpful.

Al

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Thanks for the updates Al. I hope it is therapeutic to you to keep us informed. I pray that God continues to give you strength that you need in this situation. And here's another prayer for Helen's recovery.

Kevin


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Hey Al,
See if you can get your physician to place vitamins in an I.V. as it would truly benefit Helen. I wish you both all the strength and power which heals.

Heidi


"And, in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make." Paul McCartney
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Alan,

Glad she's doing well physically. What she's gone through has to be a difficult thing emotionally. If she acts out some, they'll need to do what they must to protect her, of course. I'm guessing it will be a passing situation-related thing.

I've done a bit of acting out myself in certain unusual circumstances in the past. It was difficult on people around me, and not so easy going through myself. But is was a passing thing. Your wife still is as you remember her. This is only a temporary difficult passage.

My prayers continue to be with you both, and with those who are having the direct care for your wife.

Keep kneeling down and looking up.

Pastor Skip Johnson

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Again, thanks to everyone for your kindness and concern.

Helen had a MUCH better day today. She still has considerable delerium, but it is somewhat less agressive. Although she still has some hostility with it at times, it's more often non-sensical than willful recalcitrance. She successfully completed the swallow test...meaning she can now eat regular food rather than watching it be injected through a tube. Today was the first time in three weeks that she has had any oral intake of food. She ate a complete serving of peaches, a small bowl of potato soup and almost half of a chicken salad sandwich. Even though she is not fond of chicken salad, she said it tasted great! She was also able to intake liquids rather than having her mouth swabbed with a wet sponge.

And, Helen has agreed to attempt inpatient rehab if they will transfer her to the hospital where her neurologist is on staff. That is supposed to happen Monday. That is a HUGE step because Helen forcefully objected to that up until today. She is also receiving speech therapy.

Her vital signs are stable across the board now. And, very importantly, her oxygen saturation remains between 93% and 99% almost all of the time with a few exceptions when she sleeps on her side. even then, it rebounds in a matter of a few seconds. The importance of that is that she cannot be released from ICU until she can maintain a saturation percentage above 90% on a regular basis. So, the doctors have told ne me that her condition will be officially elevated tomorrow from critical and mostly stable to serious and stable. She is then eligible for release from ICU. And, as I said,that should happen on Monday.

On a regular basis, Helen takes 21 different medications...37 pills/tablets/capsules...every day; plus she must give herself an injection in the belly three times a week.

So, today has been the most important step of her recovery. So, here's hoping for a few more similar days. I am convinced that the prayers and well wishes from all of you have been instrumental in Helen's progress, in addition to the excellent medical care she is receiving. Many thanks to each and every one of you!

Alan

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Eating real food is a real good sign. Let's hope this upward track continues. I hope you too are eating Alan and getting rest when you can. Please take care of yourself so you can take care of her when she comes home.

Prayers,
Lynn


My Music at Soundclick
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_music.cfm?bandID=788266

~call it a blessing or call it a curse, but I see all of life in verse~

Always open to collaborations smile

God Bless Our Military!!!
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Lynn,

Thank you for your constant vigil throughout this ordeal. And the same applies to the rest of you fine folks as well.

I have been trying to be good to myself. I think I have had reasonable success. I'm a good cook, so I have eaten well...have eaten out twice at a nice restaurant. I have writtem 3 or 4 songs...all instrumentals except one. So, ya gotta go over to the MP3 Forum if you want to hear them.

Because my emotions have been running so high, I think that my creative processes have been jump-started as an ancillary benefit. Writing those songs was an escape from all that was going on. And, they were pretty decent songs!

Thanks for everything. All the best to ya!

Alan

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Yay Alan and Helen

This is awesome news I am so happy for both of you. Glad God has been there to help you through. Also glad to hear your music has helped you Alan what a blessing that is. I pray Helen continued to get better and better and is home by or before thanksgiving!
Sincere Blessings
Derek


All the worlds a song and all the people Singers

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Helen will be eating your spicy meatloaf soon Alan ! ! !


Herbie
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That's wonderful news. So happy to hear Helen is recooperating. And that you've been composing. Music is absolutely the best therapy, imo.

