At April, a Colorado couple got married in the hospital while the husband was receiving cancer treatment.
Zach Stroup, 26, and Madison Stroup, 24, got global attention after Madison posted a TikTok video of their engagement images in August. The photos were taken before Zach knew that the illness he had previously treated had returned. At the time of writing, the clip, which also detailed Zach’s cancer recovery journey and their hospital wedding, has received over 22 million views.
According to Insider, the pair originally met in high school in 2015, although they were simply friends at the time. According to them, their relationship began in 2018 when Zach wrote Madison a Facebook message asking her out on a date; after attending a Clay Walker performance, they became inseparable.
“Since then, we have been together every single day. I believe the only time we’ve been apart was while he was hospitalized “Madison commented on Zach’s cancer diagnosis.
Madison and Zach Stroup pose for engagement photographs.
Wisconsin Stroup
Zach was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (commonly known as non-lymphoma Hodgkin’s or NHL) in November 2020. This type of cancer begins in the lymph nodes, especially around the neck, armpit, and groin, and affects lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that plays a crucial role in immune function.
If not detected early, lymphoma can expand beyond the lymphatic system and become more difficult to treat. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2022, around 80,470 people will be diagnosed with NHL, representing nearly 4% of all malignancies, and approximately 20,250 will die as a result of the disease.
Zach told Insider that he entered remission in March 2021, following a series of arduous chemotherapies.
In April, two weeks later, he proposed to Madison on a Florida beach.
Madison stated, “He told me that when he was younger, he never believed in soulmates, but then he met me.”
According to the pair, Zach’s cancer return tested and deepened their bond.
During Zach’s first encounter with NHL, Madison reported that doctors reassured them that the disease’s high relapse rate was balanced by a good survival rate.
What physicians did not foresee was that Zach’s NHL would return in December 2021 and attack his central nervous system, an extremely rare occurrence, according to the couple.
Madison stated, “It was in his thoracic spine, and the tumor was growing aggressively.” It was so enormous that it severed all sensation below the breast.
This return, along with a pre-existing diagnosis of Crohn’s disease in 2020, caused Zach to lose 112 pounds (he previously weighed 240 pounds) and 90% of his right-side mobility.
“I was unable to shower by myself. I required help with everything “Zach stated that he also suffered from a ruptured intestine that necessitated surgery.
Madison explained that she became Zach’s “24/7 carer,” which was “emotionally and physically exhausting” but brought them closer together. Zach stated that they had lost so much to cancer, including the ability to sleep in the same bed, travel, and the ability to be touched owing to nerve damage.
“It says a lot that we were able to endure all of that and our love for each other didn’t change,” he said, adding that it sowed the seeds for a lifelong connection.
Madison and Zach Stroup’s hospital wedding celebration.
Wisconsin Stroup
The pair refused to allow cancer to prevent them from marrying.
At the height of their difficulties, the couple reported that a social worker urged them to get married: “You’ve missed out on so much. Don’t allow cancer to cancel your wedding “Madison recalled what she had said.
They said that the Choices Foundation, a charity for young adults with cancer that funded their ceremony, helped them plan their wedding in 48 hours. The organization donated a cake, silk flowers, decorations, and gifts. Madison stated that she had already purchased a wedding dress immediately after being engaged, but lacked the time to have it altered.
Despite the fact that the dress was too large for her, she told Insider that it didn’t matter because the couple “did not want to lose the chance to be able to get married.”
Hospital wedding ceremony photographs of Madison and Zach Stroup.
Madison and Strup, Zach
Madison stated that the official ceremony was held at Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center in April. She stated that nurses came in on their day off to do her hair and cosmetics, and other medical personnel volunteered to be their wedding party. While their parents were permitted to attend in person, other friends and family watched via FaceTime due to COVID-19 limitations designed to protect chemotherapy patients.
“I am overjoyed to have married the love of my life. There were numerous occasions when I doubted our ability to complete the task “Madison stated that their ceremony provided them the courage to continue. “Knowing that dad battled so hard for me is a treasure I can never repay.”
Now that Zach is in remission and gaining weight and strength daily, the pair hopes to rekindle their vows in front of those who were unable to attend the first ceremony. They would also like to return to the beach for a long-overdue honeymoon, but for the time being, they are simply focused on enjoying their marriage.