Katrina

kayel · Sep 3, 2005

Please keep all of us in your prayers! PLEASE.

Yes, we sure will!! It is frustrating from this end to know how to help but the prayers definitely!!! We are able to donate to the Red Cross and other organizations from here .. in cases like these I wish I was in the position of having a skill or the resources to actually go down and physically help. :crying2:

Sending an inadequate cyber hug.

Christian_SN, RN · Sep 3, 2005

kayel & BSNin05,

thank you so much for your words full of love. i cannot help but to cry when i read your heart-felt care. like i said 'i cannot place my words together to even tell you how i feel (for me and others). i have been on the net stayin busy. thank you both so very much. i'll keep you informed of what is going on here. it really helps to talk about all of this in my heart. thanks for being there for all of us.

an e-mail from a class-mate that is working at a shelter (like i am):

Listen to this.

The salvation army has been feeding the three hundred folks that are still in the shelter here and tomorrow the evacuees don't know it, but the salvation army has been redeployed and are moving out and taking all their food with them. So now the people that they've brought in here will have to be fed and clothed by the local churches. So we've just discovered we'll be responsible for feeding 300 people and the grocery store is empty.

kayel · Sep 3, 2005

i'll keep you informed of what is going on here. it really helps to talk about all of this in my heart. thanks for being there for all of us.

I will be watching for your posts and keeping you close in my thoughts!! I read your message to my dh and 6yo and they also were speechless. Actually -- well, not exactly speechless -- my 6yo ds is asking me all kinds of questions about you now .. know he will be praying for you also!

jennielynn · Sep 3, 2005

I am also praying for all the people who were affected by this devastating hurricane. It breaks my heart to sit in my safe, warm home and see the disturbing images on the tv. If I weren't in Nursing school right now----I'd be in my car, on my way to help! Last night dh and I came up with another plan. We cancelled our upcoming beach vacation and are donating all the money we have saved for that to the American Red Cross. It may be small in comparison to what the heroes are doing down in the heart of this disaster----but it's something!

I encourage all my fellow nursing students, nurses and fellow Americans to think of what they can do without---to help. Even the smallest amount will do!

SoulShine75 · Sep 3, 2005

I am also praying for all the people who were affected by this devastating hurricane. It breaks my heart to sit in my safe, warm home and see the disturbing images on the tv. If I weren't in Nursing school right now----I'd be in my car, on my way to help! Last night dh and I came up with another plan. We cancelled our upcoming beach vacation and are donating all the money we have saved for that to the American Red Cross. It may be small in comparison to what the heroes are doing down in the heart of this disaster----but it's something!
I encourage all my fellow nursing students, nurses and fellow Americans to think of what they can do without---to help. Even the smallest amount will do!

I think that's great jennielynn. I'll also be saying prayers for those who have lost so much.

kahumai, RN · Sep 3, 2005

an e-mail from a class-mate that is working at a shelter (like i am):
Listen to this.
The salvation army has been feeding the three hundred folks that are still in the shelter here and tomorrow the evacuees don't know it, but the salvation army has been redeployed and are moving out and taking all their food with them. So now the people that they've brought in here will have to be fed and clothed by the local churches. So we've just discovered we'll be responsible for feeding 300 people and the grocery store is empty.

I can't help but wonder how that's even possible! No offense, but they're being redeployed to where, some *other* crisis?!? THE VICTIMS STILL NEED HELP! Why can't they understand that? Do they think they're done with their job? Do they think that the immediate danger that everyone has been in is over and they can just leave, nevermind all the people who are starving? That makes me so mad. Don't call yourself a "Disaster Relief Organization" when you help for 3 days and then leave. What an absolute disgrace.

Christian_SN, RN · Sep 4, 2005

Update:

Most of the gas stations are still out of gas in Mobile and Baldwin county. In surrounding areas where Katrina hit there is no gas b/c of either lack of power or gas. If there is a line it is still at least a 6 hour wait.

Most people in surrounding areas (Mobile and Baldwin county) are renting trucks and asking people to bring supplies to take to Mississippi (Gulfport, Biloxi, and surrounding areas). In parts of Mississippi (where there is no news persons accept for here) there are reports of people drinking the flood water or drinking from swimming pools, babies with no diapers or formula. So all day we have been at the Alabama and Mississippi state line filling up trucks with supplies. People have been bringing every thing you can think of even washer and dryers (why? No power and house to put them - but nice). We had a news reporter break down and cry on air.

Health care person in Florida have put together meds, rented a bus, and is heading to Mississippi to take care of people.

50% of Mobile has power now. 75% of Baldwin county has power.

Every one on food stamps have been issued their food stamps early (on a card they hold - they say). And free food stamps for the people wanting to stand in line. As soon as a wal-mart fills up - it is bare once again by night.

http://www.hurricanehousing.org is a web-site for people donate their homes to people that have lost their home. Of course, you can set your own price per month - if you want. Others that want to house a family in their home can contact the police department. I have a friend that has taken in a family.

Most of churches have opened up to house people that have no where to go (as with the shelter stated in an earlier post).

