The Summer Called Angel

by Sola Olu

The Summer Called Angel -a story of hope on the journey through Prematurity” is a powerful and inspiring story about the author; Sola Olu’s experience with preeclampsia and prematurity. Premature birth remains the number one killer of newborns in the United States. In fact, with approximately 1 in 8 pregnancies resulting in premature birth each year, the U.S. has one of the worst records in the world, and certainly among developed nations. The statistics are not only appalling, but surprising, and many parents are shocked, frightened and confused as they attempt to navigate the world of the neonatal intensive care unit. After she and her husband endured this agonizing experience, Olu was inspired to offer her support to others in the same situation. “The Summer Called Angel” will help other parents deal with the physical and emotional challenges of prematurity and learn how they can find hope and strength in the process.
The memoir, which began as Sola’s journal entries, is an incredibly moving and detailed account of her thoughts and feelings at each step of her journey. With candor and incandescence, The Summer Called Angel serves as a powerful tribute to parental love in the face of unexpected challenges. It is certain to offer strength to readers attempting to process prematurity in their lives—and salve to those who have undergone a similar experience. All in all, rare and profound celebration of devotion is certain to resonate with parents everywhere.

194 pages, Paperback

First published November 7, 2012

Reviews

[Michelle Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I won this through Goodreads First Reads and it's a good thing! If I'd checked this out from the library I'd have had to pay a fine for water damage! I have tear stains in this book from so many moving, touching moments! Sola, you are the strongest woman! You and your husband and family are a true inspiration! Your story is also such a testimony to faith and the power of prayer. I am so glad you shared this painful, yet beautiful experience with the world. I could not put this down! I needed to know how Angel was doing at all times! I feel like I've witnessed two miracles just be reading this book!!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved this book it was such an amazing journey and i could relate alot to it

[Angela Horn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal book! Read in two days, did not want to put it down!!

[Dana Micheli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Women who are expecting a baby understand that they will undergo enormous changes, physically and emotionally. They also know that once the baby arrives, the dynamics of their daily routine will change, probably forever. What they are not prepared for is a life and death battle that begins in the womb and continues well into the child’s first months—even years – of life. Sola Olu’s new book, The Summer Called Angel chronicles the incredible story of two pregnancies that ended in premature delivery and the lengths she and her husband went through to save their children.

Sola was a busy graduate student when she learned she was expecting her first child. She and her husband were overjoyed about this wonderful addition to their already happy, and hectic, lives. Sola had been feeling a little extra tired, but when she arrived one afternoon at her doctor’s office for a “routine” visit, she was sure it was ‘nothing a good nap couldn’t cure’. She couldn’t have been more wrong. The doctor, concerned about certain markers in Sola’s blood, sent her for further tests, and the results were terrifying: Sola had preeclampsia and was dangerously close to delivering long before the due date.

Suddenly, her life, so full with a myriad of concerns about school and other daily-to-day matters, was immediately distilled to one: ensuring her baby survived.

One of the reasons The Summer Called Angel is so powerful is that it began as her private journal, infused with raw emotion and containing real time descriptions of the pregnancies and post-birth complications. It also details the procedures being done to correct these complications, including risky and invasive surgeries.

The Summer Called Angel is an honest account of the vulnerabilities, strengths, weaknesses, faith and doubt as well as other conflicting emotions that parents of preemies sometimes go through. It is intended to help others navigating their own journey of worry, fear and hope when dealing with complications arising from childbirth, and it fulfills this mission tenfold. It provides not only a wealth of invaluable information, but also inspiration. When reading it, one literally feels like Sola is there, holding your hand and telling you that there is nothing more important than faith in God and the love for your child. The Summer Called Angel is a must-read for all parents.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read this book because my sister has three boys and two of them were born premature. The oldest, Alexander “Alex” was born three months early. My sister like author Sola had preeclampsia as well as due to this experiencing kidney failure. Alex was delivered via c-section. Luckily for Alex other then having to stay in the hospital for about another three to four months and having heart surgery, Alex did not experience all of the other things that Angel went through. My sister’s second son, Gabriel “Gabe” was born three weeks early. Lastly my sister’s third son, Matthew was born full term.

