Search

A wedding is a big day for the wedding couple, but it’s also special for loved ones. A patient at Renown, Ken, got to take part in his daughter’s special day as her wedding plans changed to accommodate his medical condition. Grab some tissues and read how Renown’s team of compassionate caregivers and chaplains planned a wedding in Fianna’s Healing Garden. Ken was hospitalized at Renown Regional Medical Center where he was battling a lung problem – which was unrelated to COVID-19 – and his condition worsened rapidly on Wednesday, Aug. 12. His family made the decision to transition him to palliative care, which helps patients near the end of their lives remain comfortable, while supporting their dignity and quality of life.  Ken’s medical condition altered wedding plans for his daughter, Chandra, and her fiancé, Tyler, who were planning to tie the knot later in 2020. Chandra wanted her father there, but knew he could not leave the hospital. That’s why Chandra’s sister, Heather, approached Ken’s care team with a request to have a small wedding ceremony at the hospital.  Planning the Wedding A member of Ken’s care team, Amy Heston, registered nurse (RN), began planning how the wedding could be held outdoors in Fianna's Healing Garden in the E. L. Wiegand Pavilion, which was donated by the E. L. Wiegand Foundation.   In 24 hours, Amy planned a wedding ceremony with the help of her colleague, Breyanna Aufiero, RN; the Renown Spiritual Care team; and nursing leaders on the coronary intensive care unit (ICU). Together, they decorated the aisle in the garden with flowers and battery-operated candles. They also made a sign for Ken’s hospital bed, which read, “Father of the Bride,” and crafted a bow tie for him to wear for the special occasion.  With visitor restrictions in place at the hospital due to coronavirus (COVID-19), having the wedding outside in the Healing Garden allowed for more members of Ken’s family to attend including his wife, Charlotte, and his dog, Bella.   Every step in planning the wedding required thoughtful and thorough care coordination so Ken could participate. His breathing was supported by oxygen and special arrangements were made to transport the oxygen tanks he needed to take part in his daughter’s wedding. Amy worked with respiratory technician, Kasey Benfield, and critical care technician, Ruben Duckworth, to ensure Ken’s oxygen needs were met using portable machines.  Celebrating Love and Life Together Ken’s team of caregivers bathed him and shaved his face so he could look and feel his best for the ceremony. They put on his bow tie, covered his bed in decorations and his favorite blue, flannel blanket, and wheeled his bed outside for the ceremony.  Renown associate chaplains Terri Domitrovich and Susan Palwick coordinated music and performed the ceremony for Chandra and Tyler on Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020. The bride and groom shared their first dance in the garden and Ken’s care team provided water and treats to give the family a full wedding experience.   Shortly after the ceremony, Ken passed away. This wedding provided Ken and his family meaningful memories for their big life-changing moments as they celebrated and said goodbye.  “Seeing Ken surrounded by family he never would have gotten to see again while in the hospital, watching him get to share a father-daughter dance with Chandra on her wedding day, and having him tell me that this day meant more to them than we would ever know were some of the most moving moments I’ve witnessed as a nurse,” Amy said. “I am so thankful for the team we have here. I know that this beautiful day wouldn’t have happened without the help of every single person who gave their time, money, creativity and passion to make it a day to remember.”

Read More About Helpful Caregivers Make a Wedding Dream Come True

Austin was five years old when he was diagnosed with leukemia. A fever and pale looking skin prompted his mom, Brenda, to bring him into his primary care physician in Carson City. After doing some blood work, the fight to beat Austin's cancer began. The initial shock of learning your child has cancer is traumatic and can feel like a whirlwind. Then the questions begin – will my child survive, what happens next, how will we tell his siblings, will we have to travel out of state for quality care? The list of questions feel endless. While grappling with the news, Brenda brought Austin to Renown Children’s Hospital for an additional check-up. This weeklong hospitalization started with a series of tests to confirm Austin’s diagnosis and ultimately it led to treatment for the leukemia. Dr. Jacob Zucker, a pediatric oncologist at Renown Children's Hospital, was with Austin every step of the way, even meeting him in the parking garage on his first day of treatment. Brenda is eternally grateful that Dr. Zucker was on staff at Renown Children's Hospital, which allowed them to keep Austin's care in Reno. The alternative was to travel out of state for care. "Dr. Zucker was the best thing to ever happen to our family. I consider him a part of our family now," said Brenda. "His kindness and knowledge gave us faith in him." Treatment for Childhood Leukemia Austin’s treatment was broken into a number of stages with the first eight months of therapy being the hardest. He would receive almost weekly therapy at Renown Children’s Infusion Center as well as frequent spinal taps with chemotherapy. After eight months, and for the next three years, Austin would receive a maintenance phase therapy. This meant oral chemotherapy every day, IV chemotherapy once a month, spinal chemotherapy every three months and steroids for the first five days of every month. After more than four years of fighting cancer, Austin, now 10, is free of any disease. Currently, he has blood work every two months to ensure he is on the right track. Seeking Advice from Children’s Oncology Groups Throughout Austin's treatment, Brenda regularly sought advice from Children's Oncology Group (COG) members. COG is the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to childhood cancer. Renown Children's was not a member of COG at the time of Austin's treatment -- with the closest facilities located in the Bay Area and Salt Lake City – but it is /now. “When faced with pediatric cancer, the last thing parents should worry about is traveling great lengths to receive the best in cancer care," said Larry Duncan, Vice President of Pediatrics and Surgery and Administrator at Renown Children's Hospital. "We are proud to now offer the most advanced childhood cancer treatment options here at Renown, close to home and convenient for area patients and their families.” This membership allows Renown to enroll our youngest patients – just like Austin – in the latest clinical trials, including groundbreaking treatments, studies to understand these diseases better and in addition, this program will focus on supportive care and survivorship. "The COG allows Renown providers to access treatment plans that were not available to non-COG hospitals when Austin was receiving treatment," said Brenda. "It comforts me to know that not only can children receive cancer treatment right at home, but their parents can now elect for them to participate in trials and plans that are at the forefront of cancer treatment today." How You Can Help Make a Difference Renown Health is focused on being the destination for all your family’s health and healthcare needs. As a not-for-profit health system, Renown relies heavily on community funding. If you are interested in supporting Renown Health, and kids like Austin, please consider giving to Renown Health Foundation. Donations are accepted through the following ways: Make a gift at www.renown.org/give Call Renown Health Foundation at 775-982-5545 Mail a check to Renown Health Foundation, 1155 Mill St., 02, Reno, NV 89502

Read More About Young and Resilient Fighters: Advanced Childhood Cancer Treatment Close to Home