Motherhood & Words

My friend and former student, Emily Hedges, who is also the dynamo behind my blog book tour, said one of the most wonderful things about Ready for Air. She said, “Your book is a book that people want to share. When someone has a premature baby, you feel so helpless…like with my step-daughter. It made me feel so good to offer her something (your book) that would make her feel like she wasn’t alone. If one in eight births are premature, we all know people who are going through this.”

I wrote this book in part to help other women going through difficult births and those challenging months of early motherhood feel less alone. Help me share this story with parents who might need it.

UPDATE

Originally, the University of Minnesota Press agreed to donate 15 copies of Ready for Air to neonatal intensive care units in the U.S. and Canada. I was going to randomly pick 15 hospitals from the entries below. But the generous Sustainable Arts Foundation has offered to make sure that every hospital NICU on the list gets a copy of Ready for Air. A huge thank you both to the Sustainable Arts Foundation and also to the University of Minnesota Press, which has offered to sell the books to the foundation at cost. Please spread the word, and ask people to list the hospital below, including an address and contact information if it should be addressed to someone specific. (These details must be included to be eligible.) When my blog tour is over, every hospital on the list will receive a signed copy of the book. Please submit a hospital by Friday, November 8th.

Thank you for your suggestions and entries!!

Also, a huge thank you to Galit Breen for the lovely review in EverydayFamily. What a honor!

Posted in

Kate

I have been teaching creative writing for almost twenty years. Reading about other women’s lives and experiences has expanded my world. To be able to walk in someone else’s shoes, whether it’s for a moment or an hour or a few days, is an incredible gift, providing me with insight into the human experience. It takes courage to write your truths, especially if it doesn’t seem as though anyone cares, as though anyone is listening. Let me tell you: your stories matter, I’m listening, and I’m here to help you find the heart of those truths, to get them down on the page, to craft them, and to send them out into the world. Together, we will change the world, one story at a time.

127 Comments

  1. Alison on October 2, 2013 at 9:34 am

    Congratulations on the book, Kate! So excited for the book tour, and what a generous thing to do.



    • Kate on October 2, 2013 at 10:30 am

      Thank you so much, Alison! I’m thrilled that you are part of it!



  2. Emily Hedges on October 2, 2013 at 1:29 pm

    I was so surprised to see my name in the first sentence; it made me cry. I hope and pray your book finds all who need it. It’s my privilege and pleasure to be part of that. Missing you and all of my writing soul sisters in Minnesota!



    • Kate on October 2, 2013 at 5:03 pm

      Oh I know, Emily. I miss you, too. I just have to make a trip out to NH!



  3. Erin Hollenbeck on October 2, 2013 at 6:12 pm

    I am a NiCU nurse at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. My address and phone number is:
    1097 Blanche St Unit 130
    Pasadena, CA 91106
    (858) 882-7609
    Thank you! We are a 58 bed un



    • Kate on October 2, 2013 at 9:24 pm

      Thank you so much for posting, Erin! You’re in the running. Our first! And I’ll be in touch. And thank you for your important work!



  4. Autumn on October 2, 2013 at 7:38 pm

    What a wonderful thing to do, Kate! So excited for you and happy for all the goodness surrounding the publication of Ready for Air. I’ll get you a contact for the NICU Mariah was in for her first 6 weeks of life and post it here for the drawing in November.



    • Kate on October 2, 2013 at 9:12 pm

      Oh thank you, Autumn. I’d love to have that here. Thinking of you!!! xo



  5. Janine Kovac on October 3, 2013 at 12:52 am

    what a gift your book is!
    Will be thinking of you tomorrow, Oct 3rd–official release!

    Alta Bates Medical Center NICU
    c/o Alison Brooks
    2450 Ashby
    Berkeley, CA 94705



    • Kate on October 3, 2013 at 7:40 am

      Yes! Wish you could be here, Janine! But we’ll toast in two short weeks! Alta Bates is officially entered!



  6. Kate St. Vincent Vogl on October 3, 2013 at 8:35 am

    Kate,
    This is a great idea!
    My daughter was full term but she was born with pneumonia and spent her first week in the NICU at Rex Hospital in Raleigh, NC, so I would add that name to the hat!
    Thanks,
    Another Kate



    • Kate on October 3, 2013 at 11:34 am

      Thank you, Kate! I didn’t remember that! Do you have contact info/address for that hospital? Can you add it here? Thank you!



      • Kate St. Vincent Vogl on October 4, 2013 at 7:22 am

        Oops! Forgot the address. Here you go:
        Rex Healthcare
        Raleigh Campus / Rex Hospital
        4420 Lake Boone Trail
        Raleigh, NC 27607
        (919) 784-3100



  7. Bridget Sabo on October 4, 2013 at 11:27 am

    Very excited to read your book as our preemies are about the same age. My son was born at 30 weeks and spent 7 weeks in the NICU at St. John’s Hospital in Maplewood, MN. I, very fortunately, found an online group of preemie mamas that I connected with shortly after his birth. I still remember the last line of my first post to them: “I know I need to take it one day at a time, but the days are so long and hard to get through.” Makes me well up even now, seven years later, with an amazingly healthy child because the emotions in those early days were so strong. Those first few weeks as the parent of a preemie are harrowing (for some much longer than the first few weeks). Knowing you are not alone is a real gift.

