Mended Heart Makes Valentine’s Wedding a Day to Remember

A Valentine’s wish came true for a young Merseyside couple, when they tied the knot on Saturday.  

Katherine Hester, 25, from Woolton, and Elliott Doyle, 31, from Cronton, married at St Mary’s Church, Woolton, on Valentine’s Day.

The couple, who have worked together for three years at Debenhams in Warrington, finally said ‘I do’ in front of celebrating friends and family, and the guest who feared he wouldn’t see the day.

In May 2014, Elliott’s dad, Nicholas, was rushed to Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital by ambulance to undergo a complex surgical procedure to repair two leaking heart valves and one narrowed coronary artery.

Mr Paul Modi, consultant cardiac surgeon at the hospital, explained: “Mr Doyle was very poorly when he arrived and was taken to the operating theatre where two of his heart valves were reconstructed and he had coronary artery bypass grafting for a severe blockage in one of his arteries.

“The operation was challenging, but we got a great result and it was very rewarding to see him make a complete recovery.”

The 71 year old had been unwell for some time and Elliott said it was a worrying period for the family.

“I know the thing that bothered dad most, before he was brought into hospital, was the thought that he wouldn’t be around to see Katherine and I get married.

“Along with the rest of the family, including my brother who flew home from Dubai, we all felt really concerned whether or not he would be strong enough to make it through.

“Thoughts kept on flashing through my mind of how I would be able to give my wedding speech, without dad sitting next to us on the table. It was unbearable.” 
  
However thanks to the care received at the specialist heart and chest centre, Nicholas quickly made a full recovery.

“I cannot thank everyone at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital enough for the quality of care given to me and my family,” he said.

“They were really supportive, especially to Vivienne my wife, and explained everything about my treatment so clearly that there were no surprises and we all knew what to expect. 

“To be able to celebrate Katherine and Elliott’s wedding with them means the world to me. I didn’t think I would see this day, and I’m just grateful to Mr Modi and his colleagues for the care that I received.” 

Katherine added: “Although we knew he was being treated at one of the best hospitals in the country, we still didn’t know whether he would pull through. But now to get married on such a romantic day, joined by Nicholas and his mended heart is the best thing that could have happened. We’ll certainly never forget it.”

The ceremony was followed by a reception at the Palm House, Sefton Park and the newly-weds plan to honeymoon later in the year in Dubai, returning to the place of their romantic engagement.

As a token of their thanks, the couple decided to make a donation to the hospital’s charity, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital Appeal, on behalf of all their wedding guests. 
  
Mr Modi said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have helped Nicholas and would like to send our congratulations to the newly married couple.”