Kaylee Fitz-Gerald, 28, from the Gold Coast shares her real life story
My darling Leslie,
You always knew how to surprise me, and on our weekend away to Crystal Creek Rainforest you did exactly that!
We’d just returned from a bush walk when, suddenly, you stood still.
“Stop!” you ordered me, pulling a blindfold from your pocket and slipping it over my eyes.
I had no idea what was happening, but as darkness enveloped me I heard your voice: “I love you so much, Kaylee … will you marry me?”
Tearing off the blindfold in excitement, I saw you down on one knee holding a diamond ring.
“Yes!” I gasped, fighting back tears.
We’d been dating for nine months and my son Spencer, six, adored you and your bulldog, Nugget.
You were a natural with kids so it broke my heart that you couldn’t have any of your own.
“I’ve got cystic fibrosis,” you’d told me on our first date.
I learnt that you and your younger brother, Nathan, had both been lifelong sufferers of the chronic lung condition. As if that wasn’t enough to deal with, Nathan was also battling melanoma.
Hearing that you’d had two double lung transplants five years ago when you were 24, was so odd as all I saw was a handsome, fit man who loved being active.
“I’ve got cystic fibrosis,” you’d told me on our first date.
Together, we worked up a sweat at the gym every day.
After a few months together, we started to talk about IVF so I could still give you the baby you so badly wanted.
Your eyes lit up when doctors gave us the go-ahead and we started planning a wedding for the following year, so our child-to-be could be there.
But before we could begin the IVF process, Nathan, 30, was told his cancer was spreading.
The two of you weren’t just brothers, you were best mates.
He came to stay with us for a week so you could enjoy some quality time together. The poor man had lost so much weight, and grown incredibly frail.
The three of us sat around watching movies and talking and he didn’t have the strength for much else.
Just days after he left, we received the phone call from the hospital we’d been dreading.
Losing him shattered you.
You lost your appetite and shed 12 kilos almost overnight. The happy man I’d fallen in love with was gone.
“We’re going to have a baby, remember?” I smiled, trying to cheer you up. You smiled weakly, but I could see you were still hurting.
I booked a date to go to the IVF clinic, but you grew weaker and developed a lung infection. Of all the body parts to get infected, I knew this was the worst because of your cystic fibrosis.
We missed the appointment. By then, it was clear you were in a fight for your life.
You lost your appetite and shed 12 kilos almost overnight. The happy man I’d fallen in love with was gone.
“It’s going to be all right,” I said constantly, trying to believe the words.
Doctors gave you higher doses of drugs, but nothing worked.
Some days you were barely awake.
“Please, do something!” I urged the doctors.
After a phone call to a specialist in Canada, the doctor came to speak with me.
“We’ve found some stronger drugs overseas that have been successful with this kind of infection,” he said.
I balled my eyes out with relief that a miracle was on its way, “Kaylee, I must warn you: Les will get worse before he gets better,” the doctor added.
I didn’t care.
So long as there was hope, that was all that mattered.
One evening as I sat stroking your hand I made a decision.
“I want to marry you no matter what happens,” I said. “Me too,” you breathed.
But time was running out.
We gave ourselves two weeks to somehow plan a wedding.
“I want to marry outside in the sunshine,” you said. “Let’s do it tomorrow.”
Tomorrow!?
I thought back to how you’d surprised me with your proposal.
You’d certainly topped that!
“I want to marry you no matter what happens,” I said. “Me too,” you breathed.
Friends, family and hospital staff pulled together to organise everything so all I had to do was stay by your side. Slipping into a white gown, I reminded myself this wasn’t all just a dream.
You were in a wheelchair with your groomsmen, Clancy and Danny, who pushed you into the garden while Dad walked me down the garden path.
Spencer was so happy as he watched us officially become husband and wife.
“I love you,” I said, my lip trembling.
You weren’t able to stand, speak your vows or remove the oxygen mask for longer than 20 seconds to have our first kiss.
But as Ed Sheeran’s ‘Perfect’ started playing, I knew this really was the most perfect day. The lyrics spoke volumes.
I will not give you up this time
But darling, just kiss me slow, your heart is all I own
And in your eyes you’re holding mine
After an hour, you had to return to the hospital bed. Nurses had decorated your room with fairy lights and we ate our wedding cake together.
Since then, you’ve had ups and downs, but you’re a fighter, Les.
I want you to know I’ll always be here for you.
One day, I’m sure you’ll surprise me by bouncing back. Spencer can’t wait to play footy with you again!
Until then, I’ll cherish the precious memories we have, and how I was lucky enough to marry a perfect man.
All my love,
Kaylee xox
