Sheri Shaw-James, an elderly cancer patient that was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of rectum, was recently married and she invited her two oncologists that helped her treat her cancer to her wedding. For her doctors, it was quite the surprise, and for others, it is really heartwarming.
Shaw-James was diagnosed with cancer in 2021. But before that, she was divorced twice, and she finally found her true lover, Bill James, who has also been divorced but only once. At first when she discovered she had cancer, she wanted to break up with him for James so he could enjoy his life to the fullest and not let her health conditions affect him.
However, James stayed by her side. “I told her, ‘No, I’m not going anywhere. I wanted to be there to support her through it, no matter how long it too,” James said. Shaw-James opted to seek treatment at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston after researching cancer facilities around the country while she was experiencing rectal bleeding. And within 2 days, she was discovered to have third stage cancer.
During one of those lengthy treatment days, Shaw-James confided in her radiation oncologist, Emma B. Holliday, who had been with the hospital since 2012. There weren’t many people about, and Holliday seemed pleasant. The two quickly became friends. A similar situation happened with Van Karlyle Morris. Two months later though, Shaw-James was treated of her cancer, but still had tests every six months. James was overjoyed, and proposed to Shaw-James in January of 2023.
Shaw-James knew immediately that she wanted to invite her two doctors who would help her there at the wedding, and her doctors were tearing up as they were offered the chance.
Holliday said that “It’s the first time I’ve ever been invited to participate in a patient’s wedding.” And on June 11th, the two oncologists walked down the aisle with Shaw-James. “Walking through that garden was one of the most moving days of my life. It was a huge honor that they agreed to be with me and share in my happiness,” said Shaw-James, who currently resides with James in Seven Springs, N.C.
Getting married in your 70s and asking your two cancer physicians to lead you down the aisle indicates that you have both hope and battle scars. However, it is incredibly sweet of them and the bravery of Shaw-James treating her cancer is truly fascinating as everyone can agree on.
Shaw-James was diagnosed with cancer in 2021. But before that, she was divorced twice, and she finally found her true lover, Bill James, who has also been divorced but only once. At first when she discovered she had cancer, she wanted to break up with him for James so he could enjoy his life to the fullest and not let her health conditions affect him.
However, James stayed by her side. “I told her, ‘No, I’m not going anywhere. I wanted to be there to support her through it, no matter how long it too,” James said. Shaw-James opted to seek treatment at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston after researching cancer facilities around the country while she was experiencing rectal bleeding. And within 2 days, she was discovered to have third stage cancer.
During one of those lengthy treatment days, Shaw-James confided in her radiation oncologist, Emma B. Holliday, who had been with the hospital since 2012. There weren’t many people about, and Holliday seemed pleasant. The two quickly became friends. A similar situation happened with Van Karlyle Morris. Two months later though, Shaw-James was treated of her cancer, but still had tests every six months. James was overjoyed, and proposed to Shaw-James in January of 2023.
Shaw-James knew immediately that she wanted to invite her two doctors who would help her there at the wedding, and her doctors were tearing up as they were offered the chance.
Holliday said that “It’s the first time I’ve ever been invited to participate in a patient’s wedding.” And on June 11th, the two oncologists walked down the aisle with Shaw-James. “Walking through that garden was one of the most moving days of my life. It was a huge honor that they agreed to be with me and share in my happiness,” said Shaw-James, who currently resides with James in Seven Springs, N.C.
Getting married in your 70s and asking your two cancer physicians to lead you down the aisle indicates that you have both hope and battle scars. However, it is incredibly sweet of them and the bravery of Shaw-James treating her cancer is truly fascinating as everyone can agree on.