Hugs,
Vanessa

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Keep hanging in there, Alan.... we're all pulling for you.
Sounds like a continuing rough road, but the signs of recovery are good. Hold on tight.
Still praying,
Linda

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Well, here's another update on Helen. She is improving at a remarkable rate! My brother and his wife were here from Branson. They, I and the nursing staff all agree...Helen improved noticably from 10:00 this morning till 9:00 this evening. In that relatively short period of time, the difference was amazing.

She said she feels better and is cognizant of the fact that her mind has been playing tricks on her lately. They still happen, but the indicdents are less frequent. But she is aware that it is happening. All of her vitals remain strong. She is eating a soft food diet with no problems and her speech is constantly improving. She was able to stand without assistance, but could not take a step without losing her balance. The fact that she stood unassisted is great news. Her coordination is greatly improved. Her attitude and outlook are more positive.

She has accepted, although begrudgingly, the fact that in-patient therapy will help her recover more quickly. She is making strong efforts to help herself. On Monday she is being transferred to another hospital that has an intensive therapy program. If she does exceedingly well, she could be home in 2 weeks or so. That sure sounds better than December or January! The nurses and doctors are impressed with her rate of recovery.

And here is the big bonus....and I cannot overstate how wonderful this is...Helen has been totally pain-free since she has been off of sedation. I am going to quote Helen, and pardon the one word: "Other than my ass being sore from lying on it all the time, I don't have a pain anywhere in my body!!!!!!!

You cannot imagine how wonderful thatis. For the past 3 or 4 years, Helen has endured more chronic pain that any human being should ever have to experience. She has lain in bed in a fetal position crying relentlessly from pain for hours at a time...and that is after all the intensive treatment that the Pain Management Center has attempted. She has been on codiene, morphine, opiates, fentanyl and massive amounts of steroids through epidural injections. But so far...not a single pain anywhere. It is unbelievable! One of her doctors told me that in extremely rare occurences, some patients with chronic pain end up pain free for a very long time, sometimes forever, after such a long period of total sedation. The doctor told it is indeed very, very rare. But, there are documented occurences. I am hoping that Helen is the next statistic in that very tiny group.

So...everything is much better. Thank you all again for your prayers and warm wishes for us. They're working!!!

Alan

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WOW Alan remarkable news, Helen is one amazing Lady!!! It will be the best holiday season of all time!!!

rittman

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Oh my goodness!!!!! Even if it is just temporary (and I do pray that it's permanent!) what a relief and blessing...!!
If that is truly a result of all this... I suspect you will both say that all this suffering of the past while plus what's ahead would be worth it to BE pain-free.
Oh I hope so!!
Keeping all my fingers and toes crossed!!
Linda

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HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!!!!
Sure signs of the power of prayer!
(and also the strength of one tough and determined cookie! grin

Pain free! that's fantastic!
I'll be praying that she is indeed in that small minority! she so deserves to be.
Now get some rest Al.... you're gonna need it to keep up with her...

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Alan...., what a relief....I am sure, on her feeling emotionally better..too!!... What a lovely thanksgiving present....this will be...Having her come through this and I'm so glad she is getting some relief from the pain.......

Keep you both in my prayers.........
Hugs to you both....
Kaley smile

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Alan,

This is amazing news and it is what we have all been praying for. The pain relief is incredible and after all she has been through, it is really the break that both of you deserve. I do pray that it is permanent.

Blessings and hugs to you both.....

Rachel


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That sounds like a great group to be in, Alan. Let's all pray for pain free. Amen.


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Wow Alan, TWO WEEKS!!!!
And "Pain Free!!!! I really understand that
Holiday blessings must be coming true.
Too bad they can't find out exactly why that happens in some cases after sedation. What a blessing that'd be for a lot of people.
Things are lookin' good
Wy

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Great news on the pain, Al. Let's hope and pray that things just keep on improving.


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Wonderful news, Alan, God bless you and Helen.

Mike


You've got to know your limitations. I don't know what your limitations are. I found out what mine were when I was twelve. I found out that there weren't too many limitations, if I did it my way. -Johnny Cash

It's only music.
-niteshift

Mike Dunbar Music

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Alan,
hang in there. Please tell Helen that a great many folks are praying for her. Praying for her continued comfort and rising strength. Thanking the good Lord above for what He has done already and what He will do on her behalf.

through Christ,
John


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Al & Helen,

What wonderful news....the power of love, and prayer, and music, and friend and family, all rolled up into one!!!

As someone whose own family has had a number of rare diseases, it's so nice to hear when the rarity of a situation is a GOOD thing. The fact that she's pain free, what a miracle!!

Please send her all our well-wishes, and let her know we'd love to hear from HER on the board...so she can brag about you for a bit...!

Yippee-ing in Boston,
Beth


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Hi guys,
I just wanted to answer Wy's statement of "Too bad they can't find out exactly what happens in some cases after sedation..."

There is a theory that pain itself can keep the idea of pain in a constant state of being regenerated in the mind, thus keeping the pain in place. However, a sedation which ceases this cycle can actually "turn off" the pain idea in the mind thus breaking the cycle altogether.

I tried to say that without using the actual nomenclature and it didn't translate as well, but I hope you got the idea.

The vitamin therapy I suggested to Al actually helps to keep those things (mental masses) which initiate negative responses such as pain from again impinging upon a person.

My continued prayers go out to Helen and Al.


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Wow Alan, I cannot imagine better news. It's amazing how the human spirit has a way of conquering such incredible odds and obstacles. It renews my belief in the impossible becoming possible.

I am so happy for you but even more so for Helen. I can't imagine living with constant pain such as you described. I've had 3-4 weeks of intense pain with my disc problem in my back and there were numerous times within that period I wanted to give up. You've got an amazing lady there, Alan.

But, I also want you to understand and accept your role in her recovery. It is scientifically proven that people with chronic illnesses have better coping skills, are more optimistic in their recovery, and more importantly live a longer quality-filled life if they are surrounded by supportive, encouraging, and positive influences. And you have been that for her. If you'd like to know more about that, read "How Full Is Your Bucket" by Tom Rath and Don Clifton. It has been life-changing for me.

I truly am so happy for your both. I'm sure there really is no way for you to relay to us just how amazing this is - but trust me, I can feel your energy just reading your post.

All I wish for you is continued progress, less pain, and a LONG future filled with happy moments between you and Helen.

Love and friendship,
Cindy


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Glad to know she's making quick progress, Alan. I know you are just ecstatic. Hang in there.


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Hey Al!

That is such wonderful news! I am so hopeful for you! Prayer does wonderful things!

Charlann

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Well, you're not going to believe this...Helen is coming HOME today at 3:00PM. The doctors are amazed and astonished. All 3 of them said they have never in their medical careers seen a recover like this.

Yesterday, Helen got out of bed and used the toilet, completely unassisted. She walked to the ICU nurses station from her bed, and returned, again, with no assistance. She has been eating a solid food diet with no difficulty. Her speech is quickly improving. She is breathing as any normal, healthy person would...oxygen saturation is 96% - 100% unassisted.

And, here is the most remarkable thing...Helen is and has been since taken off of the ventialtor, totally pain free. She has been receiving prednisone, a steroid, to assist her lungs back to health. Prednisone is a strong anti-inflamitory steroid, so that may be part of her pain relief. However, the doctors are not convinced of that because Helen was receiving high doses of steroids by epidural injections (shots directly into the spinal fluid) every two months for almost a year prior to her current hospitalization and they did almost nothing to abate her pain. So, we are not sure why her pain has completely disappeared. But, we are very much aware that this may be a temporary situation. The pain might return tomorrow, next week, next month, next year...etc. But, we are relishing whatever amount of time she has to enjoy this relief.

And, another nearly miraculous occurence...Helen is displaying no symptoms what-so-ever of her MS. Her speech is not impeded as it has been for the part 3 years. When she speaks, it is fluid and logical. She does not lose her train of thought in mid-sentence as she has done for so long. She no longer has the Parkinson's-like tremors that are so prevalent with MS patients. She has had those tremors for a couple of years up until now. And, I guess most amazing in the MS arena...Helen has not been able to lift her left leg more than 8-10 inches for many years because of the MS. As of now, she has full, unimpeded mobility of that leg. She does not feel it is any weaker than the right leg.

The doctors and nurses are amazed and have no logical explanation for these occurences and her literally unbelievable recovery. As of 4 or 5 days ago, they still had her going into an inpatient facilty for 2 - 4 weeks of intense occupational and physical therapy. Dr. Holthaus, her neurologist for her stay in ICU, told me that she would not believe this if she had not seen it herself. In just one week from coming out of a 2-week drug-induced coma, Helen is being sent home. Dr. Holthaus said she cannot believe that she is preparing discharge papers for Helen.

Okay, I'll quit blabbering! I cannot tell you how euphoric I am. This exceeds even my most optomistic anticipation. I want to thank each and every one of you for you prayers, your well-wishes and your kindness in general. I am convinced beyond a doubt that all of the support and caring you guys and gals have given Helen and me were instrumental in Helen's remarkable recovery. I know of no other way to to express my deep, deep appreciation for all of you than to sincerely say....


THANK YOU...GOD BLESS YOU...AND WISHING YOU ALL THE BEST, ALWAYS!!!


Luv ya all,

Alan

Last edited by Al David; 11/05/07 05:42 PM.
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Alan and Helen,

This is wonderful news, thank God.

Mike


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Alan, The power of prayer! Good luck.

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Wow! That is just the best news I have heard in a long time.


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A medical book update may be in order, or an article in JAMA. She could become famous. Congratulations to you both. I hope all of your pain and misery of the past will pay off in a big way and I know that you will continue to be vigilant. Ben

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This is wonderful news. What a blessing!


You can really only please one songwriter at a time. Might as well be yourself! :^)


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My heavens, Al!

What fantastic news! I won't take up time as I'm sure you'll have plenty to do getting your love nest ready for Helen's return.

FYI, prednisone isn't a pain killer per se....it's an anti-inflammatory, so if there's inflammation, it can help diminish that. Hope you can get her off that soon...but if not, make sure they taper her properly...

Again, so delighted, it surely is a miracle.

Love to the both of you,
Beth


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Absolutely Beautiful News Alan.....am so happy for both of you!!
Thank you God..is right... smile smile

Very best to you both this afternoon with Hugs...
Have a beautiful day.....
Kaley smile

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Hi Alan,

Wow...such good news.
I wish the best to ya both :-)

Calvin


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That's great to hear, Al.


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Al:
I'm very glad to hear this.


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Life is so mysterious and beautiful. Now love each other like never before. What a sublime story. I'm happy for you, Al!

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UNBELIEVABLE----
I guess miracles really DO exist...See Alan, what goes around DOES come around sometimes. I am so happy for you. There is probably about 10 songs in this one...I hope to hear one soon! !


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Al,
I haven't been on here lately and just found out about your situation...started praying as soon as I read Bobbies' post...read through the thread and feel like I just witnessed a miracle unfold.
May GOD continue to bless and keep you both..y'all remain in our prayers.
p.s.
Don't feel like you have to reply..just give Helen a big ole hug and tell her it comes straight from Texas.
sincerely,
James and Sharon

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Hi Alan and Helen

Best regards and welcome back to your lives ! smile jm


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Oh Alan!!!!
I'm so happy for you!
This is just thrilling news!
no pain... lessened symptoms...
more than we ever imagined....
Thanks be to God!

(and I'm personally glad that Bob brought his work laptop with us to New Orleans this week. I can only sightsee for so longwhile he's in meetings...and I had to stay in touch enough to follow Helen's progress. Guess I'll raise a glass to you guys tonight grin


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Alan,
I started blubbering in tears as soon as I read the word "HOME" up there... that is so so so wonderful!
And no symptoms of MS either...!

"Faith precedes the miracle..."
I believe this is a miracle right before our eyes. smile
So happy for you both over here! I hope you are tucking her in safe and sound as I type this.

I will keep praying that, God willing, these wonderful things will be PERMANENT. Even if it turns out that it isn't... a reprieve is still such a nice, much-needed and merciful vacation.

God moves in mysterious ways... I've been thinking on this... if by this terrible emergency you went through just a short while ago--causing so many people to pray for you all at once-- and somehow all this combined faith has helped work a miracle for Helen's health-- then this miserable hospital stay you've both endured will be worth it all, looking back...

I have all my fingers and toes crossed for you, and I'm a-gonna keep praying... with additional gratitude and joy thrown in.

Rejoice!!!!

Linda

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ok, I'm blubbering over here... thank you for sharing this wonderful, beautiful news, Alan! Continued love and light to both of you!!!!!

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