EAMON Gorman had two wishes when doctors diagnosed him with terminal cancer – to marry his girlfriend and have a baby.

So, before he started his chemotherapy treatment, he rushed off to plan his wedding and talk about having a family with his fiancee.

"I didn't know how long I had left," said Eamon, 35. "So I chased my dreams as fast as I could. I told Kate that I wanted to marry her and give her a baby. It was my biggest, biggest hope before I died.

"I'm a happy lad now. I got what I wanted," he smiled.

Eamon and Kate, 28, tied the knot just five weeks after doctors discovered his body was riddled with cancer.

And their precious daughter, Maisie Elizabeth, who they describe as their 'miracle girl', was born in May.

The couple had specialist fertility treatment to conceive their beautiful baby, who is now 17 weeks old.

They used Eamon's frozen sperm, collected before he started his aggressive course of chemotherapy.

Doctors warned that chemotherapy could damage Eamon's semen so they discussed the possibilities of freezing some for future use.

Within days of his diagnosis, he produced a sample, giving the couple the best chance of conceiving a baby at a later date.

"I was told the chemo could kill my chances of having a baby in the future," said Eamon. "That was really worrying because we knew we wanted a family.

"When a nurse at the hospital asked if I'd like to arrange for some of my sperm to be frozen, I immediately agreed.

"It was a really good idea before I started my chemotherapy. That way, we could try for a baby while I was having treatment. If my sperm was damaged because of my chemo, it would stop us from having a family."

Last year, the pair underwent specialist fertility treatment at CARE Fertility Group, which has a clinic in Nottingham.

Eamon's frozen sperm was used in a procedure called ICIS, a technique in which one sperm is injected directly into one egg in order to fertilise it.

Little Maisie was born at the Royal Derby Hospital on May 17.

"She's a joy," said Eamon. "I am the proudest dad. When I hold her, I can't tell you what it feels like.

"She's really good too. She's a real giggle pops and smiles all the time. I am blessed. Truly blessed."

Kate, who works part-time as a trainer, says she's loving being a mum. She's enjoying spending time at home with new baby and new husband.

"It's been such an amazing few weeks," she said. "I'm on maternity leave at the moment so it's so wonderful.

"Eamon is at home with me and that's very special, too.

"There are times when he feels unwell but he's lucky to be having all his treatment here at the house.

"It's less of a disruption if Eamon does it here."

Eamon has fortnightly chemotherapy treatment and, in between that, he has other drugs to help fight his cancer.

He was diagnosed with a bowel tumour in 2007 but, soon after, medics revealed that the cancer had spread into his lungs, liver and lymph nodes.

For the last two years, the tumours had not grown but, recently, the ones in his lungs have started to get bigger. Changes were made to his treatment in a bid to stop the growth.

"All I wanted from my life was to get married and have a baby. Marrying Kate and having Maisie has made me so happy.

"Life is so precious. I feel very lucky to have had my dreams come true. When I look at my little girl, I just can't believe it.

"Being told that you have terminal cancer isn't the best news but what's happened since is truly amazing."

Eamon has refused to find out just how long he's got left because he says he hates the thought of counting down the days.

He says he wants to live each day to the full with his two gorgeous girls and enjoy being a family.

"Every day I wake up and tell myself that I'm going to fight this," he said. "I tell myself that I'm not ill and that everything's going to be all right.

"Being positive is absolutely vital. I know I'm doing well because I'm thinking good thoughts.

"My consultant is pleased with my progress. I have to fight it."

Kate admits she secretly worries about the future and hates the thought of losing Eamon.

But she remains strong for the sake of her husband and new daughter.

She says they have received huge support from their families and have a strong network of friends.

"We don't really talk about the sad stuff," said Kate.

"We enjoy the time we have together. We do nice things.

"We're lucky. We had a fantastic wedding and then we had Maisie. We moved house too.

"We're very happy."

But one thing Kate does mention is that more of Eamon's healthy sperm is still "on ice" at Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre.

After breaking the news, she smiles.

"Who knows," she beams. "Maybe Maisie will get to have a little brother or sister, we'll just have to wait and see.

"Eamon and I would love another baby. We've already said that. We've been so lucky with Maisie, she's so great."

Eamon says he's signed legal documents giving Kate consent to use his sperm if he's not around but the pair remain hopeful.

"I'm doing all right," he said. "I'm not planning on going anywhere yet.

"I'd love to have another baby with Kate and I know it will happen.

"But I'd like to be here to see it. I'd like to hold my baby and see it born, just like Maisie.

"I want to be a dad, a good dad to my children."

Dr Simon Fishel, managing director of CARE Fertility Group, said: "Although at times we need to introduce high technology to help couples conceive, there can be no greater joy for the family than the birth of a healthy child."