Jeff's journey to recovery
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In May of 2012, Jeffrey Steenburg joined the Travis County Sheriff’s Office as a Corrections Officer. In early 2015, Jeff followed his passion for teaching/mentorship and was allotted the opportunity to compete for a position at the TCSO Training Academy. Jeff’s dedication and drive landed him a position as a Training Instructor and Coordinator for the TCSO Corrections Officer Basic Recruit Academy also known as COBRA. As a COBRA Instructor, he is responsible for the daily operation of a Cadet Class (of up to 30 Cadets) through numerous and rigorous hours of training in state mandated licensing courses, firearms training, survival tactics training, and the list goes on and on…
As a Training Instructor under the COBRA Program, Jeff is both a supervisor and mentor to new officers joining the Sheriff’s Office. Jeff is highly dedicated to teaching; whether it is a group of Cadets, members of a specialized unit or even in his personal life as a coach for adult and children martial arts programs. There have been many days where I have watched Jeff teach a Cadet Class for hours on end, just to quickly change clothes and head to “the gym” to teach his children’s Jiu Jitsu class (which we have learned brings him great joy).
Over the past year, Jeff enrolled and attended the Basic Peace Officer Course (BPOC) at San Antonio College where he excelled and passed the course. He attended this course on his personal weekend time, working Monday through Friday and attending BPOC on Saturday and Sunday. Before Jeff was able to take his State Exam for his Peace Officer License, he was struck with the serious illness which he is currently recovering from. Since Jeff’s illness has pulled him from work, there has been a huge missing piece to the Training Academy which no other could fill. I keep waiting for Jeff to walk around the corner and have some remark to make us laugh and/or cry (in a good way). The COBRA Program has been continuing on but it certainly is not whole as Jeff brings a passion and enthusiasm that is sorely missed. We are hoping for a healthy recovery and are greatly looking forward to getting him back on his feet and filling the missing piece to our family and team.
It all started in February when Jeff sustained a cut or abraision to his neck. As any simple wound, Jeff felt that it would heal without incident. Jeff noticed that the wound was not healing and went to see several Providers. He was given antibiotics and instructed on wound care. Late March Jeff continued to have nagging neck pain, that increasingly got worse to the point where he went to Urgent Care and they ordered a MRI. During this time Jeff began to experience severe muscle weakness, blurred vision, radiating pain from neck to his shoulders down his back. The MRI showed that Jeff had possible Necrotizing Fascitis, and it was spreading. Jeff was rushed to the Emergency Room where he was officially diagnosed with a severe staph infection that caused an Epidural Abscess, the infection had spread to his brain, cavernous sinus, pelvic cavity. His vital organs began to fail, as he went into Septic Shock. He was rushed into emergency surgery April 8th 2016. The extensive surgery included a complete wash out of his spinal column, and removal of all the dead muscle. Jeff was in critcal condition, with the outcome being very grave. Jeff was unable to lift his arms, or walk, his vision had been compromised due to the massive infection, he was on mechanical ventilation. Jeff had to return to surgery April 12th for an additional wash out of his spinal column because the infection still remained.
Providers were not confident in Jeff making a full recovery but everyday he is proving them wrong. April 15th Jeff was removed from the ventilator , able to breathe on his own. Once Jeff was able to speak, he assured everyone that he was going to make a full recovery. Hard work and dedication are not new to him. On April 17th Jeff was able to take his first steps, with the aid of a walker and a great physical therapist. Jeff was discharged from the hospital to a skilled rehab/nursing facility April 22nd, where he currently resides. He goes through 3 or more hours of Physical and Occupational Therapy everyday.He is on IV antibiotic therapy, and will remain on that for several more weeks. He has full mobility of his arms, and his legs. He is building up his strength and stability daily. Jeff's journey to recovery is going to be long. He wants to be able to return to the job he loves, and Jiu Jitsu. His medical expenses continue to rise as he gets the care that he needs. Jeff is not one to ask for help, but his family,his friends, his coworkers, are all wanting to see him make a full recovery and rejoin the Travis County Sheriff's Department. Any donation is greatly appreciated, and will aid Jeff in taking care of his medical expenses, as well as continuing to get the best care possible to help him on his journey to recovery.