    Here is contact info:

    St. John’s Hospital
    Special Care Nursery
    1575 Beam Avenue
    Maplewood, MN 55109

    Best wishes!



    • Kate on October 7, 2013 at 9:15 am

      Thank you so much for stopping by, Bridget! And that’s exactly it–the days are so long and hard to get through.

      St. John’s is in the running!



  8. Melanie Magana on October 4, 2013 at 10:42 pm

    Sadly, I have experience with 3 NICUs. The first is Hennepin County Medical Center, which I suspect may already have copies of your book. If not, I’m sure they’d appreciate it!

    The second is St. Luke’s Hospital
    4401 Wornall Road
    Kansas City, MO 64111

    Last we transferred to Overland Park Regional Medical Center
    10500 Quivira Road
    Overland Park, KS 66215

    The first experience was of course the most frightening. It’s important for families going through the early-birth experience to hear others’ stories and hopefully feel less alone. Thank you for sharing yours!



    • Kate on October 7, 2013 at 9:18 am

      Thank you so much, Melanie. HCMC is already in the running, now St. Luke’s and Overland Park are, as well. Thank you!



  9. Katharine Malaga on October 5, 2013 at 12:37 pm

    I enjoyed the book launch the other night. I am also enjoying the book.
    I would suggest sending your book to
    Hennepin County Medical Center/ NICU
    701 Park Ave.
    Minneapolis, MN 55415.



    • Kate on October 7, 2013 at 9:12 am

      Thank you for being there, Katharine! And HCMC is in the running!



  10. Leigh Ann on October 6, 2013 at 11:07 pm

    I would LOVE to enter our former NICU!

    Seton Medical Center
    1201 W. 38th St.
    Austin, TX 78705
    (512) 324-1000

    Looking forward to my tour date!



    • Kate on October 7, 2013 at 9:19 am

      It’s in, Leigh Ann! And thank you so much for being part of the tour!



  11. Alexandra on October 6, 2013 at 11:08 pm

    If only I had had your book, while I was with pre eclampsia, on bed rest, on mag sulfate, and delivering early.

    Also, reading your book: so much the same: the brain bleed, the sent home with an apnea monitor, the bilirubin lights, the staying indoors till their immune system became stronger, their weak suckling reflex.

    If only, Kate… I know that if I had had someone to understand and explain to me so much about what was happening to my mind, just to know, I wouldn’t have been slammed down with the most terrifying phase of my life: PPD. I know that community would have made all the difference in the world.
    Proud to feature you, proud to help an NICU unit find your book.

    Good work, Kate. I know it will find its way to the hands and heart that need it.



    • Kate on October 7, 2013 at 9:07 am

      Oh I know, Alexandra. I’m sure there is so much of your story in there, as well. I wish we’d known each other then!



    • Melanie Magana on October 10, 2013 at 11:22 am

      Isn’t magnesium sulfate the worst!? Funny story though, I tried to call my grandmother while still under the effects of the mag, and since I had to dial 9 to get out of the hospital, and then a 1-800 # (long-distance calling card at the time), I ended up phoning an, er, “adult” chat line. “Um…Grandmommy??”



      • Kate on October 10, 2013 at 11:50 am

        That’s hilarious, Melanie. Mag is the worst!



  12. aboutcallcard.com Ready for Air #Giveaway on October 7, 2013 at 12:04 am

    […] Hopper’s publisher is donating 15 copies to NICU units in the U.S. and Canada. Please read her full post, and follow her instructions over […]



  13. Melissa F. on October 8, 2013 at 8:31 am

    My twins spent three weeks in the NICU at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, KS and the care they received still makes me cry, 12 years later. I’d love to see get a copy of this book.

    Wesley Medical Center
    ATTN: NICU
    550 N. Hillside
    Wichita, Kansas 67214

    Thanks so much!



    • Kate on October 8, 2013 at 10:27 am

      Oh Melissa, thank you for posting. Wesley is in the running. Thank you!



  14. Jennifer angelopoulos on October 9, 2013 at 10:31 am

    I nominate ucsf nicu. They are the only ICU level 4 for northern ca. My son only spent 10 days there but I saw babies there that were there for months and I bet a book about someone’s experience would help parents of nicu babies.
    UCSF Neonatology
    Department of Pediatrics
    533 Parnassus Avenue, U-503
    UCSF, Box 0734
    San Francisco, CA. 94143–0734
    415.476.1888 Phone



    • Kate on October 9, 2013 at 10:53 am

      Thank you so much, Jennifer! UCSF is in the running!



