An opportunity came up a few weeks ago to have some rabbits brought in from California. Now, everything happens very fast when it comes to cooperative shipments, especially with this particular group of people. It's understandable really, but it does make it awkward trying to make fast arrangements when the rabbits we'd want wouldn't be from the original seller offering to ship. However, somehow I managed to locate the first breeder from which we'd gotten Fuzzy lops for my eldest. That last time so many years ago, I made arrangements for a single doe to travel across the country via a mid-way convention. This time I arranged to buy a pair and she offered an additional young doe to make a trio. So I bought and paid for the rabbits within a week. The seller sent photos of the rabbits and my eldest selected from those a very nice SSB and a BSD.
Then came the fun of the actual transport. At first they were going to the originator of the shipment in NC, but then real costs for shipping came to light that would have eliminated efficacy for the shipment. The alternative was to change carrier and someone would have to go to GA or DC to get the rabbits. It was decided that DC would be it and the arrangements were carried out. The rabbits finally arrived safely across the country, but then my affliction hit me! So I had to put off retrieving them for a full week. Thank goodness for the person that picked the rabbits up from the airport. Finally, I was able to pick up the rabbits from her and the next person in the chain came to get the remainder of the rabbits from me. So that aspect was finally done.
Now we have 3 beautiful fluffy rabbits who are very slowly adjusting to our more humid weather. I thank everyone that had a hand in helping to get them here, and the list is substantial! So Christina, Katie, Lisa, Kristen, and Whitney... thanks!!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Endometritis
Sadly my education levels are such that I know exactly what this disorder is and in what the potential complications can result. For those that don't know, this is a uterine infection, or more specifically an infection of the lining of the uterus, and it was what I was diagnosed as having a mere 4 days after the birth of my son. Now, i've kept this bit of information close because I don't want people trying to say it was a result of him being born at home. The truth is it could have happened regardless of his birth venue. Here's how it played out:
Friday: birth
Sunday afternoon: passed a small piece of placental tissue which had obviously been retained
Monday afternoon: began running very high fever, temps hovered around 101 or 102, but peaked at 103.7 in the late evening
Tuesday morning: called my regular doctor and set appointment for late afternoon
Tuesday afternoon: went to see the doctor and was basically told they couldn't help me, that I needed to go to the ER
Tusday evening: called ER and talked to doctor who said he'd arrange for home-based care
Wednesday morning: called back to first doctor from previous night and was told that hone care couldn't be setup until Friday or Saturday, which would be too late. He insisted I go to the ER. I then called around and around and around... finally found my former OB and made an appointment
Wednesday afternoon: saw OB as emergency visit, ultrasound performed to check for any lingering tissue in utero, she finally insisted I had to go into the hospital for treatment, but that she could make arrangements so I wouldn't have to sit in the ER, I could bring my baby with me
Wednesday night: I went into the hospital for an expected 24-48 hours IV antibiotic treatment, was told it was against hospital policy to allow the baby to stay with me in hospital. I told them flat out if he goes, I go. After several failed attempts, they finally got in an IV and began antibiotic treatment. Hospital policy staff allowed him to stay for that night.
Wednesday morning: still there, no one complaining about the baby, they continue treatment
Wednesday afternoon: I finally get to talk to a dr who wants to keep me another night, but I talk her into letting me leave that evening (full 24 hours treatment) with a script for oral antibiotics to continue treatment
Wednesday evening: I get to go home
Thursday morning: get prescription for gigantic horse-pills and take them religiously according to orders
It was a true and genuine nightmare. People have died from this particular type of infection before and trying to get through 2 subsequent nights of high fevers was the scariest thing I'd ever done. By the time I made it home, my head was killing me and I was utterly exhausted because I had barely slept for 4 nights (who really sleeps in a hospital... honestly?!). The funniest part of the whole thing was the irony of how hard it was for the doctors to get me into the hospital in the first place and how quick the policy staff was to try and make me leave. I actually think the doctors leaned on them pretty hard because it wouldn't have taken much for me to walk out of that place (I despise hospitals).
