With little time left in his life, a patient in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Kettering Health Hamilton asked for a pretty big favor.

An ICU nurse and a chaplain worked together to deliver.

“When you build real relationships with staff, collaboration just happens,” said Debi Robertson, the chaplain who worked with ICU nurse Kaitlyn Carroll to facilitate a patient’s wedding last October.

The wedding involved a male ICU patient and his girlfriend of more than 40 years. According to Carroll, the patient did not want to escalate treatment, and he was heading for hospice.  

“I was his nurse that day, and I asked how long he’d been with his wife, and he said they weren’t married,” Carroll said. “He said he wished they had gotten married, especially because he was worried about finances after he passed.

“He was alert and knew what was coming. That’s how it started.”

Robertson had previously spoken to the patient about his living will and power of attorney. She also offered to pray with him, but he said he didn’t believe in God.

“The next day, Katie called me and said he wanted to marry his longtime girlfriend, and he wanted a pastor,” Robertson said. “When I spoke to him, I reminded him that a pastor meant making vows before God. He said that’s what he wanted. So, Katie and I sprang into action.”

With the help of other nurses and staff across the Hamilton campus, Carroll and Robertson quickly rallied colleagues to prepare for a wedding in the patient’s ICU room.

Carroll led the logistical efforts, coordinating paperwork, identification, a marriage license, and a notary, while rallying multiple departments to provide decorations and refreshments. Robertson supported the effort by helping obtain flowers, a ring, and assisting with paperwork. The chaplain also had a pastor in mind.

“I suddenly thought of Dr. John Lewis, a hospital board member,” Robertson said. “He was hospitalized at the time and had been quarantined in his room. He had just been taken out of quarantine the day of the wedding

“I asked him if he wanted to perform a wedding in the hospital, and he immediately said yes. Someone brought his stole and book, and he was ready.”

With all the pieces in place, the patient and his long-time girlfriend were married by 3:45 p.m., on Oct. 21.

“All the stars aligned, and we actually did this,” Carroll said. “It was a four- or five-hour wedding plan, and, honestly, a whole-team effort.”

And there wasn’t a dry eye in the place.

“There really wasn’t,” Robertson said. “We all knew he was going to hospice. Nurses, volunteers, and administrators were there, and we all cried.

“It was overwhelming how quickly hearts, hands, and faith came together to make it happen.”

“In the end, teamwork made his final wish possible.