  15. Kristin on October 9, 2013 at 2:34 pm

    I’d like to nominate CHOP. One of my twins had emergency surgery there at 5.5 weeks, and the whole staff was simply amazing.

    The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
    Attn: NICU
    34th Street and Civic Center Boulevard
    Philadelphia, Pa. 19104



    • Kate on October 10, 2013 at 7:48 am

      Dear Kristin, thank you for the submission! And I hope your baby is doing well now!



  16. Amie Lands on October 10, 2013 at 12:56 pm

    I would be honored to have a book donated to the Oakland Kaiser NICU in honor of my daughter Ruthie Lou Lands who spent 21 days in their care.

    NICU at Oakland Medical Center
    Main Hospital Building
    4th floor
    280 W. MacArthur Blvd.
    Oakland CA 94611

    If it needs to be addressed to a person, our nurse Julie Macon or Social Worker Francie Hornstein, would gratefully accept the book on our behalf.

    I am looking forward to reading your book as well <3

    Sincerely,
    Amie Lands



    • Kate on October 10, 2013 at 1:59 pm

      Oh Amie, absolutely. I’m so sorry for your loss. A book will be heading there for sure. THank you so much for adding it here.



  17. […] First, is a NICU giveaway. Book Tour guru, Emily Hedges, says, “Kate’s book is one that people want to share. When someone has a premature baby, you feel so helpless. It feels so good to offer something that would make a woman feel like she isn’t alone. If one in eight births are premature, we all know people who are going through this.” In that vein, Kate’s publisher University of Minnesota Press is donating 15 copies of Ready for Air to neonatal intensive care units in the U.S. and Canada. Kate is giving her readers the chance to recommend NICU units to donate to. Find out more information about this true work of heart here. […]



  18. Rhena Refsland on October 11, 2013 at 9:57 am

    Someone my family hasn’t met yet but already loves just got out of this NICU after a (thankfully) brief stay for early pneumonia:

    Ridgeview Medical Center
    Neonatal Care Unit
    500 S. Maple St.
    Waconia, MN 55387

    Thanks, Kate!

    (BTW, whenever I’m on your blog, Ada is like, “There’s Kate. I want to see more Kate.” And makes me go to pages with your picture on it so she can stare at it.)



    • Kate on October 11, 2013 at 3:03 pm

      Oh Rhena, I’m sorry that your niece had to stay in the NICU, but I’m so glad she’s okay! Ridgeview is on the list.

      Oh, and I adore Ada. Playdate soon!



    • Sabrina on October 14, 2013 at 2:25 pm

      I second Ridgeview too! My little guy spent a bit of time there! I’ll comment below about the other hospital he was at. 🙂



      • Kate on October 14, 2013 at 3:52 pm

        Wonderful, Sabrina. Thank you!



  19. Maureen Wallace on October 12, 2013 at 10:05 am

    Galit Breen got me here, and your words got me hooked. My son joined us at 33 weeks and spent a month in the NICU. He also happened to bring along an extra chromosome. It’s incredible how un-worrisome Down syndrome can be when you are watching your child’s chest tube drain fluid and learning how to respond when he has a bradycardia incident.

    NICU doctors and nurses are angels on earth. We can never thank the team at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, N.C., enough for giving us our precious, HEALTHY AS A HORSE little boy. God bless all NICUs!



    • Kate on October 12, 2013 at 2:26 pm

      Thank you for stopping by, Maureen! I so look forward to reading more of your story. Isn’t Galit the best?



    • Kate on October 12, 2013 at 2:40 pm

      Novant Health
      200 Hawthorne Lane
      Charlotte, NC 28204

      “Attn: NICU Library”



  20. Kathye Petrie on October 13, 2013 at 3:41 pm

    Intensive Care Nursery
    University of Pennsylvania Hospital
    3400 Spruce St.
    Philadelphia, PA 19104



    • Kate on October 13, 2013 at 4:34 pm

      Thank you, Kathye! It’s entered.



  21. Casey Carey-Brown on October 14, 2013 at 11:27 am

    Thank you so much for this! My good friend and I were pregnant at the same time with due dates just weeks from each other at the same hospital. She had her daughter at 24 weeks 2 days. Brooklyn fought the NICU fight and won! She turns five in a few months! Her baby brother was also a NICU baby born at 30 weeks. We are so grateful to the wonderful NICU here in Boston that helped both babies thrive!

    Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215



    • Kate on October 14, 2013 at 11:51 am

      Casey, thank you so much for this, and for sharing a little of their triumph here! I’ll be thinking Brooklyn and her baby brother!



  22. Sabrina on October 14, 2013 at 2:30 pm

    My little guy was born at Abbott Northwestern and spent time there until he was transferred to Ridgeview Waconia.

