Cancer patient Abby ties knot in hospital

10:17am Wednesday 9th July 2008

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IT is one of the most important moments in any woman's life.

But for Abby Gresham-Burchell, her wedding last night was extra special.

Abby, who is in the final stages of terminal cancer, and her partner of seven years, Thomas John, became the first couple to tie the knot in the chapel of a Hampshire hospital.

They had planned to marry before but Abby, 43, had been too ill.

She took a turn for the worse last week and was rushed to hospital. It was then that the pair decided to get hitched at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester.

Thomas, a 44-year-old German who works for a wine bottling company, went down on bended knee beside Abby's hospital bed to make her dream romantic proposal complete with diamond ring.

Then, thanks to nurses plus family and friends who rallied round, the couple were able to have a wedding with all the trappings.

Nurses on Freshfield Ward turned wedding planners to organise a reception for 50 in the hospital canteen paid for by the ward's charitable fund while hospital chefs baked a wedding cake.

Friends and family meanwhile provided champagne, flowers, orders of service and music as well as rushing to get a wedding licence in time.

Last night mum-of-four Abby, dressed in an elegant cream outfit, sat facing Thomas during the ceremony, with a throng of family, friends, nurses, hospital staff and passing well-wishers watching on from the edges of the chapel.

The bridesmaids - Abby's two youngest daughters, five-year-old Lottie and 11-year-old Laura - wore white dresses with sparkling silver shoes and silver flower bows in their hair.

Abby, who lives in Medstead, near Alton, was 39 when she was first diagnosed with cancer. She has had three operations and doctors say she is unlikely to survive further surgery.

Speaking before her wedding, the bride-to-be said: "I just want it to be a very happy, joyous occasion for everyone - a celebration.

"My cancer is classed as a terminal disease but I just take it one day at a time really and pray that God will decide whether I get over it or not.

"Nobody knows when their life will end, but people should be more aware of how lucky we are each day and not think of all the negative things all the time. But I can say that because I am in the fortunate position of being very well looked after."

The bride said it was poignant her wedding coincided with the 60th birthday of the National Health Service.

She said: "Without the NHS, I would not be here at all. I have such a lot to thank the NHS for and the fantastic staff who have been so supportive."

Abby, who has two older children, Callam, 13, and Katie, 16, paid tribute to her consultant surgeon, Andrew Miles, who was invited to the wedding along with other doctors and nurses involved in her care.

She said: "My cancer is very difficult to treat and my doctors are trying to find an alternative treatment but without them I would not have had the past few years with my children."

The wedding was conducted by the Rev Howard Wright, vicar of The Good Shepherd in Four Marks.

Abby was also confirmed a member of the Anglican Church by the Bishop of Basingstoke, the Right Rev Trevor Willmott.

She said her Christian faith had helped her cope with her illness.

Mr Miles said: "I am always amazed at the incredible bravery shown by patients with cancer. Abby has derived great strength from her faith and the whole team is supporting her in her marriage."