I can remember seeing pictures of my dad holding Alex in the palm of his hand. He looked so small. His diaper was like the size of a tissue. I did not know that they made diapers that small. Now my sister’s boys are growing and you can not tell that they were born premature. Alex is 9, Gabe is 8, and Matthew is 3.

So reading that Sola went through with Angel, I could relate with my sister. However, Angel’s situation was ten times worse. Angel is a fighter. She fought to stay in this world and she did. I am glad that her story has a happy ending. Sola’s second child, Lani was also born premature but he did not have as much problems as Angel did.

I am with Sola that it is very important that all pregnant mothers do everything they can to make sure that they stay healthy and have a healthy baby. This means going to all appointments and telling your doctor if you experience anything out of the normal. Even if you think it is just a little thing. The sooner the doctor can catch it the better. The Summer of Angel is a book of courage, love, miracles, and a happy ending.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a heart-wrenching story! Giving birth to her daughter three months early was not on Sola's agenda. Neither was the roller coaster ride as she and her husband along with the doctors and nurses struggled to help Angel survive. The ups and downs would be enough to thoroughly exhaust and wrench the heart of any parent. I found the book both touching and inspiring as Sola honestly portrays her struggles with the challenges of prematurity. The author includes notes from the doctors and nurses as well as her own thoughts and feelings. There is quite a bit of physical description of Angel's condition and the surgeries and care that her physical condition required. This helped me get a better overall picture of the challenges that come with prematurity. Sola's account truly touched my heart and helped me feel more empathy for all those who struggle with the same or similar concerns. For those who have experienced similar things this is a story of hope. For those who simply want to better understand, this is an honest and open account of the importance of family and the support those going through such things really need. I can easily recommend this book as a thoughtful and emotionally powerful read. Note: the editing does leave something to be desired, I mean periods outside quotation marks? Hopefully these problems will be fixed in future editions.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book The Summer Called Angel is a journey though preeclampsia and having a premature baby. When Sola Ulu suddenly develops preeclampsia in her 28th week of pregnancy it sets her and her family on a roller coaster ride of hospitals and doctors and life and death decisions for both her and her child. It is a heart wrenching tale of the summer after Angel was born.

I loved this book. Having preeclampsia myself and delivering my first child at 24 weeks I knew the pain that Sola went through. I knew the heartache that she felt at every decision and I understood the prayers and the bargaining that she tried to make Angel better. Even if I didn't though, I believe through her writing I could have felt her pain when Angel was on death's doorstep and her triumph of getting to bring her daughter home 7 months after she was born. This book was well written and heart wrenching. You just want to reach through the pages and give Sola and Chris a hug. I wish that everyone that had a friend or relative with a child in the NICU could read this book so they would know how the parents of that child felt and how to respond to any news they received.

[Tiffany Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone that does not have children, I was completely moved emotionally by The Summer Called Angel by Sola Olu. Sola and her husband Chris’ journey dealing with a high risk pregnacy due to preeclampsia and then the premature birth of their daughter Angel is one that will leave you in amazement of how far parents will go to save their child. Sola is quite candid in recalling her journey and I believe this book will be a great asset to other couples that may experience the same thing on their way to parenthood. Sola and Chris’ marriage is a beautiful one because even though their are going through the toughest season of their lives they stick by one another and come out stronger.

[Crystal Mitton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very well written and makes you feel as if you are right there with Sola for every up and down they face. I understand her taking the risk of having a second baby even with the high chance for having preeclampsia a second time. I had 3 babies and developed preeclampsia with all 3 pregnancies. This is very hard issue for many women but must be brought forward more because preeclampsia is becoming more common. Sola, I commend you on the way you faced your struggles and went on to write this beautiful books about it all.

[LuAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

At once heart-wrenching and hopeful, Sola Olu gives a no holds barred look at life in the NICU. Having been a parent in that situation, although not nearly as serious, I can attest to and commiserate with what she writes. And I have maintained since that day nearly 10.5 years ago, that going home from the hospital and leaving my daughter in NICU was the hardest thing I have ever done.

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book about the struggles of Sola and Chris, first time parents, and the premature birth of their daughter. I laughed, I cried, and I enjoyed their perseverance.