Alysha and Michael Althouse were planning to get married in September.
Then Alysha’s dad, Russ Firestone, 74, ended up in WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital in dire condition with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which he had been battling for some time. He was having trouble walking, he was retaining fluids, his vision was blurred and then his lips and nose started turning blue. Providers told Russ’s family that they were concerned that he might not live much longer.
One of Russ’s wishes – “It was on my bucket list,” the retired trucking company owner said – was that he could be present for his daughter’s wedding. So Good Sam team members swung into action, enlisting a chaplain, arranging for a cake and sparkling cider, even supplying flowers and balloons.
Shortly after 7 p.m. on a beautiful June evening, the Althouses were married in Room 329 of WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital, as Russ looked on, his lap covered by a blanket printed with the words “Love you to the moon and back.”
“That was one of the happiest days of my life,” Russ said.
“I didn’t think it would ever happen. I was overwhelmed with everything,” Alysha said. “It all happened in a matter of hours. The hospital said, ‘We’ll handle it all.’ And it all fell into place. It was like it was meant to be. It was really exciting, and it was perfect.”
Erica Light, hospitalist nurse practitioner, helped to get the wedding plans started. A variety of Good Sam team members, including the case management team, food service and others helped to make it happen.
Alicia Conner, nurse manager on the floor where Russ was receiving care, said that the team members knew it was the right thing to do for the family and that they truly got as much joy out of planning the wedding as the family did in participating in it.
“We want to do whatever we can to treat our patients with compassion and care.” Conner said.
Though the Althouses had been thinking their special day would take place in a church, followed by a celebration in a reception hall, Room 329 turned out to be just what they needed, when they needed it.
“I was blown away,” the bride said. “I didn’t expect that at all from them and for them to throw it all together. We just showed up. Given the circumstances, I couldn’t have asked for a better wedding. I will never forget it.”
The family was surprised and happy when a change in medication improved Russ’s condition after the wedding. However, he will not be able to return home and expects to be discharged to a nursing home. His mood is upbeat.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” he said. “I’m so happy that this happened. It meant the world to me.”