Saving Abby by Steena Holmes
All children's book illustrator Claire Turner ever wanted was to be a mother. After six years trying to conceive, she and her husband Josh, have finally accepted that she will never get pregnant with a baby of their own.
Yet, once they have given up hope, the couple gets the miracle they've been waiting for. For the first few months of her pregnancy, Claire and Josh are living on cloud nine. But when she begins to experience debilitating headaches, blurred vision, and even fainting spells, the soon-to-be mother goes to the doctor and receives a terrifying diagnosis. Since any treatment could put the unborn baby's life at risk, the Turners must carefully weigh their limited options. And as her symptoms worsen, Claire will have to make an impossible decision; Save her own life, or save her child's??
Wow, right???!!! This is so loaded with emotion from the start that I literally was ðŸ˜ðŸ˜¢ðŸ˜. Even when I calmed myself down, I was still sniffling through it, then something more would happen and the tears would start all over again.
Claire and Josh have that one special kind of love, you know the "ones" whom never seem to fight, look at the other one with clear devotion and emotion on their face, and able to laugh through even the hard times. They just didn't know how hard the times were going to get.
Claire had a child when she was a teenager, her overbearing, father made her give the baby up, even hiding her from the community in a summer home and sending her on a trip to Europe afterward. After trying for years, the couple decides it is time to give up trying to have a child of their own. The scene where Claire comes to terms with the decision is the first time the tears started flowing.
Shortly, after returning home, Josh becomes concerned with Claire's headaches, constant fatigue, and lack of appetite. He shares his concern with Claire's mother Millie, and Claire's best friend Abby, who just happens to be a doctor. After finally convincing Claire to go to the doctor they find out that she is pregnant. Totally thrilled and believing that the pregnancy is the reason for the symptoms, Claire and Josh are on cloud 9 with the thought of baby Turner coming into the world.
As they work closer towards their book deadlines, Claire illustrating Josh's stories of the little boy Jack(poetically named after the son she gave up for adoption), Claire's headaches become overwhelming, raising concern again, Dr. Will, Abby's partner, send Claire for an MRI. The news is devastating. Claire has not one but two tumors, one in the brain and one on the spinal cord. They think they can treat her without risks to the baby as long as Claire tells them if her symptoms get worse.
Suffering from Chronic Migraines, this hit home in more ways than one, for me. I found myself flinching when Claire would be overcome with pain from the "headaches". The poking and prodding, the blood tests, and MRI's are a part of a my life . So Claire captured my heart is so many ways.
As she tries to get to the baby to full term, Claire begins writing letters to her child, recording herself reading childhood books, letters to her close friends Abby and her husband Derek, who will be the babies godparents, her mother, her son she gave away, and to her husband.
Millie has been keeping a secret, she stayed in contact with Jack's adoptive mother, as a baby shower gift to Claire, she gives her the photos and letters the mother had sent. Claire, at first upset with Millie, she realizes that her mother did care and had feelings towards that child, it fills Claire's heart with warmth.
But Josh isn't happy with Claire's "box" where she has placed on her desk with everything she has prepared for him "in case" something happens.
Holmes, makes her characters become a part of your heart, making each one believable. I can guarantee you if you have a heart, cry at touching commercials, then you will need a box of kleenex by your side.
Thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for Copy
Make sure you catch Abby's Journey by Steena Holmes On bookshelves February 14, 2017
Wow, right???!!! This is so loaded with emotion from the start that I literally was ðŸ˜ðŸ˜¢ðŸ˜. Even when I calmed myself down, I was still sniffling through it, then something more would happen and the tears would start all over again.
Claire and Josh have that one special kind of love, you know the "ones" whom never seem to fight, look at the other one with clear devotion and emotion on their face, and able to laugh through even the hard times. They just didn't know how hard the times were going to get.
Claire had a child when she was a teenager, her overbearing, father made her give the baby up, even hiding her from the community in a summer home and sending her on a trip to Europe afterward. After trying for years, the couple decides it is time to give up trying to have a child of their own. The scene where Claire comes to terms with the decision is the first time the tears started flowing.
Shortly, after returning home, Josh becomes concerned with Claire's headaches, constant fatigue, and lack of appetite. He shares his concern with Claire's mother Millie, and Claire's best friend Abby, who just happens to be a doctor. After finally convincing Claire to go to the doctor they find out that she is pregnant. Totally thrilled and believing that the pregnancy is the reason for the symptoms, Claire and Josh are on cloud 9 with the thought of baby Turner coming into the world.
As they work closer towards their book deadlines, Claire illustrating Josh's stories of the little boy Jack(poetically named after the son she gave up for adoption), Claire's headaches become overwhelming, raising concern again, Dr. Will, Abby's partner, send Claire for an MRI. The news is devastating. Claire has not one but two tumors, one in the brain and one on the spinal cord. They think they can treat her without risks to the baby as long as Claire tells them if her symptoms get worse.
Suffering from Chronic Migraines, this hit home in more ways than one, for me. I found myself flinching when Claire would be overcome with pain from the "headaches". The poking and prodding, the blood tests, and MRI's are a part of a my life . So Claire captured my heart is so many ways.
As she tries to get to the baby to full term, Claire begins writing letters to her child, recording herself reading childhood books, letters to her close friends Abby and her husband Derek, who will be the babies godparents, her mother, her son she gave away, and to her husband.
Millie has been keeping a secret, she stayed in contact with Jack's adoptive mother, as a baby shower gift to Claire, she gives her the photos and letters the mother had sent. Claire, at first upset with Millie, she realizes that her mother did care and had feelings towards that child, it fills Claire's heart with warmth.
But Josh isn't happy with Claire's "box" where she has placed on her desk with everything she has prepared for him "in case" something happens.
Holmes, makes her characters become a part of your heart, making each one believable. I can guarantee you if you have a heart, cry at touching commercials, then you will need a box of kleenex by your side.
Make sure you catch Abby's Journey by Steena Holmes On bookshelves February 14, 2017
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