My long March...

[ShreddedOakAviary]

So the month of March was unpleasant, and that is an understatement. I found out I was pregnant at the end of February, which was of course good news since we have been trying to have a baby for almost 9 years. We also got a new shire horse in February who is in foal to a nationally renowned stud. Then came march... my birthday was march 8th (turned 33), and still all was OK in life. Then we started to notice our new mare was limping... so I immediately called the vet. Couldn't find the problem, so ordered some tests and X rays. Same time a greenwing arrived and it was quite ill. So, X rays came back..
Still don't see a problem. Put her on Bute for 3 days and wait... I begin to miscarry the following day. So, I am in pain and crying while doing chores and then head outside to shave the feathering (leg hair like a Clydesdale) off my lame mare to take a closer look. I find sores all over her legs from a special kind of mange. Head to the hospital to get checked out myself again, and then to the vets to pick up meds for the poor miserable mares legs, and pick up some lab results for the sick greenwing. Come home, while still crying treat the greenwing and fight with a 2000 pound horse to let me clean her legs and treat them for the mange/mites. Quarantine the mare, treat the other horses who have been exposed and head back into the house to handfeed babies. Answer the phone to be told that a lesser sulfur crested cockatoo needs a home. I reluctantly say yes and arrange a time for pick up. Go outside to check on the birds and clean the cockatoos... to discover that my one of my umbrella cockatoos doesn't seem well... Off to the vet. Nothing wrong other than stress... he wanted a mate. So, pair him with a female and watch closely. Use an angle grinder to cut a hole in the side of the aviary to place a nest box... only to discover I'm out of metal t boxes... so out to the shop to build a temporary one out of wood. Get it hung and watch the birds a while longer... Feel light headed and decide I should go in for a nap.

 

[luvmytooo]

Omg !! Honey , I am so sorry for your loss !
You have been through hell and back !!
I can only pray you find the emotional strength to get through this tough time , but from what I have read in your post , you are a very strong woman already. I will be praying for you and your family. Hugs to you

Laura

 

[roxynoodle]

Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry, especially about the baby. There really aren't any words to say other than I will be thinking of you and wishing you the best.

 

[Mayden]

Oh I've been wondering where you've been. I am so so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and all your sick birds and horses. Much love from the flock here. xx

 

[Mare Miller]

oooh! So sorry you are going through all this! You are one strong lady and will be alright.

 

[ShreddedOakAviary]

Life continues to move forward. Mare is doing better, greenwing is doing well, umbrellas are happy, and I'm doing as well as one can expect. We have my parents (who live 8 hours away) some land to put a house up, and now we're busy with that planning process with them. We will try again to have a baby of our own. I am ashamed because I was able to keep up with the animals, but I have an inbox full of people who have called or written looking for birds, I need to reschedule all my grooming appointments, etc. While I can feel free ti explain where I've been to all you, doing it face to face with people will be impossible.... I just tell them I had some family related emergencies. I have one guy whose bird I groom actually chew me out for not answering, I felt bad and apologized, but he's the type who does nothing but endlessly chatter to my about his bird usually and seems incapable of understanding that while I run an aviary for a living, it is not the whole of my life.... oh well. I am currently hoping to start a bird related blog that will cover some of my irritations with regards to the bird industry, but at the moment I am stuck trying to figure out what to name it...lol. I find myself sitting over coffee with my bird breeder/rescuer friend venting a lot of frustrations on poor husbandry practices, poor breeding practices, veterinary mistakes and disasters, and a general lack of knowledge regarding parrots. We agreed that a lot of what we do on a daily basis should be compiled and shared in a blog format.... so, maybe someday I'll call get that started. Otherwise life is almost back to normal, and for that I am grateful.

 

[roxynoodle]

That has to be aggravating to deal with so many very personal problems and have someone angry that his bird didn't get groomed on time. I understand though not wanting to spell these things out to everyone either. If I were closer, I'd come lend a hand.

 

[merlinsmom13]

So sorry about the baby. I know animals dont plan on being ill, but I've found they do get sick more often when we can least afford it. Hope things continue to improve.

Good riddance March, we won't miss you.

 

[BillsBirds]

So sorry about all this. Wondered where you were. Glad you're back. Know that you have friends here to vent to, and will be as supportive as we can.

 

[ShreddedOakAviary]

Thanks for listening... or reading I guess . Now back to birds

 

[Rio Mom]

I also had been wondering where you went and how you were. I'm so very sorry for your loss.

 

[lene1949]

So sorry to hear about March... Hopefully April will carry some good news.

 

[ShreddedOakAviary]

I am now trying to decide when to give up... I went to the E.R. last night (found out that we're expecting again last week) but at last night hospital visit found out I am habing another miscarriage. I'm not sure if I have the emotional stamina to try again.

 

[wenz2712]

I am so sorry to hear your sad news! Sending Hugs to you.

 

[merlinsmom13]

I'm so sorry. Hope the best for you & your husband.

 

[luvmytooo]

Im sorry
Why not stop checking and just let it happen ?
My parents tried for seven years to have me , and when they least
expected , there i was !
My older brother always told me I was a mistake :/. Brothers

Just go on with life , and maybe when the stress is gone or
at least lessened , it will happen.

I had a few miscarriages , never had children , but the doctors told
me that I had to let go of the stress , it is a big part of it.

 

[ShreddedOakAviary]

I wasn't trying at all the first time (February), and really wasn't trying this time either. The doctor wants to investigate a few things over the next couple of months, since normal people have less than a one percent chance of having 2 miscarriages in a row. So, I'll leave it to them fir the moment. I told my husband that I will try once more, but I'm not sure I can hold up past three.... so, if tgis next tine doesn't work out I'll likely have a tubal ligation. I'm a tough persob, but even I have limits... the tensile strength of my emotions is weakening and I can clearly tell.

 

[Spiritbird]

Sending healing energy your way.

 

[luvmytooo]

You know what's best for you . I hope your doctors can help .
Be good to yourself.

 

[RescueMe]

I am so very sorry for your loss, why is it the pest potential parents have the toughest time? My grandmother had 8 years of miscarriages then 7 kids, I cannot venture to guess the pain and fear she went through. I hope that eventually you will find peace and happiness and with luck a family too. Good luck, I wish you all the best.