What They Saw: Voices From the People Around Me
This experience wasn’t just mine.
It was seen, felt, and carried by the people around me too.
While I was living it—confused, frustrated, and trying to make sense of what was happening—there were people around me watching it unfold in real time.
Seeing things I didn’t fully see yet.
Feeling things they didn’t always say out loud.
So I asked a few of my closest friends and family what they remember from that time—what they noticed, what they felt, and what stayed with them.
What did they first notice?
“I noticed you getting winded and tired a lot easier. I wasn’t seeing you every day, so it didn’t feel as obvious at first. I just heard from you how much harder walking and exercising had become. There were some canceled plans here and there, but I didn’t think much of it because you were pregnant.”
“I first noticed something was wrong when you started getting out of breath on our walks—even when we hadn’t gone far. Honestly, I thought you were just trying to get out of exercising and being lazy lol.”
“I noticed you were a lot more tired than normally. You had to sit down right away just from walking a few steps.”
When did it feel serious?
“The moment I realized it was serious was when you texted me from the doctor’s office and said, ‘it’s very bad.’ I remember feeling sick to my stomach and trying to stay positive. After that, everything started moving so fast, and there was so much information to process.”
“The moment I realized it was serious was when your doctor sent you straight to the ER. That’s never a good sign.”
What was it like watching it?
“To watch you go through that was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. I felt completely helpless and could never find the right words to say. The entire thing SUCKED. I watched my friend go through something I wouldn’t wish on anyone.”
“Being hospitalized week after week, getting false hope, knowing how serious it was—it was so hard to process. And losing a baby on top of everything… there just aren’t words for that.”
“It was difficult watching you go through it because there was nothing I could do to make it better. I think everyone around you felt helpless. It was very surreal.”
What stands out looking back?
“Looking back, you were so strong through all of it. Even in the hospital, you found ways to make things positive—talking about the future, getting to know the nurses, making connections. You built a little family there.”
“You’ve already helped so many people by sharing your experience. Even if you don’t realize it, being able to relate to someone who’s going through something similar is so powerful.”
“What really stands out is how strong you were. There were so many life-changing decisions that had to be made, and you handled them better than most people would have.”
“I should’ve paid more attention realizing that it was something more serious. I’m proud of how strong this made you become.”
Reading their words back, I realized something I didn’t fully see at the time.
While I was trying to get through each day, they were carrying pieces of it too.
The fear.
The unknown.
The helplessness.
This wasn’t just my experience.
It was all of ours.
And I’m so grateful I didn’t have to go through it alone.
Breathing Through the Journey 
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