A Companion Through Critical Moments: The ICU Journal

Guiding patients and families through the ICU journey with clarity, connection, and care.

When a loved one is admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, life can feel overwhelming and uncertain.
The ICU Journal was thoughtfully created to offer families and patients an anchor — a gentle, supportive guide through one of life’s most challenging experiences.

Designed by caregivers who have stood at both the bedside and at the foot of the bed as family members, the ICU Journal offers a way to process, understand, and connect throughout the critical care journey.

Who Created the ICU Journal

The ICU Journal is the heart-work of Carly Hickey, a Registered Nurse specializing in critical care, and Dr. Michael Hickey, an Intensive Care Physician.

Their journey is deeply personal — not only have they dedicated their careers to caring for patients in the ICU, but they have also lived through the ICU experience twice within their own family.

They created this journal because they knew something was missing:
❤︎ A way for families to find understanding in the chaos.
❤︎ A way for patients to piece their story back together after recovery.
❤︎ A way to bring humanity back into an overwhelming medical world.

Carly and Michael’s hope is simple: that no family feels isolated, lost, or forgotten during the ICU journey. Through education, guided journaling, and gentle support, the ICU Journal helps transform a time of fear into a time of connection and healing.

"In the midst of uncertainty, a simple word of hope can light the way."

Why the ICU Journal Matters

Families in the ICU often experience an emotional storm — confusion, fear, and helplessness.
Research shows that journaling during and after critical illness helps reduce anxiety, supports emotional healing, and improves communication with the healthcare team.

The ICU Journal isn’t just about taking notes — it's about giving families a sense of agency, helping patients reclaim their stories, and offering a small island of peace in a sea of uncertainty.

Inside the ICU Journal

Thoughtful Design:

Durable, laminated hardcover that withstands the ICU environment and can be easily wiped clean.

Flexible, spiral binding that protects entries over time.

Organized with easy-to-navigate tabs, covering everything from daily updates to meeting notes, educational FAQs, messages for loved ones, photo pages, and additional resources.

Guided Entries:
Each daily entry page prompts families to track vital details like treatments, breathing support, medications, emotional wellbeing, and moments of gratitude — making it easy to capture both the clinical and human sides of the ICU experience.

Photo Memories:
Families can easily add photos with smartphone photo printers — because sometimes a picture tells the story better than words ever could.

Inspiration and Comfort:
Gentle daily quotes, gratitude prompts, and mental health reflections are included to nurture hope and resilience, even on the hardest days.

Order the ICU Journal Today

A Thoughtful Addition to Patient Care

The ICU Journal is a beautiful companion for:

❤︎ Families facing prolonged ICU stays or complex surgeries.

❤︎ Patients recovering from unexpected critical illness.

❤︎ Friends and loved ones who want to offer meaningful support.

❤︎ Hospital teams looking to enhance patient and family-centered care.

It’s practical, accessible, and designed to be used by anyone — no tech knowledge needed

Testimonials

"This ICU journal is a MUST-HAVE for all families in the ICU. ICU diaries have been proven to help treat post-ICU PTSD. This journal provides even more — with essential information to help families in the ICU now and survivors later. I fully endorse this product."

— Kali Dayton

"As an ICU nurse, I believe that ICU diaries are a holistic, patient-and-family centered care tool. Integrating this journal into patient care supports mental and emotional healing. Critical illness is a journey — this is an instrumental tool for that journey."