    Abbott Northwestern Hospital
    The Mother Baby Center
    902 East 26th Street
    Minneapolis, MN 55404



    • Kate on October 14, 2013 at 3:55 pm

      Oh yes, and of course the Mother Baby Center and Children’s resource center will have a copy. That was our hospital, too! I’m so glad you’re little guy is doing well!



      • Sabrina on October 15, 2013 at 9:59 am

        We jokingly give our little guy a hard time about coming early… he was supposed to come AFTER the new birth center opened at Abbott, not before! 😉 But I\we received phenomenal care on bed rest for two weeks and then our time after he was born. Nothing but love for Abbott!



        • Kate on October 15, 2013 at 12:21 pm

          Oh yes–I haven’t toured it yet, but I’ve heard it’s lovely.



  23. Meg Townsend on October 14, 2013 at 8:12 pm

    I am a NICU nurse at Rex Hospital in Raleigh, NC. We have a lending library in our nursery with books for our families to check out. It includes books from baby books, for parents to read to their little ones, to parenting books. This book would be such a valuable addition to our library. Thank you.



    • Kate on October 15, 2013 at 8:03 am

      Wonderful, Meg. Thank you for posting. Can you include the address?



      • Kate on October 21, 2013 at 1:49 pm

        Rex Hospital Special Care Nursery
        4420 Lake Boone Trail
        Raleigh, NC 27607



  24. Autumn on October 14, 2013 at 8:16 pm

    Hi again! I have the contact information for the NICU where Mariah spent her first 6 weeks of life.

    UPMC Mercy NICU
    ATTN: Darlene Zuk, NICU Nurse
    1400 Locust Street
    Pittsburgh, PA 15219

    Ready for Air was such an incredible read. I know I will re-read it many times again. Certainly, it will be such a comforting book to all NICU parents who are blessed to read it. Thank you for sharing yourself and your family’s story with all of us. You are amazing, Kate!



    • Kate on October 15, 2013 at 8:05 am

      Oh Autumn, thank you! And I’m happy that this hospital will get a copy!



  25. Laura Schrank on October 15, 2013 at 10:18 am

    I would LOVE to see a copy go to the NICU at
    Abbott Northwestern Hospital
    The Mother Baby Center
    902 East 26th Street
    Minneapolis, MN 55404
    My daughter was born there at 23 weeks and spent her first five months in this hospital. She is now six, and so excited to be a big sister! We are expecting a second daughter, and I am now 22 weeks along–bringing up all kinds of emotion and memory.

    Thank you for sharing your story!



    • Kate on October 15, 2013 at 12:21 pm

      Oh Laura, thank you for this. The Mother Baby Center is in! Congrats on your daughter being six and having another one on the way! I’m sure it’s a stressful time right now, but hopefully it will be smooth sailing!



  26. Donna Holmes on October 15, 2013 at 1:12 pm

    I had my daughter 8 weeks early. She spent 4 weeks in the hospital and came out weighing 4#4oz. Lucky for her (and unluckily for me) my blood pressure was sky high and that helped her lungs to develop. Its a journey no one is prepared for and no one should have to take! I’d like a copy of the book to go to:
    Yakima Memorial Hospital NICU
    2811 Tieton Drive
    Yakima, WA 98902
    (509) 575-8000



    • Kate on October 15, 2013 at 3:28 pm

      Donna, thank you so much for adding Yakima to the list. I hope your daughter is doing okay now!! You’re so right that it’s a journey no one should have to take.



  27. Melissa on October 16, 2013 at 9:38 am

    I’d like to submit the Mount Sinai NICU in NYC, where my daughter Daphne, born at 27w, spent her first almost 5 months. They were extraordinary in their life-saving care for her, and for our whole family after losing Daphne’s identical twin sister.

    Mount Sinai Hospital
    Division of Newborn Medicine
    1176 5th Avenue, Rm. 3-16
    One Gustave L. Levy Place
    Box 1508
    New York, NY 10029



    • Kate on October 16, 2013 at 2:10 pm

      Oh Melissa, I’m so sorry for your loss. I look forward to checking out your blog and reading more of your story. And Mount Sinai is in!



  28. Anika on October 16, 2013 at 12:13 pm

    What a wonderful thing to do, Kate!

    If you haven’t got a request for Ridges:

    Nancy Misurek
    Fairview Ridges Hospital
    201 E. Nicollet Blvd.
    Burnsville, MN 55337



    • Kate on October 16, 2013 at 2:10 pm

      Thank you, Anika! Fairview is in!



  29. Kathy Stiles on October 16, 2013 at 2:29 pm

    18 years ago, I too had a premie due to pre eclampsia. 32 weeks, 3 lbs 4 ounces. Thanks to the excellent medical care and love received by the outstanding staff at what is now the nicu at umass-memorial in Worcester, MA she eventually thrived. A highly driven (varsity athlete, class officer and valedictorian) and thoughtful young lady it has been an honor to be her Mom. Please consider this NICU for your giveaway. I will always be grateful for their part in our lives.

