Sick Mum Makes It To Daughter's Wedding - Thanks To 137 Determined Medics

Sick Mum Makes It To Daughter's Wedding - Thanks To 137 Determined Medics

A mother stuck down by a rare life-threatening disease just days before her daughter's wedding made it to the big day – thanks to 137 determined medics.

Frances Wilkins, 56, was rushed to hospital unable to move her arms and suffering with a crippling headache.

She had countless tests which failed to diagnose the mystery illness – all while daughter Elizabeth's wedding approached.

Determined doctors performed special out-of-hours scans and worked from home to diagnose Frances with Churg-Strauss syndrome – an extremely rare disease attacking the vital organs.

The mother-of-three immediately started treatment but was so weak her family thought she would never make the ceremony.

But nurses at Royal Bournemouth Hospital re-arranged rotas so they could drive her to the venue by ambulance, and accompany her throughout the ceremony. The team at the event even did her hair, nails and make-up for the occasion.

Frances, from West Moors, Dorset, said: "It was way beyond their jobs and I wouldn't have made it to the wedding without them.

"This hospital has been fantastic and the care I received on the Acute Medical Unit was outstanding, especially the way they got me to the wedding."

Her daughter Elizabeth, who married Richard Bolton, added: "I didn't know mum was going to be there until the last minute.

"When I'd walked down the aisle, I just ran over and gave her a big hug, it was really emotional."

Frances added: "The hospital team were fantastic pushing through my scan outside of normal hours – if they hadn't diagnosed me when they did, I either would have had very severe brain damage or not been here at all."

Ward sister Kelly Spaven reorganised the rotas so Mrs Wilkins could be escorted to the wedding at Kingston Mauward near Dorchester in Dorset by staff nurse Beth Tucker.

Sister Spaven said: "Frances being rushed into hospital was a horrible scenario for the whole family and if there was one thing that we could have done to improve things, getting Frances to the wedding was it.

"I am so proud of my team as everyone went out of their way to ensure this could happen."

Frances is hoping for a good recovery and continues to take medication.

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