A grandmother with terminal cancer receiving end-of-life care married her partner of 30 years in hospital after staff helped arrange a last-minute ceremony. Karen Cummings, who celebrated her 57th birthday this week, tied the knot with partner Mark, 52, on Monday (November 28), having been given days to live.
The couple, from Sale, Trafford, exchanged vows at Wythenshawe Hospital after just eight hours of organisation. Karen decided she didn't want to pass away without marrying her soul mate. She has been fighting stomach cancer.
Karen first went to the GP with symptoms of feeling nauseous, dizziness, and heartburn in January. She had two benign results, before being transferred to Salford Royal Hospital for further tests. She was diagnosed with cancer in early October.
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Daughter Rachel Myers, 34, told the Manchester Evening News: "The nursing staff on ward A6 went above and beyond to facilitate my mum's wish to marry my dad after 30 years before we lose her."
The wedding was arranged with the help of the Manchester Register Office and nurses Louise Long, Paula Needham, Sophie McNair, Lizz Fildes, Diane Greenwood and Rachel McMahon. Staff helped decorate and prepare the ward ahead of the ceremony.
They made banners and flowers for Karen's hair and brought cake and food. One of the nurses brought the bouquet she had at her wedding.
Rachel said: "It was the best day among the worst circumstances. They made sure we got the letter we needed from the doctor to get the registrar down - the nurses were just amazing."
Karen first went to the GP feeling nauseous and dizzy in January. She had two benign results, before being transferred to Salford Royal Hospital for further tests. She was diagnosed with cancer in early October.
Rachel added: "Mum was expected to be referred to The Christie, but unfortunately we never made it there. It's been a whirlwind with an awful 11 weeks - we have fought and fought for her.
"It went from what we thought was a curable cancer to being told on Saturday evening she wouldn't make it through Sunday night. She's still here though, I just can't get my head around it, I'm in awe of her. She's doing amazingly considering the circumstances."
The ceremony was attended by the couple's children - Rachel, Sarah, 40, Gemma, 30, and Josh 27 - their closest friends and family with nursing staff.
Rachel said: "My parents have four children and seven grandchildren - they're soul mates. They met and got engaged a long time ago and their lives more recently revolved around their love for camping trips and spending time with their grandchildren.
"It was important massively to us, my mum didn't want to go without having taken my dad's name, and she's got that wish now along with a lovely ring.
"It was an extremely incredible and emotional day but we as a family would like to try and thank them for what they did for mum and dad on Monday."
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