How They Met Despite Doctor’s Warning
Katie Prager, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, met her soulmate Dalton on Facebook back when they were 18. But Dalton despite his amazing personality and charming good looks had a deadly disadvantage: he suffered from Burkholderia cepacia, a highly contagious infection for people with cystic fibrosis. The doctors warned Katie to not pursue their online romance for real, as there was a high chance for Katie to contract the bacteria. Nevertheless, they both met up in person in Kentucky. Two years later, they married.
Picture courtesy
Both Suffered A Lot, Yet They Have Each Other
Katie, however, did get infected with the Burkholderia cepacia and the couple had to wait for transplants at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dalton got his transplant first in 2014, followed by Katie in 2015. But although Dalton’s transplant was a success, he had to face new medical struggles and developed lymphoma. Even after overcoming the cancer, it seemed fate had more trouble lined up. He was hospitalized with pneumonia and viral infection and was on ventilation in an intensive care unit before finally succumbing on a Saturday afternoon. He was only 25. Even as he was dying, he FaceTimed with Katie whose transplant did not work well and was confined in hospice at her Kentucky home. Katie later told CNN, “It gave me some of the best years of my life. I’d rather have five years of being in love and just really completely happy than 20 years of not having anybody.”
Life Is Hard Yet Beautiful
Picture courtesy This goes on to show that life is indeed unpredictable and we never know when the Wheel of Fortune shall turn for the worse. So, instead focus on the present moment, love as much as you can and be grateful for all the good and beautiful things in your life right now. Featured photo credit: facebook.com via facebook.com
