[kara]

We live in Miramar where the winds were clocked at 105 MPH and we still don't have power or phones @ 10:10 am on Sat. 10/29/05. Ok so we stocked up like good south floridians BUT as you all know Matise JUST had major surgery.... He is on special meds and food that have to be refrigerated BIG PROBLEM WITH NO POWER...... Anyway all was good then at 5:30 AM Monday morn it all went dark........ We had ice for his meds and food and as soon as the power went they went on ice. We waited and waited and waited for power...... Then on wednesday morning at like 1 am Matise made all the motions of vomitting without anything actually coming out. So that is on our post surgery watch list, so we were like we have to find a vet and one that has power NOW.. So the only problem was that we need gas because gas only lasts so long. So I called my vet that I used to go to in Indiana because they had power and asked what should I do? She said I should watch him and just get to a vet as soon as I can. So we left to go to the vet and on the way we found a reasonably short gas line. We got in line at 6:45 Am and at 2:45 PM we pumped our gas.....8 HOURS LATER.... Anyway at that point I was hysterical, I was frantic and stressed beyond belief with worry for Matise.... So we said lets just go home and pack and leave... So we did and we left for Orlando. I spoke with Genie (Cookie2) about the situation and availability of a vet in Port St. Lucie but she said there were gas lines there and power was scarce. So we decided on the way to Orlando just to stop by the Coral Springs Animal Hospital were Matise had his surgery (I couldn't reach them by phone-no one had phones) And they were open-no power but open. Dr. Kyes examined him and said that he seemed to be ok but that it wasn't a bad idea that we were on our way to an area that had power- open/operating vet hospitals and emergency rooms just incase.... so we were on our way again. and at 10 pm wednesday night we checked into a hotel......mini fridge to keep Matise's meds and food cold! A vet hospital down the street, warm showers, electricity, phones, hot food and TV. So we went around town stocking up on the things we would need to come back little by little we gathered supplies and we headed back yesterday. We got back late afternoon. Things are starting to improve in most areas right around us the power is starting to come back and the gas line waits are about an hour and the ice line is about the same wait. So we are hanging out waitin for the power to come back. I came with my husband today down to South Beach he went to check out his work and his employees and I cam e to a cyber cafe so I could make sure everyone was ok and see how everyone had weathered the storm. When I logged on there had been 6,407 posts since the last time I was on, man I missed alot!!! I hope we get power soon. I am glad everyone is ok and best wishes to all that are waiting for the power! Matise is recovering well and getting so spoiled that we are with him 24/7. my vet doesn't have power yet but they are open so I feel ok and reassured. I only had to wait for 45 minutes for gas today and my ice supply is good so we should be good for a while. I hope we get power soon, before it starts to get hot I would just hate for Matise's recovery to be hampered by the heat, no power etc. Glad to hear everyone is ok and I will try and keep you all posted as best I can. Take care all and we will be thinking of you.