Karl's diagram is spot on. I'm so glad he posted it.
I want to add a few more thoughts about adopting a possibly unhealthy snake.
Anytime we get a snake we take the chance it may have a health problem. Mine was a formal adoption from a reptile rescue who had a vet check on intake and then was in foster for nearly two years. When I got her, I quickly realized that she had cataracts (which don't slow her down a bit) and she had stuck shed on her tail which is not good husbandry by any measure. All I knew is that she was at least 12 years old and had laid eggs shortly after arriving at the rescue, presumably with her cohabited mate. I had no idea of any heath problems including the parasites that have turned up.
Just like there are no guarantees in anything else in life there are no guarantees in adopting. I hope that this information allows you to relax a bit and to roll with whatever comes. When we love, we risk. I know that in adopting a snake that has more days behind her than ahead of her I risk the heartbreak of not having her as long as I might have a younger snake. To love deeply is to accept the joys and the heartaches that come with that love.
I'm not just talking to you personally, but to anyone getting a pet snake. I'm also just reflecting for myself on the nature of love and what adopting this girl, who has some needs, but who is also full of personality and life means to me. She is beyond special and she is a blessing beyond measure.
And now to you personally, LadyJemina -- kudos for all the hard work and education you are putting into this. Few here have been more prepared to welcome a snake home than you. I know I wasn't as ready as you for my first snake even though I had read Don Soderberg's book and planned for a year. I have no doubt that you can handle whatever may come. I wish you the healthiest of snakes and the happiest of relationships with it! If there are some bumps along the way there is a great community here ready to support you.
My rescue girl <3<3<3<3<3 , Mandy. Her honorary (we don't really know) 14th "birthday" was yesterday: