When I arrived at Avantara Libertyville, I was very sick.
What started as a severe infection in my left knee had progressed into sepsis, leaving me weak, exhausted, and unable to do much for myself. My body had been through more than I realized, and before I could focus on rebuilding strength, I first had to recover from the infection itself.
That wasn’t easy for me to accept.
Like most people, I wanted immediate results. I wanted to walk. I wanted to get stronger. I wanted to get back to normal as quickly as possible.
But recovery doesn’t always work that way.
The staff helped me understand that before my body could do more, it needed time to heal.
Once I was medically stable, the therapy team began helping me rebuild my strength. One of the highlights of my stay was working with Dan in physical therapy. He knew when to encourage me, when to challenge me, and when to make sure I didn’t push beyond what was safe.
I still remember the first time I was able to walk from my wheelchair near the windows all the way toward the doors in the therapy gym.
To some people, that might not sound like much.
To me, it was a huge accomplishment.
Not long before that, I barely had enough energy to get out of bed. Being able to stand, walk, rest, and then do it again showed me that progress was happening—even if it wasn’t happening as quickly as I wanted.
What impressed me most wasn’t just the therapy. It was the people.
Lana, one of the nurses, made a lasting impact on me. Before therapy, I would ask for a couple of Tylenol to help me prepare for the work ahead. After the first time I asked, she remembered. Every morning before therapy, she made sure I had what I needed without me even having to remind her.
She also noticed when I wasn’t receiving the nutritional supplements my doctor wanted me to have and personally made sure I received a cold Ensure with every meal.
Those small acts of attentiveness meant a lot.
Another staff member I’ll never forget was Gloria, one of the overnight CNAs. Every evening she would quietly check in to make sure I had water, help with anything I needed, and make sure I was comfortable before settling in for the night. In the morning, she would stop by again with a fresh glass of ice water and a friendly greeting to start the day.
It’s those little things that stay with you.
The CNAs, nurses, and therapy team all worked together to make sure I had what I needed. Whether it was helping me get cleaned up, answering questions, checking my vitals, or encouraging me during therapy, I always felt supported.
What I looked forward to most each day was therapy.
I knew that every session gave me another opportunity to improve. Recovery after sepsis takes time, but I learned that progress comes from showing up, doing the work, and trusting the process.
Looking back, that’s exactly what the team at Avantara Libertyville helped me do.
If someone asked me whether I would recommend Avantara Libertyville, I would tell them this: if you’re willing to put in the work, the team will be right there beside you. They care, they pay attention, and they do everything they can to help you succeed.
For me, that made all the difference.