Welcome to Rewired with Love
Witness to a Warrior: Ashlee’s Journey, Through My Eyes
This blog began as something deeply personal — a journal for me, a place where I could put words to the whirlwind of emotions, lessons, and moments that come with being beside Ashlee through her recovery.
On June 6, 2023, Ashlee suffered a subarachnoid brain bleed affecting her right side and frontal lobe. The next four and a half months were spent in the hospital, in acute rehab, and in sub-acute rehab. To this day, we still don’t have a clear answer as to why this happened — only speculation from doctors. In future posts, I’ll share more details about those first moments, the treatments, and what this journey has looked like.
Before her brain bleed, Ashlee had just completed her second master’s degree in mental health counseling. She was working under a limited license in private practice, only a step away from completing her hours. I was always in awe of her dedication and compassion — she poured herself into helping others. Now, after all she has given, I feel it’s my duty, as her wife, to pay it forward.
Throughout our relationship, Ashlee has taken care of me in countless ways — handling responsibilities, supporting me, and carrying more than her share. Now, it’s my turn to step up, and her time to rest.
Since coming home in October 2023, I’ve thought about creating this blog to document everything we’ve been through. For a long time, I wasn’t emotionally ready — and honestly, I probably still am not. But this is as close as I’ll ever get, so here we are.
Ashlee has changed my life in ways I can hardly put into words. I never thought I would get married — but marrying her was the best day of my life. I won’t pretend we had a perfect relationship (who does?), but our love is real, enduring, and transformative. In time, I’ll share more in my “journal” entries: the intimate details, the struggles, the moments of joy, the survivor’s guilt I carry, and everything in between.
But for now, I want to set the intention of Rewired with Love.
My hope for this blog is that you’ll find:
Personal reflections from our day-to-day challenges and triumphs
Resources that have helped us (and might help you, too)
Stories from others walking similar paths
And most importantly, a growing community where caregivers, survivors, and supporters can connect
This space won’t be polished or perfect. It won’t be edited to sound like a professional narrative. It will be raw, real, and ongoing. My goal is not just to document, but to connect — to give purpose to what has been the hardest, yet most transformative, journey of our lives.
Thank you for being here. Thank you for witnessing our story. And if you feel called, thank you for sharing your own.
With love and gratitude,
Jennifer Cioffi & Ashlee Cioffi
