story10215.xml
Title
story10215.xml
Source
born-digital
Media Type
story
Date Entered
2003-11-27
911DA Story: Story
On the morning of September 11, 2001, I woke up at 5:00a.m.. I had to at University of Virginia hospital by 6:45a.m. for my gallbladder removal surgery that was starting at 8:00a.m.. The attack on the Trade Center began sometime towards the end of my surgery.
As I began to wake up from the medication, I could hear some women frantically whispering all around me. I was trying to open my eyes but, they were still too heavy. A few moments later, I heard a woman cry out, "The second building has been hit. It's going down." I struggled to open my eyes. I could only hold them open for a few seconds before they would close again. I heard another woman ask if it was a bomb. Another woman responded that it was an airplane.
An airplane had crashed into a building. What building? Was the hospital next? Are my children and family safe? Will I ever see them again? Was I going to die? These are all questions that I was desperately trying to ask. I could now hold my eyes open but, could not speak. I couldn't move an arm or leg to get someone's attention.
I heard a man say that the phone lines were down and doctors were leaving to go try to help. I wouldn't be able to call and check on my children. They were all I could think about. My beautiful daughter was 4 years old. I would not se able to see her go to prom or get married. My baby boy was only 4 weeks old. He would never have a chance to get to know me or know how much I loved him already. At this point, I began to cry.
As I cried, I was making a weak moaning sound. That got the attention of a nurse passing by. She grabbed my hand and told me that I was alright. She held my hand for a few minutes. Finally, i was able to get out a few words. "Where is the airplane?" She studied my face for a moment and asked, "The airplane that crashed?" I nodded my head 'yes'. "New York City", she replied.
I must have been holding my breath because, I let out a huge breath as I broke down into tears again. I was releived that I was out of danger for the moment and that my children were safe. Yet, I cried for the mothers whose children were in those buildings. I must have been feeling some of what they were going through. It is a feeling that I hope I never have to feel again. Nobody should have to feel that much fear and pain inside.
As I began to wake up from the medication, I could hear some women frantically whispering all around me. I was trying to open my eyes but, they were still too heavy. A few moments later, I heard a woman cry out, "The second building has been hit. It's going down." I struggled to open my eyes. I could only hold them open for a few seconds before they would close again. I heard another woman ask if it was a bomb. Another woman responded that it was an airplane.
An airplane had crashed into a building. What building? Was the hospital next? Are my children and family safe? Will I ever see them again? Was I going to die? These are all questions that I was desperately trying to ask. I could now hold my eyes open but, could not speak. I couldn't move an arm or leg to get someone's attention.
I heard a man say that the phone lines were down and doctors were leaving to go try to help. I wouldn't be able to call and check on my children. They were all I could think about. My beautiful daughter was 4 years old. I would not se able to see her go to prom or get married. My baby boy was only 4 weeks old. He would never have a chance to get to know me or know how much I loved him already. At this point, I began to cry.
As I cried, I was making a weak moaning sound. That got the attention of a nurse passing by. She grabbed my hand and told me that I was alright. She held my hand for a few minutes. Finally, i was able to get out a few words. "Where is the airplane?" She studied my face for a moment and asked, "The airplane that crashed?" I nodded my head 'yes'. "New York City", she replied.
I must have been holding my breath because, I let out a huge breath as I broke down into tears again. I was releived that I was out of danger for the moment and that my children were safe. Yet, I cried for the mothers whose children were in those buildings. I must have been feeling some of what they were going through. It is a feeling that I hope I never have to feel again. Nobody should have to feel that much fear and pain inside.
Collection
Citation
“story10215.xml,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed April 10, 2025, https://911digitalarchive.org/items/show/12378.