On Track with Steve Ledbetter

22/12/2025

15/05/2023

Though my heart may ache for the presence of my own mother, I've come to realize that Mother's Day can also be a day where I can honor my mother's memory by embracing my own journey as a mother and finding solace in doing what brings me joy. 💜

Today, I made a conscious choice to spend the morning alone, away from the demands of motherhood.

So far I took a long walk and enjoyed some coffee in silence. And you know what? It's okay. It's okay to give myself permission to step away for a moment, to breathe and rejuvenate, even on Mother’s Day!

Today, I celebrate the love I have for my children, the memories of my own mother, and the beautiful and crazy journey of motherhood.

I hope you all find time for yourselves, to pursue activities that light up your souls, and to release any guilt that may linger. You deserve it, mamas. Happy Mother's Day! 🌸💖

Thank you, for always showing up for me and our girls.

11/05/2021

Hugging his baby girl. She has been especially careful , working from home and masking so
She could hug her dad

06/01/2021

Today with Steve - he has been home three weeks and growing stronger each day . He has had some issues initially with blood pressure fluctuations which resulted in sudden falls . Then he dealt with lots of leg swelling . He developed a wheeze that he did not have in rehab . We are tweaking meds - he is working hard . He has seen P*P , diabetes nurse - practioner , and cardiologist. Our days are full with Physical , occupational , and speech therapy , meds , exercises , and just moving slower.

The pulmonologist ( Dr Gross ) we saw today was the same doctor who told me Steve would survive way back in October . Steve does not remember anything about the ventilator days so he didn’t remember Dr Gross at all but Dr Gross remembers how sick Steve was . Dr Gross has a very dry personality - but he was amazed at Steve’s recovery. No heart damage , no kidney damage , “ chest x- ray looks great “. It was so fun to hear that . He said some never fully recover but Steve is looking good ! We’ll take that!!!!

We both still have COVID antibodies so we are going to get away while the COVID antibodies IGG last .

As believers in Jesus - our prayers have changed - we are so thankful. We are so grateful to the HCW , our community for their support , and for LIFE . Thank you to all who stood with us. It was amazing to see and feel .

The animals are glad to see him home ..... and they boss Steve around wanting cuddles and petting and food ! See picture in comments .

We missed Christmas with some of our family. Dang COVID . Christmas tree is staying up until we can meet - even if it is April !

21/12/2020

Today with Steve. First fight ! The TV remote was mine for 3 months. He wants it back

19/12/2020

Today with Steve. It is so good to be home . It is also interesting to adjust to a new normal .
Steve is so thin - he says he has a new wardrobe to try out - previously his “ thin” clothes . He says it is very relaxing here . We’ve had some fun with a drive- by welcome home party . We’ve had challenges too - fitting in appointments for PT and appointments / meds / adjusting the house for his needs. He is getting on back on track .

16/12/2020

WE are home. As we settle down for our first night home together in 3 months - we are tired but oh so happy. Steve said good - bye to his physical therapists - especially to Katie , who he loved . He insisted on pumping gas - which delighted me ! Steve liked his front yard sign . He read each get well card aloud. He noticed I erased some of the NCIS from TIVO ( uh oh ) . He inspected the house and the animals inspected him. It’s been a good day.

15/12/2020

Our last night here. We are so ready to go but it is bittersweet. We have met so many selfless people here , at Select , and ICU. We have seen kindness after kindness from our friends and family. At home - a truly lovely coworker came by to pick up some scrap wood and her husband cleaned our gutters ! Our son , Brian Ledbetter installed safety bars and helped get house ready for his dad . We have a plan to continue rehab at home . So many people to thank.

10/12/2020

Party time !!!! Dear Friends and Family - Steve will come home Dec 15th !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Three months in three hospitals. Prognosis was guarded . There was thoughts of brain injury from lack of oxygen . He is back ! He is a fighter . He is on track !

We are so grateful to so many of you .
Without our community - this would have been unbearable . So many acts of love and kindness were the bridge over troubled waters . I will find time to name each of you but I know that God saw and my prayer is that you too will have what you gave to us ! God bless each of you !

I am having a large sign put in yard. On Weds Dec 16th - you are invited to a surprise drive by between 3:30 and 4:30 with a sign on your car or a balloon to be part of a drive - by party. He will sit at the front door inside for an hour to see the parade ! His stamina is limited so he can tolerate an hour. If you don’t have our address - please message me ! We live in Coal Valley , Illinois.
If you can’t come - please consider sending a welcome home card !

Singing prayers to a living God who said yes to so many prayers. Jesus - thank - you for your mercy and love !

06/12/2020

Today with Steve .
First of all - today his providers had many comments about Steve’s recovery. Nurses say he was so sick and complex - they are surprised he made it here . PT was amazed he isn’t on oxygen . Speech therapist said with being on vent so long - she is amazed Steve has such good speech and his swallowing wasn’t more impaired because so many little muscles and nerves can be hurt with ventilators. They all were very pleased and even surprised by his progress. Steve is a fighter but we both agree from comments today -God was so involved with his recovery.
Thank you , Jesus !

This facility is unlike most places we have seen for health care . Not only is it state of the art - each employee is not only courteous but anxious to give service and teach . We have many “ Amber’s” here .
It was so hard to get information when he was so so sick- the absolute transparency here is so comforting.

Each person knocks on door before they enter and believe it or not - their name appears on TV . They introduce themselves and say why they are here .
Examples :
1. as meds are given - each med is explained to Steve by the nurse
2. Speech therapist explains each exercise and then does it with Steve
3. PT today asked three times if the could do anything more to help - we mentioned how sore Steve’s shoulder is and therapist went to work showing us exercises
4. OT wanted pictures of our home so they could focus on areas that Steve needed to adapt
5. The hospitalist shared assessment / plan of care and in the past few weeks called me about any change in meds or therapy so he could know Steve better .
Steve will be better for the care here. Many of the nurses and PCT’s just chat with Steve -I am sure it a form of cognitive therapy .

In comments - Steve is walking !!! And yes that made me cry ..,

04/12/2020

We are here together ! Glory , glory , glory , glory !!!! Steve got the ok for visitors!!!! The head nurse knew I was from out of town and when she moved Steve out of isolation - she moved him to a room with an extra bedroom , a living room , and view of the lake. Feeling humbled by such a blessing.
He is thin but looks so great and he still kisses good. He can stand and walk and make jokes ! I arrived after a three hour PT session so he is tuckered out ..
More later !
This must be what heaven feels like !

30/11/2020

Today with Steve. He is still on lockdown in Shirley Ryan Ability lab in Chicago . His progress mentally is amazing . Each day he becomes more aware . We can have a decent conversation . He walked 50 feet the other day - with assistance but ... 50 feet people !!!!
His swallow is better and diet was upgraded and he had a banana and an apple today.
Today on FaceTime - he let me see him stand with the aide of a PCT. First time I have seen him stand since Sept 15th.
So first fresh fruit for him today
So first walking 50 feet
So first seeing him stand since Sept 15th
( see picture below )
Each day seems a miracle from those first few days when he was semi comatose and on a vent.
We have one huge request - to see each other . I have made several phone calls to the facility to find out current restrictions. I know his floor is completely shut down for visitors because it is the post COVID . He can be moved .

Our hearts desire is to be together by this weekend . I want to see how much care he needs and he just wants to see me .

So much suffering in the workd right now but please keep this request in your prayers