cleanout complete, 1 injury again this year

[marla]

Well we finally did our cleanout today. Most went smoothly, however an all day affair. Getting the aclimation temps close was a lot more water changes then normal......we usually do it sooner when pond water and fresh well water are similar temps but have been very busy, today there was a good almost 8*F difference, took about 3 hrs for to slowly get it within 2*F. As per every year, this year we again had one injury. Our big Sanke...Taco... I had moved the big flat stone we use as a cave, but couldn't get it by myself, so I left it sitting pretty low till DH could help move it. Well a while later Taco must have tried to either go in or out the back and gave himself a nice deep scrape on the top of his head. I always give the fish a 1/2 hr salt bath at about 0.6% before letting them back in the pond. Today the salt baths were closer to 20mins, cause it was getting late and I was tired. Taco got some extra attention, some iodine and salt paste on his wound, hoping it will heal up good. All fish were checked for obvious signs of worries and gills on all fish were checked and looked good. Last years baby goldfish and 3 large female goldfish were transfered to the lily pond, DH kept 4 male goldfish and the male shubunkin and sarrassa comet in the koi pond all long tails, he likes the splash of color and I agree. Feel sorry for the other goldfish as the lily pond is now a nice shade of pea green. Tommorrow if the rain is not to bad we will drain quite a bit of water from the lily pond, hopefuly catch the 5 little koi in there and transfer them to the main pond after a salt bath, then refill with the water in the large blue rubber pool we use for a holding area while cleaning, it has good fresh water and it would be a shame to waste it. Here is a picture of Taco's wound almost just like Tweet's

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v729/grandmavis/showergifts060.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v729/grandmavis/showergifts062.jpg

here's the pool I got, it is 8'round and 30" deep, we bought another length of blue hose this year to reach to the back, however DH used a narrower pipe and hose clamps didn't do the best you can see the water leak, next year we get the proper size pipe. The pool worked so much better then a bunch of rubber maid tubs, the fish had plenty of room to swim around.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v729/grandmavis/showergifts038.jpg

[Jackie Ramo]

I hope you had nice weather for all that work Marla. Coldish here with rain coming.

Taco looks good, not too much to worry about wound wise. Peg was here and she and I put Tweet out this am. His wound is nicely healing, still there but without any treatements he's looking very good and happy to stretch out, already winking at the ladies. :HAHA:

[marla]

The wound is semi deep, but with the clean water I'm hoping it will heal up good, will keep a close eye on him though. Yesterday was a perfect day for the cleanout, overcast, and about 60* so none of my lilies got sunburned sitting with no water on them (some are in ADI so called plant pockets). We started emptying/filling the pool at 8:30ish am, and I finished putting the last guy, Taco in at around 7:00 pm. DH had to leave shortly after we started filling at 12:45pm. to deal with his mom and then to the hospital for her sister who we also help care for she was admitted for some minor internal bleeding issues. Today I wanted to do the water change on the lily pond but no such luck, started raining last night. and only about 48*F....of course it just stopped but we have to go do the MIL thing for Mothers Day....every year, My mom always plays second fiddle to the MIL, and I'm so glad she is so understanding. I'm off Thurs. so if it's not raining I'll get to it then, before that pool of water kills all the grass where it's sitting.

[Jackie Ramo]

Its hard juggling family obligations. This year my mother lost out to Ariana as we took Gage for the day and a sleepover so she could host a comedy club. That is her mother's day present and the day with Gage is mine. although he's tired and cranky so I'm not sure I'm getting the best deal

At least you didn't put a hole in his head like I did Marla or if you did it doesn't show in the picture

[marla]

Well even though I sounded negative about going and getting my MIL for dinner I'm glad we went when we did. We were straightening up the house a bit because the realtor was going to have a showing, there were 2 very ripe bannanas on the counter and I asked her if she wanted me to take them home and make her some bread.....she just stared with a glazed look at me, I asked again and the same response.....she was having a stroke, we called 911, and spent the next 6 hrs at the hosp. most of that time in ER, they are soooooo slow at that hosp. All her large moter skills are intack, but she can't talk, it's so frustrating because she is quite the talker, we don't know what she wants and she can't get it out and just throws her hands up in the air. A few words like yes and no come out pretty good, so some questions she can answer, but there seems to be some confusion also. We were to move her into assisted living this coming weekend, now we may be looking at other options. Not the best of Mother's Day for her.

[Terri]

Sorry to hear about your MIL Marla :( {{{{hugs}}}} Glad you were there to take care of her.

