Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well, I knew some day MS would stop me from something I enjoyed, and it appears now that thing is breeding corns

As many of you know, I only got interested in snakes, corn in particular, almost two years ago. Since then I have spent most of my time studying, learning, and caring for my collection. I was up over 15 for a while after Ruby had her babies last year, but through selling and giving some away, I'm down to 11, a pretty manageable number, until recently

Over about the past three weeks I've been loosing the strength in my legs and arms, and have been having a lot of difficulty walking. I have no one to help me with the snakes, and though I've been denying it to family, I think I have to slim down to just two or three of them. I also just built thema rack, and now can't use the top three shelves because I can't reach them without a chair or stool, and I've been told no more step stools. (I fell off it last week oops)

I'm not interested in making $$ of them, I just don't want to give them away or worse, pay to ship them to someone, as I've invested my time and care in them, and like them a lot.

Any advice on how to pick who goes? Obviously not Ruby, she's ganna stay till I'm gone. But I can realistically only keep maybe two others, and when ruby does finally lay her eggs (if ever?! she started eating again now?) all of those babies will have to go too.

I hate to do this, I really had big plans for breeding these guys, I just didn't know how quickly ms would limit my abilities
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Dianne
AKA IcedGoddess
5.6 Cornsnakes
1.3 Cats
1.0 Pionus parrot
0.1 Child
IcedGoddess Creations
Castle Serpents

Is it possible that it is a temporary setback and you will regain some strength?

What about getting a local young herper to help you in exchange for the babies that hatch?

Good luck!

Thanks Kathy, yeah it is horrible. I've been denying it pretty hard, but after the last fall off the step stool, I guess there's no more denying it. Usually with ms, there's "attacks" and then some people have remissions. In my last 6 years since diagnosed, I've yet to have a remission from a new symptom. I guess they refer to my form as "progressive" ms. And the only herper I know of around me, is the one who gave me the anery and amel adults months ago as she was moving on to pythons, and downsized her corns. I do know someone in FL, who has said he'll cover shipping if I want to send them down to him. I know he has a lot of experience with snakes and other herps, and would take very good care of my snakes. So right now we're looking into shiping costs. But I would prefer that they could go to someone local, especially the adults. I don't know how they'll enjoy shipping.

I'm the type of person though, that if I put it off long enough, I'll end up doing things I shouldn't, like standing on stools and lifting the 55gal tank by myself. I can't stand to wait for someone to do it for me. and my daughter is to small to be of much help. I also have to work more urgently now to find homes for two of my four cats, one because he beats up the oldest one, and the other because she has been marked for someone else's home since I got her, they just haven't taken her yet

It was hard enough to let my driver's lisence expire last summer, now to downsize my animals when I had plans to someday foster even...Oh well, Some things go, something will come...I'll be happier when it's all done though, admitting it was time to downsize was the hardest part.
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Dianne
AKA IcedGoddess
5.6 Cornsnakes
1.3 Cats
1.0 Pionus parrot
0.1 Child
IcedGoddess Creations
Castle Serpents

It' so sad to hear tht your condition is worsening. I know everyone here enjoys your upbeat posts. I hope you can find someone locally to help you out. If not, theres no place better to find good homes for your babies. My thoughts are with you and hoping for a hugh turn around. Hang in there, Jim
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1,0 snow
1,0 amel

1,0 aney stripe motley
0,1 normal
0,1 anery
0,1 motley
1,1 oketee
1,1 tx rat
4,4 ball python
1,1 dumerils boa
1,0 columbian red tail boa
1,1 green iguana
1,0 leopard gecko
1,3 dogs
freezer full of mice & rats

Wishing you all the best, just like the rest of the gang.
So, let's start with: What's "local" for you? Let's find a local herper or two to give you a hand with some of what you keep. And another local or two to take a few off your hands(maybe with visitation rights?!). It would be great if whoever winds up with a few of your snakes is a regular who can keep you updated, etc. Keep your chin up. Duffy

Thank you all. Duffy, local for me is the twin cities metro area in minnesota. I haven't yet mentioned the snakes on the mhs mailing list, because i'm not sure what kind of respose I would get giving up so many of them.