I'm also living proof that people *can* be pincushions. I think the staff/nurses were trying to see just how many times they could stick a needle in me. The back of my left hand was where the first doctor took blood for testing. Then in the hospital, even though I warned them that I'm a hard stick, they first tried the back of my right hand (you can see a vein there), no blood at all. Then a different person tried the middle back of my left arm (it's still black a week later!). Then a different person came in and tried the back of my right hand again, thought she had it but managed to get some blood for testing and it stopped bleeding. So she tried then on the inside of my right wrist, also no-go there. Then they switched off again and a man tried the upper part of my inner left elbow, even though no vein was visible, he managed to hit it (yay!), so that's where my IV went. The bad part is the blood they drew from my hand coagulated, so someone else came in and took blood (again) from the inside of my right elbow. So basically I was stuck 7 times for them to get what they needed. It's a good thing I've gotten over my fear of needles!
I also made an interesting statement that is very true... other than the occasional life-threating infection, I'm basically a healthy person. Go figure!
BTW, I'm doing much better now, except for the lingering bruises from the needles, I feel fine.
Friday: birth
Sunday afternoon: passed a small piece of placental tissue which had obviously been retained
Monday afternoon: began running very high fever, temps hovered around 101 or 102, but peaked at 103.7 in the late evening
Tuesday morning: called my regular doctor and set appointment for late afternoon
Tuesday afternoon: went to see the doctor and was basically told they couldn't help me, that I needed to go to the ER
Tusday evening: called ER and talked to doctor who said he'd arrange for home-based care
Wednesday morning: called back to first doctor from previous night and was told that hone care couldn't be setup until Friday or Saturday, which would be too late. He insisted I go to the ER. I then called around and around and around... finally found my former OB and made an appointment
Wednesday afternoon: saw OB as emergency visit, ultrasound performed to check for any lingering tissue in utero, she finally insisted I had to go into the hospital for treatment, but that she could make arrangements so I wouldn't have to sit in the ER, I could bring my baby with me
Wednesday night: I went into the hospital for an expected 24-48 hours IV antibiotic treatment, was told it was against hospital policy to allow the baby to stay with me in hospital. I told them flat out if he goes, I go. After several failed attempts, they finally got in an IV and began antibiotic treatment. Hospital policy staff allowed him to stay for that night.
Wednesday morning: still there, no one complaining about the baby, they continue treatment
Wednesday afternoon: I finally get to talk to a dr who wants to keep me another night, but I talk her into letting me leave that evening (full 24 hours treatment) with a script for oral antibiotics to continue treatment
Wednesday evening: I get to go home
Thursday morning: get prescription for gigantic horse-pills and take them religiously according to orders
It was a true and genuine nightmare. People have died from this particular type of infection before and trying to get through 2 subsequent nights of high fevers was the scariest thing I'd ever done. By the time I made it home, my head was killing me and I was utterly exhausted because I had barely slept for 4 nights (who really sleeps in a hospital... honestly?!). The funniest part of the whole thing was the irony of how hard it was for the doctors to get me into the hospital in the first place and how quick the policy staff was to try and make me leave. I actually think the doctors leaned on them pretty hard because it wouldn't have taken much for me to walk out of that place (I despise hospitals).
I'm also living proof that people *can* be pincushions. I think the staff/nurses were trying to see just how many times they could stick a needle in me. The back of my left hand was where the first doctor took blood for testing. Then in the hospital, even though I warned them that I'm a hard stick, they first tried the back of my right hand (you can see a vein there), no blood at all. Then a different person tried the middle back of my left arm (it's still black a week later!). Then a different person came in and tried the back of my right hand again, thought she had it but managed to get some blood for testing and it stopped bleeding. So she tried then on the inside of my right wrist, also no-go there. Then they switched off again and a man tried the upper part of my inner left elbow, even though no vein was visible, he managed to hit it (yay!), so that's where my IV went. The bad part is the blood they drew from my hand coagulated, so someone else came in and took blood (again) from the inside of my right elbow. So basically I was stuck 7 times for them to get what they needed. It's a good thing I've gotten over my fear of needles!
I also made an interesting statement that is very true... other than the occasional life-threating infection, I'm basically a healthy person. Go figure!
BTW, I'm doing much better now, except for the lingering bruises from the needles, I feel fine.