[Jackie Ramo]

Marla how hard for you and your husband, never mind poor mom who is going through the experience. If she can get small words out then thing may improve. Hoping the best for you all.

[clm]

Your so right it was lucky you were there. Not a very nice way to spend mothers day for her or both of you either. I hope there isn't too much damage from the stroke.

Cindy

[carcha koi]

Sorry, been there. Good thoughts.

[marla]

Thanks all for the well wishes. The MIL is slightly improved today, or we are just learning to understand the mumbles. They tried to get her up to see if she could walk and even though when laying she can mover her legs, with weight on them she can not take a step, to weak. Time will tell how far she may recover, but I'm not thinking she will now be a canidate for normal assisted living.
Sat. we had to have her sister admitted (we help take care of her also she has no kids) for some internal bleeding, but that has stopped so hopefuly we can get her back to her home soon.
My Mother emailed me today and her blood counts are way down again so she will not be having her Chemo this week instead she'll have another blood transfussion.
Now they say things comes in threes so I'm hoping this is it for bad news for me for a while. Keeping my sunny side up :smile: , I know things will work out sooner or later.

[clm]

Good for you for keeping a positive attitude. :hi5:

You may be surprised at how much your MIL may recover. A lot will depend on how strong her will is to try to recover. My parents neighbour who is a nice fellow and 92 had a stroke just after christmas. He lives on his own, his wife is in a nursing home and his only child lives out west. He came back to his own home last weekend. Vetrans affairs have housekeepers and yard workers to look after the cleaning and lawn mowing, etc. My parents take him shopping and to his appointments and to see his wife. He's not nearly as strong as he was, he needs a walker to get around and his one hand isn't working well, but he's a determined old fellow and has kept a good positive attitude through it all. I hope your MIL is as strong.

I'm sorry your mom is going through health problems as well. I hope she responds well to treatment.

Cindy

[Jackie Ramo]

Marla, you certainly are getting more that your share of things happening all at once. I hope both your m-i-l and aunt in law are better soon. Cindy is right, often determination makes all the difference.

[flywheel]

Hope everything starts getting better for you Marla, on Monday I was pallbearer for my aunt who passed away so our luck hasn't been the greatest either.
Keep a positive attitude, it sure helps get through the rough times. :alright:

[Jackie Ramo]

Sorry for your loss Ron. Its never easy.

[flywheel]

Sorry for your loss Ron. Its never easy.

Thanks Jackie.

[marla]

Ron, so sorry....hugs and prayers to you and your extended family.

[Jackie Ramo]

How is your MIL Marla? Did your aunt make it home?

[flywheel]

Ron, so sorry....hugs and prayers to you and your extended family.
Thanks Marla. How is it going for you?

[marla]

The Aunt is back home. My MIL is talking a bit better, can understand her at least 50% of the time. She is now able to swallow water, and eat soft/ pured foods. They have had to change some meds around to get her blood pressure, stable. Her heart rate is still a challange and even though she said she would NEVER have a pacemaker she has now agreed to it, so that will be done Mon. My SIL is coming in from CA also Mon-Thurs. so this will lift her spirits a bit. If the pacemaker settles her rates she will be moved to a nursing home for rehab. Hopefuly she will make some more progress there.
My Mom's trasfusions went well....it is almost a blessing that she did not have her chemo treatments as scheduled or she would not have been able to go to my niece's HS graduation party on the 24th, she would be in the window time when she can't be in public. Now she will be able to go.
My back is just awful since Thurs. lily pond clean out. Have no problem standing, walking, laying but sitting is hard, went to the chiro today but not 100% better, and I still have all those lilies to pull up and divide if necessary, did not have time to do it on Thurs. Jackie you may have to wait longer if I don't get it done in the next couple weeks it may be till next year sorry. Just to much going on this year so far.
On the bright side, Taco's head still looks the same but not infected looking, all fish eating well including the 5 new little ones. The goldfish are still a bit skiddish in their new home, but will hopefully become calm again. Also the azala bush I dug out from the MIL's is in full bloom, and my Bog bean is blooming also.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v729/grandmavis/showergifts064.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v729/grandmavis/showergifts031.jpg

[Jackie Ramo]

Marla, don't worry about the lilies, you have more than your hands full of important things. Glad that everyone is improving.

The fish will settle in it takes a bit of time. One nervous nelly can spook an entire pond.

I can see why you wanted that azalea!!! wow!! I bought a bright orange one yesterday, will have to take pics.