Jeremy RennerS Near-death Experience: A Harrowing Account in New memoir
Oscar-nominated actor jeremy Renner is opening up about the harrowing details of his near-fatal New Year’s Day 2023 accident in his new memoir, My Next Breath. The book,released this week,recounts the moment Renner was crushed by a running Snowcat while attempting to save his nephew from being pinned by the snow removal vehicle at his reno,Nevada property.
The memoir offers an unflinching look at the accident and it’s aftermath, detailing renner’s grueling physical and emotional recovery. Best known for his roles in The Hurt Locker and as hawkeye in the Avengers franchise, Renner shares the horrifying experience of being run over by the 14,300-pound machine, typically used at ski resorts.the accident resulted in 38 broken bones and required immediate medical intervention, including having his eye duct-taped back into place, following a massive storm that struck Reno during what was supposed to be a New Year’s ski vacation with his extended family.
The actor’s remarkable recovery propelled him to become the second most Googled person of 2023. While he previously discussed the event with Diane Sawyer on ABC News, the book delves deeper into the incident, exploring themes of hope, family, and the human will to survive. Here’s a look at some of the startling revelations from My Next Breath.
Renner Believes He Briefly Died After the Accident
Renner vividly describes the moments after the Snowcat crushed him, leaving him in critical condition. He recounts lying on his freezing driveway as his nephew frantically sought help, believing he had died.
“After about 30 minutes on the ice, breathing manually for so long, an effort akin to doing 10 or 20 push-ups per minute for half an hour … that’s when I died,” the Avengers star wrote. “I could see my lifetime. I could see everything all at once. In death, there was no time, no time at all, yet it was also all time and forever.”
He waited approximately 45 minutes for emergency responders.During that time, he recalls his neighbor and nephew observing his skin turning blue-green.An EMT later told him his heart rate had plummeted to 18. renner describes the experience of death as “an exhilarating peace” but felt a force urging him to stay.
“I didn’t fucking die,” he declares in his memoir. “so the party of New Year becomes a recognition of the depth of the love in our family.”
Lamaze Breathing Learned with His Mother Proved Crucial to Survival
In the face of excruciating pain, Renner credits his survival to controlled breathing techniques he learned in a Lamaze class he attended with his single mother at age 12. Despite his initial reluctance, the class at the YMCA proved invaluable.
“There’s so much pain that you can’t quantify it in your brain. It’s just sort of not panicking and breathing through it all,” Renner said on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. “And then I had to force breathe because there’s no reflexive breathing at this point,because the rib cages collapsed on the lung,the lung punctured,and the eyeballs went out. All this stuff’s happening. It’s pretty gruesome. … I gotta get my breath right. … I was just moaning and groaning, huffing to try to try to get air out, just so I can get a breath back in … because if you can’t breathe, I’m a goner.”
Desperate to Leave the Hospital,Renner Plotted Multiple Escapes
Renner injects humor into his account by detailing his repeated attempts to escape the hospital. By January 4th, merely days after the New year’s Day accident, he felt desperate to leave the ICU, believing hospitals are “wonderful places for saving lives, but they’re less effective as places where people heal physically and mentally.”
Enlisting his nephew as an accomplice, Renner likened his attempts to flee the Reno hospital to “escape from Alcatraz, but if you can’t swim.”
“Alex and I got out of the room at least,” he writes of his third escape attempt. “But it had taken a full 10 minutes of shuffling at a snail’s pace,trailing machines and wires behind me on shattered legs,mind you,and filled with pain meds — by which point news was spreading that mr. Banana Legs was on the move.”
His escape attempts were thwarted when he was confronted by doctors, nurses, and family members, reminding him of his need for a blood transfusion and the impossibility of leaving.
Renner Went Cold turkey on Pain Medication
Determined to take control of his recovery, Renner abruptly stopped taking his pain medication, despite the excruciating pain.
“I’ve never seen anyone in so much pain. I was going to call the ambulance to take you back,” his mother told him after he left the hospital about two weeks after the accident.
Despite his pain manager increasing his OxyContin dosage, Renner quit the medication entirely within weeks. he then developed a unique method to manage the pain, notably in his titanium-enhanced leg.
“I started having some serious, pointed conversations and drag-out arguments with my leg,” Renner wrote. “It’s bizarre. I know. I must have seemed like a lunatic shouting directly in my leg.‘stop telling me that you’re broken, that you’re hurt, that I should be more careful,’ I shouted at my leg as a scorned lover: ‘You, sir, had been replaced with something better and stronger than bone, okay? So pipe down you son of a bitch,’ as I reprogram myself. Step by step, I learned more and more about my body’s limitations.”
He claims he eventually learned to reduce pain signals to the level of an easily dismissed iPhone notification.
“It took time and courage and a dash of insanity to build this accord to change how my body receives and understands pain, but this was the basis of what I came to describe as the agreement,” Renner wrote.