    Dr. Stuart Weisbeger
    Umass Memorial Medical Center
    Memorial Campus
    119 Belmont Street
    Worcester MA 01605



    • Kate on October 17, 2013 at 5:35 pm

      Oh Kathy, I love this so much! What a joy to hear that your daughter (who was almost exactly the same birth weight as my Stella) is thriving. UMass is in!



  30. Jeni Mitchell on October 16, 2013 at 3:53 pm

    I would like to nominate the NICU at my local hospital. We have two hospitals in my town, but the one I’m nominating is the one I personally use. Thank you for donating books as you are.

    Mayo Clinic Health System – Franciscan Healthcare in La Crosse
    Attn: NICU
    700 West Avenue South
    La Crosse, WI 54601

    Phone 608-785-0940
    Toll-Free 800-362-5454



    • Kate on October 17, 2013 at 5:35 pm

      Thank you so much for posting, Jeni! The Mayo in La Crosse is in!



  31. Ranya Mike on October 17, 2013 at 3:35 pm

    Congrats on the book. I one day aspire to have my story published as well. I bought Use Your Words in the hope of achieving that goal. In the meantime I have been documenting the story of my mothering journey, including my bed rest, preeclampsia and preemie son on my blog

    http://oneadaygratitude.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-story-end-part-6-candida-and-beyond.html

    I have a wonderful friend who has received wonderful help with her NICU baby at Duke University Hospital. I hope you enter them into your drawing.



    • Kate on October 17, 2013 at 5:37 pm

      Oh wow, Ranya, another preemie mom due to preeclampsia! Thanks so much for posting. I look forward to learning more about your story. Do you have contact info and an address for Duke Hospital? Thank you!!



      • ranya on October 18, 2013 at 11:12 pm

        Duke University Hospital- PCICU
        Attn: Hudson Moore
        2301 Erwin Rd
        Durham, NC 27710



        • Kate on October 19, 2013 at 12:36 pm

          Thank you, Ranya!



  32. ranya on October 18, 2013 at 6:50 am

    Hi Kate,
    I tried to find the post from yesterday to respond to with the address but I could not. Maybe cause I am rushing through things while the kids nap. I emailed you the address to Duke but here it is again.

    Duke University Hospital- PCICU
    Attn: Hudson Moore
    2301 Erwin Rd
    Durham, NC 27710



    • Kate on October 19, 2013 at 12:36 pm

      Thanks, Ranya!



  33. […] Fifteen copies will be given to NICUs. Enter the NICU of your choice (how COOL is that?).  Click on Kate’s blog to enter this giveaway. Please include in your comment the name and address of the hospital, specifying whether it goes to […]



  34. PeG Sweeney on October 18, 2013 at 9:31 pm

    WOW………..brought back a flood of memories my great nephew Joseph Covello born the 4th of July @UCONN medical center and stayed 3 months in NICU there ..i remember his homecoming in October @my sisters ..this lil guy born no bigger than lb of butter…….was in all our arms near his actual birthdate…..going into highschool this year with 2 brothers following him
    how we worried back then……..how LUCKY are we all <3



    • Kate on October 19, 2013 at 12:38 pm

      Oh thank you for sharing, Peg! Would you like a copy sent to UCONN? Do you have an address? Thank you, and I’m so glad your nephew is doing well!



  35. AuntSueto4, GreatAuntSueto2, aka:Sue Williams on October 20, 2013 at 12:13 am

    I would like to nominate two NICU’s.
    The first is the NICU my great nephew and great niece were born at 33 weeks on August 23, 2013. Great nephew was 4lbs. 6oz. and Great niece was 1 lb.11oz.

    The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
    Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
    Attn: NICU Library for Parents [Just a guess @ who to send it to]
    E-Doan Hall, sixth floor
    410 W. 10th Ave.
    Columbus, OH 43210

    The second is the NICU my great niece was transferred to for long term care planning. It’s where great nephew was transferred 3 days later so both could be in the same hospital and save Mom & Dad going to two hospitals.

    Great nephew is home now, and Great niece is still in the NICU and is only 3lb.12 oz. but continuing to fight.

    Nationwide Children’s
    700 Children’s Dr.
    Columbus, Ohio 43205
    Attn: NICU Library for Parents [Just a guess @ who to send it to]



    • Kate on October 21, 2013 at 1:01 pm

      Oh Sue, thank you for entering both of these NICUs. Thinking of you all, especially as your great niece continues her stay in the NICU. HOw hard to have one of them home and have to keep making that drive back to the hospital. It breaks my heart. xox Kate



  36. Kara Thom on October 20, 2013 at 7:15 pm

    Kate, I’d love for a book to be sent in honor of Levi Watkins Herrick, who was born at 31 weeks on 4/19/03 and is a healthy graduate of the Baylor University Medical Center NICU. Love what you’re doing! –Kara

    Baylor University Medical Center
    NICU/Special Care Nursery Resource Center
    3500 Gaston Ave.
    Dallas, TX 75246



    • Kate on October 21, 2013 at 1:02 pm

      Thank you, my dear — for everything!!