Jason, I would like nothing more than to keep them, but I'm afraid it's not the same type of situation for me as you had. I'm sorry you went through so much, but glad to hear you were able to recover well MS unfortuantely doesn't come with surgical options, it just gets worse, so I'm best off giving them up now, before I end up comprimising their care just because I want them to stay. But I am keeping a couple

I can't give up Ruby, she's my first and favorite snake, and I'll be keeping one or two of the others as well. Can't possibly let them all go!

Jim, Thanks for the wishes, and I am confident that reducing to two or three will allow me to keep doing what I love, whithout over-stretching myself. And plan to still hang out here, as long as you'll all have me
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Dianne
AKA IcedGoddess
5.6 Cornsnakes
1.3 Cats
1.0 Pionus parrot
0.1 Child
IcedGoddess Creations
Castle Serpents

I am sorry that you have MS..my aunt also has it... > If this cheers you up I go to MHS meetings every month and live not far from you...I have one open tank and I would be happy to adopt one...and anytime you wopuld want I could bring it to the HMS meetings if you still go...Tell me what you think. Ill tell you what herps I have and my pass experiences...I hope you feel better and maybe a miracle will happen.

Justus
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Signed Nei_Kai

I'm very sorry about what you're going through. It probably won't make you feel any better but this time last year I almost died from a mis-diagnosis of colon cancer & after a few major emergency surgeries, I am fortunately doing better, but it was a scary time. I had diverticulitis, which is rare for someone my age (27). It almost killed me and while I spent over a month in the hospital, I lost a baby brazilian rainbow boa (due to dehydration). It was awful not having anyone care for my herps during that time. I felt really bad about it. Even after I got home from the hospital, I wasn't able to lift anything over a few pounds, which meant I couldn't even lift a 10 gallon tank. I had everyone telling me to get rid of my pets but I refused and held out. I say try your best to keep doing what you love and simply make plans for someone to care for your herps when the time comes when you can no longer care for them yourself. I found that caring for my snakes took my mind off of my illness at the time and gave me something to look forward to when I was feeling stronger & better. I think working with these animals can be very therapeutic & relieve stress if you have an honest & sincere love for these animals, which you do. Keep on herping and stay positive! I'm sure, there are plenty of friends on here that would be happy to help you by looking after your animals if it came to that. If I lived closer to you, I'd help you out. Otherwise, let me know if there is any other form of help I could provide & I would try my best.
Sincerely,
Jason
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www.members.aol.com/northeastsnakes

n/p
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alstiver@hotmail.com

1.0 2001 Hypo snow cornsnake
0.1 2002 Pastel Ghost cornsnake
1.1 2002 Bloodred cornsnakes
0.1 1998 Het Hypo, Het Caramel cornsnake
1.0 2000 Hypo Het Caramel cornsnake

Dianne- I'm so sorry to hear that your condition is worsening. I've enjoyed your posts here on KS and I know how hard it is to give up pets that you love. I think it's a very responsible decision to find homes for some of your critters to insure that you can provide the best of care to the ones you keep. I know I've been faced with similar decisions in the past (parrots & dogs - I finally had to give up keeping them as I'm not home enough to give them the attention they need and deserve). I do hope you can find a good home locally for your corns.
Take care and good luck with Ruby and the rest!
Lora

I'm really happily surprized at the supportive responses here. I was really worried that I'd hear a lot of "why'd you get so many if you knew you were sick" kind of nasty crap. When I really thought this was "my thing" that I could do even with MS, I guess you never know untill things happen

It's been hard choosing just two besides ruby to stay, I'm torn on who of the little ones to keep. My friend is adopting Breaden, so I'll get to stay in touch with him anyway! I just want it all over with so I can stop thinking about it for an hour or so!

Thanks for understanding, if I'd known my MS wasn't going to be the remitting variety, maybe I would have never started, but that would be a shame in itself, because I really love these guys.
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Dianne
AKA IcedGoddess
5.6 Cornsnakes
1.3 Cats
1.0 Pionus parrot
0.1 Child
IcedGoddess Creations
Castle Serpents

"I was really worried that I'd hear a lot of "why'd you get so many if you knew you were sick" kind of nasty crap."

Anyone who would say something like that is not worth even thinking about or responding to - it could only come from some insensitive clods who must have never had to go through any kind of difficulties themselves! Any normal herper will be keen to help if at all possible - I would be amazed if you don't find some of that same helpfulness in your local group.

