Early on the morning of September 11, 2001, Lauren Manning-a wife, the mother of a ten-month-old son, and a senior vice president and partner at Cantor Fitzgerald-came to work, as always, at One World Trade Center. As she stepped into the lobby, a fireball exploded from the elevator shaft, and in that split second her life was changed forever.
Lauren was burned over 82.5 percent of her body. As he watched his wife lie in a drug-induced coma in the ICU of the Burn Center at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Greg Manning began writing a daily journal. In the form of e-mails to family, friends, and colleagues, he recorded Lauren’s harrowing struggle-and his own tormented efforts to make sense of an act that defies all understanding. This book is that e-mail diary: detailed, intimate, inspiring
messages that end, always, as if a prayer for a happy outcome: We share this story day by astonishing day. Greg writes of the intricate surgeries, the painful therapies, and the constant risk of infection Lauren endured. Through his eyes we come to know the doctors, nurses, aides, and therapists who cared for her around the clock with untiring devotion and sensitivity. We also come to know the families with whom he shared wrenching hospital vigils for their own loved ones who were waging a battle that some would not win. For those with eighty percent burn the odds of survival were very slim. I think spellbound best describes my reaction to the reading of this story.....
The Sweetest Surprise
8 hours ago
11 comments:
No doubt this must have been a gripping read.
I am glad that there is a book like that telling what happened right afterwards. I so many ways this kind of story was never shared by the media. Seeking, healing, and survival story that would keep your attention for sure.
Sounds like an inspiring but terrifying book to read:)
I'll have to put this one my list.
I don't think I could read this yet I understand that it needed to be written. I was once in a similar position in our Burns Unit and have written many posts on the subject - each one more upsetting than the last. My take on fireworks knows no bounds, though.
This is a very different view of that horrid day. We know of the dead, little is written about those who barely survived. I'll check it out. Thanks TB
People with this much courage amaze me. A compelling read, I'm sure.
An amazing story.
I will have to check this one out. Thank you for sharing.
Carla
Oh, this sounds like a good read. Thanks for bringing it to us.
Well it's definitely a start....:)
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