New Photos

There are a few new photos in the Photo Album. Lexi, Who's Been in the Pool, and The Pool all have new pictures. Check out some of the other albums if you haven't already.

WHO LET THE DOG OUT?? OR IS IT WHO LET THE CAT IN??

The other morning at 0300 we were awakened by the very mournful cries of ZAZU wanting to come into the house. He has been banned from our house until he gets used to the fact that Lexi is Queen. So far there have been hisses through our sliding door and a growl from Lexi. We have to make sure the coast is clear of Zazu before Lexi can go outside in order to avoid an attack.

Our days seems to be filled with making sure Lexi does her business before she is allowed upstairs in the rest of her castle. The song by the Baha Men seemed to come to mind over and over again "Who let the Dogs Out? Surprisingly enough she is getting the "hang" of it. We are conditioning her to ring a bell to tell us she has to go to the bathroom. So far Pavlov's dogs are apparently are a bit smarter then Lexi...it will just take a lot of time and consistency.

Kourtney has come alive over the last few days. She is giggling more then usual especially when Lexi is on her bed with her. Her dressing changes are a lot smoother and her skin is improving daily. She also has her new faster wheelchair. She even managed to beat Shae on her bike . . . which caused Shae to became very upset. Kourtney laughed so hard at Shae during her defeat that it intensified Shae's anger. Todd and I shook our heads wondering where this behaviour comes from (Todd of course).

The Kujawa's are doing well. It is amazing what a white ball of fluff can do. Lexi has brought so much joy to all of us. Her master though is Todd. She listens to him and gets very excited when he walks in a room (I know how she feels). It is neat to see how she respects him and is so willing to please him. Shaelyn is our consistent pooper scooper. She is always willing to get her shovel to scoop it up. Thanks Shae. Kourtney calms Lexi down and so far Lexi hasn't even attempted to bite her. I am the one who fills in the gaps with her and enjoys playing with her.

Todd has just finished up a change house for our pool visitors. It looks very modern. We will post some pictures to the blog in the next couple of days.

Life is good . . . the Kujawa's are loving summer!!!

Lexi, a big vein, and increased retic count

We drove all the way to Falkland, BC to pick up the newest member of our family, Lexi (short for Celexa, an anti depressant medication). A female purebread bichon frise puppy. She was welcomed with open arms to all of us, except of course ZAZU (he has been banned from overnights since he pooped on Kourtney's bed . . . YUCK). The lady that sold Lexi to us had her sleeping in a kennel and going potty outside before we got there. So far so good . . . she has pooped and peed outside. She lets us know by giving us a little dance. She slept quietly in her kennel last night . . . not a peep or poop out of her. The anticipation and arrival of this puppy has been the best anti depressant for all of us so . . . thus the name.

Kourtney and I had to leave Lexi on Wednesday to go to the hospital for more appointments and another iron infusion. Good news . . . her skin is getting better so much now that there was a nice big vein on her arm to start the IV in. They got it started on the first try and the iron infused over the next 4 hours. Her hemoglobin is low again. What I have learned is that iron is actually stored in the skin so when there is chronic skin loss, the iron stores are also lost, therefore creating a low hemoglobin (her skin was really bad before our trip to Florida). The good news is her Red Blood Cells (her retic count) is higher than they have been which means she is capable of making these Red Blood Cells, they just need more iron. The hematologist is now considering starting Kourtney on EPO which will help with RBC production. (EPO is what athletes use when they "blood dope").

Kourtney's skin continues to improve. We have finally have found a combo of dressings that not only protect the skin but help with healing. We call it the horizonal-vertical method. If you are interested I will explain (I am talking about dressings, for you with the overactive imaginations).

So far our summer has been full with lots of pool parties, a fun visit with cousins from Edmonton and the Jonas Brothers concert. Although we will not be going anywhere far we have lots of fun plans this summer.

Thanks to all my friends and family for all the birthday well wishes. Todd and the girls brought in a birthday cake for me into work today, and I have received many wonderful cards and gifts . . . thank-you everyone. Tomorrow, Todd and I are taking off to Harrison for the night. Mona and Bev will be taking care of the 3 girls (Lexi included). We are now on day 4 with the puppy and it is going very well. She sleeps in her kennel at night and is very quiet. She loves playing with the girls and will take her rest time sitting with Kourtney. Very cute.