I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: Spouses and Caregivers => Topic started by: Darthvadar on September 17, 2012, 01:27:45 AM
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Hi All...
My mum had an infection in her TenchKoff (PD Cathether) Exit Site for the whole month of August... Took three courses of antibiotics to get on top of it, but the site's been dry, and pale for a couple of weeks now...
Then at about 8am I Did Mum's D, and changed the dressing on her TenchKoff Exit Site... It's weeping again, looks a bit red, and has a slight odour.... Looks like that Exit Site infection's back!.... Just phoned the PD Nurse Specialist... She'll talk to the Renal Registrar and ring me back with a plan of action... Looks like we're on our way to Tallaght Hospital today.... Oh and just to cap it all, it's Mum's 75th birthday today.... Great way to celebrate, eh???...
Love to all...
darth....
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That's horrible...Hope it's not too serious...If it makes you feel any better I spent 3 years in a row in the hospital on my birthday. Happy Birthday to your Mom and Best of luck hope she feels better.
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Thanks Mike....
The hosp. phoned... We've to go to the unit for them to take swabs and fluid samples... They'll decide on a plan of action when that's done.... The joys of it all!....
God bless....
Darth...
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Darth, I hope your mam gets on alright, it is such a worry when this happens. Lets hope they get on top of it this time.
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Oh no, I'm thinking of the both of you too
:grouphug;
love Cas
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Thanks Billybags and Cassandra...
Just back.... They've put her on High Dose Oral Antibiotics, and they're also putting antibiotics into the bags of Extraneal... They've taken samples of the dialysis fluid to see if it has spread inside, but as the fluid's crystal clear, they're confident that it hasn't!...
They'll bring her back in a few days to check the antibiotic level in her blood... They're determined to have the dose high enough to kill off the bugs....
She's exhausted now.... Just fed and watered her, and she's gone to bed for a nap.... Think I could do with one myself!.....
Love to all, and thank you for your concern....
Darth...
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Darth, go put your feet up, sounds like you have had a busy day.
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Billybags, feet and everything attatched to them are in bed!.... Bliss!...
Thanks for all the support!....
Love to all...
Darth....
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:cuddle; I hope they get this bug knocked out! :boxing;
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Thanks Karol....
I confess that this has me very worried!.... She's only about a fortnight finished the last course of antibiotics....
Love to all...
Darth...
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She'll be just fine Darth. She's got grit and you, what more could you want? Love yall and praying for an infection free Mum!
Keep us posted.
God Bless,
lmunchkin :kickstart;
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I can't remember if I replied on FB or not, but sorry to hear about your mum. Hope that this infection can be cleared up soon and easily.
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Thanks Lmunchkin, Chris, and Karol...
Site's very weepy this morning... Drat!.... Fingers crossed that the antibiotics work!...
Love to all....
Darth...
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Darth,
Gosh, what a pain--it's always something, isn't it? I have to compliment you on being such a good son; I like to think one of my boys would do that for me someday. :2thumbsup;
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Darth,
Gosh, what a pain--it's always something, isn't it? I have to compliment you on being such a good son; I like to think one of my boys would do that for me someday. :2thumbsup;
Thanks a million, Jill....
I'm worried... The dirty dressings every time I change them is a concern... The hosp. is due to ring tomorrow to arrange a blood test...
Thanks for your support...
Love...
Darth....
P.S..... Erm, Jill... I'm her daughter!... LOL!!!!!!!.....
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:Kit n Stik;
Germs Darth
I hope you get some answers soon - please give Mum a hug from me! :cuddle;
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Thanks Karol...
Yep, that's EXACTLY what I'd like to do with those blasted germs!...
Love...
Darth....
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Maybe it's me, but the hospital sure does seem to be taking their sweet :sir ken; to have test ordered or to do anything at all. They need :Kit n Stik;
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Aw Darthie....what are we gonna do with Mum? She didn't need this and NEITHER do you! My love and prayers are coming your way! :pray;
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Damn....
Just changed Mum's dressing as I did the 7.30am D exchange... There's a small area about half an inch from the actual Exit Site that has developed a small hole, and is pouring out a clear, yellowish, blood-streaked fluid... Odour's back again... Need to ring the Dialysis Nurses at 9am....
Please think of us... I'm seriously worried!...
Love to all...
Darth...
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Dammit Janet! saying from the Rocky Horror Picture Show just seems to fit with the news.
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Sounds about right, Chris.....
Will let you know what happens when I speak to the PD Nurses...
Love to Whitely...
Darth...
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Okay....
