Kasey Mathews - Preemie: Lessons in Love, Life, and Motherhood

Preemie
Text Copyright 2012 Kasey Mathews

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eISBN: 978-1-57826-424-7

Cover and interior design by DCD ESIGNS
Back cover photo by Shandy Welch
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In her enormously affecting memoir, Kasey Mathews writes with startling honesty about the emotional turmoil that engulfed her when her daughter Andie was born at 25 weeks, and the resulting guilt that followed Kasey for years thereafter. At its core, Preemie is a story about a mother emerging through her pain to find her strength and her voiceand ultimately finding herself in the process. Preemie is a tale that any mother going through personal challenges would find inspiring to read.

Sue L. Hall, M.D., Medical Director of the Neonatal Intensive Care
Unit at Stormont-Vail HealthCare in Topeka, Kansas
and author of For the Love of Babies

Just when you think you know nearly everything there is to know about what it feels like to be a human being, along comes a story that brings you to your knees and cracks your heart open just a bit more. Preemie is just that type of story. Kasey Mathews tells deep, painful truths about what happens when a perfect life is jolted by reality. So much more than an account of a birth plan gone awry, this lovely memoir is about letting go of assumptions, moving into the place that scares us most, and discovering that what we get in return for our surrender is nothing less than grace.

Katrina Kenison, author of The Gift of an Ordinary Day
and Mitten Strings for God

Preemie is an invaluable resource for families coping with the trauma of having a premature baby. Kasey Mathews elegantly and authentically describes her own preemie journey, becoming a best friend and mentor who has lived your experience and provides wisdom and tools that can help soothe and comfort you.

Libby Barnett, M.S.W., Reiki Master Teacher, author of Reiki Energy Medicine

Preemie is a frank, funny, touching, and triumphant story that will resonate with anyone who has loved a runt of any species, and deeply move everyone who has ever loved a baby of any kind.

Sy Montgomery, author of The Good, Good Pig and Birdology

Preemie is an inspiring story of love and courage.

Peggy Huddleston, author of Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster

Preemie is a gripping tale of one mothers indefatigable love in the face of crisis, one babys tenacious struggle to stay alive, and the dazzling light of self-exploration at the end of the tunnel. This tiny child will change the world.

Suzanne Kingsbury, author of The Summer Fletcher Greel Loved Me
and The Gospel According to Gracey

Kasey Mathews speaks her true story with a voice as authentic as a newborns cry. Preemie inspires us all to cherish and to share our own most harrowing adventures with humble courage.

Nancy Mellon, author of Body Eloquence: The Power of Myth
and Story to Awaken the Bodys Energies

The emotional, physical, financial, and psychological impact of having a child born pre-term often blindsides parents. Preemie captures the essence of life as the parent of a preemie. Kasey Mathews speaks with raw honesty about the fear, challenges, and emotional toll of mothering a medically fragile child. The book beautifully chronicles the transformational power of living through ones worst nightmare and coming out on the other side a fuller self. It is a must read for all parents of preemies and those who love them.

Kelli Kelley, mother of two preemies and Founder
and Executive Director of Hand to Hold

The gift of Preemie is Kasey Mathews ability to share her deepest feelings of fear, guilt, grief, anger, post-traumatic stress, humor, and joy. Her honesty with herself and others will be a wonderful companion for those who experience the challenging, life-changing experience of giving birth to a preemie. As Kasey deals with her raw emotions, she begins to attune to the life force energy within herself and her daughter, Andie, and opens up to the wonderful healing energies all around her. With the unconditional love of her husband, Lee, and the protective love of big brother, Tucker, Kasey can step back and embrace her vision of her beautiful, healthy little girl. Love and light to this special family that will be a beacon of hope and empowerment to others.

Julie Hahn, Chaplain and Reiki Coordinator, Brigham and Womens Hospital

You dont have to have had a preemie to love this book. Preemie is a beautiful and intriguing memoir of Kasey Mathews nightmarish experience bringing her daughter into the world. The writing is lovely, chronicling a journey none of us want to take, but one we know we would survive after reading Kaseys inspiring tale.

Bonnie Harris, author of When Your Kids Push Your Buttons
and Confident Parents, Remarkable Kids

The emotions this book has made surface are beyond words. It helped me release many things I was not aware I have been carrying. With many spiritual teachers in my life, I am adding Kasey Mathews to the list.

Chick Wetherbee, Owner of Earthward Natural Foods and Co-op

Preemie teaches us the importance of finding your voice and stepping into your own authority, especially in times of personal crisis. Little Andie, the books tiny heroine who boasts strength to spare, teaches us about persevering against all odds. Important lessons for us all!

Tricia Rose Burt, writer and frequent guest storyteller
on The Moth: True Stories Told Live

A book you wont put down until you have read the very last word. Preemie is a beautifully written, moving account of a familys journey with their extremely early born daughter Andie. As a professional working to improve the lives of infants and families in the NICU where they must spend their first weeks (and often months), Kasey Mathews has made me painfully aware of how far we must still go to do better by the parents and their infants in our care. This book will make an important difference in spurring us on to realize the enormity of the experience of having a pre-term born infant.