LAUREN LARSEN thought she had a wonderful life: loving marriage, good friends,
successful career, and her first child on the way. Shortly after she entered the ninth month of what had been an easy pregnancy, her husband, Jeff, followed a sudden and inexplicable urge to bring her flowers in the middle of a busy workday. Within hours of his visit, their lives would change forever.
The rapid onset of a pregnancy-related disorder nearly claimed the lives of both
Lauren and her baby. After more than a month in intensive care, and with years of recovery work ahead of her, Lauren was left with the question: What now? Amidst the wreckage of her near-fatal illness, an opportunity emerged—the chance to rebuild a different life, one that was more personally meaningful and fulfilling. With absolute clarity about their limited time on earth, Lauren and Jeff changed their priorities, their careers, their lifestyle, and even where they lived.
As her physical strength grew, so too did Lauren’s understanding of just how many people — nurses, doctors, friends, family, and anonymous blood donors — had contributed to giving her a second chance in life. An overwhelming sense of gratitude emerged and found expression through her fundraising campaigns and national speaking tour. And along the way, Lauren became a shamelessly proud mother, who sought to live as joyfully as possible no matter the circumstances.
At times heartbreaking, at times laugh-out-loud funny, Zuzu’s Petals is a story about human resilience, living authentically, and the power of turning gratitude into action.
Praise for Zuzu’s Petals…
“Calling Zuzu’s Petals a medical story would be like calling The Wizard of Oz a story about storms.
This memoir is really about love, courage, and destiny, and how even when life doesn’t go as planned, somehow it turns out exactly as it should.”
- Shari Caudron, author of Who Are You People?
“Zuzu's Petals combines the wonder of what we know about the human body and the mysteries
that surround life. By sharing her story, Lauren Larsen has given all of us quite a gift."
- Nancy Snyderman, M.D., NBC News chief medical editor
"Zuzu's Petals is a heart-rending memoir that reads like a thriller. Full of raw courage,
brutal details, and laugh-out-loud humor--once you start reading you can't put it down.
Lauren Larsen is an amazing writer."
- Barbara Abercrombie, author of Courage and Craft
“By transforming her challenges into living authentically, Lauren Larsen has truly
defined success—boldly, honestly, and with humor and humility.”
- Carol Carter, author of the Keys to Success series
For more information about discounts on bulk purchases (50 copies or more) of Zuzu’s Petals, contact ZuzusPetals@InTheTelling.com. Nonprofit organizations receive an additional 10% discount on bulk orders.