11/22

UPDATE: I called PetsPlus, told the man from the aquarium/fish section (I tried to get the same man I called yesterday in regards to some "fish questions", but he wasn't in today) what was going on, and I was able to bring him to the store. When I showed him Phoenix and explained to him what I saw last night, he assured me that my fish is alright and that he (the fish) possibly scraped himself against the gravel and caught a little infection, which is basically normal for the fish and that they eventually come out of it. He also provided me an anti-bacterial treatment to use as a preventative measure. I brought him back home and applied the anti-bacterial. Phoenix is back to his old, healthy and lively self again. YEY!

Man, from bad to worse! Last night, when I was checking on my two pet fish, I noticed that Phoenix was having some trouble breathing and trouble opening his mouth. He also had some marks on his face and under his eyes that were not there before. I knew it wasn't fungus, because they weren't white or gray, or hairy for that matter. They were gold/rust colored, plus it looked like there was something fuzzy around his mouth. I Googled for betta fish diseases ... and it's possible that he might have Columnaris (the signs/symptoms list were a very close match to what Phoenix was experiencing). PetsPlus is not open until 12pm ... damn, I HATE waiting! I read the treatments list under the disease ... It suggested to raise the water temperature
and to dim the lights, among a few other things. So, I raised the temperature of the tank. So far, it seems to be making some difference. It also suggested to change the water, since poor water condition is a contribution to the problem. I do have some clean water on hand, but I'm at the point where I'm completely indecisive and fearful that one false move could be Phoenix's undoing ... Should I change the water now? If so, is it the right temperature? Would I be repeating the same mistake I made with Brooklyn if I change it now? Should I wait until 12pm and bring Phoenix's tank to the pet store (water unchanged) and listen to their advice first? Am I wrong and just over-analyzing the situation?

Am I wrong? I hope I am ... I just HOPE that I am ...

So please, pray for Phoenix's health ... He's going to need it ...

(BTW, this is the article I was looking at: [link])
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11/21

After I got back from a dinner party at St. Mary's Parish (next to St. Mary's Church, where I go for Saturday night Mass and choir), my mother picked me up ... and told me that Grandma is in the hospital. It turns out there was something wrong with the medication she was taking (her doctor messed up on her medication, as per my mother) and she's extremely dehydrated. So far, she's doing alright, but I would appreciate it if you all say a prayer for her.

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