Groom Undergoes Emergency Surgery Hours Before Wedding After Workout with Groomsmen Goes Wrong

**Wedding Plans Almost Derailed by Pre-Wedding Accident**

In an unexpected turn of events, a groom’s pre-wedding workout took a serious turn just hours before his nuptials. Jordan Mendoza, a 28-year-old from San Diego, sustained a severe thumb injury during a weightlifting session with his groomsmen, leading to emergency surgery that nearly jeopardised his wedding day.

The incident occurred shortly before Mendoza was scheduled to marry his fiancée. While exercising at a local gym, he experienced a shattering injury to his left thumb. It wasn’t until he arrived at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla for imaging that he learned the full extent of his injury: his thumb bone had fractured into eight pieces, prompting the need for urgent surgical intervention.

Reflecting on the moment he received the news about his injury, Mendoza expressed his initial fears about the wedding. “I thought at that moment there was a good chance the wedding was going to be cancelled,” he told CBS affiliate KFMB. His immediate thought was to contact his fiancée, hoping to reassure her as he faced the uncertainty of his condition.

Fortunately for Mendoza, the hospital staff quickly responded to his predicament. Registered nurse Dori Mancuso, upon learning about his impending wedding, felt compelled to assist. “As the story got around the emergency room, we all felt bad for him,” Mancuso explained, adding that the hospital team was eager to come up with a plan that would allow Mendoza to attend his wedding.

Orthopedic hand surgeon Dr. Kris Downing devised a unique solution to expedite the surgery. Instead of using general anaesthesia, which is standard for such operations, he opted for a method that would allow Mendoza to remain awake during the procedure. “I said, ‘Hey, we are going to do this wide awake, so we can get you out of here as quickly as possible,” Downing recounted. The team managed to numb Mendoza’s finger and proceeded with the surgery, ensuring he was comfortable throughout the process.

Mendoza’s surgery was met with an atmosphere of camaraderie, with hospital staff rallying around the groom to ensure he made it to the altar on time. Dr. Downing remarked on the unusual blend of medical urgency and social support that characterised the situation, declaring that the endeavour had been “a lot of fun.”

Throughout the ordeal, Mendoza’s fiancée showcased remarkable composure. While he underwent surgery, she managed the situation with grace, prompting cheers from their groomsmen for her handling of the unexpected crisis. “I just remember my groomsmen thinking, ‘Wow, she handled that perfectly,’ and I was like, ‘Yeah, that’s why I am marrying her,'” Mendoza recalled fondly.

Ultimately, Mendoza arrived just in time for the ceremony, where he candidly shared the day’s earlier events with his guests. From all indications, the wedding proceeded smoothly, allowing him to celebrate with his bride in full wedding attire, despite his heavily bandaged thumb.

In a moment captured in photographs shared with the media, Mendoza was seen joyfully toasting with his new wife and giving a thumbs-up to the camera, highlighting his resilience and optimism despite the circumstances. “It was the best night of my life,” he declared, reflecting on the day’s unexpected challenges and joyful triumphs.

This heartwarming story serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of life and the importance of love and support in times of crisis. Mendoza’s experience not only illustrates the tight-knit spirit among hospital staff but also showcases the unwavering bond between him and his fiancée as they embraced their wedding day, regardless of the hurdles they faced.