Man, Who Was Diagnosed with Terminal Cancer and Given Just Weeks to Live, Says Getting Married ‘Kept Me Alive’

Bendigo Davies says love and hope helped him survive after doctors told him he had only weeks to live. Following a terminal cancer diagnosis, the 77-year-old married his partner of 40 years, Arlaine, in the hospital — and two years later, he believes the wedding gave him the will to keep fighting.

Bendigo was admitted to England’s Worcestershire Royal Hospital on Jan. 23, 2024, after a blood test ordered by his GP showed an abnormally high white blood cell count, according to a news release from the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust. Doctors diagnosed him with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and found a blood clot in his lung, caused by the elevated number of leukemia cells.

Treating the clot required urgent blood-thinner medication — but Bendigo’s low platelet levels created a serious risk of dangerous bleeding. As his condition worsened, doctors told him his life expectancy was less than a month.

“It was a difficult balance of safety and efficacy, which had to be done cautiously with very close monitoring in the initial few days when he was on blood thinner, daily platelet transfusions and urgent chemotherapy to quickly lower the leukemia cells. To pace ourselves, we were focusing one day at a time until he was stable enough to start the definitive treatment for AML,” consulting hematologist Dr. Sangam Hebballi said, explaining the approach.

Arlaine said she was bracing for the worst.

“It was obvious to me that he was dying,” she recalled. “I kept expecting it every day. I didn’t speak to anyone about it, because I knew that would make it feel more real. It was terrifying — I was under no illusions about what might happen.”

During that frightening stretch, Bendigo had one request: he wanted to marry Arlaine. With help from staff at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, the couple — who first met at a folk festival and bonded over their shared love of music — held their wedding on Jan. 26, 2024.

The ward was turned into a makeshift venue, with staff and fellow patients lining the hallway to celebrate. Arlaine walked down an improvised aisle as “Here Comes the Bride” was sung, greeted by cheers and applause.

“The wedding was beautiful and such a happy day,” Arlaine said. “So much of that was down to the incredible people around us. The staff did everything they could to make it ever so special.”

After the ceremony, Bendigo underwent six weeks of chemotherapy. He was discharged in early March 2024, and the couple later took a delayed honeymoon.

On Monday, Jan. 26, they marked their second wedding anniversary. Bendigo’s AML is now in complete remission, though he will need a five-day cycle of chemotherapy every six weeks for the rest of his life.

Looking back on the hospital wedding, Bendigo credits it with helping him hold on.

“I truly believe the reason I survived is because I knew I was getting married. That hope kept me alive,” he said.

“After spending six long weeks in the hospital, going through significant illness and uncertainty, Bendigo has overcome multiple complex and life-threatening clinical challenges,” Dr. Hebballi added. “With a positive mindset, he continues to live life to the fullest with his wife, carefully balancing his ongoing chemotherapy. Bendigo’s journey is a powerful story of hope and happiness.”

For Bendigo and Arlaine, the experience has become a daily reminder not to postpone what matters.

“You never know what is going to happen tomorrow, so if you want to do something, just do it!” Bendigo said.