Take My Hand: Two best friends, two sons fighting for their lives, one true story about motherhood, grief and hope.

Kerry Fisher and Pat Sowa

May 2020 · Thread

About this ebook

'Summer's most shattering book' Daily Mail

‘Brave, heartfelt and moving’ Chat

‘A gripping and heart-wrenching read’ Gill Paul

In this heartfelt, brave and honest account, Kerry Fisher and Pat Sowa share everything they’ve learnt from surviving the darkest of times. They shine a light on what it really feels like when your world shatters and how they found hope in the deepest despair.

Best friends since they met at university, Kerry and Pat had no idea that thirty years later, they’d need every ounce of their friendship to survive. In 2017, their worlds came crashing down when their teenage sons were both diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses within weeks of each other.

During the following rollercoaster months, Kerry and Pat regularly snatched time to message each other – often with black humour – providing a momentary refuge from their frightening realities. Together these two ordinary mums found a way to survive their extraordinary challenges and to navigate a new normal in an alien and isolating world. With raw honesty, they share the things they’ve learnt and what they wish they’d known – from how to tame raging mother guilt to restoring their natural optimism in the aftershock of tragedy.

In this profoundly moving book, Kerry and Pat take readers on a very personal exploration of the universal experiences of grief and loss, love and friendship that connect us all. Like a wise companion offering comfort, Take My Hand is a lifeline both to those overwhelmed by heartbreak and for friends and family who don’t know how to help. Most of all, it’s a powerful reminder that no matter how difficult life gets, you are not alone.

Read what people are saying about Take My Hand

‘I loved this memoir so much because it resonated with me… It was totally authentic and well-informed… heart-breaking, honest, inspiring and affecting.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

'For every parent who talked to me because they couldn’t upset their other half and for every youngster who confided their thoughts to me rather than upset their parents, this book is amazing!!!’ Carole Valente, Support Worker in a children's cancer unit

‘This book has my whole heart. Kerry and Pat have been so courageous sharing their lives and their sons with us.’ Josie Silver

‘It is difficult to put into words how generous and brave this book is… a book for anyone who has a friend or family member going through something like this.’ Susan Lynes

‘I know I will be thinking about this book in months, even years to come.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

‘This book celebrates love – not only mother love, but the love of family and friends, the power of true friendship, and the power of simple kindness… it may just save a life.' Susan Elliot Wright

‘This amazingly powerful book at times brought me to tears… Knowing that I am not the only parent to be facing the difficulties of caring for a child with mental health issues has made such a difference to my personal journey.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

‘Two women on a journey from suffering to hope and inspiring the reader to join them on the road. Inspired and inspiring.’ Ged Flynn, CEO of Papyrus Prevention of Young Suicide

‘This book is an absolute must read… heart-breaking and equally heart-warming. Brilliantly written.’ NetGalley Reviewer, 5 stars

‘Heart-breaking and uplifting in equal measure, these personal stories were so eloquently and honestly told. It made me want to hold my family tightly… this book will give you a perspective and understanding that I think everyone should have.’ Emma Boughton

‘This book had me in tears multiple times… both heartrending and uplifting… Wonderfully written.’ Sean’s Book Reviews, 5 stars

'Should be given to everyone as part of a manual for life.' Beth Miller

Ratings and reviews

I absolutely loved this book, and could relate to it 100%. Even though everyone who faces a medical crisis has different issues, backgrounds, stories, and results, there are definitely some strong commonalities. The way they told their stories touched my heart immensely. Thank you Netgalley (authors, and publishers too) for allowing me to read this free ebook preview. My review is my honest and voluntary. This book is different from others because it sheds light on two best friends in two completely different tragic situations, with sons who are exact opposites, however; they are still able to highlight important similarities that touch your heart and teach valuable lessons. Despite the tragic events that took place, they also shared their moments of humor and finding happiness in the smallest things, and I think that is critical to be able to get through situations like theirs. I think including those small humorous moments and things to be happy about was important because it conveyed the message that it’s ok to laugh a little and be happy during some of the things that come up. You can’t let it swallow you up to the point that all you feel is grief, despair, and hopelessness. They did a great job expressing that in their writing. The authors reveal their feelings, events, reactions, experiences, and situations with raw emotion, information, and lessons learned. Their story is written so well that it is like they are reliving it all over again and you are going through it right alongside them. They also shared information they learned through their experiences. The tips, suggestions, and information they provided are well thought out, accurate, and helpful. When I was reading their facts about questions to ask, things to consider, etc, several times I thought “oh yeah, I hadn’t thought of that, but it would be important,” and “now I can see why something that once seemed so minor would be so important now.” Their experiences at the hospitals and with Drs were also very informative. Even though they were very close friends prior to the medical tragedies, their friendship strengthened and it was obvious how important it is to be able to talk to someone just to be able to get through one more hour, one more day, one more week. The book also served as a reminder to be grateful for the things you have and to not take life for granted. It was a reminder that tragedies can strike anyone at anytime...but that you have to find a way to go on with life and deal with things the best way you can, even if it’s only one day at a time. They gave a strong message that their lives wouldn’t ever be the same again, and even though they were terrified, they both found ways to cope and go on with their new lives as best they could. They cried and wondered “why?” but they didn’t give up, and they found ways to carry on without letting it destroy them. I think their strong message of hope and resilience is so incredibly important, and they did a great job expressing that. They shared their most vulnerable moments of panic and fear, but they didn’t give up. They both suffered different types of losses, but their stories are of strength and resilience. It’s definitely a tear jerker, but I highly recommend it!

Incredible book telling two very similar stories yet so different. Read it all in just a few hours. You really get a sense of what both families must have gone through at those very tough times and even now. Would highly recommend