Storm has passed....

But the winds seem stronger now than yesterday and this morning. My windows are rattling and sound like they are about to explode. Very interesting. They are saying we are still getting Tropical force gusts.

Today I walked with my family through the town of Nutley and saw the very heavy flooding that has gone through the town. It was crazy to see a raging river flowing through where a beautiful park usually winds through the town.

We have survived this one now we are waiting to see if the next one that is forming will head our way as some are trying to say.

The Eye of the storm!

I lost power most of the night and morning. It just popped back on for a short time so wanted to post a quick update. We have received a TON of rain. Our road that is not in the normal flood zone is a river. The Eye of the storm is expected to pass over in the next hour and then we have the back side. Manhattan has been breached and water is beginning to flood as well as the opposite Jersey side in Hoboken.

Last night the storm rocked my 3rd floor apartment most of the night. Right now as the eye of the storm comes near it is ironic that the weather is becoming calmer. I have never been in the eye of a hurricane nor have I been near any hurricane before. But friends who have say that the eye of the storm is this beautiful quiet, calm weather. The problem they say is that the back end of the storm has to pass. So I used this slight lol to get the dog to go to the bathroom and now I am back inside secure for the next round.

Hurricane Irene heading our way...

Hurricane Irene made landfall today in North Carolina as a Category 1 storm. Usually these storms usually weaken significantly over land but this one is so large (480+ miles wide) that it is holding its shape and its strength. The outer bands are pelting us now with heavy rain. The winds are beginning to pick up now but the eye of the storm is not expected to arrive over NYC till tomorrow morning around 8 or 9am.

They have evacuated the entire Jersey Shore as well as areas along long Island as well as much of NY city. Earlier this evening they added parts of Jersey City, Newark and all of Hoboken which are all along the Hudson river between NY and NJ.

We are looking to be in for quite a ride.

Hurricane Irene

Hurricane Irene is moving ever so slowly up the eastern seaboard. The current track has it being a direct hit to New York city. One meteorologist explained that it is more than 400 miles wide and that the hurricane forced winds extend at least 90 miles from the eye of the storm. This means that the area I live in will likely experience hurricane forced winds.

There is not a single flashlight or D and C batteries on any shelf. Nor is there much water left on the shelves. Mandatory evacuations have occurred along the shore, NYC will shut down mostly tomorrow through Sunday. We are unsure whether this will be a hurricane 1 or 2 but with the amount of rain we have had of late and the route this is taking they are predicting this to be a very destructive storm.

I am hunkered down in my apartment and ready to ride it out in my new apartment. If I don't lose power I will plan to keep my blog updated.

Much love from NJ

Life in the ER

This week I started my new job at a Trauma ER in Paterson, NJ. This ER is rough and tumble with psych patients, inmates, serious trauma incidence, and gang violence. We are awaiting our move over to the brand new ER that will double us in size.

So far I am only in training and it is a slow time. But I have had the opportunities to see some interesting stuff. I look forward to this new experience.

Last day

Today, is my last day as a regular Valley Hospital Employee. At 11:30pm I will walk out the doors and move onto the next step in my career path. More than 3 1/2 years ago, I applied to a hospital in NJ from Oregon and received a call that they would like to hire me. I had no idea of the hospital or its reputation at the time and looking back I was incredibly blessed by how good a place it was.

Now as Valley changes in some drastic ways, it is time for me to move on and make some changes that are good for me. In some ways it is a step backwards in order to take two steps forward. But the opportunity to work in a level 1 trauma Emergency room at St. Joseph's Hospital is to good an opportunity to pass up. This is the dream place for me to work. I have always had a pull toward drama and crisis situations. It is the place where I can kick into gear and do my best work.

Monday morning I will begin orientation for my new job and soon I will move to nights where I will see the high drama of a level 1 trauma ER in the poor part of Paterson unfold.

To be continued....

The long road to recovery....

30 weeks and 2 days ago I had brain surgery. It was a surgery that was uncertain of how well it would fix the numerous issues that I was suffering from. It was a surgery that could lead to more complications in some cases. It was also a surgery that could have to be redone down the road. However, after having suffered for years with increasingly debilitating symptoms and especially over the last few months I decided it was well worth the risk.

Following surgery, I felt an instant relief. Never mind the serious pain from having the back of my head opened or the 2 brain infections I experienced. Somehow knowing those were only temporary made it worthwhile. Over the next few months I gained use of my right side again, had no headaches, and slowly returned to normal life.

As I prepare to go in for my 6 month follow-up MRI (I know it's a bit late), I have been having some headaches. This week the headaches have been pretty intense but it feels like it is more muscle related/tension. In order to access the brain they had to remove the muscles and reattach them. And due to the grafts they had placed, I am not allowed to have any direct massage on the area yet. So now it is back to heat packs (not appealing in this muggy weather), and muscle relaxers.

I believe that God brings us through all things for a purpose. There was a purpose in me becoming sick (sometimes I think it was to slow me down a bit). There was a purpose in me going through surgery and now there is a purpose in this. Even when things aren't a 100% right now all I have to do is think back and remind myself of how bad things were before surgery and I am so grateful for where I am now! In the mean time I will continue with my physical therapy and treatment and trust God through each circumstance.

Changes happening!

When I decided to change from Social work to Nursing, I always envisioned myself doing trauma/emergency nursing and disaster work. This has always been a passion of mine. Moving to NJ to finish my nursing degree, I never envisioned it would take SO long but with getting knocked out of school, then having to put school on hold for brain surgery, and now just taking a while to finish this last 2 exams. However, I did know that NJ would be a great place for me to work in the area I want to work.

As things have been changing at my current job and being uncertain of how long it will take to finish these last 2 exams, I decided I would try to make a change. Being so close to finishing most hospitals won't consider you for hiring because they know you will be moving on soon. In light of that I really did not think I would have much opportunity. However, a nearby hospital will be opening a brand new 6 floor critical care center including a large level 1 trauma ER. When a friend of mine got a job there, he took my resume to them and within a very short time I was called. This week I had 2 interviews and yesterday I was offered a position as an ER tech beginning in 2 weeks.

To take the offer required a pay cut and going to night shift, but I am so excited for the opportunity to get my foot in the door of a level 1 trauma ER. I will be working directly in the ER including their Trauma rooms and will be able to get a ton of experience. I am hoping that when I finish my nursing degree that I will be able to slide into a position with them as well.

St. Joes ER is in Paterson, NJ which is a very poor area and lots of gun shots, stabbings, and other issues. So I am moving from a wealthy clientele to a much poorer clientele but that is much more what I am used to and comfortable with.

As an update on my retake of my exam, they said I am ready to finally be scheduled. The lady who does that is back in the office Monday. Hopefully Monday I will have a new test date.