  37. Caitlyn on October 23, 2013 at 1:35 pm

    My sister spent time in the NICU when she was born (I was 3 so I don’t really remember much of it). And then my first daughter spent a little over a week and a half there. I know the NICU at St. Louis Children’s Hospital would love a copy as they do such amazing work. The address is

    St. Louis Children’s Hospital
    ATT: NICU
    One Children’s Place
    St. Louis, MO 63110 USA

    Thank you so much for doing this.



    • Kate on October 23, 2013 at 1:43 pm

      Thank you, Caitlyn! They’ll get a copy!



  38. Carol Bridges on October 24, 2013 at 5:49 pm

    I would love to have you donate a copy to Henry Ford Hospital, NICU, Detroit, MI
    It could be sent c/o me and I will get it to them
    Carol Bridges
    HFWH
    2333 Biddle
    Wyandotte, MI 48192
    Thank you so much, I am going to get a copy of your book and donate one myself.



    • Kate on October 24, 2013 at 8:13 pm

      Thank you, Carol. It’s done!



  39. Steffany @ Spit and Sparkles on October 26, 2013 at 9:42 pm

    I would have loved to have this book as a resource during my twins NICU stay. Here’s hoping someone else will have the opportunity to read it and feel comfort and inspiration.

    Seton Medical Center Austin
    ATTN: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
    1201 West 38th Street
    Austin, TX 78705

    Steffany
    http://spitandsparkles.blogspot.com



    • Kate on October 27, 2013 at 8:36 am

      Thank you so much, Stephany! And I look forward to reading your blog!



  40. Shelayne Hanson on October 27, 2013 at 12:06 pm

    The IWK in Halifax NS, where so many Nova Scotian babies are born and so many Atlantic Canadian children are cared for, would be a great place to donate one of your books! http://www.iwk.nshealth.ca/

    IWK Health Centre
    5850 University Ave
    Halifax, NS
    B3K6R8



    • Kate on October 28, 2013 at 8:04 am

      Thanks so much, Shelayne! It’s in!



  41. Emma on November 1, 2013 at 7:28 am

    When I had my son, he was full term, but extremely tiny. I had a very difficult pregnancy and, being a first time parent, I was told at the hospital where he was born (without a Dr or RN present), that everything was fine, he was simply small, and we were sent home. Our medical insurance sent a nurse over the next day, and she looked my son over very carefully, and calmly told us to pack to bags, one for my and one for our son. He was being admitted to a different hospital’s NICU because he lost a full pound from his very low birthweight, and he needed care, asap.

    This place was incredible. I had thought I was doing fine nursing him, but he had the same issues as many of the premies there, weak suckling reflex, jaundice (we thought the color of his skin was due to his heritage) and he was diagnosed with failure to thrive. I had no breast milk, and had no idea. He was taken to the NICU and given a feeding tube, IV’s for fluid loss (his kidney’s were beginning to shut down) and I was so weak from blood loss, pain and not sleeping, I was forced to eat large meals, drink lots of fluid and pump my milk for him every two hours. There was maybe a drop of milk each time. I felt so guilty, but they were so kind to me. I still fed him every two hours for about a week or more, and he was permitted to stay a bit longer with me each day, and during that stay, he gained a few more ounces, still clearly tiny, but he loved that bottle and was thriving! The hospital below is the one with the awesome NICU that saved his life. I will always be grateful to them for helping both of us heal and gain strength. I think that they would gladly welcome one of your books!

    http://www.legacyhealth.org/health-services-and-information/health-services/for-children-a-z/neonatal-intensive-care-unit.aspx

    Legacy Emanuel Medical Center
    Randall Children’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
    2801 N Gantenbein Ave
    Portland, OR 97227



    • Kate on November 1, 2013 at 7:35 am

      Oh Emma, that’s terrifying. I’m so thankful for that nurse from your insurance company. And I’m so glad that you and your son were so well taken care of at Legacy. They are on the list!



  42. Alexandra on November 1, 2013 at 10:04 am

    Your book was catharsis, Kate. I had long ago stopped thinking of those days… they were like someone else’s life, but that didn’t do justice to the dedication, devotion, work, hope, prayer, unceasingness of those times for my family. Reflecting gives honor, and acknowledges the fiber of who we are: your book did that for me. You took something I had pushed way way down and brought it to light… like a crown on my head. THANK YOU.

    Entering St Joseph’s, Milwaukee, WIsconsin NICU for the drawing of a donated copy, where they took care of my three babies.

    St Joseph’s Hospital – NICU
    5000 W. Chambers Street,
    Milwaukee, WI | (414) 447-2000

    Thank you, for so much, Kate.



    • Kate on November 1, 2013 at 5:00 pm

      Thank you so much, Alexandra, and St. Joseph will have a copy!!



