A young mother, who was the first person to marry in Ysbyty Gwynedd’s Intensive Care Unit, has held a special reunion to thank the nurses who cared for her.

Hayley Clarke, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2005, suffered complications in August 2013 and had to undergo a four-hour emergency operation at Ysbyty Gwynedd.

The 30-year-old from Bangor then spent two weeks in an induced coma in October 2013 at the Intensive Care Unit, where she almost died after suffering septic shock.

Fortunately Hayley, who has two young daughters, pulled through and married her childhood sweetheart David Clarke in the unit in March 2014.

Now, Hayley will appear on S4C’s ‘Gwesty Aduniad’ (Reunion Hotel) to surprise the nurses who cared for her during her darkest time.

She said: “I chose to invite the Intensive Care nurses to this reunion because they were the four I cried and laughed with most days during my time in hospital.

“They also pushed me to be stronger and to do the things I was scared of, from what I remember they were the ones who cared for me the most and they also bonded with not just me but my family.

“They took the time to get to know me and made me feel like I was the only patient they were taking care of.

“I will forever be in their debt for all they did.”

The nurses from the intensive care unit who attended the reunion were Louise Lloyd, Sharon Grant, Jan Williams and Annette Lawler. On behalf of the group, Jan said it was a magical moment for them to see Hayley again.

She said: “It means a lot to us that we have had a special moment like this with Hayley. There were times when she was so unwell we thought we might lose her.

“Seeing her still here with us is just fantastic. She will be a part of our lives forever.”

Unfortunately one nurse who was unable to make the reunion was Sandra Jones, who is particularly special to Hayley.

“It was wonderful to see them all again, they have such a special place in my heart.

“It was a shame Sandra couldn’t make the reunion as she had the most impact on me during my time on the ward.

“She was there when I had my first operation and was with me when I was admitted again eight weeks later and she accompanied me down to the theatre.

“She’s an amazing person, she still comes to visit me when she can and also brings presents for the girls!

“If I could I would have invited all the nurses I met from the whole unit and even from Conwy, Tegid and Tryfan wards – they are all incredible and deserve recognition for the care they provide their patients,” added Hayley.

You can see the emotional reunion between Hayley and the nurses on ‘Gwesty Aduniad’ on Thursday, 22 November at 8pm.

Photos: Hayley and her husband David marry at Ysbyty Gwynedd’s Intensive Care Unit.

Hayley with Ysbyty Gwynedd Intensive Care Unit nurses Louise Lloyd, Sharon Grant, Jan Williams and Annette Lawler (Top)