Got Plums ?

Our two plum trees were stressed. Ant wounds on the trunk that ran deep and oozy led to their assumption of a last hurrah. They bloomed and produced with abandon. Many branches died, others filled to breaking with fruit. I mixed up a cocktail of dish soap and canola oil and liberally sprayed on the trunk. Do not despair I whispered, just hang on and if this doesnt work I will get a professional. Come Feb. is a major prune, more spray, and prayers. In the meantime I am making jam, have copied reciepts for cobbler, pie, pudding, stewed, and canned. Why is goodbye so hard ?