‘We Were Able to Prepare…And Say Goodbye,’ Says Singer Kelis, 43, Who Lost Husband to Stomach Cancer

The Harlem continues, "We were able to spend the time that we needed to, as much as we were given, the best way that we could," she said. "Is it a great situation? No, it's freaking awful, but I am grateful."

Kelis adds, "It was out of our hands from the beginning. We're just grateful for what we had. It's part of life."

Kelis’ Husband Mike’s Brave Stomach Cancer Battle

Last October, Mora announced that his cancer had spread to other parts of his body. He had expressed to fans how "incredibly overwhelming" the "love and words of encouragement" had been. Although his experience with navigating cancer had been "emotional," he shared that it had ultimately made him stronger.

Mora's early stomach cancer symptoms included pains in his stomach and fatigue. "Loss of appetite. Pain in my back also started to creep in…finally decided to do something about it," Mora wrote in a September 2021 Instagram post, one year after his diagnosis

He says he initially thought it was an ulcer. After seeking medical treatment, Mora was diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma.

Mora said that doctors had given him a year-and-a-half to live. "They said 18 months. It's been exactly 12," he wrote.

More times than not, we hear of stories where a cancer patients is given "X" amount of time to live, and more times than not, the person will survive for years after. It's crucial not to let this tragic story get you down. The important part is he never stopped fighting or raising awareness about the disease. Although his time here was cut short, Mora sharing his story has most likely done more to help others than he ever knew. If you are ever in this predicament: Never stop fighting.

Understanding Stomach Cancer

Stomach cancer occurs when an abnormal growth of cells begins in the stomach and becomes cancerous. Treatment options for this disease include surgery, medications, radiation, and chemotherapy.

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS) there will be approximately 26,560 new cases of stomach cancer diagnosed in the U.S. this year (16,160 in men and 10,400 in women). Stomach cancer typically affects older people, with the average age of diagnosis being 68. Nearly 6 of every 10 people diagnosed with stomach cancer each year are 65 or older. Symptoms of this disease may include:

• Difficulty swallowing
• Feeling bloated after eating
• Feeling full after eating small amounts of food
• Heartburn
• Indigestion
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Unintentional weight loss
• Vomiting

Although stomach cancer is one of the more aggressive types with, there is more hope today than ever with people surviving the disease.

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Supportive Spouses Through Cancer

It’s powerful how Kelis was able to be there to support Mora through his stomach cancer battle. Having a supportive partner or spouse through a cancer battle can help tremendously.

In an earlier interview, actress and melanoma survivor Jill Kargman candidly expresses how she believes that cancer can be a litmus test for the strength of a relationship.

She says, "I think cancer is a great way to find out if you're with the love of your life or a shithead. I think it presses the fast forward button on getting to the bottom of that answer because a lot of people in middle age are kind of at a crossroads, waiting for their kids to fly the coop."

Kargman continues, "And I think if you're with someone who is not supportive and kind of emotionally checked out or doesn't tell you you're still beautiful with that, this might not be your person."

Jill Kargman on Relationships and Cancer

Contributing: SurvivorNet staff

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