Reaching the closing chemotherapy session indicates a meaningful milestone for anyone battling cancer.
However, for Angelica May, 27, the emotional apex came with heartening amazement: a marriage proposal from her high school sweetheart of a decade, leaving her overflowing with sheer joy moments after ringing the cancer bell.
May was diagnosed with stage 2 triple-negative breast cancer, a contentious form of the disease.
Woman Completes Chemotherapy Treatment, Receives Marriage Proposal
Angelica May had plenty of reasons to celebrate on March 20. The resident of Wilmington, North Carolina, noted the edge of her chemotherapy medication by ringing the golden bell at Novant Health Zimmer Cancer Institute.
Her loved ones lined the corridors to commemorate this significant milestone, anticipating one more surprise: a marriage proposal from her partner, Imeek Watkins. This heartwarming moment was captured in a video shared with Storyful.
"I knew all our family would be there, close friends, and her family, so I just felt like that would be a perfect time to do it," explained Watkins, 25, to "Good Morning America."
May expressed her surprise at the proposal, despite the red carpet laid out for the occasion. "I was very surprised. I didn't expect him to do it on the day that I rang the bell," she shared with "GMA." "I was expecting him to propose later this year. He definitely caught me off guard."
The couple, together for a decade, has faced a challenging journey since May's diagnosis of stage 2 triple-negative breast cancer. Unable to work, May leaned on Watkins, who paused his football career and took on two jobs to support her.
"[Watkins] put his dreams on hold for me to help me get through this. So, I really am thankful for him," May expressed. "He's been by my side ever since we found out the news."
Couple Eagerly Looks Forward to Their Future Together
Watkins, impressed by May's resilience, commended her strength during the difficult times. "For you to be this young just going through something like this, it's just amazing how you just push through it and finished this whole process," he remarked.
Now engaged, the couple eagerly anticipates their future together, embracing gratitude for each other. "I'm taking it day by day but definitely it's wedding planning time," May exclaimed.
"I'm super excited about that. I just want to get through my surgery and finish up my last rounds with immunotherapy and start this wedding planning."
May and Watkins aspire to inspire others with their story. "Keep fighting, just keep going through it," Watkins encouraged. "It's always someone out there going through your same similar situation ... support is always around."
"I want people to know that there's always a light at the end of the tunnel," May added. "We may not see it during the time or think it's gonna happen, but there's always a light at the end of the tunnel. Keep fighting. Never give up. Always have hope, and always have courage."
