Darren Wiley is walking, and, most importantly, he's alive.
His daughter, Iceland, turned 1.
"She's a very happy baby, constantly smiling. I can't wait to see what she'll be like at 2, at 1 and a half or next month at this point," wife Ivy Wiley said.
The Wileys got married at Loyola last March, after Darren faced a sudden serious illness.
"It made me real happier to see her today; that's what I've been fighting for, to see my wife and see my child," Darren Wiley said.
The 1-year-old loved the attention and icing.
Tuesday also was a surprise to boost Wiley's spirits during difficult treatment at Loyola University Medical Center.
He has spent more time at the hospital than home in the last year.
A potentially curative bone marrow transplant in December has led to serious complications with intense treatments.
"Wake up every day thinking about them when I'm going through the procedures that I'm going through, that it's all for them," Wiley said.
Wiley was diagnosed with a sudden onset of acute leukemia, and Loyola staff went into wedding planning mode last year. They also planned Tuesday's celebration.
"You live for moments like this, and this is a reminder for all of us why we do this, why we are here," said Dr. Stephanie Tsai, with Loyola University Medical Center.
"It puts in perspective, what life is really about. It's about being with family, the ones that you love, and thank those who have really helped during trials or terrible times," Ivy Wiley said.
"I persevere. I want to get out of here; it just takes time," Darren Wiley said.
Perhaps when she is older, Iceland will understand what this year has been like for her parents.
And perhaps they will be able to go on the vacation they have dreamed of to Iceland, where Darren was born.
For now, they just look forward to him coming home.
Wiley's doctor hopes he can go home in a week.
The couple has a GoFundMe to help with their ongoing unexpected expenses.
And while his complications have been serious, there is no sign of the leukemia.