“It’s a dream come true”, said Diane Essex, who married her partner yesterday at LOROS Hospice.
It was an extra special day for Diane, of Aylestone, yesterday when she tied the knot with Andy Granger, while celebrating her birthday.
The couple, who have been together for 35 years, wed at LOROS Hospice, where Diane, who was diagnosed with peritoneal cancer in January, has been staying for around two weeks.
“I’m just amazed that we’ve been able to do it,” said Diane, who turned 63 yesterday. (WED)
“I could never have wished for anything more and I would like to thank absolutely all of the staff here for making it possible.”
Diane said that she and Andy have been talking about getting married for years but it was only when they were speaking to the chaplain at LOROS that they discovered it would be possible to have the ceremony at the Hospice.
“It’s made me so happy,” said Diane.
LOROS organised a wedding cake and the food for the ceremony, which was quite intimate, with five of Diane and Andy’s closest relatives and friends.
“It’s brilliant,” she added. “I’m over the moon that it’s all worked out.”
Diane said that it was when she was being treated in Leicester Royal Infirmary that she was told she could have a room at LOROS, a couple of weeks ago.
“Ever since I’ve arrived at LOROS I’ve been feeling so much better – and everyone has told me how well I’m doing,” she said.
“I would give this place 20 out of 10 if I could.
“The people here care so much and we’ve had such a laugh, it’s been fantastic. I’m so glad I came.”
Diane has had her own room with a small outside patio area, which looks out into the garden. There is space for Andy to sleep too and he is able to bring her two pet budgies to visit whenever possible.
“The food is excellent too and it’s all handmade, which is the best thing,” said Diane.
“I can even have a glass of wine with my meal.
“It’s so comforting here.”
Making her birthday even more special, was a surprise which arrived in the post from Take That – a greetings card sending their love, signed by Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald.
“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.
“I couldn’t believe it when I opened the card – I said to myself, ‘this can’t be happening’ – I thought I was dreaming,” added Diane.
“I can’t say thank you enough.”
Photographs courtesy of Alex Hannam.
