NEW NORMAL: A True Story of One Families Grit to Persevere

by Kim Utterback, Kai Utterback (foreword)

In 2012 TJ suffered sudden cardiac death. He and his wife Kim, had vowed to one anther four years prior, that if they were ever in a situation where one of them had such an event, they would refrain from trying to save the others life and just simply embrace and kiss the other goodbye. After successful careers as nurses, they knew too well the outcomes 'saving lives and cheating death' resulted in. As Kim was now faced with the moment to hug TJ and kiss him goodbye, she was not able to honor their promise they had made to one another. It was that moment she began CPR.Ninety-four minutes later the Doctors were calling her back into the ER so she could say her earthly goodbye to her husband of twenty-three years. Something she was not able to follow through with an hour and a half earlier. As she walked into the room, she heard the words, "Doctor, he has a heart beat and a blood pressure!" What followed is a story that is a miraculous testament to what God can overcome. A story that gives meaning and hope in a world that seems to have forgotten where hope comes from.

This is a story of miracles and one family's perseverance through faith, trust and love to never stop believing in the Almighty power of God.

239 pages, Paperback

Published February 28, 2024

Reviews

[Lauren Brown]

“You’ve got to keep looking back to see how far you’ve come when the goal to the top of the mountain can feel so daunting. Sometimes you have to look back so you can look forward.”
This was beautiful! and crazy! and amazing!!!

[Ann Rees · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I worked with TJ for many years and remember his kindness and quick wit vividly. There were so many times I could hear his voice in Kim’s words.

Very well written about how important faith and hope is during crisis times. I was challenged to look at healthcare through a different lens of how we speak to families and how we may have forgotten how to care in the midst of the science.

Thank you for sharing your family’s journey! I am so very happy to hear he is doing well!

[Katie Eppers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knowing Kim and Kai personally (and having met TJ a handful of times) made this an even more meaningful story. I cried. I laughed. My faith was stretched. Thank you, Kim and TJ for sharing your story with the world. I'm so grateful you were given the gift of a new normal!