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Shen Shukun, 86, is in the final stages of prostate cancer. His wife, Cui Liying, also 86, suffers from Alzheimer's disease and is almost totally blind.

Shen Shukun and his wife Cui Liying (front, 3rd from left) in this photo undated. [Provided by Shanghai Star]

They've been married for more than 60 years, but Shen says he had hoped to grow old together happily. But now, he hopes her disease will allow her to forget him when he's gone, so her life will be easier.

That may be his last wish. His health is no longer as he wishes it to be and Shen suffers from diabetes and lung, bladder and kidney ailments, he also has prostate cancer but decided to stop treatment.

Earlier this year, on the first day of the Lunar New Year, he moved into the nursing home where his wife now stays so he could spend his remaining days next to her.

"Every morning, I pull her into my room from the other building, make her a cup of coffee with milk, her favorite drink, and we watch sports programs on TV together," Shen says.

Sweet memories

Shen and Cui first met in 1945 when they were both teenagers. Shen's cousin had introduced them and they quickly became close. "Open courtship was rare in those days, and I guess we were one of the lucky couples," recalls Shen.

Both were born into wealthy families and received good educations. Shen studied agriculture at Fu Jen Catholic University.

"My father bought a lot of farmland in Hangzhou, and that's why I chose to study agriculture," Shen says.

A shared interest in dancing helped the couple grow closer. Shen says Cui was a great dancer, and before they got married they danced as often as possible.

Shen says he was touched by Cui's good nature and generosity. "Many of our old neighbors, who knew us for more than 40 years, still visit her after she moved into the nursing home in 2012," he says.

The couple's parents were eager to have grandchildren, so Shen and Cui got married in 1949. They went on to have three children, two boys and girl.

Cui became a housewife and took care of the children.

"We never quarreled throughout the marriage," Shen says. "If we had differing opinions, we would calm down and try to see the other's point of view."

Diagnosis

Cui's health started declining around 10 years ago, when she began losing her sight. A few years ago, her condition worsened when she began showing signs of dementia and was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

Despite Cui's condition, Shen still tried to dance with her as much as possible, to help her exercise her muscles. Shen took care of Cui until November 2012, when he brought her to the Pudong Shinan Nursing Home.

The day after he moved Cui into the nursing home, Shen began receiving treatment for his prostate cancer.

On June 7 this year, Shen and Cui had a photo taken with her in a bridal gown, something they never had a chance to do when they were young.

Shen also asked his wife to dance, and they did a waltz.

Shen never had the chance to formally proposeto Cui, so he got down on one knee, with flowers in his hands, and popped the question.

During the photo shoot, Shen sang The Moon Represents My Heart, and every time he reached the line, "Oh my love istrue", he gazed into his wife's eyes.

Shen and Cui live in different rooms at the nursing home, but he says this is because he may be sent to the hospital at any time, and he doesn't want to upset Cui.

"For me, every day is a gift from Heaven, so I cherish each day together," he says.

He says there is still one thing he wishes. "I want her to forget me after I am gone. That way, she may be able to lead a happier life."

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