Cleveland father attends rooftop wedding after heart surgery
PUBLISHED Jul 27, 2026, 9:44 AM ET
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In Cleveland, Ohio, Rick Nelson suffered chest pains just days before his daughter Rachel’s scheduled June 6 wedding and was rushed by his wife Gail to Cleveland Clinic’s Marymount Emergency Department. He was diagnosed with a heart attack and airlifted to the clinic’s main campus, where cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Faisal Bakaeen performed a successful quadruple bypass to address multiple severe coronary blockages. As Nelson recovered in the ICU, staff learned he was determined to attend the ceremony. Multidisciplinary care teams relocated the wedding to the hospital rooftop, enabling Nelson to sit front-row and walk his daughter down the aisle shortly after surgery.
By Adyan K. | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- Days before wedding, Nelson develops chest pains
- Shortly afterward, wife drives him to emergency
- Same day, helicopter transfers him to Cleveland
- Soon after, doctors diagnose severe coronary blockages
- Following diagnosis, surgeon performs quadruple bypass
- In subsequent ICU recovery, wedding plans are reconsidered
- June 6, hospital rooftop hosts relocated wedding ceremony
- That day, father walks daughter down aisle
News Intelligence
- This story underscores the importance of health and family. It's a reminder to not ignore chest pains, as they could indicate a serious heart condition. If you or a loved one experience such symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
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