Sorry re: the delay in updating...
Neph. wants her to come into hosp. for a few days to try to get on top of this...
I've just packed her bag, and Natashia, the Respite Care Worker's washing and styling Mum's hair.... We're just awaiting a call from Admissions to tell us when to come in...
Please keep her in your prayers... This is VERY worrying...
Love to all...
Darth....
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:grouphug; Get well, Darth's mum, and come home soon.
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Thanks Nat-Nat...
They say she'll be in at least until the middle of next week... I haven't mentioned that!... I'm NOT that brave... Think I'll leave the Neph. to impart those glad tidings!!!...
Darth...
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That's a week... its a fair stay... have they said anything about what it might be yet?
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Darth, hope the hospital can sort this out quickly so she doesn't have to be away from home for longer than need be. Sending positive thoughts and many *huggles* to both of you.
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News isn't good... They're taking her to theatre tomorrow to take out the TenchKoff. They're also fitting a Permacath to deliver haemo for a few weeks until they can fit a new TenchKoff and get her back onto PD... The infection's not going on antibiotics... It's complicated by the fact that there are two bugs involved... She's not one bit happy!.... Very tearful when I left her....
Please pray for her.... She's very distressed.....
Love to all....
God bless...
Darth...
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So sorry to hear that, I'll be thinking of you both
lots of love Cas
:grouphug;
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Hopes and prayers for Elsie
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Thanks Cassandra and Katherine...
I confess I'm worried!.... Thanks for the Skype chat, Katherine... You must have a pretty soggy shoulder after me crying on it!....
Would appreciate the prayers... Think it's one of those 'Storm Heaven' situations!...
God bless...
Darth...
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:grouphug;
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So Sorry Darth. You must be at wits end. Definately "Lifting her up now". I pray she is going to get through this. Praying God give you strength Darth.
This definately sounds like a Bacterial infection. They are always harder to get rid of. Please let us know if there is anything we can do along with our Prayers!
lmunchkin
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I am hopping mad!..... I'm spitting fire!......
Dammit!.... They put a new Permacath into Mum's chest to deliver haemodialysis this morning... They were to take her to theatre to remove the infected TenchKoff this afternoon... They had her Nil-By-Mouth, and then at TEN PAST SIX this evening, told her that they wouldn't be doing it until tomorrow!... Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!!!!.....
What I said in response is not repeatable in polite company!...
Darth....
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But you can tell us here amongst friends! ;D :-[
To me it seems idiotic on the way they proceeded. Why not kill two birds with one stone while you have someone in the O.R. It would not have taken to much longer to remove it, clean up area of the infection, and suture up. Idiots I say :banghead; :Kit n Stik;
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O man. She must have been starving and miserable by the end of that!!!!!!! ??? ??? ???
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Oh, dear, Darth.
I know you are strong, but enough is ENOUGH!
:grouphug; :grouphug;
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Thanks everyone....
Just rang the hosp. to be told "Elsie's supposed to be going to theatre today for TenchKoff removal, so hopefully that goes ahead".... WHAT??..... 'Supposed to be'??... 'HOPEFULLY'??.... Folks, it had BETTER freaking well go ahead, or believe me, all bloody Hell will be breaking loose, and the Patient Liason Officer will be picking fleas out of his ear for the next week!....
The air over the hospital will be turning blue!...
Going to the hosp. now, and I'm in FULL B*tch In The Wheelchair mode!!..... Will update later... If I don't get arrested meantime!....
Love to all...
Darth...
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:cheer: :cheer:
Hope she gets fixed up today.
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Well Folks....
Interesting developments.....
I understand from the other ladies in the ward that there was what you might call 'a frank exchange of views' between Mum and a doctor about ten minutes before I arrived... The doc came to tell her that she probably wouldn't be going to theatre until Monday to have the TenchKoff removal done... Bear in mind, she was Nil-By-Mouth since midnight... This was 10.30am...
Well, from what the other ladies told me, Mum threw a major tantrum.... Made some 'honest' observations on the standard of care she was receiving, and she also threatened to go to the media!!!... Folks, Mum has NEVER stood up like this!.... I'm SO proud of her!... That's my mum!!!!!!...
The upshot of the whole thing is that Mum had gone to theatre when I got there, and should be back soon!....
Will update later!....
Darth....
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Made some 'honest' observations on the standard of care she was receiving, and she also threatened to go to the media!!!... Folks, Mum has NEVER stood up like this!.... I'm SO proud of her!... That's my mum!!!!!!...
This made me giggle ... it's always the quiet ones with the loudest roar! Go Elsie!!
