Being a caregiver can mean stress, pain, and fear. But it also can mean hope, happiness, and, above all, love.
Are you a parent or caregiver who is exhausted from tending to the needs of a child with a chronic condition? Do you sometimes feel like it is all too much and the weight of world is on your shoulders? You are not alone. Millions of people feel the pressures of caring for a sick child. Janet Malcolm Hayles is one of them, and she sees you.
In Every Three Hours, Janet tells her own story-one of a mom blessed with a son who is diagnosed with two rare chronic conditions and for whom she must make lifechanging sacrifices in order to help him reach his dreams. Janet's younger son, Sammy, battles multiple surgeries, experiences two near-death incidents, is limited to a diet of about fifteen foods, and must medicate every three hours. Missing just three doses could be fatal.
But this isn't just the story of the hardships of raising a young child with rare conditions. Janet takes her readers through Sammy's infancy, adolescence, and even adulthood to show caregivers how to advocate for themselves and their children, get the support they need, and help their children find ways to thrive.
Janet and Sammy's story begins with little hope-but grows into a lifetime of triumph and joy. As Janet recounts the struggles and successes of Sammy's life so far, she offers a balm of experience, insight, and understanding for anyone trying to navigate similar waters. Each child's situation is unique, but within that uniqueness, the basic principles of hope remain true.
Industry Reviews
"Every Three Hours, a personal, heartfelt account of raising a child with a chronic genetic disease, is an impassioned memoir. My decades as a biotech research scientist and academic physician caring for patients with acute and chronic disease (including cystic fibrosis and asthma) taught me that among the most potent therapeutic agents to bring to the bedside are empathy and hope. Hayles offers an abundance of both to those patients and families struggling with chronic illness. A sorely needed unguent."
-Robert B. Fick Jr., MD, former director of experimental pathology and pharmacology, DNAX Institute, Merck Research Labs; adjunct clinical professor, Stanford University School of Medicine
"In Every Three Hours, Hayles vividly describes the challenges of raising a child with a rare medical condition. The honest reflection on her own fears as well as on her gratitude for the 'angels' in the [Hayles family's] lives depicts the emotional roller coaster experienced by families living with a chronic illness. Every Three Hours will provide encouragement to parents raising a special child and will nurture empathy for those who know such a parent."
-Rev. Carol Gregg, head pastor of the Congregation at Duke University Chapel
"Every Three Hours is a powerful account steeped in adversity, love, and possibility. It offers hope, insights, and familiar thoughts to fellow caregivers. . . . The result is more than just another caregiver's memoir. . . . [It is] a blueprint for recovery, discovery, and growth that teaches by example."
-Midwest Book Review
