Nurses surprise cancer patient with vow renewal ceremony honoring 43rd wedding anniversary

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — When Deems and Lauren Lycett learned they would have to miss their annual anniversary trip because of Deems’ chemotherapy, they thought their tradition spanning more than two decades would be put on hold.

Their care team at AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach had other plans.

Within two days, nurses, physicians and staff transformed an oncology infusion room into a small ceremony space, complete with flowers, music and cake.

The couple, married 43 years, renewed their vows surrounded by the team caring for Deems during chemotherapy.

The Lycett’s, who have lived in New Smyrna Beach for more than 30 years, had taken an anniversary trip for decades.

Team members began planning the surprise after noticing the couple’s disappointment about canceling it.

“You could see how much it meant to them,” said Helen Kelly, an oncology nurse at AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach. “We didn’t want them to miss it.”

“Lauren became like a sister to all of us,” said Regina Young, a patient scheduler. “We weren’t going to let them miss something so important.”

The team coordinated schedules, gathered decorations and planned the ceremony in less than 48 hours.

Chaplain Rob Cassata led the service.

Oncologist Andrea Katz, MD, walked Lauren down the aisle, and medical assistant Rendi Stewart served as the flower girl.

“It was one of those moments where you remember why you chose this work,” Katz said. “You’re treating an illness, but you’re also caring for a life that’s still being lived.”

Over months of treatment, the Lycetts built close relationships with their care team.

“They became our family,” Lauren Lycett said. “They hugged us the second we walked in the door and never let go.”

For oncology teams, those connections often grow over time.

“You spend a lot of time together,” said Rebecca Morgan, oncology nurse at AdventHealth New Smyrna Beach. “You get to know who someone is beyond why they’re here.”

The vow renewal would become one of the couple’s final milestones together. Six months later, Deems Lycett died.

“In the middle of everything we were facing, they gave us something joyful to hold onto,” she said. “I still think about it all the time.”