My Next Breath: A Memoir

The chapter opens with Renner in a medically induced coma, his face virtually unrecognizable due to severe swelling. He reflects on how this forced anonymity contrasts sharply with his pre-accident life, during which his celebrity status made simple public activities challenging due to unwanted attention and fan expectations.

The chapter provides a comprehensive catalog of Renner’s extensive injuries, which included more than 38 broken bones affecting nearly every part of his body. His injuries ranged from multiple rib fractures to breaks in his pelvis, limbs, hands, and facial bones. Additionally, he suffered a collapsed lung, liver damage, major head lacerations, and hearing damage. These injuries required him to be connected to multiple life-support machines while medical staff focused on addressing the most life-threatening conditions first.

The narrative then shifts to describe how Renner’s family learned about, and responded to, the accident. His niece Kayla discovered the news through a phone call from his sister Nikki, who had received a barely coherent call from their mother. The family’s initial confusion and panic escalated as they received increasingly disturbing updates about Renner’s condition. Kayla coordinated an evacuation from the snowy mountain location where they had been staying, working to protect Renner’s young daughter Ava from the traumatic details while ensuring everyone could reach the hospital.