Good luck!

>>I'm really happily surprized at the supportive responses here. I was really worried that I'd hear a lot of "why'd you get so many if you knew you were sick" kind of nasty crap. When I really thought this was "my thing" that I could do even with MS, I guess you never know untill things happen
>>
>>It's been hard choosing just two besides ruby to stay, I'm torn on who of the little ones to keep. My friend is adopting Breaden, so I'll get to stay in touch with him anyway! I just want it all over with so I can stop thinking about it for an hour or so!
>>
>>Thanks for understanding, if I'd known my MS wasn't going to be the remitting variety, maybe I would have never started, but that would be a shame in itself, because I really love these guys.
>>-----

Dianne,
I can never pretend to understand what you are going though but I seriously believe you were right to acquire and care for the snakes you have. It gave you an outlet and there is absolutely no doubt the snakes have had exceptional care.
It WOULD have been a shame if you had never started.
Jimmy

Im sorry to hear how bad you feel.You will be in my prayers...Paul

>>Dianne,
I am sorry to hear you have taken a turn for the worse.
You are an inspiration to all of us.
I know Tennessee isn't local but if you have any trouble getting rid of any of your snakes I would be more then willing to buy them from you. I would pay market value and shipping.
Anything I can do to help you out.
I think you know by now that I would provide a great home and quality care for your snakes.
Let me know if I can help
jimmy
draybar@concast.net

Wish you were close by. I'd come and take care of your pets.

I am so sorry to hear about your MS. I am participating in my local MS walk next month. I will keep you in mind while I am walking and raising money. I wish you the best of luck.
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Brandon
0.0.1 White's Tree Frog (I think he's a male....do you know any way to easily sex him?)
1.0 Creamsicle Cornsnake
corn_snake_dude@yahoo.com

Dianne if you read my ealier post and you would like to talk to me personally you can email me at geto18@hotmail.com. Thank you...Ill check my emails daily.Best of wishes
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Signed Nei_Kai

We are behind you, so to speak. Please know you and yours are in my prayers.

Dianne,

What an incredible bad news.. I was shocked to read your post. I hope you can find someone who can help you out. It would be such a shame if you had to get rid of one of the things in life you love so much.

Marcel
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Marcel Poots (Holland)
'Where is your crown King Nothing?' James Hettfield

So sorry to hear about this!

I so sorry to hear of your current situation. I understand that you need to downsize now, and I won't volunteer to adopt as I don't think you are going to have any shortage of adopters out there. If you get down to it and need to sell a few, send me an e-mail and I will make sure you get the addy to a free reptile classifieds (You may already know where it is, the name is censored here). Please keep my e-mail address. I will be praying that you see that remision some day soon and will be writing me for a baby corn or ball python to help flush out your collection again.

thered_dragon@yahoo.com
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Cheryl Marchek
AKA JM
Check out my website at:
The Red Dragons Den

First THANK YOU! I really expected to hear lot of not-so-nice responses about pet responsibility and such, because that what I've been saying to myself for the last weeks while I debated doing this.

You've all been very supportive, and that's something I really needed to hear. To those who've offer to give them homes, THANKS! I'm waiting to hear from one person, and when that person replies, I'll know who might still need a home. If they can't all go together, I'll start letting them go one at a time. I just know how much easier it would be for me if they all went together.

Thank you all so much for your concern and understanding, some IV drips would be better but support is always helpful

This is a big change, but one that I guess has to be made, I'm just glad I have a place like this where all you other "corny" folks are such a great help.
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Dianne
AKA IcedGoddess
5.6 Cornsnakes
1.3 Cats
1.0 Pionus parrot
0.1 Child
IcedGoddess Creations
Castle Serpents

Diane - I am really very sorry to hear you are not feeling well. I have worked with children with MS through our local Ride-to-Walk program and I know how hard it can be. I am all the way in CA although I have family out there (in the home health field), so if there is ever ANYTHING you need, please don't hesitate to ask. I have young children of my own and know how hard it can be to raise them when you don't have phyical limitations.

