The Front Porch Swing

[Beekissed]

Just prayed, Blooie.

He will never leave you, nor forsake you...give Linda our love, our prayers and this verse to comfort her in this time of deep need.

 

[LeslieDJoyce]

Perchie & Bruce, I'm so glad you two have each other to talk to about that computer stuff!

 

[chickenboy190]

 

[TexasLisa]

If you have an extra minute today our family could sure use some prayers. Got a call from my sister Lori last night - our beloved Linda has taken a serious turn for the worse. She was on her way to dialysis Thursday when she started having trouble breathing. She asked Russ to take her to the Heart Hospital instead of going on to Avera, where her dialysis is done. He whipped around and sped to HH. By the time they got there Linda was blue.

They got her stabilized and did an angiogram, which showed several blockages. Her cardiologist came in and recommended bypass surgery as soon as possible, but he warned that for her it would be risky. He needed to speak with the surgeon further and they would be back in to talk to them. They came last night while Lori and her hubby Steve were there and gave Linda and Russ some horrible stuff to try to sort out. If they do the bypass there's a higher than normal chance of things going wrong, and if they lose her, the surgeon wasn't sure they'd be able to bring her back. And they're not sure if she's healthy enough to even risk it. If they don't do the surgery and stent the blockages, she automatically comes off the kidney transplant list and is looking at lifetime dialysis. The irony is that she isn't strong enough for that either. With stents, her heart wouldn't be able to cope with the extra fluid she always has from her kidney shutdown. I can't imagine laying there scared and in pain, trying to make a decision like that. Our youngest sister Bev has been preparing to donate one of her kidneys to Linda, but it isn't clear now if she'll get that chance.

She had suffered a ruptured abdominal aneurysm Christmas Day, 2012. Russ's fast action when she collapsed saved her life. But in the process of doing the emergency repair, she threw what is called a embolism shower. Her kidneys died from the lack of blood flow. I actually have her images of the aneurysm and her kidneys are bright and clearly visible. In the post-op pictures, they are just pale ghostly things. She suffered two heart attacks while still hospitalized after the aneurysm and had massive blood clots in her upper arms which had to be surgically removed, So she's been on dialysis and dozens of medications since then.

This is our Linda - of tomato toss fame - and none of us can imagine this world without her. She has a catchy giggle - when Linda's laughing you have to laugh too, even in if you aren't in on the joke. I can honestly say that I can't recall her EVER saying or doing an unkind thing. She worked hard on the staff of Neurology Associates for over 20 years, raised 4 amazing kids, and has 12 grandkids. Her latest was their only son's new baby boy, born two weeks ago.

We could use all the prayers we can get. We are taking the car in today to get an oil change. Later this morning I have to walk Jenny and Katiebug through the chicken chores. I wish I had time to get the big feeder done to minimize how often they have to be taken care of. The coop and run are secure enough to leave the pop door open so they don't have to be put inside at night and let out in the morning. If I'd have the bigger feeder and waterers done they would only have to be refilled occasionally. As it is, everyone here is going to have get tossed into the deep end with the chickens. I think we are leaving for Sioux Falls on Monday, unless I get the call I don't want to get and we have to leave early.

Linda and the family will be in my prayers. I know today is going to be hard on you. Hang in there my friend.

Lisa

 

[lovingmyhens]

You can police the interactions, particularly at the feeder, and grab the bully by the comb or head and give it a firm shake and then toss her to one side.  Or you can get a lightweight stick and "peck" her each time she shows poor manners to another.  Ultimately, if these things do not work, I'd cull her....I never keep a bad tempered hen in the flock because it creates such disharmony that it filters down...she pecks someone, they peck someone else, etc.  I've got a young hen on my cull list right now for such behaviors...she responded to the training for awhile but I've been seeing her pecking my meaty chicks lately, so either time to retrain or just take her out. 

She has pecked me on the hand when I'm dishing out feed, so that was her first training session. Lately she has been nesting late and will not get off the eggs without crying out and pecking at me...and no, she's not broody.  She's just a bad egg.  Off with her head!


So nice you could make it!  I think you are our first visitor from so far away!    

The first time I saw it happen I did what any normal rational human would do- I hit her. My little girl actually squats down when bully comes close and bully proceeded to step in her and begin to peck. I hit her and she went flying. I have no problem getting rid of her as she will probably only lay a few more months anyway.

 

[lovingmyhens]

I've another question about this bully thing. I've got an enormous back yard and all get to free range as much as their little hearts desire. Why does my Lilly, hang around where the bully is? She will actually walk across the yard to where the bully is and stay there giving bully excellent opportunity to harass her. What's up with that?

 

[lovingmyhens]

Too stinking cute chickenboy!

 

[MistyMountain]

Here is a pic from my daily fencing practice with Willie. I have found that my son's nerf sword works well with my mean rooster. A few more months and he will be making a career change from coop to kitchen. New job title: chicken n' dumplins!

 

[MistyMountain]

Super cute! What breed are they?

 

[OHhappychicks]

You stayed in Sugar Land?!!!! I live about 15 minutes SW of there! A very small world.

Lisa

Yes! We went thru Rosenburg while we were out driving around. I'm not sure why I remember that, but I remember Rosenburg!

Umm! Sorry! Rosenberg!