Brave Queenslander Emma is finding the strength to battle cancer in the arms of a very special man.
Surrounded by family, friends and the Gold Coast hinterland, it was a fairytale wedding for courageous Emma and her new husband Serge Simic.
Gazing adoringly into each other’s eyes, the young couple wished each other “comfort on difficult days” and “smiles when sadness intrudes”, vows chosen specifically not to reference the future because they might not have one.
Weeks earlier, Emma, 23, was informed she had three months to live after being diagnosed with Stage 4 melanoma.
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Despite planning her own funeral, Emma was given an unexpected lifeline – the chance to participate in a trial of MK-3475, the new “wonder drug” giving hope to a select few melanoma sufferers.
Since then, her tumours have stopped growing and spreading, meaning she’s survived past her once-devastating prognosis.
While the drug continues to work, the young couple savour that little extra time to love each other – but there’s really no telling how long they’ve got.
That’s why Serge is using every second to make Emma happy.
“Every day I do something. If I have a thought, like to go get her flowers, I’ll do that. I always try to take the time, because there might not be a second chance.
“As selfish as it sounds, when the day comes for Emma to pass, I can say I’ve given her my best.”
Their second date was in hospital. The melanoma had progressed to Stage 3, and spread to Emma’s liver. Serge stayed by her side, visiting every night.
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“I remember saying to him, ‘There’s no hope now. We’ll never have kids, we won’t even make five years’,” says Emma.
“I gave him a get-out-of-jail-free card… but he stuck around.”
When her cancer progressed to Stage 4, Emma gave Serge the same option. Instead, he asked her to marry him.
“He’s amazing to sign up for this life,” says Emma.
Read Emma and Serge’s amazing full story only in Woman’s Day, on sale 1st December.
