We had a patient admitted to our unit who had wonderful and exciting plans to move to Boston and get married in only a few short months. While preparing for these big life events he developed an infection in his foot. The patient was a newly diagnosed diabetic, so this infection resulted in the patient requiring a longer stay and surgery. The couple planned on getting married late February but since the patient was in the hospital the MedSurg 2 North team arranged, with the blessing of the couple, a wedding on the unit!
The team arranged for a notary to perform the ceremony, purchased a wedding cake, flowers, veil, and dress for the fiancée, and also decorated the patient's room. They also offered to take photos in the healing garden in an effort to make it an even more memorable experience. The couple was extremely touched by all the attention and support from the team. They were overwhelmed with happiness on how special the team made them feel.
During the remainder of his stay, the team donated a wheelchair and physical therapy helped to train the patient and his fiancée on how to transfer to and from due to being non-weight bearing until he was fully healed. The day of discharge, the team scheduled the patient's last IV antibiotic treatments so that he and his fiancée could make it to the airport in time for their move to Boston.
The couple penned a thank you to the team...
"Many beautiful things cannot be seen or touched; they are felt within the heart. What all of you have done for us is one of those things and we thank you from the very bottom of our hearts. The care that we received is beyond compare and my husband has renewed health because of you."