Melissa Pahel
June 2024
Melissa
Pahel
,
BSN, RN
4E ICU
VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System
Pittsburgh
,
PA
United States

 

 

 

Melissa spent all day on the phone with no good outcome, so she took matters into her own hands.
Mr. P was a patient in the 4E ICU. His heart was failing, and his prognosis was not great. He would get glimmers of hope just for them to be taken away. He decided he would like to go home to hospice, but not before he married his true love, B. Melissa was his nurse. Apparently, Mr. P had told others that the following day would be the day of the wedding but there were no arrangements made. Melissa called the chapel, but unfortunately, you are not allowed to use the chapel for weddings or funerals.

The couple wanted 12-14 people to attend, so Melissa called the PCC, which deferred her to the chief of nursing. She said they could have the ceremony in the room but with no more than two people at a time. They were also told the police needed a list of names. It was becoming a large task for a simple request. The couple just wanted to be married before he became too weak and sick. Melissa spent all day on the phone with no good outcome, so she took matters into her own hands. The following day, Mr. P hooked up to his monitor, and Miss B went out into the courtyard with their friends and family and were wed. There wasn't a dry eye in the house. Melissa went above and beyond to make this happen for the couple. I could see it was very frustrating for her, but she said, "The patient is so sweet he deserves this."