The patient was admitted through the ED. Critically ill due to terminal cancer, her health was quickly declining. Halie overheard the discussion with the patient and fiancée regarding their wedding date which was still 3 weeks away. There was a possibility she would not survive until then. It was the patient's dream. The fiancée spoke with Chaplain S about performing the ceremony the following day in the patient's room.
Halie immediately began working to make this dream a reality. She arranged for a wedding cake, a beautiful bouquet for the bride and gave the fiancée the $60 needed for the wedding license. The next day over the patient's bed were large gold letters which read "Mr. and Mrs." She had lovely lace cloth on the patient's tray table with plates, utensils and the wedding cake. Halie went way beyond her RN responsibilities to see that this patient experienced a wedding despite the illness and hospital bed.
***
Halie took care of a terminally ill patient. She has lung cancer. The patient wanted to get married before she passed away, but they did not have the money to do so. Halie gave the patient money so they could get the marriage license. She even called her boyfriend to bring a wedding cake here. We wanted to nominate her for this selfless act of kindness.
***
A young lady presented to the ED very sick and unable to breathe. This 21-year-old had a diagnosis of terminal lung cancer and was requiring hospital admission for supportive care of her condition. After overhearing the attending gather information, Halie learned of the patient's last wish of marrying her fiancée. Halie knew the patient may not make it through the night, but she quickly sprang into action hoping to make her wish come true. After working more with the patient, she learned the couple hoped the cancer would resolve and they could marry after treatments.
Halie quickly developed a bond with this patient and family. She and her team pulled together money and were able to send the fiancée for a marriage license and put together documents to avoid the patient having to be present. They also purchased a bouquet, veil, wedding cake and silicone wedding bands for the couple.
The couple was married the following morning with many in attendance. This patient, despite her severe pain, placed her medications on hold because she didn't want to be sedated during the ceremony. After the ceremony, the staff quickly worked to help her find comfort and continued to support her family in difficult but precious moments. The nursing team provided this patient with a granted wish on what appeared to be her last moments potentially on this earth and her family will forever be blessed with these memories.
Halie's bond with this family continued in the few days to come as she learned of the patient's unfortunate passing after being discharged home on hospice. Thank you, Halie, for going above and beyond our mission of healing, preaching and teaching and for orchestrating these events in such a timely fashion. You have blessed this patient and family beyond measure.
***
Halie is a very kind and caring nurse. She went above and beyond to help us get our family member, and patient, comfortable. Out of the kindness of her heart, Halie went out of her way to get a small ceremony for her and her fiancée at the hospital. It means so very much to our family for her to care and have so much compassion with the cancer taking its toll on our family member. We are so very grateful. We thank nurse Halie from the bottom of our hearts for caring, helping with the marriage license, cake, ceremony and everything else.