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A woman turned her fiancé's 8-month cancer recovery story and their hospital wedding into an emotional TikTok montage to inspire others in difficult times

Charissa Cheong   

A woman turned her fiancé's 8-month cancer recovery story and their hospital wedding into an emotional TikTok montage to inspire others in difficult times
LifeThelife5 min read
  • Zach Stroup was diagnosed with lymphoma shortly after getting engaged to his high school sweetheart.
  • He spent eight months in hospital before the couple decided to share their journey on TikTok.

A woman turned her partner's recovery from cancer, from their wedding in the hospital ward to his efforts in physical therapy, into an emotional TikTok montage that went viral on the platform.

Madison and Zach Stroup, who are both based in Colorado, first met in high school, where they were in the same catering class, but they didn't start dating for another five years, when they reconnected through Facebook and agreed to go on a date in February 2018.

The couple, now aged 24 and 26, got engaged in March 2021, while they were on a trip in Florida. Neither of them knew that Zach, who was previously diagnosed with lymphoma — a cancer of the body's germ-fighting lymphatic system — in 2020, was about to relapse, and would spend the next eight months in chemotherapy.

The couple told Insider that the events that followed were extremely challenging for them, as they ended up having their wedding ceremony in Zach's hospital ward, and at times were not sure if they would have much time left together. But when Zach went into remission a second time and was discharged from the hospital on July 6, the couple celebrated by turning all their pictures and videos from the experience into a montage on TikTok.

Neither of them had previously used the app, but after they posted the video they unexpectedly became explosively viral, receiving 29 million views. They told Insider they hoped the video would show people what it was like for them to overcome adversity and hardship while staying positive throughout.

The couple wanted to share their story but had no idea it would go so hugely viral

After Zach was able to come home permanently from the hospital, the couple said they did some reflecting on how the past few months had impacted their relationship.

"It definitely tested our love for each other. And I think that getting through all this does show how much we do love each other, as Maddie was able to take care of me for so many months," Zach told Insider.

Madison added that the experience of getting married inside a hospital changed the couple's perspective on marriage. "When you do your vows and you say 'in sickness and health,' I feel like a lot of people don't really realize what that means. And for us, we do know, and it's definitely created such a strong foundation for ourselves."

Neither Madison nor Zach had TikTok at the time, but Madison's mom was an active user of the app, and she was the one to suggest that they share their experience on the platform.

"My mom kept telling us, 'I think that if you can share your story, you would be able to go viral and educate people and give hope to people that might not have that hope," Madison told Insider.

@the_stroups #fuckcancer #nonhodkinslymphoma #braincancer#wedding #againstallodds #fighter #insicknessandinhealth #cancersurvivor ♬ drivers license - Olivia Rodrigo

The couple agreed, and Madison downloaded TikTok, where she spent roughly 30 minutes putting together a montage of videos and pictures taken during the past year — from the day of their engagement to clips of Zach recovering from chemotherapy, their wedding at the hospital, and finally the day he was discharged.

"I really only thought a few people would see it," said Madison, who had not even followed any of her friends on the app when she posted the video on August 27.

The clip received hundreds of thousands of views in a matter of hours, the couple said, and seeing how it has now been viewed by millions of people — with some commenters writing that they are also dealing with cancer or supporting someone who is — has made them feel grateful and excited, they said.

"It's just really cool though that we're able to spread our message and help motivate others that are going through similar things that we did, and to help them keep pushing on," Zach told Insider.

Madison and Zach decided to keep posting TikToks to inspire others facing challenging situations

After the couple's first TikTok video went viral, they posted several additional videos that revealed more details about Zach's recovery and how they handled the experience as a couple.

They've also posted videos sharing information about the possible treatments and tests that detect lymphoma, saying that they hope to raise awareness and educate people about this type of cancer.

@the_stroups The first time my husband was diagnosed with blood cancer these were the symptoms he had. Advocate for your health!#advocate #youngcancer #bloodcancer #survivor #fuckcancer #insicknessandinhealth #stage4cancer #healthcare #marriage @zach_stroup ♬ In Jesus Name (God Of Possible) - Katy Nichole

Madison told Insider the couple also wanted to show people the realities of recovering after cancer, an experience which she said does not necessarily get easier after chemotherapy, as Zach still has to attend physical therapy and uses a wheelchair and a walker to support himself.

"It just shows that you still have to fight after the fight and that your life goes on, but it's not ever going to be the same," she said.

@the_stroups Screw you cancer. You’ve tried to take my husband too many times.. you’ve stolen so much from us. But we WON! #fuckcancer #physicaltherapy ##braincancer##nonhodgkinslymphoma ♬ Riser - Dierks Bentley

Zach told Insider he hopes the couple's TikTok account can also inspire people dealing with issues other than cancer, such as mental health problems or other physical illnesses.

"I just want to spread the word that your mindset is so important," he said, adding, "Staying positive is probably the hardest and strongest thing that will get you through."

For more stories like this, check out coverage from Insider's Digital Culture team here.


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