A Michigan man with only days to live was granted one last wish on Wednesday afternoon. Daniel Robertson, 63, married his fiancée, Leeanna Robertson, during a last minute hospice wedding. Robertson found out he had cancer just one month ago. At that time, doctors gave him three to six months to live. The couple, who were already engaged, started planning their wedding immediately. However, Daniel’s condition took a turn for the worse and doctors said he likely wouldn’t live to see his intended February 27th nuptials. Therefore, quick-acting hospice staff jumped into action to ensure Daniel didn’t miss his big wedding day.
According to Detroit Free Press , Daniel and Leeanna met online and they instantly clicked. However, there was one problem. Leanna lived in Port Huron, Michigan, but Daniel lived in Portland, Oregon. Ready to take the relationship to the next level, Daniel uprooted and moved to Michigan in 2009 to be near his love. The couple later became engaged and were planning their lives together. Sadly, in January of this year, Daniel received devastating news as he was diagnosed with stage four liver cancer . The diagnosis was grave, and the man was given three to six months to live.
After the diagnosis, the couple decided to push up their wedding date to ensure Daniel would be able to make it. The couple scheduled the wedding for February 27. However, Daniel’s condition took a rapid turn for the worse and doctors said that he may not make it to his wedding day. Emily Quandt, a Blue Water Hospice social worker, said the hospice team immediately jumped into action to ensure that Daniel would get his big day. The whole wedding was put together in less than 24 hours.
“We planned the wedding for next Friday, but then his nurse said he wouldn’t make it to his wedding. So we organized this in 24 hours.”
The Daily Mail notes that a number of local businesses pulled together with the hospice workers to ensure the day went without a hitch. Leeanna already had the wedding dress, so a local dry cleaner pressed it for her for free. The nurses then organized for a cake and flowers to be donated by local vendors. They also brought in a hair stylist from a local salon.
Daniel, though struggling to breathe and stand, was in good spirits and said, “I’m feeling fantastic today!”
Leanna says she is both excited to finally marry Daniel, but also heartbroken.
“While I was excited to finally be marrying him, I was heartbroken. As I walked down the aisle I just thought he still looked so good and I was so happy to see him standing. I have finally married my true love and my soul mate. We wanted to do nothing else but get married.”
[Image Credit: Facebook/ Blue Water Hospice]