Mark on Steroids

We are in the process of getting some landscaping done in our backyard. We have a big grassy backyard with unobstructed, panoramic views of our entire neighborhood. And, as much as we like our neighbors, we want little more privacy. Several weeks ago we had a landscape designer come out and take a look at the yard to draw up some plans. While she was here she pointed out some shrubby vines that were growing on the fence and told us that she didn't know what the plants were, but that we should remove them before they damaged the fence.

Mark had been meaning to remove the plants for years, but had kept putting it off. The darn things had stems that were several inches in diameter and were literally growing right through the slats of our fence, so it wasn't going to be an easy job to get them out.

Last Saturday, with the fear of having to replace a section of fence as motivation, Mark set out to get rid of the vines. He ripped and hacked and pried for hours before trudging into the house, scratched up and sore, pronouncing himself the victor in the war on the weed. Little did he know that the fight was just beginning.

On Sunday, the scratches covering his forearms turned into itchy welts. By Monday, the welts were a red, very itchy rash and the weed's battle tactics began to be clear. The plant growing through our fence, though harmless on its own, had been harboring a secret weapon--poison ivy. On Tuesday, when he couldn't stand it anymore, Mark ceded the victory and went into the doctor for treatment. He got a big steroid shot and several days worth of pills. Unfortunately, while the medication is helping, he's still really itchy. Both of his forearms are covered with the fluid-filled lumps as well as several spots on his legs and neck. On the bright side, the fence was saved and the rash, well, it could be worse.