Addition
So there's a new addition to the family. At 9 lbs 4 oz he lustily announced his arrival just 2 and a half weeks ago. At 21 and 3/4 inches, he's easily the biggest and longest baby I've ever had! Of course, it should be expected since he was 12 days late. LOL I was honestly starting to wonder if he would EVER decide to join the rest of the family. Born at home, he has been nothing but a joy. The first son, and likely the only son, plagued for life by 3 older sisters. He's my little man!
Incidentally, he nurses like a champ, sleeps mostly at night (only waking once or twice now), and a disposable diaper has never touched his skin. I'm very proud of him. Make no mistake though, I don't consider myself to be a 'hippie' merely because I want the best (and most economical) methods of child-rearing. Breastfeeding and cloth diapering are economical choices. Babywearing in public is a safety measure (it's more difficult to snatch an infant that is carried by its mother).
Incidentally, he nurses like a champ, sleeps mostly at night (only waking once or twice now), and a disposable diaper has never touched his skin. I'm very proud of him. Make no mistake though, I don't consider myself to be a 'hippie' merely because I want the best (and most economical) methods of child-rearing. Breastfeeding and cloth diapering are economical choices. Babywearing in public is a safety measure (it's more difficult to snatch an infant that is carried by its mother).
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Life
Things have been very hectic of late. The rabbits are taking off like... well... rabbits! There are currently 10 potential meat youngsters, 3 of which have a chance of being selected to stay for the next generation. I've gotten a few not-so-pleasant surprises from the Mini-lops in the form of steels. My hollands are finally giving babies, we even have a litter of Fuzzy lop babies. And my one Spot doe is doing a fabulous impression of what a first-time mom should be by taking impeccable care of her 9 babies plus 1 fosterling. The new rabbitry is beginning to take shape. Several of the cage stacks have been cleaned and placed in the new rabbitry, three of the walls are in place, and the roof-tarp has been purchased. Even the stand-alone hutches are now correctly placed and all of them properly roofed. It's slowly coming together.
The garden has also been installed. I did actually manage to put in a large garden this year, as I'd wanted. Of course, it was a combined effort on the part of the kids, the neighbor's kids, and myself. I couldn't have done it as well without those youngsters! Now there are tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, watermelon, squash, beans, and cucumbers planted and hoping to come up. I even bought 2 new sprinklers to try and make everything as simple as possible. However, I'm finding that I'm going to need a coupler and another length of hose in order to not have to be constantly disconnecting and re-connecting the hoses every day (which is a real pain).
As for me, I'm in the very last stages of expectation. We've cleaned up and renovated one of the rooms in the house for the youngest so that everyone now has a little space of their own. At this point, I'm mostly just waiting. Not impatiently, I keep hoping he/she will wait at least until this next month before announcing arrival. I want more time without a tiny leech. Even though I love my kids, I also sometimes value time alone, and that will be extremely rare with both a toddler and a newborn to look after.
The garden has also been installed. I did actually manage to put in a large garden this year, as I'd wanted. Of course, it was a combined effort on the part of the kids, the neighbor's kids, and myself. I couldn't have done it as well without those youngsters! Now there are tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, watermelon, squash, beans, and cucumbers planted and hoping to come up. I even bought 2 new sprinklers to try and make everything as simple as possible. However, I'm finding that I'm going to need a coupler and another length of hose in order to not have to be constantly disconnecting and re-connecting the hoses every day (which is a real pain).
As for me, I'm in the very last stages of expectation. We've cleaned up and renovated one of the rooms in the house for the youngest so that everyone now has a little space of their own. At this point, I'm mostly just waiting. Not impatiently, I keep hoping he/she will wait at least until this next month before announcing arrival. I want more time without a tiny leech. Even though I love my kids, I also sometimes value time alone, and that will be extremely rare with both a toddler and a newborn to look after.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Troubles
Sometimes I really don't know why I'm still trying so hard with these rabbits. I cannot get Holland babies, no matter what I do it seems. I breed and breed and breed, and they keep missing. Now I know a lot of people are having that exact problem right now. However, I now have five BEW Mini-rex (3 does and 2 bucks) and NONE of them will breed!!! The does won't lift, one of the bucks has no interest at all in does. The other buck I just got is interested, but he was literally shoved off the table by a doe! I just don't know what else to do with those. I want BEW, but I may end up going crazy with them. And to top it off, there's a sick junior in the barn again. No symptoms other than listlessness. I'm doing everything I can, I have GOT to get them all OUT of that barn! I truly think that is the root cause, cause I never have a single problem with any rabbit housed outside, only those that are inside. There's something just not right in there.