:cheer:
(Hope the surgery passed by without a hitch.)
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As Poppy said. Go Elsie!! Go Have they told her how long she will be on hemo for? When hubby had to have his cath out because they could not get rid of the infection in the tube, he was on hemo for about 3 months, drove him mad. Thinking about you both.
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Thanks Billy... Thanks Poppy....
Yep, it's only taken Mum 75 years to throw a tantrum, but I believe it was a beauty... Well worth the wait!... Sorry I missed it!!!...
Billy, they're talking about six weeks on haemo... We'll see!... Never believe what they say until it happens!....
Darth...
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I bet that was a doozy of tantrum! Would have paid for tickets to see it. :shy;
Thinking of you....
Aleta :shy;
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How did your mum get on Darth?
lots of love Cas
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Hi Cassandra and Aleta....
Just about to go to the hosp. now.....
All went well yesterday... Had the TenchKoff out, and they did a major clean up... She had a few hours haemo yesterday, and they said they might do a couple of hours today...
I can't wait until the docs she faced down have to treat her again... It should be 'interesting'.... Bet the poor young lads are drawing lots to decide who has that 'pleasure'... Hee Hee!!!!!...
Yes Aleta, one of the nurses said that they should have sold tickets.... They'd have made a fortune!.... LOL!....
Love to all...
Darth...
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This sounds more promising. Now I hope they've learned some manners.
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Hee Hee!!!!!...
This morning, the same three docs approached Mum's bed grinning sheepishly... Mum could see that they were wary of the reception that they were going to receive... Well Mum couldn't help herself, and burst out laughing... The docs started laughing too, and the surgeon wiped his hand accross his forehead and said 'Phew!'...
Mum said 'I'm not going to apologise for yesterday... Because I know that I had no choice'... One of the docs agreed with her and said 'You're right, Elsie... Had you not let fly yesterday, it wouldn't have been done... Now, can we please have a look at your wound???'... Gentlemen, all three!....
Everything is looking good.... The wound looks good... No ooozing, and her infection markers in her blood are down... All positive....
Thanks everyone for your support...
Darth...
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That's great.
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Yep, watch out for us quiet ones!
Glad everything looks good Darth
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glad to hear some good news, she will surely recover soon, and will be able to come home? Or is she staying in for hemo? But really, really pleased about the infection subsiding.
good luck, and love to you both Cas
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Thanks Cass...
The plan is for Mum to come home.... Fingers crossed.... She's growling now about being in hosp.... Hopefully this week.....
Darth....
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Flipping Heck....
What an evening... Was here at home with a pal having a coffee when the phone rang at 7.30pm.... It was one of the nurses... Mum was suddenly VERY confused... Didn't know who she was, where she was, kept asking for her mother (my gran died in 1983)... I made a mad dash to the hosp.... She was terrified, as I suppose we all would be, if we were as confused as she was...
The Renal Registrar, Michelle was wonderful.... Thinks it's either of two things.... Mum had haemodialysis today, and they say that at first, it can upset the salt balance in her blood, and can cause confusion... The more worrying suggestion was that the infection has got worse, and her abdomen was quite tender....
She took some blood tests, and has put Mum on IV Vancomycin as a precaution.... Test results tomorrow....
I left at 11.40pm, and she was asleep.....
I'm off to bed!....
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I hope they get everything sorted out. Good luck and best wishes.
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ME TOO!!!
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Thanks Mike and Nat-Nat....
It's now 4am, and I haven't had a call from the hosp., so I can only assume that she's settled... Fingers crossed!... Never want to experience that again....
Love to all...
Darth....
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Never a dull moment with us with medical conditions is there?
Hope they find out it was just salt imbalance.
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Yes Chris.... I suppose the best plan of action is to expect the unexpected!....
I suspect a salt imbalance, too... Because she's still peeing like mad, I suppose she'll lose salt....
Fingers crossed it's that simple!....
Thanks for your support.....
Darth....
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:cuddle; :cuddle; A hug for each of you!
I hope today is better.
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I also hope to-day is better for you. Have they tasted to see if she has a water infection? Just a thought.
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Thanks All...
I visited Mum after her D today.... Seems in good form, if a bit tired...
They're concerned that she's still got some abdominal discomfort, and her infection markers are still a bit high... They're talking about doing an Abdominal CT to see if they can identify the problem...
Love to all....
Darth...
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geesh Darth,,, i sure hope this sorts out SOON! so awfl scarry!! Hoping to hear some good news soon :grouphug;
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Awww, *huggles* ... your poor mum. Really hope she gets better soon.