  43. NICU giveaway update | Motherhood & Words on November 2, 2013 at 3:41 pm

    […] and Canada as part of blog book tour. I was going to randomly pick 15 hospitals from the entries on this post. But the generous Sustainable Arts Foundation has offered to make sure that every hospital NICU […]



  44. Kate on November 3, 2013 at 4:25 pm

    From Kate Trump O’Connor via Twitter:

    MGHfC NICU, Blake Building, 55 Fruit Street 10th Floor, Boston, MA 02114 (Mass General)



  45. Brandee on November 4, 2013 at 1:17 pm

    The nurses at the Abbotsford Regional Hospital NICU took incredible care of us when my son was there. I’d love for them to get a copy for other mums.

    Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre
    Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
    32900 Marshall Road
    Abbotsford, B.C. V2S 0C2

    This is so generous and will be appreciated by many. I can’t wait to read the book myself.



    • Kate on November 4, 2013 at 1:19 pm

      Thank you, Brandee. It will happen!



  46. Sarah Wells on November 4, 2013 at 1:19 pm

    If it isn’t on the list already, here’s Akron Children’s Hospital, where Elvis stayed for his first ten days – full-term but with respiratory distress syndrome. I can’t wait to dig in to this book!

    Akron Children’s Hospital
    NICU
    214 W. Bowery Street
    Akron , OH 44308
    Main Phone: 330-543-1000



    • Kate on November 4, 2013 at 1:52 pm

      Thank you, Sarah!! It’s in!



  47. Doree Armstrong on November 5, 2013 at 11:35 am

    My friend Nancy Schatz Alton loaned me your book and I cried all the way through. My son was born at 31 weeks. I still feel like I have PTSD even though it’s been nearly 8 years and he is perfectly normal. Here’s his NICU:

    Swedish Medical Center
    747 Broadway
    Seattle, WA 98122



    • Kate on November 5, 2013 at 1:55 pm

      Oh Doree, thank you so much for posting this. I’m so honored that the book meant so much to you. Swedish will get a copy! xox



  48. Alison Kendrick on November 7, 2013 at 11:33 am

    Our twins boys were born at 31 weeks, Cai and Ethan. Sadly, Cai got an infection a week after birth and passed away at 39 days old. Ethan came home at 6 weeks old, and if it wasn’t for the nurses and doctors in the NICU I don’t think I could have survived the loss, or been able to keep myself together to look after Ethan. They worked so hard for both boys, but especially Cai. I couldn’t have asked for more dedicated people to look after my sons. Ethan is now a healthy 4 year old with no long lasting developmental problems. I try to help out this NICU as much as I can, and I hope the book can help families get through it.



    • Kate on November 7, 2013 at 1:08 pm

      Oh Alison, I’m so sorry for your loss. But I’m happy to provide a book to them and hopefully make other parents feel less alone.



  49. Alison Kendrick on November 7, 2013 at 11:35 am

    sorry, I forgot the address of the hospital. My mind gets so lost in memories when I talk about our experience, that I often forget what I’m doing!

    NICU – Unit 55
    Foothills Medical Centre
    1403 29 St NW,
    Calgary, AB
    T2N 2T9
    Canada



    • Kate on November 7, 2013 at 1:08 pm

      Got it. Thank you, Alison!



  50. Cecilia on November 7, 2013 at 1:42 pm

    Hi Kate, Sorry to be responding late. I was surprised to find myself emotional looking up this information! Anyway, here is the info for our local hospital. I was briefly involved in knitting blankets for their NICU a few years ago. Thanks so much again.

    Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
    University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
    School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics

    Room N4051, N.C. Memorial Hospital
    101 Manning Drive, CB# 7596
    Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7596



    • Kate on November 7, 2013 at 1:45 pm

      Thank you so much, Cecilia!! xoxo



  51. Phil K on November 7, 2013 at 2:22 pm

    Hey congrats! This is great what they are doing for our NICUs around the US and Canada. We would love to have one at the University of Minnesota Amplatz Childrens Hospital NICU if possible. You can put my name on the envelope if needed and I will put it on out shelf!! Thank you 🙂



    • Kate on November 7, 2013 at 2:24 pm

      Thanks, Phil. They’ll get one.

      University of Minnesota
      Amplatz Children’s Hospital
      NICU
      Attn: Phil K.
      2450 Riverside Ave.
      Minneapolis, MN 55454



  52. Shannon on November 7, 2013 at 2:27 pm

    My son was born with severe growth restriction at 31 weeks back in 2007, and now I am an RN in the NICU he stayed at first.

    BC Women’s and Children’s Hospital – NICU
    4500 Oak Street
    Vancouver BC V5H 3N1



    • Kate on November 7, 2013 at 2:32 pm

      Thank you, Shannon! BC will get a copy!



