Robyn and David Sloane renewal as part of Ambulance Queensland wish
A woman diagnosed with stage four brain cancer received her dying wish surrounded by family and friends in a Brisbane park.
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The dying wish of a Brisbane grandmother with terminal brain cancer has been granted in a heart wrenching beachside vow-renewal ceremony.
Robyn Sloane reaffirmed her love to husband David before scores of teary loved ones at Wynnum foreshore, marking a bittersweet milestone in the pair’s 40-year love story.
Mrs Sloane was diagnosed with stage four glioblastoma brain cancer before Christmas in 2022. Her final wish was to renew her vows with her husband David Sloane of 40 years at Wynnum Beach.
White chairs, flowers and a marquee set the scene as celebrant Lizzy Cox led the emotional ceremony on Friday.
“Robyn and David you have been through a lot together over the 43 years. Laughter, tears and joys and sorrows and yet through all those times you can honestly say you loved one another every step of the way,” Ms Cox said.
Ms Cox said the pair’s love story began when they worked together for the Army Reserves before raising a family.
The pair was asked to reaffirm their vows, “to share their lives together, always and forever husband and wife, supporter, best-friend and unbreakable team”.
With tears in their eyes, Ms Sloane gripped her husband’s hand and said “I do”.
Mr Sloane said he was worried it might come too late for his wife.
“It was the middle of last year, it [the cancer] had grown back and they were trying to get her onto ... trails. But Rob’s health declined too much,” he said.
“Over 43 years, we’ve been down here a lot. I’m just in shock of everything from the hospital to hear everything that’s done my daughter’s done to make this all happen.”
Daughter Tegan Laidlaw said the day had provided the “closure” for family and friends.
“Ever since mum has received her diagnosis she has always wanted to renew her wedding vows,” she said.
“I guess, closure for everyone that they can all have this, have this moment with mum and, you know, people trying to navigate work, things like that, to try and get up to the hospital to visit her is just sometimes a bit much.
“At least being able to come to a beautiful place, to be able to share some happy last memories with mum is what an amazing feeling.”
The touching event was Ambulance Wish Queensland’s 200th dream come true for a terminally ill patient.
The program started in 2019 in Hervey Bay when a paramedic took a woman to see the ocean for the last time on her way home from hospital, and has grown in a service dedicated to providing lifelong memories for families.
“As you saw, that young child today hanging on to grandma ... I think that will just be in their minds for a long, long time and it just takes away the pain. It takes away the discomfort that they face,” Metro South assistant Commissioner Peter Warrener said.
Ambulance Wish Queensland gives Queenslanders living with a life-limiting illness
access to the planning, co-ordination, specialist transport and clinical care they need
to fulfil their last wish.
“If it wasn’t for ambulance wish doing this for us, there’s absolutely no way we could have this because we just we’re not expecting things to go downhill as quickly as they did,’ Ms Laidlaw said.
With 39,000 Queenslanders dying each year and 27,000 of those having an expected death, palliative Care CEO Louise O’Neill said it is an essential part of ensuring each person has the best comfort and support to the very end.
“Having now fulfilled 200 Wishes, our team is incredibly grateful for the support of our
volunteers, sponsors and donors. It is because of these special Queenslanders that
we are able to fulfil the Wishes of more people with a life limiting illness,” Ms O’Neill said.
Originally published as Robyn and David Sloane renewal as part of Ambulance Queensland wish
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