The Choices We Make is a very inspiring story. Is
it all based on your true story or in part?
Can you take us through the thought process on how you decided what to
share?
In
my book The Choices We Make, all events within the context of the book are in
fact true. Names and locations however
have been changed. As I wrote the words
down I immersed myself into my thoughts and emotions, all the events that have
transpired left such an everlasting impression on me. The way the book was written was me reliving
the journey through the NICU. The
timeframe that I spent there was enough for me to have all the events that my
son endured engraved within my memories so the thought process was as clear as
the moment it happened.
What will readers get out of your book?
Readers will
be brought into a world that no parent should embrace. The world of Preemies is yet just another
word I heard in passing as time went on in my life. Readers will be inspired especially those who
currently have babies in the NICU.
Being a parent and walking down this path of uncertainties is not only
unsettling but nerve wrecking, doctors will highlight the negatives based on
their experience and practice. My book
will show that even in the worst scenarios, preemies are resilient and fighters
where nothing is set in stone.
What inspired you when writing The Choices We Make?
My
inspiration came from my son where as he grows I take part in a milestone that
in several points in my life I thought he would never meet. When he was discharged from the NICU he
had machines hooked up to him, a pulse
sock to measure heart rate and oxygen saturation levels and oxygen tank hooked up to a nasal cannula. These machines
would sustain and monitor his vitals. He
had 8 different medications that had to be administered daily where he also
needed respiratory treatments twice a day.
The older he got, although delayed he began to sit up, where next he
crawled and it was within the last year did he finally walk. These beautiful moments despite the
challenges he faced are what inspired me and I hope many others become inspired
as well in times of struggle to keep pushing forward.
When writing The Choices We Make did anything
stand out as particularly challenging?
The
challenging aspects of when writing my book was definitely the emotional aspect
of it all. I would hear the hospital
machines and the beeping sounds they made, how when my son’s heart rate would
drop the feeling of pain and anxiety surrounded me. There was a point when I was writing towards
the events leading to his surgery, I could remember how well he was doing and
after the surgery I recall seeing him lie there so lifeless and pale. This absolutely broke my heart to see him in
that state of being. I had to be
reassured by doctors multiple times that he was doing fine despite what I saw.
What do you like to do when not writing?
I
love to spend time with my family. Being there for my son who absolutely loves
to smile and laugh everyday , I witness a miracle because it serves as a
reminder that he is with me. The amount
of joy within my heart is without limit and spending time with him makes me
feel complete.
Where can readers find out more about your work?
Readers
can find me on multiple social media platforms:
Facebook@thechoiceswemakeInstagram@nicu_thechoiceswemake
Twitter@nicu_choices