My sister, Penny, saved my life when I was 4. We were ice skating on a river with a small group of kids behind a friends’ house. Naturally, the older kids outpaced my other sister and I (we were 4 and 7) and were soon out of sight. We ended up on a patch of thin ice and could hear the ice start squeaking – if you’ve ever heard that sound when walking on river or lake ice, you understand how terrifying it can be. I remember Stephanie and I clinging to each other, crying, afraid to move. Penny came back for us. As she was ahead with the older kids and had a feeling she should check on us. She listened to her gut and was able to pull us off the thin ice.

I can’t tell you how many times there have been similar instances where her intuition and quick actions have made the difference in someone’s life or limb. Penny raised 5 kids, then decided to go back to college. It was a bright day in the nursing field when she graduated with her BSN. I have long admired her integrity, compassion and work ethic, from the time we were children together, through motherhood and now sharing a nursing career. She has always been my personal hero.

Penny was nominated for a DAISY award multiple times and for a leadership in nursing award at her hospital because of the exceptional care she provides her patients and the leadership she demonstrates among her peers. She has worked tirelessly over the last 18 months on the front lines with COVID-19 patients both in and out of the ICU. Due to understaffing, she often worked 5, 12-hour shifts a week.

Mark and Penny are generous with their time and resources. They are quick to lend a helping hand and give from their hearts.

After a string of misfortune, Penny and Mark need your help. Over the last year, there was a death of Mark’s father; a near-death of their son (fell 40-feet while working on a building); covid hospitalization of their 2nd son; a jaw bone infection and surgery for Penny; shoulder replacement surgery for Mark; food poisoning at a nurse’s week event (irony) that kept Penny in bed for a week; 2 of their daughters had pre-eclampsia (luckily they, and both babies are okay); traumatic knee injury and subsequent blood clot, then surgery, then blood clot in a different vein for Penny…. I could go on, if you can believe it.

It has been too much for any one family to manage, but they were figuring it out and getting through it together. This was complicated a little over a week ago, however.

Penny was struggling while recovering from knee surgery and asked Mark to pray for her. While he was speaking, he started slurring his words and was not making any sense. Penny immediately recognized stroke symptoms and got him to the hospital where she works. She called the Emergency Room/Department on the way, which helped them hit the ground running when he arrived. By that time, he was non-verbal. Because of her quick and decisive action, he is expected to make a full recovery.

In performing a full assessment, the medical providers found that Mark has a PFO (a hole in the heart since birth) which is the likely cause of the stroke. He will need surgery to repair this and further recovery. Currently, Penny is still on crutches and Mark is struggling with word finding, balance and excruciating headaches. He can’t take pain medicine for these because the doctors have explicitly told Penny that when he has a headache, she needs to check his blood pressure and take him to the hospital if it’s high. His risk for another stroke is the highest in the first month after the initial event.

The recovery process will take time, and now they are both out of work. Mark, indefinitely, and Penny, for at least 2 more months.

I understand that it has been a difficult time for many people. People have lost lives, work, love, savings and more. Through this, I have also seen incredible acts of people coming together to uplift one another and unite. Some of you may have nothing tangible to share, but everyone has something – even an intention of well-being, a prayer, a positive thought (maybe a waft of sage?) sent in the direction of Penny and Mark’s family that they will recover fully and get back to work and life soon. Please consider taking a moment to send prayers and intentions of healing.

If you feel inclined, even $1-$5 makes a difference! That’s enough gas money for a medical appointment. They have incurred an incredible burden of medical debt and still need to pay future $30 co-pays for therapy (2x/week for Penny and 2-3x/week for Mark), medications, groceries, utilities and more. Anything you can give is deeply appreciated. Monetary gifts go directly to them to pay for medical bills and household expenses. We will keep you updated on their recovery. Thank you for caring enough to read this and for caring about my hero sister!

Penny working on the covid floor

Penny doing medical work in Guatemala

Penny and Mark's family including 3 sons-in-law

Penny (right) and I when we were kids with our baby brother David