I ran into a big problem though with the new rabbitry setup... namely, the fence that I need to take down. It's not old enough for the fence staples to come out easily, and these are the really BIG ones. I'll end up breaking the wire before I can get them out, and I'm trying to save the wire. But I can't move forward until the fence is down, and I can't get the fence down without something to get the staples out of the posts!! So I'm stuck. I can't move the rabbits out of the barn until I have somewhere to put them, I can't build a new place to put them until I get the new rabbitry walls and roof up (for protection), and I can't put those up until I get the fence down! You see where all this is going?! So I feel just totally lost at the moment.
I know I'm not the only person having trouble with rabbits lately, but sometimes it just wears down on me. I can't do everything I want to do... I'm running out of time, and my physical limitations are driving me crazy, plus I have been having terrible heartburn, which just adds more to my stress.
I ran into a big problem though with the new rabbitry setup... namely, the fence that I need to take down. It's not old enough for the fence staples to come out easily, and these are the really BIG ones. I'll end up breaking the wire before I can get them out, and I'm trying to save the wire. But I can't move forward until the fence is down, and I can't get the fence down without something to get the staples out of the posts!! So I'm stuck. I can't move the rabbits out of the barn until I have somewhere to put them, I can't build a new place to put them until I get the new rabbitry walls and roof up (for protection), and I can't put those up until I get the fence down! You see where all this is going?! So I feel just totally lost at the moment.
I know I'm not the only person having trouble with rabbits lately, but sometimes it just wears down on me. I can't do everything I want to do... I'm running out of time, and my physical limitations are driving me crazy, plus I have been having terrible heartburn, which just adds more to my stress.
Power Washing
So a couple weeks ago I went out and purchased a decent power washer. The idea being that I could use it for cleaning rabbit cages, pans, walkways, and other areas around the house. However, we then settled in for non-stop rain. Today I finally managed to get it out of the box, since today has been somewhat clear and warm and tomorrow is supposed to be clear and warm. I cleaned two of the stacks that had been previously pulled from the barn and I have to say, I'm quite pleased with the performance of this little machine! Granted, one of the hutches is in only fair shape. I give it just a few years before the bottom wire will need to be replaced. I replaced several of the clips today since many of them had rusted completely and came off during washing. I'm planning on cleaning up several of the trays as well, even though I don't care for the larger trays. There's no sense in wasting equipment that I already have, especially if it's still in usable condition.
I do have one slight problem with going forward with my new rabbitry plans. Apparently, the issue is with the fencing on the inner side of the old poultry pen. I cannot seem to find a way to remove the fence staples in such a way as to salvage the wire wherever possible. So the fence is still up on that side and I have no way of actually moving forward with my plans. I will continue to obtain the supplies I need, but I fear getting too far ahead in case I have to alter things at the last moment. Somehow, I have to find a way to take down the fencing.
I do have one slight problem with going forward with my new rabbitry plans. Apparently, the issue is with the fencing on the inner side of the old poultry pen. I cannot seem to find a way to remove the fence staples in such a way as to salvage the wire wherever possible. So the fence is still up on that side and I have no way of actually moving forward with my plans. I will continue to obtain the supplies I need, but I fear getting too far ahead in case I have to alter things at the last moment. Somehow, I have to find a way to take down the fencing.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Shows
We haven't had a lot of shows, especially in the last year. However, apparently that will be made up for in just a few short weeks. There are multiple shows until Easter, and since they are reasonably close, we'll be attending one each week. The purpose is to attempt to sell as much as possible, but also to visit with friends wherever I can. For all too soon I won't be going to any shows, and I'm sure it will get lonely. Though I'll still have my rabbits and my kids for company, it's just not quite the same as having like-minded adults around you with which to converse.
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