Renner Eventually Got Back on the Snowcat That Crushed Him
A year after the accident, Renner confronted his fears by getting back on the Snowcat that caused his injuries. He discussed the experience on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
“I didn’t want this thing to haunt me or own me by any means,” he said. “It was just fascinating getting off of it because you have to step on the tracks to get off this thing. And I saw little pieces of my clothing still in it. And some other things that I don’t want to say.”
Despite the unsettling discoveries, Renner operated the machine, finding a unique way to cope with the experience.
“I just kind of wink and like, ‘Ha, I made it. You can’t beat me.” And I just kind of walk away,” Renner admitted. “It’s kind of like breaking up with your girlfriend you hadn’t seen in a while, and you get back together. And you’re like, ‘Yeah, you ain’t that good looking.’”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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What is jeremy Renner’s new memoir called?
Jeremy Renner’s new memoir is called My Next Breath.
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What caused Jeremy Renner’s accident?
Jeremy Renner was crushed by a running Snowcat while trying to save his nephew from being pinned by the vehicle.
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What were the main injuries Jeremy Renner sustained?
Renner broke 38 bones and had to have his eye duct-taped back in after the accident.
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Where did the accident happen?
The accident occurred at Jeremy Renner’s property in Reno, Nevada.
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What breathing technique did Jeremy Renner use to survive?
Jeremy Renner used Lamaze breathing techniques that he learned as a child.
What are your thoughts on Renner’s decision to go cold turkey on pain medication and then actively “argue” with his leg is quite striking. What are your thoughts on such an approach, especially the mind-body connection aspect?
Interview: Dr. evelyn Reed on Jeremy Renner’s Recovery and the Mind-Body Connection
Archyde News editor: Welcome, Dr. Reed. Thank you for joining us today. We’re discussing Jeremy Renner’s remarkable recovery journey detailed in his new memoir, My Next Breath. Much of the public is fascinated by Renner’s account, which is very vulnerable. as a leading expert in pain management, your insights are invaluable. To start, what’s your initial reaction to Renner’s story of near-death and recovery, particularly the claim he briefly “died”?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: Thank you for having me. Renner’s account is incredibly compelling.His experience of feeling as though he died, although not scientifically definitive, highlights the intensity of trauma.From a medical perspective, the immediate danger he faced resulted in a significant shutdown of key functions, possibly leading to feelings of detachment and altered perception.Although the experience can be challenging, the human body is an astonishing machine and the ability for his body to repair from extreme trauma demonstrates the human will.
The Power of Breath and Pain Management
Archyde News Editor: Renner credits Lamaze breathing techniques, learned in childhood, for helping him survive. How significant is the role of controlled breathing in managing pain, especially in such a high-stress situation?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: Breathing techniques are absolutely crucial in managing stress and pain. Controlled, rhythmic breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which counteracts the “fight or flight” response activated by trauma. This alone can help people manage any discomfort resulting from trauma. In Renner’s case, it likely helped him regulate his physical responses, conserve energy, and potentially maintain consciousness during a critical period.
Overcoming Opioid Dependency and The Mind-body Connection
Archyde News Editor: Renner’s decision to go cold turkey on pain medication and then actively “argue” with his leg is quite striking. What are your thoughts on such an approach, especially the mind-body connection aspect?
Dr.Evelyn Reed: Abruptly stopping strong opioids, as mentioned in the article, is generally not recommended and can lead to significant side effects. Always consult with a medical professional. However, Renner’s use of what he describes as “arguing” with his leg, taps into the profound mind-body connection. Pain perception is heavily influenced by our psychological state. By actively engaging with his pain, reprogramming, and challenging its messages, Renner was essentially developing cognitive strategies, that can be effective when partnered with proper medical care. It is quite a good sign that he was able to see this from a unique prospective.
Confronting Trauma and Finding Strength
Archyde News Editor: Renner eventually returning to the Snowcat highlights his determination to confront and conquer his fears. how important is such a step in the overall healing process?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: Confronting the source of trauma, in a controlled environment, can be a powerful step in recovery. avoidance can prolong the effects of trauma. by returning to the Snowcat, Renner demonstrated resilience. This can allow him to reshape the narrative around the event, reclaim a sense of control, and reduce the potential for long-term psychological distress.
Discussion Question
Archyde News Editor: The article mentions that controlled breathing can be helpful with more than just physical injuries. What challenges have you personally used controlled breathing to help you overcome? Share in the comments below.
The Road to Recovery
Archyde News Editor: Dr.reed, thank you for providing such a comprehensive and insightful analysis of Jeremy Renner’s remarkable recovery. Your expert perspective truly enhances our understanding of the journey from near-death to recovery. is there anything else you would like to add?
Dr. Evelyn Reed: Just that Renner’s story serves as a potent reminder of the human capacity for resilience. His openness about his struggles and triumphs can inspire others facing their own challenges. Remember,seeking professional medical and psychological support is vital for those dealing with trauma.