As a Training Instructor under the COBRA Program, Jeff is both a supervisor and mentor to new officers joining the Sheriff’s Office. Jeff is highly dedicated to teaching; whether it is a group of Cadets, members of a specialized unit or even in his personal life as a coach for adult and children martial arts programs. There have been many days where I have watched Jeff teach a Cadet Class for hours on end, just to quickly change clothes and head to “the gym” to teach his children’s Jiu Jitsu class (which we have learned brings him great joy).
Over the past year, Jeff enrolled and attended the Basic Peace Officer Course (BPOC) at San Antonio College where he excelled and passed the course. He attended this course on his personal weekend time, working Monday through Friday and attending BPOC on Saturday and Sunday. Before Jeff was able to take his State Exam for his Peace Officer License, he was struck with the serious illness which he is currently recovering from. Since Jeff’s illness has pulled him from work, there has been a huge missing piece to the Training Academy which no other could fill. I keep waiting for Jeff to walk around the corner and have some remark to make us laugh and/or cry (in a good way). The COBRA Program has been continuing on but it certainly is not whole as Jeff brings a passion and enthusiasm that is sorely missed. We are hoping for a healthy recovery and are greatly looking forward to getting him back on his feet and filling the missing piece to our family and team.
It all started in February when Jeff sustained a cut or abraision to his neck. As any simple wound, Jeff felt that it would heal without incident. Jeff noticed that the wound was not healing and went to see several Providers. He was given antibiotics and instructed on wound care. Late March Jeff continued to have nagging neck pain, that increasingly got worse to the point where he went to Urgent Care and they ordered a MRI. During this time Jeff began to experience severe muscle weakness, blurred vision, radiating pain from neck to his shoulders down his back. The MRI showed that Jeff had possible Necrotizing Fascitis, and it was spreading. Jeff was rushed to the Emergency Room where he was officially diagnosed with a severe staph infection that caused an Epidural Abscess, the infection had spread to his brain, cavernous sinus, pelvic cavity. His vital organs began to fail, as he went into Septic Shock. He was rushed into emergency surgery April 8th 2016. The extensive surgery included a complete wash out of his spinal column, and removal of all the dead muscle. Jeff was in critcal condition, with the outcome being very grave. Jeff was unable to lift his arms, or walk, his vision had been compromised due to the massive infection, he was on mechanical ventilation. Jeff had to return to surgery April 12th for an additional wash out of his spinal column because the infection still remained.
Providers were not confident in Jeff making a full recovery but everyday he is proving them wrong. April 15th Jeff was removed from the ventilator , able to breathe on his own. Once Jeff was able to speak, he assured everyone that he was going to make a full recovery. Hard work and dedication are not new to him. On April 17th Jeff was able to take his first steps, with the aid of a walker and a great physical therapist. Jeff was discharged from the hospital to a skilled rehab/nursing facility April 22nd, where he currently resides. He goes through 3 or more hours of Physical and Occupational Therapy everyday.He is on IV antibiotic therapy, and will remain on that for several more weeks. He has full mobility of his arms, and his legs. He is building up his strength and stability daily. Jeff's journey to recovery is going to be long. He wants to be able to return to the job he loves, and Jiu Jitsu. His medical expenses continue to rise as he gets the care that he needs. Jeff is not one to ask for help, but his family,his friends, his coworkers, are all wanting to see him make a full recovery and rejoin the Travis County Sheriff's Department. Any donation is greatly appreciated, and will aid Jeff in taking care of his medical expenses, as well as continuing to get the best care possible to help him on his journey to recovery.
Organizer
Jeffrey Steenburg
Organizer
Austin, TX
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