Fiona Phillips' husband says he wishes wife had cancer instead of Alzheimer's
Martin Frizell, husband of TV presenter Fiona Phillips, has expressed his wish that his wife had been diagnosed with cancer rather than Alzheimer's disease, as there might have been a possibility for a cure.
Married to the journalist and broadcaster since 1998, Martin highlighted the lack of support and care packages available for those living with Alzheimer's. He has taken on the role of primary carer for Fiona, whose diagnosis in her early 60s in 2023 has significantly impacted her cognitive abilities.
The mum-of-two shared how she became unaware of her forgetfulness and tendency to repeat herself. Martin, who resigned from his position as editor of This Morning last year, said "family priorities to [soon] change".
He acknowledged the need to maintain his health for Fiona's sake, as any illness on his part could lead to their entire support system collapsing.
However, he believes that if Fiona had been diagnosed with cancer, a treatment plan would have been in place, offering hope.
In an excerpt adapted from Fiona's forthcoming book, Remember When: My Life With Alzheimer's, Martin pens: "Being brutally honest, I wish Fiona had contracted cancer instead.
"It's a shocking thing to say, but at least then she might have had a chance of a cure, and certainly would have had a treatment pathway and an array of support and care packages.
"But that's not there for Alzheimer's. Just like there are no funny or inspiring TikTok videos or fashion shoots with smiling, healthy, in-remission survivors," reports the Mirror.
Martin continued to express his concerns, stating: "After someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer's, they are pretty much left to their own devices. There is nothing more that can be done and you are left to cope alone."
Fiona, who has two sons with Martin, echoed this sentiment in her writing: "I gently push the door open, but then, in that very moment, I sense the person I love has disappeared again. They're gone. The memory has gone.
"And I'm all alone. And that's how it is for me now, living with Alzheimer's."
Fiona has a family history of Alzheimer's, with both her parents having suffered from the condition. However, tests have shown that she does not carry the gene, which means her sons are not at risk of inheriting it.
Despite this reassurance, Martin's concerns remain, as he reveals in the candid extract: "As time has passed, I have come to understand that if I were to fall ill or worse, the whole house of cards would collapse.
"I have had to stay well for Fiona."
Martin has taken on a multitude of responsibilities, including managing the household, caring for Fiona, and working a seven-day-a-week job. He admits to feeling drained, both physically and emotionally.
He described the experience, writing: "Sorting the bank accounts, utility direct debits, hospital appointments, clothes, washing, parking permits, shopping, cooking, tidying the house – in fact, all the stuff I took for granted because Fiona dealt with it (as well as her own career) – became my responsibilities.
"This was along with a seven-day-a-week job. It was knackering.
"There were times I felt drained, physically and emotionally.
"On top of the stress, the boys and I are enduring a kind of living grief – a slow goodbye to the woman we love."
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