Thursday, March 10, 2016

Free Banana Bread

Yesterday afternoon I learned that today's workshop was cancelled and was able to set up a vet appointment. Since Jetty has been drinking more frequently and longer, eating more, and losing weight, I have been worried about diabetes or kidney failure. When she went to the vet Tuesday, he thought the same and wanted blood tests.

He thought he would have to use anesthesia to draw blood. I asked him to please try without anesthesia. He did it and never even shaved a patch of fur. Not sure how he pulled that one off. Honduran cat owners don't like their cats shaved, so he has figured out a way to find a vein through the fur.

This morning as I dropped Jetty off and was walking out of the vet's office, I had the worst feeling. I thought maybe it was the last time I would see her without the heavy burden of knowing she was seriously ill.

When I got home I walked in the door. It struck me that she wasn't here to meet me. She always runs to the door. I was scared this lonely feeling might be my new reality soon.

A couple of hours later, I got the call that I could pick her up. The doctor didn't need to use anesthesia. He came out into the waiting room to get me. Normally an assistant brings me in, so I assumed something was wrong when I saw him.

He said good morning and I couldn't speak to respond. He looked at my face and said, "Don't be scared. It's good news." I was still nervous. We went into the back and he sat down and showed me the blood work results. Everything is perfect. Jetty is turns nine years old this month. She was very sickly as a kitten. She's got messed up hips and a constant rash on her nose so the fur won't grow there. Her eyes cross in a strange way every now and then. But otherwise, she is super healthy!

I am so happy! And relieved!! I prayed and prayed about this and God answered every prayer. It seems like Jetty still has many years left with us.

My car, on the other hand, is still messed up. There's a new spot where oil has leaked onto the garage floor. The car is going back into the garage tomorrow. At least I got to use it today to get that bloodwork out of the way.

I have seen some funny things on El Anillo lately that I keep meaning to tell you about.

The first was two days ago. A man whose legs ended at his knees was riding downhill full speed in his wheelchair. He was going so fast I was amazed the wheelchair could hold up. Two tractor trailers led the long line of cars who were lined up in two lanes of traffic behind him. I am not sure how a man in a wheelchair got into that position, holding up traffic in the middle of a two lane highway. Only in Honduras.

This morning on the way home from the vet both lanes of traffic came to a stop. I looked around expecting another wheelchair. Instead, there were three horses casually wandering around on the highway. Craziness! I tried to get a photo, but my phone camera didn't work.

Tonight I invited my new North American neighbors to walk over to El Hato with me. They have never been there before. It was HOT out today, so we waited until 5 p.m. There was surprisingly little traffic. I showed them my cheese place, tortilla place, avocado place, banana and pineapple place, and the lady who sells me a garbage cans for my church. The lady at the avocado place had a bunch of overripe bananas. She gave me about 30 bananas for free. I told her I'll bring her some banana bread on Saturday. The other vendors are envious of the deal she has with me. We think it's a great deal for both of us - free bananas in exchange for banana bread!