A MEMOIR
The unsparingly truthful journal of a wife & mother
catapulted into a life of hope, wonder & devotion,
while her husband lies comatose.
After Jenna's husband Steve suffers a traumatic brain injury from a cycling accident, she emerges into a mystical, optimistic existence. For 388 consecutive days Jenna posts stories of gratitude & miraculous healing
on her CaringBridge blog.
While this is a story of loss, hope & growth, Jenna describes fascinating details of a medical recovery from coma. She admits the agony of parenting through trauma & recounts the trials of negotiating health insurance & healthcare. By chronicling her exhausting life as a caregiver, Jenna recognizes & shares the process of
becoming someone new.
This gripping narrative demonstrates that hard times polish the gems of our life experience. The Phenom’s Wife shows how the love of family & community can give unprecedented strength
under seemingly impossible circumstances.
Book cover images by advertising photographer:
Jim Hughes
Book cover by:
Jennifer Siddens
All other professional images by:
Molly Humphreys
Piccadilly Posh
WE WERE THE PERFECT FAMILY...
UNTIL THE ACCIDENT...
ABOUT JENNA ANN MILLER
my career path
my career path
my career path
After graduate school, I started my career as a market research analyst in the tech industry. My favorite part of that role was speaking on stage at conferences. Over time, I discovered a passion for remodeling and unexpectedly found myself flipping houses, which ultimately led me to a career in interior design.
my passions
my career path
my career path
When I’m away from the construction site, writing desk, or sharing stories you’ll find me gardening, doing art projects, or venturing into nature—often on trails or gripping slabs of rock that lead to mountain peaks.
my dreams
my career path
my dreams
I am sharing my story because I wish I could speak to the frightened girl I once was—the one whose world shattered in an instant. I’d tell her everything I learned in the hopes of easing her journey. Above all, I would tell her:
“You matter too.”
I would confess how I completely lost myself trying to save my family, convinced that sacrifi
I am sharing my story because I wish I could speak to the frightened girl I once was—the one whose world shattered in an instant. I’d tell her everything I learned in the hopes of easing her journey. Above all, I would tell her:
“You matter too.”
I would confess how I completely lost myself trying to save my family, convinced that sacrificing everything would fulfill my hopes and dreams. I would warn her that my resolve nearly cost me my life and tore our family apart. I’d tell her, and I’d tell all caregivers, wives, and mothers: to be a caregiver, you must first give care to her– to yourself.
We all matter. You matter. I matter.
WHY I TELL my story
life before tragedy
My name is Jenna. I share stories of my family’s journey through trauma in hopes of supporting others in their healing. I married my first boyfriend, and together we built a storybook life—two wonderful kids, a beautiful home in California, and a network of meaningful connections and exciting experiences. Our life felt abundant, joyful, and full.
Then in 2017, it all disappeared.
what happened
When my husband was struck by a car while cycling and fell into a coma, I vowed to bring him back to life. I sacrificed everything to fulfill that promise. His recovery, the steadfast support of our community, and my own unwavering devotion created a field of magic around us
that felt otherworldly.
I documented every moment of this extraordinary time in a public journal on CaringBridge, not realizing I would later turn that diary into a memoir. As I wrote, I came to see that the story wasn’t just about healing from trauma, miracles, or the power of community support—it was also about
the raw, unhealed trauma that remained.
My hope is that this book can offer inspiration and guidance for families who struggle through and beyond a crisis. I want to shed light on the harsh realities of trauma, the profound beauty of human connection, and the haunting truth behind the old adage:
be careful what you wish for.
where to purchase the book
The Phenom’s Wife is available for purchase by clicking the link at the top of this website, which takes you to Amazon.
Available to order through most bookstores including Barnes & Noble and Bookshop.org, the indie alternative to Amazon.
Digitally available as an ebook via: Kindle, Apple, Kobo, Barnes & Noble Nook, & others
The photos of me & our family are by Molly Humphreys of Piccadilly Posh. She is MAGIC!
Ask Molly to take your picture.
REACTIONS
"A devastatingly beautiful book..."
"Deeply inspiring..."
"Will stay with me forever..."
"As close as I've come to living inside someone's heart & mind..."
"I could not put the book down, even though I knew how it ended..."
"I held it to my heart when I finished & cried..."