  53. Abby Refsland on November 7, 2013 at 2:28 pm

    Ridgeview Medical Center, Neonatal Care Unit
    500 South Maple Street
    Waconia, MN 55387

    Thank you! It’s awesome that you are doing this! After having a short stay at Ridgeview’s NICU with our first baby a few weeks ago, your book will be a great addition to a wonderful facility!



    • Kate on November 7, 2013 at 2:33 pm

      Thanks, Abby! And congrats on your little one!



  54. Carol Hagy on November 8, 2013 at 11:16 am

    Hi, if it’s not too late, could I add a couple of NICUs?

    My 25-weeker was born a year ago at

    Rose Medical Center
    Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
    4567 E. 9th Ave
    Denver, CO 80220

    and then later transferred to

    Children’s Hospital Colorado
    Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
    Attn: Karen Jones
    Anschutz Medical Campus
    13123 East 16th Ave
    Aurora, CO 80045

    Lucy received fantastic care both places and we are forever grateful.

    I am looking forward to reading both of your books (I am asking for them for Christmas, as money is tight right now). The intersection of motherhood and writing has been a strong interest of mine forever (I am a writer and a daughter of a writer), and now I am perhaps maybe reaching the point of wanting to read and write about the preemie experience. (I stumbled across the description of your book in a University of Minnesota University Press catalog–I work in a library–and had to google to find out more, and I’m so happy I did.)

    Thank you!



    • Kate on November 8, 2013 at 1:46 pm

      Oh Carol, thank you! Yes, there’s still time. They will both get a copy. And I’m so glad that your sweet Lucy looks like she’s doing so well!



  55. Andrea on November 8, 2013 at 2:28 pm

    Kate,
    I just learned our new hospital that just opened up in Augusta this month has a level 2 nursery. I can’t find their address online, but I’ve asked my friend who is a doctor there to get it for me.
    Thanks!
    Andrea



    • Kate on November 8, 2013 at 3:06 pm

      Thanks, Andrea! I’ll stay tuned!



  56. Jill on November 8, 2013 at 3:37 pm

    Kate,
    Just learned about this book giveaway. I would like to nominate the following NICU as my sister-in-law has been a nurse there for over 20 years and still loves every moment! Quite a special calling to be able to do that job for so many years!

    Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital
    NICU
    Attn: Kimberly Mickel
    2101 Adelbert Rd
    Cleveland, OH 44106

    thanks, Jill



    • Kate on November 8, 2013 at 5:48 pm

      Thank you so much, Jill! A copy will be sent to them!



  57. Kim Z. on November 8, 2013 at 5:39 pm

    Hi, Kate! Congratulations on your book! I have purchased it and am so looking forward to a time when I can read it soon. Here are a few NICUs that I think would benefit:

    NICU
    University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center
    7601 Osler Drive
    Towson, MD 21204

    NICU
    Greater Baltimore Medical Center
    6701 North Charles Street
    Baltimore, MD 21204
    (in honor of Finn’s friend Lilly who was born there at 34 weeks)

    Thanks and good luck!
    Kim



    • Kate on November 8, 2013 at 5:48 pm

      Oh Kim, thank you!! And we miss you guys. I’m dying to meet your sweet Finn!



  58. Barb Buckner Suarez on November 8, 2013 at 6:43 pm

    Kate: concerned that this needs to meet your deadline. Lora Horn, Nurse Manager of the NICU at Randall Children’s Hospital, 2801 N Gantenbein Portland, OR 97227. Thanks!



    • Kate on November 9, 2013 at 9:49 am

      Thank you, Barb! It’s in.



  59. Kathleen Cadmus on November 8, 2013 at 7:40 pm

    Hi Kate,
    So that your wonderful book will reach more of the folks who can benefit it, I am adding a hospital name to your list (hope I’m not too late!)
    Contact name: Christopher Timan, MD (neonatologist)
    Nationwide Children’s Hospital
    Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
    700 Children’s Dr
    Columbus, Oh
    phone: 614-722-4530

    Chris (Dr. Timan) is involved in a study of infants exposed to magnesium sulfate. He is he director of the Neonatal Development Clinic. I met Chris and his wife through my work as a nurse. They are dear friends.

    Warm thoughts to you, Kate….

    Kathleen



    • Kate on November 9, 2013 at 9:52 am

      Wonderful, Kathleen! Thank you. And what a fascinating study. I look forward to hearing more about that!



  60. Lisa Carter on November 9, 2013 at 10:02 pm

    So nice.

    Please send to:
    The Birthplace/NICU
    c/o Beth Canipe
    Caromont Regional Medical Center
    2525 Court Drive
    Gastonia, NC. 28054

    Thank you.



    • Kate on November 10, 2013 at 12:54 pm

      Thank you, Lisa. It’s in.



  61. Ready for Air: Book Review | on February 6, 2014 at 12:02 am

    […] or Hospital Resource Centers that you think would benefit from a free copy of Ready for Air. Please comment on this post on Kate’s blog with the name and address of the hospital, specifying whether it goes to the NICU or family […]