Cancer or no cancer, couple moves forward with wedding plans


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SALT LAKE CITY — A 32-year-old woman diagnosed with stage four colon cancer is not giving up on life. Despite the test result she's been handed, her boyfriend of a year and half decided to commit to her more than ever.

"We had mutual friends who both invited us over for dinner, and we started a game of Words with Friends; and that's how Jason asked me out," Amanda Catano said.

Jason Dorais was attracted to Amanda's fun and positive personality, he said. A year and a half into their relationship, those qualities were tested with one negative diagnoses.

"(Doctors) told me there was a mass and it was most likely cancer," Amanda said. She had stage four colon cancer.

"That's not what you expect in a healthy girl," Jason said.

Doctors also found cancer in Amanda's pelvic bone and in her lungs. Through each test result, she has remained true to what Jason loves most.

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"I haven't been angry or asking ‘why is this happening to me?' so much as it's just kind of what life has dealt me," Amanda said.

And Jason has stayed strong with her. In fact, he's made the ultimate commitment.

"We were in her room, just woke up from a nap, and I had a ring under her bed," Jason said, recalling how they got engaged. "I just ‘put a ring on it.'"

It was a simple yet perfect proposal for a girl who was too sick to leave her bed — from a guy who just wants forever.

"It's an easy decision if it's something we were going to do, so why would cancer change that?" Jason said.

It's Amanda's cancer that has helped show these two why they're meant to be.

"He's been really sensitive and has taken care of me, and I think that's what you want to know, that the person you're going to marry is going to take care of you through thick or thin — and this is pretty thick," Amanda said.

While the couple doesn't know how much time they have together, they're both staying hopeful. They have plans for a small wedding Dec. 21, and a larger one in the spring when Amanda expects to feel stronger.

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Devon Dolan

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