Patient Sees Daughter Married in Final Hours of Life

When Christine Mason, RN, found out that one of her patients hoped to see his daughter married before he lost his battle with terminal cancer, she and other co-workers took immediate action to make this a reality. Because he was intubated, Curtis Adams wasn't able to talk with nurses, but did communicate a request for his daughter's wedding day. "He wrote down that he wanted to walk his daughter down the aisle. Standing up for him, it's huge," said Christine. "But, I think he had all the right reasons to be walking today."

For Curtis Adams to be able to walk his daughter down the aisle, an entire team comprised of nurses, along with physical and respiratory therapists, made the impossible happen by taking every step with him. "My dad's my rock. He's my everything," Crystal Adams said. "The fact that he's able to be here and walk me down the aisle is a blessing that I didn't know was going to happen."

Many co-workers helped to create a beautiful wedding day for Curtis' daughter, Crystal and her fiancé, Jonathan. One co-worker helped the bride find a wedding dress, and another did her makeup and hair. Others donated money to help with decorations. “The bride originally planned for a later wedding date, but under the circumstances, the date was moved up so our patient could have this special memory before he passed. We know it was a beautiful memory for this family,” said Lisa Rouse, patient experience coordinator. 

Held in St. John's Chapel inside the hospital, a bittersweet wedding created memories that will last a lifetime for his family and demonstrated just how much care and comfort Mercy co-workers provide. 

Springfield News-Leader: Daughter moves up wedding a year so dying dad can walk her down the aisle

KYTV: Terminally ill father walks daughter down the aisle at Mercy Hospital

KOLR10: This Father Beat the Odds and Walked His Daughter Down the Aisle