Debbie Young, 49, is planning her dream wedding to sweetheart Andrew Steed, 53, after she was struck down by myeloma – an incurable blood cancer.
Thanks to the generosity of strangers, an Ayrshire nurse who is terminally sick will soon marry her boyfriend.
Only a few months after being diagnosed with myeloma, an incurable form of blood cancer, Debbie Young, 49, is organising her ideal day.
Before falling unwell following a shift at Crosshouse Hospital in November of last year, the proud grandmother of four gave 33 years of her life to the National Health Service (NHS). She realised then that “something wasn’t right.”
The mother has two children from a prior relationship, and her general practitioner was immediately concerned that she had myeloma. And after tests, their worst suspicions were validated.
Kilmarnock resident Debbie was already engaged to 53-year-old Andrew Steed when he proposed to her in the spring.
After ten years of dating, the couple now plans to tie the knot in front of friends and family on March 20 in a special ceremony held at the Carlton Hotel in Prestwick.
Andrew, who currently resides in Hurlford but was born and raised in Cumnock, stated to Ayrshire Live that Debbie has devoted her entire life to her work as a nurse for the past 33 years.
“We can only hope that her myeloma slows down; there is no cure. She was diagnosed with it in November of last year.”
She was employed by Crosshouse Hospital in Ward 5a. She knew something wasn’t right when she realised it while walking down the hallway after her shift.
She suddenly began to feel exhausted all the time.
“After seeing her, the doctor thought she might have myeloma when we went to see him.
“The GP simply knew by looking at her that he had studied it at university.
Debbie had previously had blood tests completed two weeks prior, so it was quite a shock.
However, myeloma behaves in this manner: it disappears for a while before reappearing with a fury.
“We had to reschedule our September wedding, which was our original plan.
Nobody can tell us how long she has left; it might be six weeks, six months, or six years; we simply don’t know.
“We have to make the most of our remaining time because life is too short.”
Thanks to Wedding Wish Makers, who launched an online fundraiser that has already raised over £2,000 and is almost halfway towards its £3,000 goal, the perfect day will all be possible.
Debbie contacted Wedding Wish Makers, and Andrew—who also has two kids from a prior relationship—said, “They’ve been absolutely brilliant.”
They have been a tremendous help to us and have gone above and beyond assistance.
“We had intended to get married at the Brig o’ Doon, but while the Brig is being renovated, the RAD group graciously offered us the Carlton in Prestwick.
They’re going to put everyone on night buses to come home, according to my son, who works for Stagecoach.
“We sincerely appreciate all of their assistance.
“After 33 years as a nurse, Debbie deserves it, even though it’s been a huge effort.”
Debbie is undergoing intense chemotherapy and has had to quit working in order to treat her myeloma.
Additionally, after caring for terminally sick patients for a long time, she has disclosed how traumatic receiving her diagnosis has been.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to go back to work,” she remarked.
It has completely altered my way of life, disrupted my schedule, and prevented me from seeing the patients I spent weeks caring for.
“I will cry if I have to give up nursing; it will sort of be the end of me.”
“I have experience treating patients who are near death and am aware of myeloma.” That, in my opinion, makes things more difficult to handle since you always know what’s coming around the corner—both good and terrible.
Andrew believes Debbie’s family will have enduring memories of the couple’s ideal wedding.
“I’ve always wanted to marry Debbie; we want to make memories and look back,” he continued.
Debbie has the opportunity to leave lasting memories for her parents, siblings, kids, and grandkids.
You can still donate to Debbie and Andrew’s wedding here.
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