Hello, my name is Lacie, I am Antonette’s cousin. I am writing this on behalf of Brad and Antonette and their family.
The Steward Family has been going through some difficult times over the past month with their son Leo’s medical needs. As most of you know, he was admitted to Children’s Hospital on April 8th for a baclofen pump revision with the hopes to get his tone under control and be sent home within 3 days. However, Leo’s withdrawal symptoms were so severe that his condition worsened and caused his CO2 oxygen levels to become dangerously high. Everything happened quickly, and they nearly lost Leo. Since then Leo has been in critical condition at Children’s Hospital ICU. He had surgery again on Friday the 12th, where they learned his left lung collapsed and he was suffering from a respiratory illness. As a result, he has remained intubated with a breathing tube and kept sedated to allow his body and lungs rest. Again on Tuesday Leo stopped breathing, causing additional fear of losing him. It took several minutes for the team to bring his oxygen levels back up.
The family has been so emotionally and physically impacted by the recent changes and events with Leo’s health, with everyone having to quickly adapt and work through hurdles to make everything run smoothly each day. Brad has remained at work during the week, teaching, coaching his baseball team and caring for the other two children at home. Antonette has been the main person staying at the hospital with Leo, overseeing his care. Since Antonette is Leo’s parent CNA, she is unable to receive any income while Leo is admitted to the hospital. This has become a financial burden for the family as Brad is the only one working at this time. Because the duration of Leo’s stay is unknown, the financial impact will continue to grow as he stays in the hospital.
Although family and friends have reached out and provided meals to lighten the load, please consider a donation on behalf of the family to help ease their financial burden while they focus on getting Leo healthy and back home.
Please continue to support and lift the Steward family up in prayer. Thank you ❤️
4/19 update: Brad and Antonette were hopeful to be able to apply for a scholarship through Children’s Hospital to further help with finances/mortgage assistance, however, they have been advised they are not eligible. They are so grateful for everything contributed thus far and appreciate the extra prayers for Leo!