Leslee's Health Update

In this candid update, Leslee reflects on the mental and emotional weight that has been cropping up alongside her spinal injury this month. She shares the tension between progress and frustration—improvements in mobility and clarity, paired with ongoing fatigue, disrupted sleep, and muscle loss. Rather than pushing herself to extremes, she’s embracing a gentler, more sustainable plan that includes short bursts of strength training, rest, proper nutrition, and simple daily pra

Nothing prepares you for the moment life reroutes you straight into the ICU. One second you’re hoping for a quick procedure and a quiet recovery day, and the next, you’re watching yourself be hooked up to a hoard of tubes and wires while alarms, monitors, and unfamiliar medical language swirl around you. Plus, tiny veins= extreme hatred of IVs.

Discover what early neuro rehabilitation truly involves—PT, OT, safety rules, equipment, daily living skills, and the challenges of limited insurance coverage. A candid, hopeful look at rebuilding mobility and independence.

Today I’m sharing the three things that made the biggest difference in my own recovery so far: the support system that held me up (sometimes literally), the mindset that kept me grounded when fear tried to take over, and the healthy habits that gave my body a fighting chance. My circumstances may not match yours exactly—but I hope these insights offer perspective, encouragement, and maybe even a small spark of strength for whatever challenge you’re facing.

As Sheryl Crow says, “Every day is a winding road.” Lately, my life has felt more like a rollercoaster with all its ups, downs, and unexpected turns. There’s nothing particularly special about my rollercoaster, but it’s mine, and maybe parts of it will resonate with others.

My first outpatient PT session with Dan was a mix of reality checks, wobbly moments, surprising strengths, and a big reminder that healing is rarely a straight line. From speed tests to balance challenges to a very chaotic trip through a Christmas-crowded store, I learned a lot about where I am, what still needs work, and what determination really feels like. Progress may be slow—but it’s happening, and I’m not backing down.

Add a three-year-old to Christmas and suddenly everything is brighter, louder, stickier, funnier, and filled with more magic. I’m exhausted. I’m grateful. I’m happy. And apparently smashing plates on purpose is now a family ritual.

On November 14, my mother and co-founder of Ageless Conversations, Leslee—62 years old, vibrant, active, (always extra) sharing her strength training journey with you all—went in for what was supposed to be a routine pain-management procedure. She has degenerative spinal issues and bulging discs, and her doctor recommended a steroid injection to help control the pain so she could continue her mobility and strength work.

The first week home has been a whirlwind of emotions — two ugly cries, one petite purple walker, countless acts of love, and more laughter than I expected this early in recovery. From grapevine “stage practice” that made me look like a tipsy lounge singer, to neighbors delivering food, to Dave installing a bathtub handle so I can soak the way I love, every day has brought a mix of pain, exhaustion, humility, progress, and deep gratitude. Healing is messy and beautiful all at