Remedies for Sorrow

An Extraordinary Child, a Secret Kept from Pregnant Women, and a Mother's Pursuit of the Truth

By: Megan Nix

Narrated by: Megan Nix

Length: 10 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

This "compulsively readable memoir...brings to light an issue that has been too long ignored...An immensely important book" (Emily Oster, New York Times bestselling author of Expecting Better and Cribsheet).

A story of a mother’s fierce love for her exceptional child and her courageous journey to break the silence about a hidden risk to pregnant women: "both a beautiful family story and an urgent call to action… [A] moving, potentially life-altering book" (Robert Kolker, author of #1 New York Times bestseller Hidden Valley Road).

After a seemingly uneventful pregnancy, Megan Nix’s second daughter, Anna, was born very small and profoundly deaf. Megan and her husband, Luke, learned that Anna could have lifelong delays due to an infection from a virus they had never heard of: cytomegalovirus, or CMV, which Megan had unwittingly contracted from her toddler during pregnancy.

Megan was electrified by this knowledge. She had been warned, while pregnant, about the risks of saunas, sushi, and unpasteurized cheese, a lack of folic acid, and an excess of kitty litter. She knew to fear a slew of genetic syndromes she could do little to prevent. But she had not been told that CMV is contagious in the saliva of one out of three toddlers, spread through a kiss, a shared cup, a bite of unfinished toast. She had not been told that the stakes were high, that congenital CMV causes more birth defects and childhood disabilities—including blindness, deafness, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and autism—than any infectious disease. Or that some of these disabilities are evident at birth, but others appear suddenly at age two or three and are never traced back to congenital CMV.

Remedies for Sorrow unfolds across the dramatic landscape of Sitka, Alaska, where Luke makes his living as a salmon fisherman. There, Megan struggles to meet Anna’s needs and dives deeper into the mystery of why no one—not her OBGYN, not her toddler’s pediatrician—had mentioned CMV, despite the staggering cost of this silence to families and children like Anna. From this rugged and beautiful place comes a memoir about the boundless capacity of mothers, the extraordinary child that is Anna, and the lifesaving power of truth.

©2023 Megan Nix (P)2023 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"How did a virus that mothers pass to their children — one that leads to significant, sometimes tragic, lifelong effects — become, as Megan Nix puts it, 'nonexistent in the narrative of pregnancy?' Written with passion, wisdom and grace, Remedies for Sorrow is both a beautiful family story and an urgent call to action. An essential, moving, potentially life-altering book."
—Robert Kolker, author of #1 New York Times bestseller Hidden Valley Road

"Remedies for Sorrow might be the most powerful book you read this year. Megan Nix is a writer of grace, intellect and bravery. Buy it for every mother you know."—Emily Rapp Black, New York Times bestselling author of The Still Point of the Turning World

"This is so much more than a book about medicine; it is a fierce, tender, intimate, beautifully written meditation on motherhood. The harsh beauty of Alaska and the intricate grace of her faith weave through Megan's story like silver and gold threads, invitations to sink deeply into the story of a life that is alternately heart-breaking and heart-healing—and that very much needs to be told."—Cara Wall, author of The Dearly Beloved, a Read with Jenna pick

Absolutely Fantastic

This book was fantastic, sad, inspiring, and many many more words all in one. I am in shock and appalled (and yet somehow not surprised) at how greatly the medical system has failed us as mother's. I will always remember this story when I am pregnant and interacting with my children.
Outside of the overall story itself. Megan's intense love and care for her children and her husband was inspiring. Having nothing to do with the situation they found themselves in, I found myself wishing I could be as loving a mother as she.
This is a book everyone should read, and share the story with everyone.

We’ll written with good information

Engaging and the author is very easy to listen to.
This needs to be told to all pregnant women so they can make informed decisions for the care of their child during pregnancy

Compelling listen

A beautifully written narrative that shares an important message relatable to any with chronic disease and a story to tell.

Raw, honest, beautiful

I couldn’t stop listening to this book. The author was so raw and honest about the complexities of the emotions surrounding her daughters disability, and the betrayal by the medical community. The book was honest, well researched, and thought-provoking. I found myself crying along as I listened to her story, relating on different levels to the struggles of motherhood, as well as the joys of raising these imperfect yet perfect kids. We are going to look back in a decade at this book and say “this is what started it all!”. I think a lot of positive change in awareness is going to come from this book!!

Critical information, captivating story

Megan Nix tells the compelling story of her quest for change in the field of obstetrics and neonatal medicine while simultaneously crafting a beautiful and inspiring narrative of a mother’s journey to help and understand her deaf child. At times astonishing, provocative, heart-piercing, and filled with love and joy.

Truly enjoyed this eye-opening and heart-opening story

I love listening to Megan share her story. Her narrative and story telling was wonderful and easy to listen to for hours. I could relate to her story as a mother, daughter, wife, healthcare worker and just human doing the best I can and fighting for what I believe in. ❤️

Beautiful and educational

I highly recommend it to anyone who is or will be pregnant or loves someone who is or will be pregnant. Megan's story is heartbreaking, inspiring and beautiful. She effectively educates on CMV throughout the book by telling her and Anna's story. I am grateful for what I learned and also enjoyed her vivid writing and storytelling.

Beautifully written

Perfectly informative book about Congenital CMV that had me feeling so many emotions. I’ll be praying for our health care system and that testing becomes a norm at the newborn screening.

A must listen

A well-written, informative, capturing story that needs to be told. Not every decision needs to be made by the medical field and this story proves that patient’s have powerful voices.

Relatable and Informative

My daughter was born with CMV in 2023. Searching the internet for any information I could find on the subject, I came across this book. As a CMV mother I found comfort knowing we aren’t alone. I was also able to gain more insight on this virus. Very well written!