Leukemia victim receives marrow transplant, gets married

ST. LOUIS -- To the strains of a Shania Twain love song, Tina Dutzel walked down the short aisle of a hospital chapel Friday evening wearing a white strapless dress with a flowing train.

She was greeted by the love of her life, Michael Riley, dressed in a tuxedo but wearing a surgical mask to protect his immune system.

For leukemia survivor Riley, getting married in a hospital chapel wasn't only about convenience. St. Louis' Barnes-Jewish Hospital symbolized his new life, made possible by a bone-marrow transplant last month.

"This is where his new life begins. This is what saved his life," Dutzel said hours before she married Riley -- both 33 and of Excelsior Springs -- in the hospital chapel. "It was such a better idea. Michael wanted it."

About a dozen guests attended the wedding, including some hospital staffers who have been caring for Riley. But some traditions remained the same: glowing candles and flowers, smiles and tears, a pledge of love and the lowering of that surgical mask for a bridal kiss at the altar.

The Rev. Julie Berger, chaplain for oncology services, performed the ceremony. She told the couple they've already known hardship, patience and joy together. "Today may you hope and know that God goes forth with you in your life together," she said.

A honeymoon will have to wait. With the exception of one day, Riley has been hospitalized since a week before the Nov. 26 transplant, and he'll remain at Barnes-Jewish at least two more weeks. After that, he must live nearby for two months in case he needs treatment.