The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, and I mean Ugly

[The Kleins, Tempe, AZ]

The good: Jesse does not have a temperature today. The bad: his heart did not work by itself. The machine is a BiVad Missi, I did not hear that term before but I get it now. He will stay on it. They will try to wean him off again next week, but the doctor really believes now that there is too much damage. So I won't get any hopes up and think positively for a successful transplant and getting him ready for that. The doc said getting a heart can take many months. There are bridge to transplant devices. I have to believe that he will be back with us. He will -- it will be a longer road than I would have hoped but I am prepared to do whatever it takes.

Now for the ugly. Phoebe's cut is a real razor job -- gee, thanks for the token hair on the tail and her fluffy muzzle. Good thing Jess is asleep for this one. My neighbor and her son have been walking my pooches and I had to warn her about the AZ sun and now my little girl can get a sunburn. So Bev, your Doo's shave job is show quality compared to the do on my doo.

I never intended to use this site to discuss my personal issues aside from Doo ownership, but my friends and family (and extended doodle family) have been checking in. Thanks again for your prayers and support.
Jesse will rest this weekend. His color looks great and he looks so handsome. It is really hard to believe how sick he is. Sigh.

[Jeri]

Sam and Jaeger say Hi to the your Puppies.Thank you for sharing. Keep us posted. Jess is a very lucky man to have you in his life. I notice the stuffed puppy on the floor. All of our stuffed animals have been destuffed. They have so much fun doing this.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

I think 'The Phoebe' looks great - she is definitely more comfortable and you won't have to spend hours each week that you really don't have now brushing her or feeling guilty that you didn't.
We are thinking of you and Jesse all the time. I think that the powers of prayer are working - tho not as fast as I am sure you would like them to be.
I wake up in the morning and immediately check for your blogs (I am on ast Coast time) to see how things are going. Please keep them coming - we, here in DK, are your family. I believe every Doodle family is somehow related in spirit if not in DNA.
I hope you and Jesse have a quiet weekend,
Adrianne

[Yvonne, Riley, Murphy and Luca]

Our thoughts are with you. Keep a positive attitude for yourself and your furry friends.

Phoebe does look like a different dog, not ugly just sporting a new look. Maybe it will catch on :) and she will be a trendsetter :)

Keep your head up!

[Lynn D.]

I will second the push for creating a drive to get DK members to sign up as organ donors.
I have first hand experience and would be willing to answer any questions for those thinking of signing up.

[Missi]

She's not UGLY!!!! (okay, maybe a bit different, but not ugly) Dom't let her hear you call her ugly, you'll hurt her feelings. :-) Plus now you don't even have to think about brushing her!
BiVAD: BiVentricular Assist Device. It means it is a pump helping both sides of his heart. There are also LVADs (common) and RVADs (not so common) for Left and Right. This is often used as the bridge to transplant (which is what we used on our last transplant here, he had the BiVAD for over a month). They make small portable ones now that people can actually go home with, providing they are stabe enough otherwise. I usually only see those with one ventricle devices though.
Waiting for a heart can be a long and hard process, especially because there are never enough donors! But, as soon as he's ready, he'll definitely be a 1A on the list, so he'll be first priority in your area. Once he's stabilized, they can be awake and talking with the BiVAD. Of course he has to be closed (is he yet?) and off of the ventilator, but he can at least interact with you.
Most patients get up to 10 years if the transplant's successful, sometimes more. So let's hope he stabilizes enough to head that direction!
Anyways, that's my cardiac lesson for the night. So we should do a push and get all DK members to become organ donors! I'll be glad to dispell any myths people have for not being one!

[LINDA & TEDDY]

Holding you and Jess in my thoughts and prayers. No temperature is a step in the right direction. As for Phoebe, it WILL grow back. She will be much more comfortable now without the mats. Just tell her she is beautiful and remember that she is still the same adorable Phoebe. Teddy has been there and I have to say she loves being naked. LOL!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Isn't it shocking how skinny they look without all that fur? But she will be cooler now, and it will grow back. Keep up that positive attitude! We are thinking of Jess & you.