When Jen asked me to write her blog for tonight from my perspective, I have to say, my first reaction was reluctance because I knew it would be emotional for me to share some of the deep emotions I have felt as I have walked side by side with Jen and her family through the years. Jen and I have been friends for 17 years but our friendship has grown so much as we have gone through so many of life’s milestones together.

While I’ve known Jen’s disease has effected her life since she was diagnosed, she had been such a strong functioning individual many people hardly knew she was sick, it wasn’t until the last 5-6 years that I had really noticed her health effecting her ability to do some of the things we were once able to do together. When I got the message from Kerry last May about how ill she was, my heart sank. Fortunately God knew before I did that this was going to happen to Jen and I already had a trip to Oregon planned! Although I was eager to see Jen in the hospital while I was here last May, part of me wondered if that would be my final farewell. Knowing what kind of fighter Jen is though, I had high hopes and faith that God was going to pull her through this! Thank God for his grace and Jen’s strength and courage to not give up her fight! Prior to her getting so sick in May Jen had mentioned several times to me that she thought it was getting close to the time to start thinking about a transplant. Each time she mentioned it she spoke with a bit a fear. It’s one of those things that she knew was going to come up at one point in her life but to say that it’s time to talk transplant meant that the function of her lungs was nearing the end of their capability. I believe that the incident in May happened for a reason, possibly to get the process of transplant underway.

The next year was different, she was learning to live her life with the new “accommodations” in order for her to simply stay alive. I was beyond thrilled when she told me she was on the transplant list and “now we wait”. It was amazing how much her family, friends, and community pulled together to support her as she began planning for her transplant.

After leaving Oregon (headed back to NH) from Christmas vacation, I knew Jen was in desperate need for new lungs. While out in Oregon, Jen mentioned the fundraising event. I was so blessed to be able to come out for this very special and emotional event. The weekend was filled with people showing Jen how much she had touched their lives and how much she is loved. Because I didn’t have my family tagging along during my January trip, I was able to spend one on one time with Jen. During that weekend, I realized a lot of really amazing things and made some very special memories with my dear friend but one thing I kept thinking about as I left the state was how difficult getting on that plane (heading so far away from her) was. This time was especially hard because it was revealed to me that weekend just how very sick Jen was. I knew she needed new lungs SOON!

After leaving Oregon in January unsure I would get to see my best friend again, you can imagine the joy I felt when I got the call that the lungs were available! Sinus surgery day went from me having fears of Jen possibly not being able to come out of being put under anesthesia for surgery to tears of joy that she has been blessed with a second chance at life!

She had text me just about the time she was supposed to be going in for sinus surgery saying, “grr, surgery is delayed. not sure what the hold up is but I just want to get this over with”. I remember having an overwhelming peace about her whole situation so I wrote back saying, “just relax, for whatever reason God is postponing the surgery, I would assume it’s for your own good.” Boy did it work out for her good or what?! Amazing how it all worked out!

So here I sit, my last night in Seattle. This trip has been emotional in such a different way. Our emotions were good ones. It is so amazing to see how different Jen is now compared to January. She is doing things that she hasn’t done since we were in high school. It has been so much fun being able to just walk AND talk at the same time! While she still has several things that she has to watch or be careful of, the dramatic change in her health is indescribable! You have to see it to believe it! I am beyond thankful I got to come and see her breathe so great, jump in her kicks and head out for the day, walk/talk without coughing, be out running around all day not worrying about going home to do therapies, not always struggling to catch her breath, and so many more things! God is good!

Ok, whew…how’s that for a long blog post! Thanks for taking the time to read “Jen’s Journey through Em’s Eyes”. Our final Seattle day has been quite an adventurous one so I’d better get to bed, up early for my flight home.

Signing off,
Emily Bruggeman

Wet day at Pike’s Market today……
E&JPM

The famous Gum Wall……YIKES!!
E&J Gum Wall

E Gum Wall

J Gum Wall

Delicious dinner at the Crab Pot!!!
E&JCP

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7 Responses to Jen’s Journey thru Emily’s Eyes…………

  1. Lindsey Stanton says:

    Such a beautifull blog! So grateful for you, your family and your friends! Your strength is amazing!

  2. linda says:

    Great blog. I was thinking about Jen today . Thank you for sharing.

  3. Teresa says:

    God has blessed Jennifer in many ways, one is when he introduced the two of you! You have been on this journey with us for a very long time. I am so glad you were able to come to Seattle and see the miracle of Jennifer now. I love you Em!

  4. Kevin says:

    Nice job Emily, friends always support friends, and you are a great friend to Jen. I enjoyed the blog and I hope you enjoyed every minute of your time in Seattle! Awesome pics ! 🙂

  5. Molly Boye says:

    Thx Emily. No one could have said it better!!!!

  6. Heather says:

    What a beautiful friendship and story you two have! ❤️❤️❤️.

  7. Jen Dwight says:

    Ahhh Em words CANNOT describe how much you mean to me!! I cherish your friendship greatly!!! Love you to pieces my dearest friend!!!!! Miss you already! 🙂

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