Woman battling a rare form of cancer marries her high school sweetheart from her hospital bed after being told she only has days to live
- Ronda Bivens, 28, married Matthew Mager, 29, in Knoxville, Tennessee last week
- High school sweethearts had always dreamed of a big wedding before she was diagnosed with a rare for of cancer 12 months ago
- Ronda had her leg amputated and underwent chemotherapy as part of her treatment, but the cancer then spread to her lungs
- When her health took a turn and doctors gave her days to live, Matthew fulfilled his promise to marry her
- The couple have been together 10 years and have two young children together
A cancer-stricken woman has married her high school sweetheart from her hospital bed after being told she has just days to live.
Ronda Bivens, 28, married long-time boyfriend Matthew Mager, 29, last week in an emotional ceremony in Knoxville, Tennessee.
The couple, who have been together for a decade and share two young children, had always talked about having a big wedding.
But their lives took a turn 12 months ago when Ronda was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer - known as epithelioid sarcoma - on her ankle.
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Ronda Bivens, 28, married long-time boyfriend Matthew Mager, 29, in Knoxville, Tennessee after being told she was losing her battle with a rare form of cancer
'I told her from day one when we first found out she had cancer that 'I know we always talked about having a big wedding'. I said 'if anything happens, we will get married somehow, someway',' Matt told Inside Edition.
As part of her treatment, the young mother had her leg amputated and underwent chemotherapy and radiation.
But by then the cancer had unexpectedly spread to Ronda's lungs and continued to take over her body.
After more than a year of battling the cancer and getting used to her new prosthetic leg, Ronda's health took a turn a few weeks ago.
When doctors told her she had just days to live, Matt fulfilled his promise to marry her.
Heartbreaking footage of their nuptials showed Ronda lying in her hospice bed in a wedding dress as the couple exchanged vows.
The couple wiped away tears as the pastor told them their marriage was never-ending.
'My goal was to give her my last name before she passes. It was really emotional,' Matt said.
'I joke with her and say 'you're not going anywhere now. We are hitched.' I spend most days just holding her hand and talking to her because I may not be able to talk to her tomorrow.'
The couple exchanged vows last week with Ronda lying in her hospice bed in a wedding dress
The couple met in middle school and started dating when they graduated high school. They have two children together, aged four and six
As part of her cancer treatment, the young mother had her leg amputated and started wearing a prosthesis
The couple have spent the past few days staring at their wedding photos and re-watching the video of their nuptials.
'Being married, it's a good feeling. Makes me smile just thinking about it even with all the pain,' Matt told 6ABC.
The family are now praying for a miracle.
'If it's a week, a year, or the rest of her life, I'm thankful for that time,' Matt said.
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The couple met in middle school and started dating when they graduated high school.
They have been inseparable ever since and share two children, aged four and six.
Despite her incurable diagnosis, Ronda has remained upbeat and has been documenting her struggles with cancer on Facebook.
'I've seen better days, but I've also seen worse. I don't have everything that I want, but I do have all I need. I woke up with some aches and pains, but I woke up. My life may not be perfect, but I am blessed,' she wrote earlier this month.
The couple, who have been together a decade, had always dreamed of a big wedding before she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer on her ankle 12 months ago
As part of her treatment, the young mother had her leg amputated and underwent chemotherapy and radiation. But by then the cancer unexpectedly spread to Ronda's lungs
The couple share two children together - a four-year-old daughter and six-year-old son
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