Shotgun Wedding at the Bedside

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A few weeks ago, our unit at the hospital admitted a patient with terminal cancer who said he was going to get married that evening at the hospital, but came with no decorations, flowers or special clothing. At 11:30 PM, My incredible team and our House Supervisor purchased a cake, a bridal bouquet, bouquets for the “bridesmaids“ and pinned flowers on all male nurses and male family members. We decorated the “wedding table“ with flowers, ribbons, and any other beautiful things we could scrounge around in the hospital. I punched holes of colored paper and made confetti to throw at the happy couple once the officiant declared “I now declare you, husband and wife“. I rang the chemotherapy graduation bell and the whole staff clapped enthusiastically and shed a few tears. I am so grateful to all the staff, who helped give this couple dignity, beauty and care in their most vulnerable moment. I have been to some weddings with outrageous budgets, but this has been by far the most poignant and emotional wedding I have ever attended. I will always remember it Two days later, this patient died in the ICU. God rest his soul. This event was one of the most memorable in my 16 year career at the bedside. The other was when I led a prayer for a deceased patient with all his family gathered in a circle holding hands.