I Do
Date: September 22, 2008

In the medical field, we recognize the power of words.

One minute, you’re living your life, taking things one step at a time. A word or two later, you’re making plans you never felt the need to make.

For Daniel and Kim, the first two words were, “it’s cancer.” Not long afterward, the two words were, “I do.”

Even without the benefit of an exchanged “until death do you part,” these soul mates had weathered storms and celebrated fair weather as committed partners.

Daniel and Kim had been together for 28 years, but had never participated in a ceremony or signed a paper to say they were husband and wife. Daniel had asked–repeatedly, but Kim never felt the need for the traditional ritual.

That changed with Daniel’s trip to Floyd Medical Center’s Emergency Care Center. He had symptoms of pneumonia and mentioned to his caregivers that he also was having problems with his eyesight. A battery of tests followed, and the diagnosis and prognosis were dire–Daniel has cancer, both on his lungs and on his brain.

Recognizing that their time together may be short, Daniel once again popped the question, and this time, Kim, who works in Floyd’s Environmental Services Department as a housekeeper in the ECC, said yes.

“I guess I just figured it was time to give him his wish. That was what he had always wanted, so I finally broke down,” Kim said.

Once again, a single word brought a flurry of activity. Daniel and Kim had figured they’d have a simple courthouse ceremony, but the ECC staff decided to pull off a wedding.

The staff secured the Sumner Chapel and asked chaplain Gary Batchelor to make the pronouncement.

They even pulled together a reception in an available ECC room.
“They took me out and bought me a wedding dress, got my hair done, gave us a reception and got us a hotel room for the night,” Kim said.

The generosity didn’t end there. The ECC staff also donated cash and food, knowing Daniel would be out of work.

The Elkins were overwhelmed.

“I told my husband I didn’t know they liked me so well. They told me they appreciated me a whole lot,” Kim said. “I have never had anybody do the stuff they have. The support they have given us–not counting all the big stuff they did–just the support they have given me has just been awesome. They said, ‘anything we can do for you, you know we are here for you. You know you are part of our family now.’”

In just a few words, the ECC staff truly made a world of difference.

Note: Daniel Elkins died on September 6, after a short battle with cancer. His wife, Kim, says she continues to be touched by the kindness and generosity of her co-workers in the Emergency Care Center, and feels compelled to tell others just how special they are.

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