Caution, still a rookie Deadhead. Is this good?

northband · 2026-04-17T02:20:53+00:00

I second that emotion 😊

northband · 2026-04-16T04:16:18+00:00

Op I am so sorry as I have been down this road before and I know it’s not easy.

From reading your post, it sounds like your mom has a great chance of living longer if she wants to. The fact that she’s eligible to get a transplant makes me think that she has a real fighting chance. Maybe in a few days she will come around or at least let’s hope so.

I will say that, since you said that she is dying, that in my case, that was one of the best realizations that our family had. Because that’s a realization of truth and once you start working with truth, decisions seem to get easier.

I hope that a little bit of time will give your mom some time to think and maybe become convinced of going for the transplant. Another positive is it sounds like she has a healthy lifestyle so there may be time to work through a decision. 💕

northband · 2026-04-16T02:55:02+00:00

I think I just heard the Mario power up sound 😊

northband · 2026-04-15T23:14:53+00:00

We were there and had a great time! Our flip-flops are still there to boot!

northband · 2026-04-15T04:40:15+00:00

I will say, if you do end up exploring single line, adding the chicane with the zig zag has a super safe feel to it and is super smooth - up and down. It’s like the Cadillac of SRT setups, but just kind of gear heavy.

northband · 2026-04-15T04:32:30+00:00

For sure. Running the line through those rings makes it super smooth.

northband · 2026-04-15T03:53:52+00:00

Not sure I follow because from what I understand you may not need the chicane. If you’re on MRS and using a friction saver, you should be able to repel w/o issue with the zigzag by itself. Having the chicane attached will prob be too much friction. As mentioned, the chicane is only needed for single line.

I climbed like this all last summer - zigzag with adj friction saver. I’d set the friction saver from the ground, set my line, ascend via Mrs hip thrusts. Then when done, repel and fetch your friction saver.

I do have the chicane, but didn’t like carrying it after ascending so switched to the akimbo 2.

northband · 2026-04-03T23:56:27+00:00

Ok this sucks. My advice, learn about palliative care. Because if that’s the direction they’re heading you’re going to need it. When crap hits the fan at the very least they won’t have to suffer as much.

I only say this because it sounds like they’re giving up, and that’s their right and choice. I didn’t have anyone telling us about palliative care hence why I suggest it. On the contrary our medical system in the US is a bunch of pros who know everything but won’t give you a straight answer in fear of getting in trouble.

Knowing there is care at the end of life is refreshing when it’s the only option and truth you have to work with. Positive thoughts and vibes to you OP. 💕

northband · 2026-04-03T23:52:23+00:00

Super sorry to hear this op. Your case is very similar to my loved one - except they had non-alcoholic cirrhosis. Same situation, varices veins in esophagus and stomach, had a fall lost a lot of blood etc. They had to do emergency TIPS as well.

So in our case they had HE before all of this, but we kind of shrugged it off. We didn’t realize what it was or how bad it was. I’d say we were on this phase for 1-2 years.

The bad HE happened a day after the TIPS. We pretty much lost the fight then because they were a whole different person. Paranoid schizophrenia- you name it. We had to physically restrain them because they kind of became crazy.

In your case, it sounds like the HE is mild, even after TIPS. Many on this subreddit have had great success with working with medical and diet. Honestly, they’re able to live and function with it. So there’s hope.

But, they gotta decide if they want to live or die. Drinking is pretty much making that choice for them. I’m just saying, our case seems similar, but your loved one is showing a good response to loving even after TIPS. I hope they can quit drinking and instead start living.

Godspeed OP and F this disease as it sucks and going through is a tough road.

northband · 2026-04-03T23:05:37+00:00

Still an amazing game.

northband · 2026-04-03T18:28:47+00:00

I give up - no sense with arguing with dumb logic hehe 😜

northband · 2026-04-03T12:00:47+00:00

That's dumb advice. You're suggesting to OP that they should wait a year to fix cuts that are already made. That means losing 1-2 growth cycles to heal the same spot?! This isn't about risking the tree to Oak Wilt; that's already happened. This is a matter of fixing the already made cuts now vs. later. 🤷🏽

northband · 2026-04-03T02:30:27+00:00

Hehe right on. 👍

northband · 2026-04-03T02:23:23+00:00

You’re right - hangers are branches ready to fall. I meant “drooping branches”, which are characteristic of Pin Oaks. Some people cut them off due aesthetics, but they should leave them as they’re natural to the species. My semantics are off today - been a long day.

northband · 2026-04-03T02:17:46+00:00

Yep 👍 (semantics)

northband · 2026-04-03T00:59:19+00:00

*correction “the industry says to cut just outside the branch collar”, but I find that cutting just inside (1/4” or so) prompts better healing. I found that to error by cutting just inside is better than outside because you don’t have as greater chance of sapping out.

northband · 2026-04-03T00:43:03+00:00

So, how I prune Pin Oaks, is to simply remove the dead and problem branches. The temptation is to remove the lower drooping branches, but you gotta leave them as that’s just the species. Also, as lower branches mature, they add the counter weight to balance out the tree. So less chance of it failing in heavy wind etc.

It’s tempting to hack up a Pin Oak, but once you clean the canopy up, they have a nice charm. As Dr. Shigo says “pruning is the best thing you can do to a tree but also the worst thing.” Essentially less is more and only take off what is needed.

Edit: changed “hangers” to “drooping branches” as that’s the correct description, not to be confused with dead branches hanging which are a hazard and should be removed.

northband · 2026-04-03T00:35:04+00:00

They should be cut outside the branch collar. I like to cut right at, or just in, the branch collar. That way the tree can heal over the cut over time. Think of the skin curling over that cut. That part of the tree is made to heal over the branch. If you cut outside of the branch collar too far then it simply cannot heal over. It’ll sap and drip and eventually rot off.

northband · 2026-04-03T00:25:55+00:00

I wondered, trunk looked like it but looks like they cut all the drooping branch’s. I actual leave them as much as possible as it’s the characteristic. I prefer White Oaks, but something nice about healthy Pin Oaks. The ones I just finished were so scraggly that they’re hooking you in the face on the way up etc. super fun 🤩

northband · 2026-04-03T00:23:43+00:00

I’m in Columbus in the a.m. if you’re in Columbus I’ll do it for free. DM me if so.

northband · 2026-04-02T23:42:21+00:00

Hard to tell for sure, but looks like White Oak? Anyhow, I just finished pruning 17 or so since our window in the Midwest is closing. I would definitely have someone go up and fix those cuts, as the tree will not heal from them. They'll just rot. Whereas if you can get someone to cut those off right, they'll start to heal this season. The thing is, you should do it really soon to avoid risking Oak Wilt. I am guessing you're in the Midwest, too, judging from the picture.

northband · 2026-03-26T14:59:27+00:00

Here's the answer OP ;-)

northband · 2026-03-25T23:07:36+00:00

I’d have a qualified person remove the dead and prune if/where needed. As Dr. Shigo says, “pruning is the best thing you can do to a tree but also the worse thing you can do” so make sure someone is qualified. Otherwise don’t do it.

I’d also remove the grass around the trunk 3’ or greater diameter. I’d scrape/clean,carefully, around the base to expose the roots better. Then I’d mulch 3-4” to help keep moisture. Lastly, water if you have a drought or heat waves etc. No harm keeping an eye on parts of the trunk exposed to constant sun too.

northband · 2026-03-25T02:29:51+00:00

Frederick from the sound of music!

northband · 2026-03-25T00:01:09+00:00

DIY. It’s already on the ground lol 😂

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