Love conquers all for Gillian
Nurse refused to give up on soulmate
A cardiac nurse has followed her heart - and wed the love of her life.
Romance blossomed between Gillian Smith and former heart specialist Brian Murphy when the pair worked with each other at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Glasgow.
But , six months into their relationship, Brian was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND).
Brian, 48, was a consultant cardiologist before he had to stop working due to the illness.
He said: “When I was told I had MND I had not long begun my relationship with Gillian and was supposed to be starting a new chapter in my life.
“Then to be given that diagnosis was heartbreaking. I was utterly devastated. I knew what it meant.
“There’s no hope of treatment, of stalling it or getting any better. So, you have to cope with thinking about that, on top of the physical deterioration.
“I thought Gillian and I couldn’t continue our relationship, but she’s stayed with me and has been an amazing support.
“I couldn’t have been looked after better and know I would be much worse without Gillian in my life.
“The worst thing I’ve ever had to do was telling my kids about the diagnosis.
“I just can’t help thinking about everything I’ll miss in their lives and knowing I won’t be there for them.
“Days like our wedding day are so special, creating these precious memories together.”
The couple married after lockdown restrictions eased.
Houston resident Gillian, 49, a specialist nurse in cardiology, said: “I’m totally in love with Brian and there wasn’t one part of me that considered not being on this journey with him, even though he gave me the option.
“Some people go through life and never experience this feeling with someone or have what we have together – I wasn’t going to give that up.”
When the pandemic hit in March 2020, the couple decided to stay apart in case she passed the virus to him.
Brian, who is now bound to a wheelchair and uses a ventilator to help him breathe, said: “Spending time with the people you love is what matters. It enriches your life.
“I live alone and spending seven weeks shielding by myself at the start of the pandemic was horrendous.
“It came to the stage where I thought, ‘I have a terminal illness. I don’t know how much time I’ve got and I’m not spending it alone.”
He popped the question in November and left Gillian speechless over a candlelit meal at home.
Gillian said: “I honestly had no idea he was going to propose.
“I was so shocked it took me a few minutes to say anything - I think he thought for a second I was going to say no!”
They married last Thursday surrounded by 39 of their closest friends and family.
Gillian was walked down the aisle by her sons Sean, 20, and 17-year-old Scott, while Brian’s daughter Catherine,14, was a bridesmaid and his son Jack,20, was best man.
Jack is taking on an Ironman event later this year for MND Scotland, with donations via www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/jackmurphyironman