Today has been a good day, knowing that you are helping others that really need help really helped my spirit today. I guess that I had time NOT to think about my home and friends. Thank you all for your love (again), you love and care really is the best. Donating money to help others instead of a vacation ... um ... touches me ... deep within.

All of you are truly going to be the best Rns ever.... Such a big heart... such kind words. You'll always be in my heart ... the heart and soul I felt as I read each post from you all ... will never be forgotten.

As always, I'll keep you updated.

RNSuzq1, RN · Sep 5, 2005

Christian, Prayers go out to all of you that have gone through this horrible storm and suffered so many losses. I'm in NC - Hurricane Fran almost destroyed our neighborhood when our youngest was a baby. We lost electricity and water for 2 weeks and quickly realized - you can live without electricity, but not having clean water is a nightmare, especially when you have a baby - no way to clean them up, especially after they mess their pants. I still remember going to the faucet to get a drink or wash my hands out of habit and no water coming out, it's a scary thing. Since then, I've had a great appreciation for the clean water we have in this Country - you honestly don't realize how incredibly important it is until you don't have it.

Yesterday, I saw on the news an older man they had named "Robin Hood". Unlike people who were truly "looting" and taking things like tv's and major appliances out of stores (which made no sense, considering they don't have electricity) - this sweet old guy made it his mission to help out the babies. He filled a shopping cart with all sizes of diapers, wet ones, formula, baby food and pedialite. He said he knew after being in that filthy water - a lot of the babies probably had diarrhea or were dehydrated and the fact that he thought enough to get the pedialite was a wonderful thing - he probably saved some lives because of it and deserves a Medal for what he did. He pushed that cart through crowds of people handing out the stuff and the Mom's were in tears they were so happy to even have a clean diaper to put on their babies. You can only imagine the horrible diaper rashes that some of the babies must have if they didn't have clean diapers for several days.

I know there were a few bad guys that made trouble - but for the most part everyone is helping their fellow man and it's incredibly touching to know most people will reach out to each other during times like this. I went into Nursing to help those in need and if I already had my license, I'd consider it an honor to have the chance to go there and help out. God Bless all of you that are suffering because of this storm - you are in my thoughts and Prayers. Sue

kahumai, RN · Sep 7, 2005

Christian, Prayers go out to all of you that have gone through this horrible storm and suffered so many losses. I'm in NC - Hurricane Fran almost destroyed our neighborhood when our youngest was a baby. We lost electricity and water for 2 weeks and quickly realized - you can live without electricity, but not having clean water is a nightmare, especially when you have a baby - no way to clean them up, especially after they mess their pants. I still remember going to the faucet to get a drink or wash my hands out of habit and no water coming out, it's a scary thing. Since then, I've had a great appreciation for the clean water we have in this Country - you honestly don't realize how incredibly important it is until you don't have it.
Yesterday, I saw on the news an older man they had named "Robin Hood". Unlike people who were truly "looting" and taking things like tv's and major appliances out of stores (which made no sense, considering they don't have electricity) - this sweet old guy made it his mission to help out the babies. He filled a shopping cart with all sizes of diapers, wet ones, formula, baby food and pedialite. He said he knew after being in that filthy water - a lot of the babies probably had diarrhea or were dehydrated and the fact that he thought enough to get the pedialite was a wonderful thing - he probably saved some lives because of it and deserves a Medal for what he did. He pushed that cart through crowds of people handing out the stuff and the Mom's were in tears they were so happy to even have a clean diaper to put on their babies. You can only imagine the horrible diaper rashes that some of the babies must have if they didn't have clean diapers for several days.
I know there were a few bad guys that made trouble - but for the most part everyone is helping their fellow man and it's incredibly touching to know most people will reach out to each other during times like this. I went into Nursing to help those in need and if I already had my license, I'd consider it an honor to have the chance to go there and help out. God Bless all of you that are suffering because of this storm - you are in my thoughts and Prayers. Sue

It's nice to hear stories like that. They are actually transporting 150 evacuees to the Tinley Park Mental Health Center (part of which is shut down and vacant) sometime this week and they are looking for volunteers. A bunch of girls from school are planning on heading over to see what we can do. At the very least we can bring them donated clothing, bedding, etc.

Any new news, Christain??? I'm thinking about ya!!!!

mandrews · Sep 7, 2005

I heard from my friend Christy yesterday and she is ok, family fine. She worked three days in a roll, came home had 6 hours sleep, and called me on her way to work triage as a volunteer somewhere. Talked about all the people who had gun shot wounds not drowning or hurricane victims. Doc used two foley catheters and rigged up a chest tube. Man shot 5 times in the chest. PT doing fine. carjackings. Breadman at a Walmart store got the crap beat out of him. no gas. No underwear left in Baton Rouge. Sizes needed up to a 5x.

Saw the helicopters taking food to a remote trailer park in alabama and had a good cry. people would hear the copter coming and start running out to collect ice, mre, water. Have you ever ate a mre? If your starved I bet they are good, but I tried one a year or so ago and it was interesting. Too many people on outskirts of AL and MS not getting provisions. :crying2: