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Preemie Books
The
Preemie Parents Companion: The Essential Guide to Caring for Your Premature Baby
in the Hospital, at Home, and Through the First Years by Susan L Madden M.S,
William Sears MD, Jane E Stewart MD
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Letter
From NICU Nurse Dear
Kim, I just
received the copy of Living Miracles and wanted to personally say,
“Thank you! Thank you very much!” In
addition to being the Maternal Infant Division Educator I am a NICU nurse. I did
not mention that tidbit of information with my original request for a very
important reason. I have
found it very difficult to read/recommend material that is “personal success
stories of preemies” and “stories of hope and courage” because many of
them—while meaning well, often do NOT give the true picture of the NICU, and
preemie parents when they read them don’t get a real picture, not only of the
NICU—but the future. They expect things we cannot guarantee or hope for things
not meant to be. While
many of our preemies are “success stories” and have demonstrated great
“courage” and are examples of hope and overcoming odds—many of our parents
take that as meaning their child will be without limits and considered
“normal”—often this isn’t true and publications that lead them to
believe this often come to do more harm than good. While
there are odds and statistics that say the chance for normal is very good, there
needs to be something out there for families where the outcome is less than they
had hoped for. Sometimes articles and people imply that if the preemie is not
normal—or 100% then they do not qualify as a “Living Miracle” while for
that family they are very much a loved miracle. I did
not find this to be true with your book. I have read some of it already—and
found it to be—first and foremost—honest. While encouraging other parents,
it does not paint the “doom and gloom of the NICU” as some articles I have
read—with the, “look what burden medical technology left me with.” (Those
I find greatly offensive.) The parent’s were honest enough to say—it
wasn’t a rosy picture and there are still obstacles we are overcoming but I
still feel very blessed to have this child—special needs or not. I
found this a very important factor in your book and will gladly recommend it to
other parents. Yes, I said other parents…because I am also a parent of a 24
weeker. He had a very rough hospital stay and a few lingering complications due
to the prematurity. I have found your book Living Miracles to be a very
positive resource for parents. Thank
you, (please see below for a follow-up letter from Sandy) Follow-up Letter From Reader Sandy Bennet June 20, 2000 Well
Kim, After
reading more of Living Miracles last night I came to a new conclusion on
sharing it. I am going to offer it to my NICU, Postpartum, and L&D nurses to
read as Continuing Education. Theses stories will teach them more from the
parents than I can in a classroom setting. Once
again; Thank you! Sandy Bennet
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