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When will this ever end???...
Spoke to the Renal Registrar today.... She's a gem... Has a theory as to why Mum's abdomen's not healing... Thinks she can feel a piece of the TenchKoff tube still in her abdomen!!!!!.... For goodness sake... Maybe I'm wrong, but if you were removing a bloody great tube from the abdomen of an elderly woman, wouldn't you check the blasted thing to ensure you got it out intact???...
Sounds to me like a certain surgeon needs a swift kick, and a Guide Dog!.....
CT Scan tomorrow!....
Grrrrrr!.....
Love to all...
Darth.....
P.S... Billybags.... Mum's always got a low grade UTI going on... They've decided to have a Urologist look at her too....
P.P.S.... She's just called me... Her canula has stopped working, and they're having nightmares replacing it!... Grrrr!....
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Even an ultra sound would make sense. :cuddle;
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Yes Karol...
That'd be the common sense thing to do!.... Now her abdomen's too tender for an Ultrasound... CT Scan, it is!....
Grrrrr!!!!!....
Darth.....
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??? ??? ??? ??? Whaaaat?
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Sounds to me like a certain surgeon needs a swift kick, and a Guide Dog!.....
Heeeeey! Why make the guide dog suffer with this idiot? ;D :sarcasm;
Boy what is going on over there? They take a class with some of our US docs?
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Sounds to me like a certain surgeon needs a swift kick, and a Guide Dog!.....
Heeeeey! Why make the guide dog suffer with this idiot? ;D :sarcasm;
Boy what is going on over there? They take a class with some of our US docs?
Hee Hee!!!!!!.... How VERY true, Chris!... Would be be unkind to the Guide Dog!....
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Darth, I hope everything works out just hang in there.
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Just got a call from the hosp...
Mum's coming home!... Just waiting for her taxi, and we're only a few mins drive away....
They'll do haemo for a few weeks, and will keep up the Vancomycin three times a week when she has D...
Community Nurse will be calling every second day to change dressings, and pack the wound...
Thanks everyone for all your support....
Darth....
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:yahoo; I'm so happy your mom gets to come home! Familiar surroundings are always so much more comfortable when you're recovering from such a traumatic illness. I hope the wound heals quickly and that the Vanc clears up any residual infection for good. :boxing;
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Darth, so glad she has come home. Fingers crossed you will see a big improvement. There is nothing better for you than your own bed and food you can eat.
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Glad to hear that good news Darth/
keep strong, and love Cas
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:bandance; There's no place like home!
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Well that is good news! :clap; I'm sure Dougal will be happy too! :bandance; :bandance; :bandance; :bandance; :bandance; :bandance; :bandance;
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Oh Drat!.....
ANOTHER bump in the road!...
Mum's to have haemo on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday... Got a call last night to ask if she'd go in today instead of tomorrow... There's a man having a procedure under sedation tomorrow, and as he has no renal function at all, they want to dialyse the drugs out of him... Mum agreed... Glad to help...
Thank God they needed to change her session day... Went to the hosp. today, was on the machine, and a nurse said she'd change the dressing on the PermaCath... Folks, the site's oozing fluid!... VERY like what was in her abdomen... They took a swab, and have put her on a broad spectrum antibiotic... They say they'll call when they've grown the specimen...
Will this ever end???.... And people wonder why I'm turning grey!... LOL!!!!!...
Appreciate the thoughts and prayers!....
On the plus side, she's still on the ball... Asked me if we're doing Secret Santa this year!...
Love to all...
Darth....
Love to all...
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More thoughts and prayers to you and your mum Darth. :(
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Thanks Nat Nat!...
My hair is turning grey... Next it'll fall out!.... LOL!....
Darth....
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Oh noooooooo.
Not again! :banghead; :banghead; :banghead;
Hugs to you, Darth. :cuddle;
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Darth if it falls out then you won't have to worry about it turning grey! ;D
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Thanks Aleta....
VERY true, Chris... I'll save a fortune in shampoo, too!.....
Darth...
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Yes, an old thread again, but an interesting topic.
While my ways are not always 100% successful, they are closer to my way of doing things when 'standard' ways fail.
I have used a product called 'Oreganol' super strength, for when I feel 'standard' protocols are not doing the job.
Sheesh, I try to follow the rules, yet when I'm met with less than desirable success, I will and do revert to my ways, that give me s greater success rate. :bow;
Again I'm not a shill for this product, just that it actually works and not all products of this type are actually what is claimed. ;
talker