Actress Kelsey Hardwick, 30, opened up about husband Tom Parker’s brain cancer battle, and the struggles of supporting a spouse as they undergo cancer treatment. Thankfully, his treatment is working, as Parker recently shared that his tumor has shrunk significantly. This is terrific news for their family.
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Hardwick says that her children and her husband are her motivation to pull through each day. She wrote, “I do know that these three human beings who am so lucky to call mine, they are my reasons for everything. They get me through the horrendous days, the bad days and we bloody enjoy the good days. My heart beams with pride when I look at how far my husband has come- he really is my inspiration. One step at a time, it's ok to take each day as it comes .”
Tom Parker’s Cancer Battle
Parker shared his brain cancer diagnosis in October 2020. The British musican shared on Instagram, writing, "Hey guys, you know that we've both been quiet on social media for a few weeks and it's time to tell you why. There's no easy way to say this but I've sadly been diagnosed with a Brain Tumour and I'm already undergoing treatment."
The Wanted’s singer is treating his brain cancer with chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. And we’re so grateful to hear that these treatments are working effectively for Parker, as he battles this disease at such a young age. Chemotherapy side effects can include nausea, fatigue, nerve pain, and hair loss. We’re not sure what side effects the singer is dealing with, but his recently shaved head suggests he may have experienced hair loss from chemo.
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Coping with a Spouse’s Cancer Diagnosis
As Hardwick shows, coping with a spouse’s cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming at times. That’s why it’s important to seek out resources to help support you, so you can, in turn, being a strong support system to your spouse as they go through their cancer journey. Resources may include therapy, support groups, or simply relying more on family and friends.
Related: A Major Step in the Cancer Journey: Learning to Deal With Vulnerability
In a previous interview, Camila Legaspi, who lost her mom to breast cancer, discussed how therapy helped her cope through that difficult time. “Therapy saved my life,” she said. I was dealing with some really intense anxiety and depression at that point. It just changed my life, because I was so drained by all the negativity that was going on. Going to a therapist helped me realize that there was still so much out there for me, that I still had my family, that I still had my siblings. The reality is, is when you lose someone, it’s really, really, really hard. And it’s totally OK to talk to someone. And I’m so happy that I talked to my therapist. Keep your chin up, and it’s going to be OK. No matter what happens, it’s going to be OK.”
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