Loving Woman Marries Fiancée Fighting Cancer Hours Before He Was Put on Ventilator Knowing He May Not Survive

Editor’s note: This article was originally published on June 18, 2021. It has since been updated.

In a heartwarming incident, one woman married the love of her life just hours before he was put on a ventilator. According to People, Indiana couple, Chuck and Jillana Johnson, tied the knot at Indiana University Health Ball Memorial Hospital. 

Chuck was diagnosed with throat cancer about eight years ago. However, his health started deteriorating after he developed a severe lung infection. Since then, Chuck was forced to spend a lot of time at the hospital. His health condition affected their wedding plans and the couple had no option but to put it on hold. 

Recently, their plans completely altered when doctors informed the man he would be put on a ventilator. Apprehensive of the unknown future, Chuck asked Jillana to marry him at the hospital. 

Speaking of his decision, Chuck stated, "I told her one of these days I'm going to the hospital and I'm not coming home and I didn't want that to happen this time without getting married. I told her she's a good woman. She takes care of me... and that's just one thing I wanted to get taken care of."

"Him, being the sweetheart that he is, said, 'In case I go on the ventilator and don't come off, I wanna make sure we get married.' Which I thought was the most-lovingest [sic] thing he could've ever done," said Jillana in a video clip, according to People. 

Soon after Jillana agreed to tie the knot, Chuck contacted the chaplain to make their dream a reality. 

"He had talked to the chaplain... and the chaplain didn't want him to talk on the phone because his oxygen was dropping so low. Once he goes on the ventilator, he didn't know if he would come off of it or not," said the woman. She added, "So he had the chaplain text me and ask me what I thought about going and getting married there at the hospital. By the time I got from [work] in Fort Wayne, home to change and let the dogs out and to the hospital, there were [about] 15 nurses sitting there."

The hospital staff made sure that the couple felt special on their wedding day. They decorated the room and even got the bride flowers. "They were as excited as we were. The chaplain had everything ready... they were so awesome and wonderful to us. We really appreciate everything we did," said Jillana. Soon, Chuck married his woman from his ICU bed. 

"They say for better or worse and I think she got the worse part first. I just hope I get better so that we can live the better part," said Chuck. 

Jillana and Chuck started dating just two years ago. However, they have known each other for 39 years.

"We kept in touch over the years [but] it was always one of us who was in a relationship so we never really actually dated. A year and half, two years ago, I ran into him in Walmart... and finally, we're both single and we started dating and here we are," recounted Jillana.

Unfortunately, Chuck began battling health issues at the time. "A year and a half ago, I started getting lung infections. I come to find out it was 'cause food was getting [stuck] in my lungs. I spent more time in hospital at end of 2020 to 2021," said Chuck. 

Though Chuck's future is uncertain, Jillana stated there is no one she would marry other than Chuck. 

"He makes me happier than I've ever been in my life. He doesn't give himself near enough credit. We need more good men like Chuck in this world," said the woman. She continued, "He's a wonderful man and he's been there for many people in his life," she added. "He doesn't deserve what he goes through but he's going through it, so we'll get through it."

References: 

https://people.com/human-interest/indiana-man-with-lung-infection-marries-fiancee-from-hospital-bed-before-being-put-on-ventilator/?fbclid=IwAR1POdd_3P2LfKzaHg2YmbQCAlrxIuiL6bPrLc6BWBcQpm0FEMgApFgLxB0

Cover Image Source: Facebook Video Screenshot