Exclusive Interview… - Trinitas Hospital

every home. Comparatively speaking,the home where I lived received littledamage.What I think was more devastating forme was the overall destruction to thehome and town I had grown up in —100% of my hometown (St. BernardParish) was gone. My childhood homehad been under 12 feet of water. Itwas heartbreaking. Every place I everknew as a child — schools, parks,church — everything was gone,completely wiped out.That was the hardest thing I have everdone — to return to my hometownonly to find that nothing was there.But, facing those scenes, staring mypast in the face, allowed me to let goand move on.What brought you toNew Jersey?I felt that I needed to be close to atleast one member of my family so Ijoined my brother who had movedhere about two years earlier. After Iwas here for about two weeks, Ilooked for work while I decided aboutmy next step.When my daughter’s teacher told meabout the opening of the TrinitasComprehensive Cancer Center, I submittedmy resume. After my interview,I started working at the CancerCenter on October 3, 2005, just amonth after Hurricane Katrina. By theend of October, I had found my ownapartment in Clark.How would you describe yourfirst few months living here?It was very difficult to learn a new areaand new routines. I faced the toughtask of trying to get myself back on myfeet financially and, trying to decide ifNew Jersey was where I wanted to be.I received a lot of help from many kindpeople here. The communities werevery welcoming and sympathetic and IKathleen Terlizzi, RN, andSherri Damare work togetherin outpatient care at theTrinitas ComprehensiveCancer Center.will forever be indebted to them. It wasvery heart-warming and encouragingfor all of us.I did a lot of soul searching at thattime, too. When something likeKatrina comes along, it heightensyour awareness of just how preciouslife is and just how little control youhave. You have to make a consciouseffort to keep surviving; you have toremember that life isn’t over — it’sjust taking a different course.Help came to you in manyways as you settled in here.I met many wonderful people herewho made the adjustment a little biteasier. I also found that by allowingmyself to feel the pain I was feelingtruly helped. I tried not to dwell on mysituation, but I didn’t ignore it either.Having my children dependent onme, while very stressful, was an extraincentive for me to get up everymorning and keep going. We oftensat together and talked about whatwe were feeling or thinking, and Ithink that helped all of us cope.Did you experience any reactionsthat you were not preparedfor? How would youdescribe your feelings followingHurricane Katrina?I think the reaction that seemed mostodd to me was the guilt that I felt fornot staying in New Orleans duringthe storm. As strange as it sounds, Ifelt very guilty for leaving my patientsand other co-workers behind. I felteven more guilt when I saw some ofthem on TV during the days followingthe storm. I felt guilty for being safein my hotel with my kids.I still miss home; I still have momentswhen I break down and cry. I stillhave my moments when I ask, “Whyme?” But, what I’ve also come to seeis that not everything is negative. A lotof positive things have come from thistragedy. I’ve met wonderful people.I’ve had a first-hand lesson in what’simportant in life. I also have anamazing job and I have a chance ata new life. I’m looking forward to thefuture and I think it’s pretty bright. Ialso know that should something elsehappen, I will survive.What suggestions would youoffer to those who may beforced to deal with life-alteringcircumstances as you did?I guess my suggestion would be keepon living even though the world hasseemed to stop around you. Also,don’t rush the future. Prepare for thefuture, live each day as it comes, anddon’t dwell on the past. Talk aboutyour feelings, don’t keep them bottledup inside. Lastly, accept the help ofothers because it’s ok to admit whenyou need help.FALL 2007 25