I really respect your decision, and I am very glad you got to spend some time doing what you love.

annabellee904@hotmail.com
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Anna

The Zoo
Corns
1.0 Snow - Cornelius
1.1 Ghost(pastel) - Gray Ghost & Pink
1.1 Amel - Parker & Scarlet
0.1 Hypo - Nikko
0.1 Anery - Missy
0.1 Hypo Motley - Cordelia aka Cordy
Boas
0.1 Columbian (BCC) - Bella
Lizards
1.0 Leopard Gecko - Leo
Rats
0.1 Dumbo Agouti - Moon
1.0 Silvered Black - Pluto
1.0 Powder Blue - Corner
0.1 Dumbo Siamese - Lily
Plus the breeders & babies
Cats
1.1 Siamese - Blue & Fiona
0.1 Gray DMS - Druscilla aka Dru
Horses
1.0 Thourghbred (Hunter/Jumper) - Morgan's Majesty aka Cody

I was under the impression that MS is an adult diagnosed disease? Actually, I did know that children can be diagnosed, but thought it was very rare. My biggest fear is that my daughter will have it too. No-one else in my family has been diagnosed, in fact, they are all the type who "never" get sick. (I say that's because I took it all for the whole family) How heart breaking to see children with it, I was lucky-enough to not know till I was 28, but according to my neuro, I've shown symptoms since I was 12. If I had known at 12, I may not have done most of the things I did as I got older, and probably not had my daughter either. But she's my best medicine, so good thing I didn't know till after she was born.

Thank you for offering to help, I do have a supportive family(though none like the snakes), I just need to learn when to ask for help. I've always been a "I can do it myself" person. (maybe why kharma's trying to teach me to ask for help?)
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Dianne
AKA IcedGoddess
5.6 Cornsnakes
1.3 Cats
1.0 Pionus parrot
0.1 Child
IcedGoddess Creations
Castle Serpents

Sorry, I am at work and was typing in a hurry. That will teach me. The program is a theraputic horseback riding program here that helps kids with all kind of problems, most commonly cerebal palsy, and muscular dystrophy. When I was there we had one teenager that had just been diagonsed with MS so not any really little kids. If there is a riding program in your area for adults with neuroloical disorders it can be extremely helpful in keeping your strength and spirit up (with you dr's approval, of course).

Our own children are so amazing and yet so terrifying, aren't they? My son's half-brother (different mother) is Type 1 diabetic and was diagnosed with it at the age of 2. Type 1 also runs in my family so I find myself doing stuff like monitoring Ash's water intake looking for syptoms. You're a parent and worrying is what we do.

I'm glad to hear you have a supportive family. I wish you all the best.
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Anna

The Zoo
Corns
1.0 Snow - Cornelius
1.1 Ghost(pastel) - Gray Ghost & Pink
1.1 Amel - Parker & Scarlet
0.1 Hypo - Nikko
0.1 Anery - Missy
0.1 Hypo Motley - Cordelia aka Cordy
Boas
0.1 Columbian (BCC) - Bella
Lizards
1.0 Leopard Gecko - Leo
Rats
0.1 Dumbo Agouti - Moon
1.0 Silvered Black - Pluto
1.0 Powder Blue - Corner
0.1 Dumbo Siamese - Lily
Plus the breeders & babies
Cats
1.1 Siamese - Blue & Fiona
0.1 Gray DMS - Druscilla aka Dru
Horses
1.0 Thourghbred (Hunter/Jumper) - Morgan's Majesty aka Cody

I thrilled to say Jimmy (Draybar) is able to adopt the whole crew After watching his posts on the board, for as long as I've been here I think, I'm sure they'll be in great hands!

Thank you to everyone who offered to help, and to KS for allowing me to find such a great home for my snakes on their site. I wouldn't have imagined being in this position, but now when I am, this board has been the ultimate helper.

To everyone who offered good wishes, THANK YOU. It will be a hard week end saying good bye to 8 of my slithery friends, But I am keeping Ruby, Kane and Morticia, so I will still be around here to bud into everyones business I'm sad to see them go, but glad that Jimmy (and maybe his wife too?) will take care of them the way I would like to.
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Dianne
AKA IcedGoddess
5.6 Cornsnakes
1.3 Cats
1.0 Pionus parrot
0.1 Child
IcedGoddess Creations
Castle Serpents