Man given days to live celebrates second wedding anniversary after miraculous recovery following emergency wedding in hospital

A man who had an emergency wedding in hospital after being given just days to live, is celebrating his second wedding anniversary today after surprising doctors with a miraculous recovery.

When doctors told him he had life-threatening complications which meant they expected him to have just days left to live, Bendigo Davies, who lives in Tenbury Wells, had one last request to marry his partner of 40 years, Arlaine.

Bendigo, 77, had been admitted to Worcestershire Royal Hospital in a critical condition. He was told he had Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) and a blood clot in the lung, triggered by a very high level of leukaemia cells. This required urgent treatment with a blood thinner, but risked causing dangerous bleeding as his blood platelets were seriously low due to AML.

On 26 January 2024, just three days after being admitted to hospital, staff on the Laurel 3 ward at Worcestershire Royal Hospital transformed the ward into a beautiful setting for Bendigo and Arlaine’s special day.

Patients and staff lined the corridor to celebrate, ‘here comes the bride’ was sang as Arlaine walked down the makeshift aisle, as applause, cheers, and smiles echoed around the ward, marking an emotional occasion. 

The ceremony took place in a private room on the ward, where Bendigo and Arlaine tied the knot surrounded by their loved ones, creating an unforgettable moment filled with love and hope.

Bendigo said: “I truly believe the reason I survived is because I knew I was getting married. That hope kept me alive.”

Arlaine described: “The wedding was beautiful and such a happy day. So much of that was down to the incredible people around us, the staff did everything they could to make it ever so special.”

When a blood test result from his GP came back with a high white blood cell count, Bendigo was sent to Worcestershire Royal Hospital. His condition had deteriorated and following a bone marrow biopsy and specialist tests, Bendigo was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML). Further investigations also found that Bendigo had a clot on the lung making treatment with a blood thinner very challenging in the presence of a low level of platelet cells and further complicating a complex clinical condition. 

Less than 24 hours later, Bendigo was declared in a critical condition with a life-expectancy of less than one month. In addition to needing urgent treatment for AML, he needed treatment for the blood clot on his lung and bleeding preventative measures, which often comes with life-threatening complications when a patient also has leukaemia.

Consultant Haematologist, Dr Sangam Hebballi, explained: “It was a difficult balance of safety and efficacy which had to be done cautiously with very close monitoring in the initial few days when he was on blood thinner, daily platelet transfusions and urgent chemotherapy to quickly lower the leukaemia cells. To pace ourselves, we were focusing one day at a time until he was stable enough to start the definitive treatment for AML. Ben was not suitable for the usual intensive chemotherapy and stem cell transplant because of his age.”

Dr Hebballi had difficult but honest conversations with Bendigo, and his now wife, about the complex treatment for his AML and serious complications. Fully aware of the precarious situation that early death was the main concern from life-threatening bleeding, infections and the high risk AML, Ben made the decision to go ahead with the proposed treatment.

Arlaine said: “It was obvious to me that he was dying, I kept expecting it everyday. I didn’t speak to anyone about it, because I knew that would make it feel more real. It was terrifying, I was under no illusions about what might happen.”

After tying the knot at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, Bendigo spent the next six weeks being treated with Venetoclax and Azacitidine, a form of chemotherapy. Against all odds, he was discharged home with his new wife in early March 2024 to enjoy a belated honeymoon.

Two years later, Bendigo’s AML is in complete remission but still requires a cycle of five full days of chemotherapy treatment every six weeks for the rest of his life.

Bendigo said: “I couldn’t praise the nurses, doctors and staff enough, the care I received was incredible. I still go to the hospital every six weeks for treatment, and it is lovely to catch up with the staff, they have been amazing.”

Bendigo and Arlaine have always shared a passion for music, having first met at a folk festival. Bendigo continues to play the guitar, sing and MC (master of ceremonies). He now performs solo or alongside his wife, Arlaine at folk clubs and festivals. 

Consultant Haematologist, Dr Sangam Hebballi said: “After spending six long weeks in the hospital going through significant illness and uncertainty, Bendigo has overcome multiple complex and life-threatening clinical challenges. The beauty of this treatment regimen is that the couple manage to go on holidays, often to Norfolk, which they are able to plan in between his ongoing chemotherapy cycles. With a positive mindset he continues to live life to the fullest with his wife, carefully balancing his ongoing chemotherapy on the Rowan Suite at Worcestershire Royal Hospital. Bendigo’s journey is a powerful story of hope and happiness.

Bendigo said: “We live everyday as it comes, you never know what is going to happen tomorrow so if you want to do something, just do it!”