By Leicester Mercury | Posted: 29 April, 2015
Diane Essex tied the knot with Andy Granger in a simple ceremony today witnessed by a handful of friends and relatives at the LOROS Hospice in Leicester.
"It's a dream come true", said Diane, of Aylestone, who was diagnosed with peritoneal cancer in January.
"I'm just amazed that we've been able to do it," said Diane who was also celebrating her 63rd birthday.
"I could never have wished for anything more and I would like to thank all of the staff here for making it possible."
Diane said that she and Andy, 55, have been talking about getting married for years.
She said they decided to take the plunge after speaking to the LOROS chaplain who said they could marry at the hospice.
LOROS organised a wedding cake and the food for the ceremony with five of Diane and Andy's close relatives and friends.
"It's brilliant," she said. "I'm over the moon that it's all worked out."
Diane, who has been at the hospice for two weeks, has her own room with a small outside patio area which looks out into the garden.
There is space for Andy to sleep and he is able to bring her two pet budgies to visit.
Her birthday and wedding day was made extra special by a surprise which arrived in the post.
It was a birthday card signed by the members of her favourite band Take That.
"It was such a lovely surprise," said Diane, who has tickets to go and see the band on May 14, in Birmingham.
When staff at LOROS heard Diane had tickets for the gig but might not be able to go, they contacted the band's management and told them about the situation.
Diane said: "I couldn't believe it when I opened the card – I said to myself, 'this can't be happening' – I thought I was dreaming. I can't say thank you enough."
