Terminally-ill nurse gets married on hospital ward

A terminally-ill nurse married the love of her life on her hospital ward and said: "I wouldn't change a thing." Emily Cross, 43, tied the knot with her partner of five years, Jamie, 44, after being told she had secondary mucinous adenocarcinoma, a rare type of cancer.

The cancer is so rare it makes up just 2-3 per cent of ovarian cancer cases. The couple had hoped to get married at home but they exchanged vows at Ribblesdale Ward at Royal Preston Hospital after Emily became unwell.

Emily, who had previously worked at the Sue Ryder Neurological Care Centre, said: "We would have done it at home, but I was unwell and had to come back into hospital, so we did it here.

"The Ribblesdale Ward made it so beautiful for us, the room was decorated, it was so special. I was allowed a few friends, my witnesses, and I had my white pyjamas and my fluffy socks on and had a beautiful day. We were married in the room in a lovely service.

"After we went down to the chapel, where we were met by the chaplain and a few more members of staff, the hospital family that they’ve become."

After the service, they had a blessing at the hospital's chapel by Lead Chaplain, Reverend Martin McDonald, who read out a poem. Emily, who is originally from Shropshire, said she "wouldn’t change anything from the day for the world."

But she does hope to have a celebration with her family and friends in the future, if she is well enough. Emily said: "The chaplaincy was so pretty, there was a screen with our name on, and there was so much effort put in by everyone.

"We were both really touched and I’m so thankful to everybody for that. We’d love to have had all our friends and family there, but our aim is hopefully when I’m well enough to have them round. But I wouldn’t change anything from the day for the world, it was a beautiful day and lifted my spirits, and Jamie’s, completely. I hope it lifted the ward’s spirits as well.

"We can’t thank everybody here enough, because they were part of the day and also gave us a lovely card and gift. I even had a card from the porters. It was an amazing day; I just want to thank everybody here and tell them they do an amazing job."

Jamie, originally from Liverpool, said: "It was one of the most special days of my life – and these last five years have been the best of my life since I met Emily."

Emily, from Preston, Lancashire, had a cyst removed in May this year and biopsies suggested she was cancer-free. But after having three rounds of preventative chemotherapy, tests showed she had secondary mucinous adenocarcinoma. Emily is now back at home, which she purchased just before her diagnosis, and is focused on spending time with her three children Mikey, Eirwen and Sofia.

She said: “I’m still fighting and processing it all, miracles can happen, you need to focus on positive affirmations and be thankful for everything.

“I’m not ready and feel more at peace, more blessed, because you have time to appreciate everything everyone does and all your friends and support.

"Every day is a blessing. I’ve been away from my children, but to make sure I’m home again with them, enjoying that time is so important to me. I can’t think of anything better. I’m very positive about it."

Reverend Martin McDonald said it was a "blessing" to be part of the couple's big day. He said: "It is always a great joy to be able to meet people’s wishes, especially those pivotal events in life.

"To be a small part of Jamie and Emily’s big day was a real blessing and an incredible team effort from the wonderful staff here at our hospital."

Hospital ward manager Danielle Jackson said: "It was lovely to be part of Emily and Jamie’s special day, to celebrate as a part of her hospital family."

Around 40 weddings a year take place in hospitals in the UK.