JKF Journal: September 8th - Official Book Release of "Josie's Story"

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

September 8th - Official Book Release of "Josie's Story"

My book Josie's Story has been in stores for a number of weeks, however today- September 8th- is the official publication date. It is now in stores nationwide- 20,000 hardback copies in Barnes and Nobles, Borders, Amazon.com and book stores in little towns and big cities all across America and Canada.

September 8th has been on my mind for many months. Will I regret having written the book? Will I regret having Josie's story- my family's story- out there for everyone to read? Did I do a good job? Will people like it? What if they hate it? I have decided that I cannot worry about those things anymore because they are now out of my hands. I will simply cross my fingers and hope that people will like the book and hope, hope, hope that the book will perhaps make a difference in someone's life- a mother who has lost a child, a nurse who is finding a way to speaking up and prevent a medical error, a patient who is in the hospital bed and is not sure about the medication that is about to be administered.

It took me four years off and on to write the book. When I signed the book deal with Grove/Atlantic two years ago it was no longer off and on. I learned that deadlines are good things. It was a long, sometimes lonely, two years of writing with some ups and downs along the way. When my editor told me the whole thing needed to be restructured, I wasn't sure how I would do it. But I trudged along, knowing that I had to do the work. I had to get to September 8th and I had to do a good job.

In a few days I will pack my bag and leave my family, whom I have never left for more than a day, for an entire week. This will be the beginning of a Fall book tour. I will travel to hospitals around the country and do my best to inspire doctors, nurses, pharmacists, risk managers, and CEOs, to continue their essential work on the patient safety front. At each event Josie's Story will be available. I look forward to spending time with the many great health care providers I will be meeting.

I am ready for the second part of the book journey. I hope this part of the journey will further raise awareness about medical errors and patient safety, further inspire health care providers and further educate patients and their families. But most of all I hope people just like Josie's Story.

I look forward to reporting in after my travels.

Labels: Book, by Sorrel

13 Comments:

At September 10, 2009 at 6:05 PM , Anonymous said...

I just read your book and canno imagine what you have gone throught. You're a brave woman and I commend you. I'm from IL and have never heard of any of the programs you sponsor here. Perhaps I am just fortunate enough to be in a positon not to know. Keep on with your work. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I intend to bookmark your donation page and when I have a little extra to donate to charity yours will be the first.
At September 13, 2009 at 3:41 PM , Anonymous said...

I just finished reading the Good Housekeeping article about Josie and your family. My heart aches for you and your family, but your foundation will hopefully help you turn something so horrendous into a way of healing your family in some way. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
B.O., Oswego, NY
At September 15, 2009 at 9:58 PM , Anonymous said...

I also just read your article in Good Housekeeping and it took me a long time to read through my tears. My heart goes out to you and your family. Your strength is an inspiration. I have a 2 year-old daughter and another daughter on the way and reading your story has inspired me to trust my instincts when it comes to my children. Thank you so much for having the courage to speak out. You've turned your tragedy into triumph.
At September 16, 2009 at 11:19 AM , Anonymous said...

Like many others I cannot imagine having to go through what you have. You are doing such good things for many people and I appreciate how you will touch lives. I believe God puts people in our lives for a reason and that also you will have a hope of one day seeing your little girl again in Heaven. Believe in Him and He will carry you through anything.
God Bless you and your family.
At September 16, 2009 at 5:56 PM , Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting said...

I just got through the article in Good Housekeeping and felt compelled to contact you while I wipe away my tears. I applaud you for doing what you're doing. I am so angry for what happened, but so grateful for your decision to help others. I have and continue to be scared of doctors and hospitals, I don't place a lot of value in their capabilities anymore.

I hope you are doing well. Thanks so much for sharing your story with all of us.
At September 17, 2009 at 12:51 PM , Anonymous said...

Thank you for your courage to tell of this tragedy. I am a RN and the hospital where I work showed your DVD. We all felt your sorrow. I, and my co-workers will try much harder to listen to moms and dads, have the courage to tell doctors, even the ones that think they do not make mistakes, that there is more going on with their love ones. We all need to listen with open hears, hearts, and willingness to change our thoughts on what is happening to the patient.
Josie, may your parents know that you have touched the souls of the employees at the hospital.
In Christ Love, RN
At September 18, 2009 at 2:06 AM , Sandy Marken said...

Sorrel- Thank you for speaking at Cardon Children's. As a leader I am inspired to ensure that the staff are committed to patient safety and excellent communication is at the forefront. I read your book in two days- and it was inspirational. Thanks for your courage to tell Josie's story and your commitment to improve health care.
At September 18, 2009 at 10:24 PM , Anonymous said...

I just finished reading the article in Good Housekeeping. First let offer my sympathy on the
death of your daughter. Recently the facility I work at has had a mandatory class for all cargivers about communication brought about by case where communication was lacking. I have been an ICU Nurse for 35 years and always listen and am very aware of small changes in a patient that could indicate a change in condition. My facility has a Rapid Response team but I am not aware of any way for families to call. When I go back to work next week I'm going to bring it up to the Administration.
At September 21, 2009 at 9:00 AM , Joye SC said...

I just saw you on NBC and my heart reaches out. My son almost died at the age of 5 weeks due to a surgeon leaving a hole in his bowel after standard surgery. If only they had admitted what happened. After three weeks in intensive care he turned around and did survive. We thank God everyday. I also was a mother by his side never leaving him for the whole stay. Back then you had to beg for the staff to wash their hands. Now it is mandatory. I feel things have gotten better however we still have a long way to go. I have always said it would have been wonderful to have a group to share my experience with and now there is one. Please continue your goal of awareness. There are people who need it.
At September 21, 2009 at 10:54 AM , Anonymous said...

I just read Josie's story. You are an amazing family and I can not imagine the pain you are still feeling. I have always respected doctors but I wish they would respect that a mothers instinct is never wrong ! God Bless you and your family.
At September 24, 2009 at 4:32 PM , Anonymous said...

After reading Josie's story in Good Housekeeping, I feel compelled to extend my heartfelt sympathy on the loss of Josie. As a mother and nurse for 25 years, I relate to your story on many levels. I know the frustration of trying to get doctors to listen and do what is right. Josie's story will remain with me each time I listen to a parent and fight for my babies. May God bless you with peace and the faith to believe that you will see Josie again.
At October 12, 2009 at 2:57 PM , Anonymous said...

I read your book. Also through tears...and in one evening. Congratulations on a job so very well done. You are a gifted writer and an inspiration in many, many ways.
At January 3, 2010 at 8:29 PM , Eva Marie said...

I just finished Josie's Story and was very moved by your writing. The book was inscribed to my husband, Lee, a department director at Texas Children's Hospital. He was impacted by your presentation and encouraged me to read the book. In addition to your personal objectives in writing the book, I think you may have shown how to turn a crushing life experience into something much more positive and impactful than you could have imagined. Best wishes...Eva Marie

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

September 8th - Official Book Release of "Josie's Story"

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