The words “Till heaven do us part” took on a profoundly significant new significance for Zack and Madison Stroup when they spoke their vows.
They were classmates in high school, and several years after they met, they fell in love with one other. Both Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and Crohn’s disease were illnesses that Zach had been battling.
In spite of receiving medical care, he continued to experience a worsening of his condition, which eventually reduced him to a mere shell of his former self.
Madison raced him to the hospital, and while there, they were given information that destroyed any possibility of their future being together. The doctor stated that he was suffering from cancer. Madison said that she had the impression that the walls were closing in on her.
However, the pair refused to acknowledge that there was little chance of survival and, in the end, they came to the conclusion that they should fight for what little life they had left together.
It was a wild ride during Zach’s whole stay in the hospital, which lasted for a total of nine months. He would go through cycles of therapy until he went into remission, but then, a few months later, he found out that the cancer had returned.
“He looked me in the eyes, weeping, and told me that he didn’t want to fight any more,” she said, therefore, Madison did the best she could with the situation. She yearned for Zach to understand the depth of her affection for him.
She called off their wedding, which was scheduled many months down the road, and instead arranged a wedding within the next forty-eight hours. It was just what Zach needed to give him hope so that he could continue the struggle.
Zach’s health improved to the point that he could have a bone marrow transplant as a result of a miracle healing performed by God.
After some time had passed, the couple found out that Zach’s cancer had been put into remission.
The pair is gaining a new appreciation for the preciousness of life as they savor even the most mundane of experiences, such as waking up next to one other in bed now that he is well enough to return home.