One of our ICU nurses, Penny Jackman, got a big surprise at UCHealth Highlands Ranch Hospital last week. Rockies star and fan-favorite Charlie Blackmon and mascot Dinger came by the ICU unit and let Penny know that the Rockies were sending her and her husband, Mark, on an all-expense-paid trip to San Diego in June to watch the Rockies play! Penny is a huge Blackmon and Rockies fan, so she was speechless at first, and then beyond grateful and excited for the trip.
Penny was specifically selected for this opportunity because she has not only endured working as an ICU nurse during a global pandemic but she’s also dealt with many other challenges over the last two years.
In November of 2020, one of her sons fell from a two-story balcony and suffered a traumatic brain injury, or a TBI. Shortly after, her father-in-law had a stroke and passed away, right before Penny’s daughter delivered her first baby during the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic. Penny then needed jaw surgery and her husband Mark had to have shoulder surgery. That wasn’t the end of it because while on a dirt bike in June 2021, Penny fell and shattered her leg, tearing her ACL, LCL and MCL, as well as her calf muscle, which had been ripped off the back of her knee. What followed was a tough recovery with lots of setbacks and while Penny was recovering from her injury, Mark had a stroke and had to be hospitalized.
“Gratitude has been at the center of this whole process,” said Penny. “Our family just loves being together and we focus on staying positive and enjoying the little things and the small moments of joy.”
Despite all the obstacles and challenges, the Jackman family is now doing well. Penny is back on her feet after her accident and refuses to let all the hardships stop her positive outlook and beautiful spirit. Penny’s resilience is nothing short of amazing and she says going through these life changing events has made her a better nurse. She also says she wouldn’t have gotten through it without the overwhelming support and love from her UCHealth co-workers.
We’re so happy for you Penny, you deserve this! Enjoy San Diego!