A nurse who has terminal cancer has married her partner at Royal Preston Hospital’s chapel.

It is one of only 40 or so weddings which happen inside hospitals in the UK each year.

Emily Walker and Jamie Cross tied the knot on Wednesday 16 October within the Ribblesdale Ward chapel at the Fulwood hospital.

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43-year-old Emily has a rare type of cancer which returned after she had a cyst removed and chemotherapy.

She and partner Jamie, 44, from Liverpool, have been together for more than five years and live in Preston with baby Mikey and daughters Eirwen and Sofia.

The couple had recently bought a new house before Emily’s diagnosis.

Emily, who now works at the Sue Ryder Neurological Care Centre in Fulwood, undertook her nursing training at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals.

She’s recently spent more time in the hospital than her new home.

Emily said: “We would have done it at home, but I was unwell and had to come back into hospital, so we did it here. The Ribblesdale Ward made it so beautiful for us, the room was decorated, it was so special. I was allowed a few friends, my witnesses, and I had my white pyjamas and my fluffy socks on and had a beautiful day.

“We were married in the room in a lovely service, and after we went down to the chapel, where we were met by the chaplain, Martin, and a few more members of staff, the hospital family that they’ve become. Martin blessed the rings, read a lovely poem and some words, and it was uplifting.

“The chaplaincy was so pretty, there was a screen with our name on, and there was so much effort put in by everyone. We were both really touched and I’m so thankful to everybody for that.

“We’d love to have had all our friends and family there, but our aim is hopefully when I’m well enough to have them round. But I wouldn’t change anything from the day for the world, it was a beautiful day and lifted my spirits, and Jamie’s, completely.

“I hope it lifted the ward’s spirits as well. We can’t thank everybody here enough, everyone on the ward, the IRDU unit (interventional radiology team), because they were part of the day and also gave us a lovely card and gift. I even had a card from the porters.

“It was an amazing day; I just want to thank everybody here and tell them they do an amazing job.”

Back in May then Emily had surgery to remove a cyst and subsequent biopsies suggested she was cancer-free.

After undergoing preventative chemotherapy but after a third round she returned to hospital and it was confirmed she had a rare secondary mucinous adenocarcinoma.

“I’m still fighting and processing it all, miracles can happen, you need to focus on positive affirmations and be thankful for everything.

“I’m not ready and feel more at peace, more blessed, because you have time to appreciate everything everyone does and all your friends and support. Every day is a blessing.

“I’ve been away from my children, but to make sure I’m home again with them, enjoying that time is so important to me. I can’t think of anything better. I’m very positive about it.”

Their wedding day was a day Jamie will never forget: “It was one of the most special days of my life – and these last five years have been the best of my life since I met Emily.”

Ward manager Danielle Jackson said: “It was lovely to be part of Emily and Jamie’s special day, to celebrate as a part of her hospital family.”

Lead Chaplain, Reverend Martin McDonald, added: “It is always a great joy to be able to meet people’s wishes, especially those pivotal events in life. To be a small part of Jamie and Emily’s big day was a real blessing and an incredible team effort from the wonderful staff here at our hospital.”

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