Just one day following the loss of her three children and husband, Carrie Bugbee tells friends she's having trouble with her new reality.

"Her children are gone and she woke and said, 'what am I waking up for?' " said Bugbee's friend, Annette Peacock.

"How do you tell somebody to be strong? Who are you being strong for?" 

Bugbee escaped an early-morning Tuesday fire at her Pickle Street home, but her family was trapped inside. Peacock says Bugbee's husband, William, made her jump out of the window of their home while he went back to get the kids.

"And Carrie watched and she had to watch for that door to open up and somebody walk out. Not just one individual. Not one of her babies walk out," said Peacock.

Bugbee was taken to Canton-Potsdam Hospital, where she is expected to be released by Wednesday, according to Peacock. Bugbee's brother says she will be staying with her mother once released. 

"She's got a lot of support. She's handling the best anyone could handle it, I think," said Bugbee's brother, Chris Tyler.

Bugbee's brother says they will be accepting all donations, with the exception of furniture, at the Massena Neighborhood Center. He adds that Carrie's greatest need is a financial one. Peacock's son started a GoFundMe for Bugbee; it has already raised more than $15,000.