DALLAS – Diane Aulger was about two weeks from her delivery date when she and her husband decided there was no time to wait: Mark Aulger had only days to live, and he wanted to see his child.

Diane Aulger had her labor induced and gave birth to their daughter Jan. 18. When tiny Savannah was placed in his arms, Mark Aulger “cried, and he just looked very sad,” his wife said. He died five days later from complications related to his cancer treatment.

The 52-year-old Texas man was diagnosed with colon cancer in April. He had surgery and six months of chemotherapy, Diane Aulger said. With no signs of cancer in follow-up tests, the treatment seemed successful.

In November, Mark Aulger began having trouble breathing. By Jan. 3, he was sick enough to go to the emergency room. His wife said he was told the chemotherapy had caused him to develop pulmonary fibrosis, which scars and thickens the lungs.

But on Jan. 16, the doctor delivered more bad news: Mark Aulger had five or six days to live.

“Mark said, ‘I’d like to see the baby,’ ” the 31-year-old mother said.

Their baby was due Jan. 29, and Diane Aulger was already experiencing pre-labor symptoms, and they scheduled the birth for Jan. 18.

The Aulgers shared a large labor and delivery room.

“Our beds were side by side,” Diane Aulger said.

Mark held his daughter for about 45 minutes after she was born. For the next couple of days, he was so tired he was able to hold her only a couple of times for a minute or so. He slipped into a coma Jan. 21 and died two days later.

The Aulgers had two other children, ages 10 and 7. Diane Aulger also has a 15-year-old and a 13-year-old.