A Scottish woman who was diagnosed with terminal cancer has fulfilled her wish of marrying her soul mate in a dream wedding. Lynsey Macdonald, 36, from Glasgow, tied the knot with her partner of 10 years, Mark, 38, in a beautiful ceremony at Loch Lomond on March 3, 2024.
A Shocking Diagnosis
Lynsey was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in November 2023, after experiencing symptoms such as bloating, fatigue, and weight loss. She was told that the cancer had spread to her liver, lungs, and bones, and that she had only months to live.
Lynsey, who works as a nurse, said: “It was a huge shock. I had no family history of bowel cancer and I was fit and healthy. I thought I had irritable bowel syndrome or something like that. I never expected it to be cancer, let alone terminal.”
Lynsey decided to undergo chemotherapy to prolong her life and spend more time with her loved ones, especially her two children, Lewis, 13, and Ellie, 9. She also made a bucket list of things she wanted to do before she died, such as going to Disneyland, seeing the Northern Lights, and getting married.
A Dream Come True
Lynsey and Mark, who met through mutual friends, had been engaged for eight years, but never got around to planning their wedding. They decided to make it a priority after Lynsey’s diagnosis, and set a date for March 2024.
However, they faced a challenge of raising enough money to pay for their dream wedding, as Lynsey had to stop working due to her illness. They set up a GoFundMe page to ask for donations, and were overwhelmed by the generosity of strangers, who helped them raise over £10,000 in just a few weeks.
Lynsey said: “We were so grateful for the support we received from people we didn’t even know. It was amazing how kind and generous they were. They made our dream come true.”
With the help of their family and friends, Lynsey and Mark organized their wedding in just six weeks. They booked a stunning venue at Loch Lomond, hired a photographer, a videographer, a florist, a cake maker, and a band, and invited 80 guests to share their special day.
Lynsey said: “It was the most perfect day. Everything was beautiful and went smoothly. I felt like a princess in my dress. Mark looked handsome in his kilt. We exchanged our vows and rings, and had our first dance. It was so romantic and emotional. I was so happy to marry my soul mate.”
A Message of Hope
Lynsey and Mark are now enjoying their honeymoon in a luxury lodge at Loch Lomond, thanks to a generous gift from their wedding venue. They are planning to make the most of their time together, and create more memories with their children.
Lynsey said: “We don’t know how long I have left, but we are trying to stay positive and hopeful. We are living each day as it comes, and cherishing every moment. We are so thankful for everything we have, and everyone who has helped us along the way.”
Lynsey also wants to raise awareness of bowel cancer, and encourage people to get checked if they have any symptoms. She said: “Bowel cancer can affect anyone, at any age. It’s not just an old person’s disease. It’s important to listen to your body, and see your doctor if something doesn’t feel right. Early detection can save lives.”
