@lisashea. Before we look at your specifics, I suggest you try a direct transfer from DOCX to EPUB. Leave out the Filtered HTML stage.
Consider leaving pictures until you reach Sigil. On an EPUB reader if a picture matters it's very often best to give it full screen width and very likely a page to itself. Not like designing for a known page size on paper. After all, the aim is to produce an effective eBook, not a poor facsimile of a paper book, isn't it?
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