Hayley and Trevor

Hayley Taylor met Trevor Francis almost 15 years ago when Hayley was a single mother to her son, Lachlan. She first met Trevor at a pub in a small town when she was out with her cousin – Trevor was sitting all by himself waiting for his friends to arrive. Hayley’s cousin asked him several times to come and sit with them so he wasn’t sitting by himself, and after several failed attempts he came and sat with them, just to have the whole table get up and leave him alone with Hayley. The couple spoke most of the night and finally went their separate ways.

Weeks later they ran into each other again and exchanged numbers, and continued to talk and meet up on until Hayley was ready for Trevor to meet her son. Hayley invited Trevor for the weekend and they enjoyed each other’s company so much Trevor simply never went home. Lachlan had severe eczema when he was little and was in and out of hospital every second week and Hayley watched this extraordinary man step up and be by their sides through it all. Hayley watched Trevor become an amazing father to Lachlan, and an incredible support to her. Five years later the couple decided to extend their family and welcomed another beautiful boy, Blair.

The medical diagnosis and a battle to live

This lovely family was hit with its biggest challenge in May 2016 when after losing 30kgs to get healthy for the boys, Hayley was hit with pain in the right side of her abdomen – the hospital initially thought she had gallstones. However, after an ultrasound and CT scan Hayley’s results showed 4 cm tumour in her bowel. Hayley’s diagnosis of bowel cancer was like a punch in the chest for the family. The diagnosis was followed by several appointments with specialists who were initially going to cut 50% of Hayley’s bowel and follow through with maintenance chemo. A MRI performed before surgery showed the cancer had metastasised to Hayley’s liver and abdominal wall which cancelled out any type of surgery. Hayley started her first dose of chemotherapy in June 2016, and after 6 cycles a scan showed that the cancer in her liver had grown and she now had masses in her stomach. The chemo didn’t work so Hayley was put on a different chemo treatment, and after 2 cycles another scan showed the cancer had grown again, and moved to Hayley’s lungs and spine.

Hayley had to start radiation to stop the cancer in her spine from growing and paralysing her, at the same time, she started her third round of chemo in hopes they’d find something that worked. This type of chemo hadn’t been used in 10 years so Hayley was warned that the side effects were going to be much harsher. Again, after two cycles they found it wasn’t working and Hayley was referred to the Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital to start a new clinical trial in hopes of prolonging her life. The couple was back to square one when told Hayley’s liver cancer had grown. She now had only three precious months to live and Hayley’s bucket list was created.

Hayley’s call for help

Hayley told us the reason she applied for a gifted wedding is not just because she’d love to marry her soul mate before she leaves this world, but also because of her boys Lachlan and Blair, who want to see their parents get married and officially become a family (even though they have been for a very long time).

In May 2017 Hayley was ecstatic to learn that she was approved for a My Wedding Wish gifted dream ceremony.

“I’d also like to have this one happy last memory with my boys, and my whole family.”

Hayley’s dream to marry her soulmate Trevor was realised on 26^th June 2017 at Burleigh Heads, Qld and Hayley described it as more beautiful than she had ever imagined.

A perfect wedding day

Over 20 supplier angels from My Wedding Wish Gold Coast /Northern Rivers were privileged to provide this wedding Ceremony for Hayley and Trevor, their two sons and family and friends. It was a magical wedding day – at John Laws Park in Burleigh on the Gold Coast – the sun was shining, the water was glistening and Hayley was glowing. Hayley, a bubbly positive happy 30 something just radiates fun, caring and kindness and she had the biggest smile and cheekiest grin on her wedding day even though she was in a great deal of pain. Our beautiful bride, bravely hid her pain as she walked down the aisle with her mother and father to her loving Groom – and just for that one day, Hayley didn’t have cancer – she was a happy bride full of love for Trevor and her boys. We thought we’d share the loved up couple’s wedding vows:

Hayley

Trevor, from the moment I first saw you, I knew my life would change
but I could never realise how good it would turn out to be.
I watched as a young boy took on a young single mum and her son
and turn out to be an amazing, loving father and man
when we decided to become a family of 4.
You are my rock, my world and my soul mate.
Through everything we have been through,
good and bad, you have been the one thing that has kept me grounded
and always reminded me that I was loved and worth the world.
I know this is the part I say I can’t wait to grow old with you
but unfortunately for us this is not an option.
I just wanted you to know I thank you for being who you are
and showing me what unconditionally love really does feel like
and most importantly – thank you for the way you love me
because of that, I can say I have lived a full, loved life.
My heart is yours now and forever and I love you with all I have to give.
Every day I have with you is a day filled with happiness and joy and
every day with you is not on borrowed time but more a day filled with pure love and devotion to one another
and this is my promise back to you from this day forth.

Update: Sadly, Hayley passed on the 3 September 2017

Trevor

Hayley I love you with everything I have.
Today I am so proud to call you my wife.
I think words may never be enough to show the love I have for you in my heart.
When I’m with you I feel like I want to explode just too show you how much love I have for you.
The extent of your beauty is overwhelming to me, both inside and out.
To me you will always be perfect in my eyes as my partner and a mother to our two boys.
I promise to be there for you and our family, and I will try not to let you down.
I also look forward to growing old with you.
You are my best friend, my soul mate and my partner in crime and the love of my life.

On the 3^rd of September 2017 Hayley passed away at home with her husband Trevor beside her.9